10 Reasons You Know You Went to Private School
Until college, I attended private school for my whole education. It wasn’t until my
freshman year of college where I became aware that there really is a big difference in Private and Public schools. After discussions with multiple people over the years, I noticed things that only Private school alums would understand. Below are 10 ways (in no particular order) that you know you went to private school:
- 1
Dress Down Days
Something every kid loves, because it is the one day where we can wear what we want and be able to stand out from the others
- 2
Classmates not living in the same town as you
Unlike public schools where your friends live in your neighborhood, it is not the same for private. I had classmates and friends who lived in Ocean, Monmouth, and Middlesex county while in High School. When you have a driver’s license it is not bad, but when you can’t drive and need your parents to drive you to your friend’s house, it can be a hassle
- 3
Facial Hair
The hair for guys always had to be shaped and we had to be clean shaven at all times. At one point or another, we tried to be a rebel and would fail. My high school would make you shave in the bathroom if you went to school not clean shaven
- 4
Prayers
Prayed before every class and every meal. Try going to class your first day of college and not having to pray
- 5
Uniforms
Girls never had to worry about what to wear on the first day of school because it was uniforms every day. Girls always had to wear the skirts at a certain length and guys always had to wear ties (that we knew how to tie ourselves)
- 6
Holy Days Off
Every Catholic holiday we would have off, leaving our Public school friends jealous. However, we felt the same when they would get off for the Jewish holidays
- 7
Community Service
Everyone had to do it as a requirement to graduate. Nobody liked doing it, but secretly we all loved being able to help out the community
- 8
You Know Everyone
Because private schools are generally smaller (see 10). You knew everyone in your class. My elementary school class had 26 students and high school had 216. I knew everyone and all knew me
- 9
Retreats
Days to get out of classes and bond with your classmates
- 10
Nuns, Priests, Brothers
At one point or another, you had either a nun, priest, or even brother teach you