My thoughts on private/independent schooling versus public schools

I wrote this as part of writing class so it sounds a little forced... Oh well. Here it is.
        Students can go to either the public schools paid for and sponsored by the government to provide a bare minimum education, or they can pay to go to a private school owned by local organizations and often affiliated with churches of the area. After seven long years of living through a collection of various public schools, I recently made the switch to a private school (or more specifically an independent school) of the area and my opinion of public schools will forever be changed because of it.

        While in public schools I was unaware of the many opportunities available to me. I was used to not asking questions, working at the speed of others, and going by the curriculum provided by “the man.” In other words, “the man”, was always holding the students back from achieving more. This was all so that they could work with the students that were having difficulties. Everything was dumbed down so that students of all brain capacity would be able to learn fast enough, and to complete every task listed in the curriculum. Learning was a chore and seemed unbearable for me. If I ever felt that I wasn't understanding something, I was ignored. As long as I was passing their class, they didn't care if I was understanding or not. I wasn't aware of the flaw until I had reached middle school age and by then it was too late. 

      When I made the switch this past year to a private school, I was shocked at the flexibility in classes (not to mention the small sizes), shocked by the patience and willingness to work by the teachers. It was the school I had dreamed of during those painful hours of waiting in public schools. We, as students, were treated less like slaves and more like a son/daughter. In the seventh grade there were only 5 students, and in some grades even less. We took all the same classes that public school students normally take but, we were doing work that was normally two years ahead of what they were doing. If we had a problem we were all treated equally and most likely, we all had the same question because we all all thought so similarly.

        With only 20 kids in the upper school (6^th -10^th grade) the classes were able to be held in different locations. We weren't restricted to just 4 walls, pencil, paper, and a prominent figure instructing students similarly to a dictator. There was no strict curriculum for the teachers, and they were able to teach things in ways that the students enjoyed and learned well in. It was my perfect learning environment (and still is) and it was for many others. The options and flexibility made learning enjoyable for students and for the most part teachers too. What all of the public schools lacked, it made this school enjoyable.

        I would recommend and encourage any student/family wanting to switch from public schools to go to a private or independent school. There aren't as many problems socially amongst students, teachers can adjust classes to fit needs of students, there are very few things limiting the school from doing things educationally fit, and the overall learning environment is better. These have been my opinions on private schools from the perspective of a long time member of public schools recently making the switch to private schools.