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soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Jewish Childrearing Related Questions (12/12)
Section - Question 21.6.1: Schooling: How do I determine the right type of religious program: day school vs. afterschool?

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   A day school education has the advantage of keeping the child's
   social, and secular training consistent. An after school program is
   often perceived by the child to show that the religious education is
   only an afterthought and is not as "important" as the "regular"
   classes. A day school education will also cover more ground, be
   integrated with the child's life, and teach the child throughout
   his/her entire school career.
   On the other hand, there are also advantages to public school plus
   afternoon Hebrew school. These include having school friends in the
   neighborhood, and the fact that non-Jews who go to school with Jewish
   kids are probably less likely to grow up to be antisemites than those
   who've never met a Jew before.
   The determination of the most appropriate choice depends on many
   factors: family finances, academic quality, child care options, the
   community, the religious schools available (there are fewer Reform day
   schools than Orthodox day schools, for example), transportation, the
   quality of the public school system, the attitude of the school if
   parents are not of the same movement, and other factors. Parents
   should also consider how close a match there is between the day
   school(s) available for their children and the family's own religious
   philosophy and level of observance.
   In any case, any form of Jewish education is important, and many a
   committed Jew is the product of afterschool education.

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