Dear Old Schooler: My husband insists that public school is “good enough” for our son. I can’t stand the thought of denying him the best education possible, but private school would be a strain on our wallet. Any advice?—Scarlett, 29, Sunnyside, Queens

Stanley Rozycki, 72, midtown
Public school is just as good as private school as far as I’m concerned, as long as the school system is good and the teachers are good. My kids were in public school all their lives. My oldest son went to college, and he’s an air traffic controller now. And my youngest son is more like me, more like an entrepreneur, and he started his own business.

I was a truant; I didn’t want to go to school. But I grew up in a different era. I was working from the age of 15. If I’d have gone to private school, it wouldn’t have made any difference. I’ve had friends who’ve put their kids in private school, and the reason that most of them do it—one reason—is because they’ve got the money! Why not? That was all they said. They didn’t have any great things to say about it. I think it’s a waste of money, but if that’s what they want to do for their children I have no qualms about it. You want to know my advice? Do the best you can for your kids. My mother and father brought me up during the Depression, and I think they raised me better than most kids today.

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