Dave Cooks out as coach at Marquette High

[bohoops]

When I was young, the catholic 7th and 8th graders played 40-50 games per year and the public middle schools played 15-20. My freshmen year in high school 4 of our 5 starters were from the local catholic school.

Today, the catholic schools have rules on games played and playing for other teams while the public schools are club teams and have the ability to play an unlimitted amount of games. When my son was an 8th grader he played 10 games in the local rec program, 20 for his middle school team and 35 for the schools club team. It sounds crazy, but he loved it and he gained an advantage over the catholic school kids.

The advantage catholic schools had in the 50's - 70's has been reversed by club sports and the catholic schools tighter rules.

[MUMac]

I don't know how in this day and age anyone can justify 10K for high school. Go to a decent public school and save the 40 grand for college.

That is an awfully judgmental statement to make. People make decisions that they feel are best for their families. For you to sit in judgment, in this day and age, is stunning.

[TheSultan]

I don't know how in this day and age anyone can justify 10K for high school. Go to a decent public school and save the 40 grand for college.

You do realize that in this very group, you have a number of parents who have made such a decision right? And I can think of a lot worse ways for someone to blow through $10k.

[IWB]

There is one example I usually use every summer with our softball team. We have a mix of guys, many that went to the local suburban public school, some from two private schools - a good mix. The discussion usually comes up once a summer and I always say this, "Hey, at your private schools, did you guys have bouncers?"

Private school guys: "What? What do you mean bouncers?"
Public school guys: "You know, to break up all the fights and stuff."
Private school guys: "What fights?" '

I went to Marquette High - in my four years I saw one fight. One, and it was a weak one.

[Drbchilds]

It could be worse.......The tuition for My youngest son's Freshman year of High school is $23,000!
We live in Naples, Florida, and the public schools in this state are pretty bad, So this is the best option for him. As a parent you just do the best that you can for all your kids........

[TheSultan]

I will also add that I am a product of public schools...and is my wife and my children...and every single one of us got a very good education that has enabled us to do whatever we put our minds toward. Now granted I went to Madison Public Schools in the 70s and 80s before some of the city's problems got more pronounced. (And Edgewood's reputation wasn't nearly as good as it is now.) And my kids go to a suburban-type high school that has served them very well.

[Mark Miller]

I don't know how in this day and age anyone can justify 10K for high school. Go to a decent public school and save the 40 grand for college.

Our family sends both of our children to Catholic schools in Madison. The money spent is worth every single penny.

There is a HUGE difference in the learning environment between competing schools in a lot of areas in Wisconsin, not to mention the faith component.

Do public schools have daily religion class, Mass once a week, annual retreats, service days in the community, service-hour requirements?

There is a difference. Not everybody thinks the money spent to send children to Catholic/private schools is worth it. Others, though, think it is.

I am among those who think it is. Thus I can "justify" paying 10K for high school and 3k for grade school.

[Goose85]

Our family sends both of our children to Catholic schools in Madison. The money spent is worth every single penny.

There is a HUGE difference in the learning environment between competing schools in a lot of areas in Wisconsin, not to mention the faith component.

Do public schools have daily religion class, Mass once a week, annual retreats, service days in the community, service-hour requirements?

There is a difference. Not everybody thinks the money spent to send children to Catholic/private schools is worth it. Others, though, think it is.

I am among those who think it is. Thus I can "justify" paying 10K for high school and 3k for grade school.

At a school like MUHS (and DSHA, etc) there is so much more than just the building of a young person academically. Very special place. On the service aspect, you have to have a certain number of service hours and core service hours each semester. Service hours are volunteer hours, but core service hours are specific hours working with disadvantaged such as special olympics, etc.

I know people who have never gone to Catholic schools don't get it and that is fine, but for many that do, the tuition is money well spent. Most kids understand that their family is making a sacrifice and have a real appreciation for their opportunity.

[eddiedswang]

Everyone keeps referring to IWB's "$10,000 tuition to send a kid at MUHS".....where do I go to get that deal? Please direct me.....I want a refund on what I pay....

[IWB]

I was ball parking, hoping that the number lowers in the next 5 years.