Of Uniforms and Latin Studies
Start writing a post
Sports

Of Uniforms and Latin Studies

Confessions of a Private Schooler

45
Of Uniforms and Latin Studies
St. Stephens Academy

As most of my friends already know, one interesting thing about me is that I was private schooled. And to answer a few common questions right off the bat, yes we had uniforms, no they were not awful, and no, we weren’t all stuck up rich kids.

Since I don't often talk about it, I wanted to write about my education, and what made it unique. So I’ve compiled five aspects of my Kindergarten through twelfth grade education that stick out in my memories into a convenient list, because everyone likes lists, right? So without further ado, here are five truths about growing up in a private, Classical Christian school.

1. The Uniforms

This is probably the one I get asked the most questions about. Our uniforms were really not that bad, at least for me, but by the time I got to college it felt very strange to go to class wearing “normal clothes”. I never really developed a style for myself until after I graduated high school (and I still wouldn’t say I really have one) because there was never need to. That was probably my favorite thing about it: it completely eliminated the importance of what you wear, especially in middle school, which was kind of nice.

2. Academic Differences

I took seven years of Latin, from third grade to eighth, before switching to Spanish in ninth grade (which was such a relief, let me tell you). Yes, Latin is impossible, and I barely remember any of it. We’d complain constantly about it being a dead language, but I do think that that foundation has equipped me very well to learn other languages. I also took a year of Ancient Greek my senior year, which was awesome. Not to mention, our classes in logic and rhetoric, and the theology classes. We didn't have any electives at all, and our schedules were set, which was kind of annoying but also nice in that we didn't have to worry about what classes to take.

3. Our Class System

My school kindergarten through twelfth grade, but instead of elementary, middle, and high school, we had Grammar (kindergarten through 6th grade), Logic (7th through 9th grade), and Rhetoric (10th through 12th). Which, as you can imagine, confused me quite a bit when I got to “high school” and didn’t understand what a freshman or a sophomore was. I was a naïve child.

4. The “private school bubble”

Speaking of naivety, I often felt as if we were living in a little bubble, set apart from the outside world. Our school was incredibly conservative, very Christian, and the rules and such were quite strict. Dress code was just one of the many things we had extremely strict rules about, as well as various other classroom rules. Not to mention everybody had more or less the same opinions and beliefs on everything, and so I didn't get very much variety in opinions. It was a bit of a culture shock coming to college, even a school like Whitworth, where suddenly there were people who actually had lots of different perspectives and opinions than me. That is one thing I do feel as if my education could have prepared me better for.

5. The size

Popular groups and cliques were not a thing for me growing up. There just weren't enough people. I had fifteen students in my graduating class, and there were classes of as little as four or five students each. The entire high school was so small that you kind of had to be friends with everyone because you were stuck with them. That made things challenging when there were people you didn’t like, because you literally couldn’t avoid them. I enjoyed having a tiny school in many aspects, but in many other ways it made my life quite a bit challenging. Coming to college was my first chance to really branch out and make my own friends, to see what kind of people I was actually drawn to, instead of just being friends with everyone because they’re my only options.


There’s so much more I could say about my private school education, but these were some of the biggest things. In a lot of ways, the differences in my education are what shaped me into who I am today, but in a lot of other ways, they don’t make as much of a difference as many might think. Because ultimately, of course, your education does not define you. My friends have told me I don't "seem like a private schooler" but the fact is that I'm not "a private schooler", I'm just myself.

Not to mention Whitworth is a private university so technically, we’re all private schoolers.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

56922
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36700
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958480
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

189642
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments