From pre-k up until eighth grade, I attended a small private Christian school, which my friends and I lovingly refer to as "the asylum."
My middle school graduating class consisted of 23 boys and girls who I'd spent the majority of my life surrounded by; we watched each other grow up, attended one another's birthday parties, our moms were all best friends, and, after 10 years, we all absolutely hated each other.
An entire decade of spending upwards of eight hours a day five days a week for 180 days a year with the same exact people forces you to get to know them really well...too well.
After eighth grade, I transferred to my town's public high school, where over 2000 other students basked in the glory of free education. The changes were drastic; it was nothing at all like I'd seen in High School Musical.
Public school is where I learned about all the things my sheltered private school self had never before been exposed to, as well as the place I formed some incredible friendships - probably because I wasn't forced to attend school with them for 10 years straight.
Regardless of where your parents chose to ship you off to, different aspects of both private and public school helped to shape the person I am today. I know the weird quirks of both sides!
1. Private School: Bathrooms.
Writing obscene messages on the walls would only get you detention - everyone knows your handwriting, so there's no chance of escape.
Public School: Bathrooms.
The janitors could not care less about whether the stall doors lock or not. Toilet paper rolls were rarely replenished. There are enough words on the bathroom walls to write a trilogy. "BeaYOUtiful." Thanks random mirror graffiti, truly inspiring.
2. Private School: Using your phone in class.
Private school teachers have a sixth sense that detects the use of cellular devices during class time. Automatic referral to the principal's office. You probably won't see your phone for the next few weeks.
Public School: Using your phone in class.
From my experience, the majority public school teachers have accepted the smart phone as a new way of life - an extension of the human hand, if you will.
3. Private School: Uniforms.
Unreasonably long plaid skirts and polo shirts were the absolute WOAT, and dress-down days were a blessing from above. I was once dress coded for wearing leggings and an large t-shirt, so I had to wear dirty PE clothes for the rest of the day.
Public School: Uniforms.
The rules went as follows: no hats, no butts, no bellies, no straps. But who actually listened to those guidelines? That's right, no one #BADDIES.
4. Private School: Fights.
Nonexistent. If a fight did happen to break out, expulsion was inevitable. When I was in fourth grade, I knew this guy who punched his friend at lunch one day...he was never seen again.
Public School: Fights.
On my first day of ninth grade, 6 fights broke out before third period. Weave could be found all over the sidewalks, and blood splattered on the lockers. Kidding, but you get the idea - there were a lot of fights.
5. Private School: Lunches.
This was one luxury of the asylum, we had the BEST lunches. Moe's Mondays, Panera Tuesday, and Papa John's Fridays were truly the highlights of my elementary/middle school years.
Public School: Lunches.
It wasn't a rare occasion to get a half-frozen piece of chicken on your tray. Mmm, so appetizing.
