Hi iansmith...
This is a difficult question. Why? Because the answer will vary from person to person in regard to personal experience.
There are many individuals worried about the influences of "the world" upon their children. They try to "save" their kids from such temptations by enrolling them in "spiritual" schools. Unfortunately, the devil is no respecter of institutions. He is just as active in "Christian" schools as he is in "secular" schools. Should children and young adults be sheltered from the world -- or strengthened so that they can walk through the world? Should they be protected so that they will be [u]unaffected[/u] by the world -- or should they be trained to [u]affect[/u] the world as they walk through it?
[b]Elementary and High Schools[/b]
I am not married yet, so I wouldn't even know how to answer about children. My sister has had experience with public schools, private schools, Christian schools and homeschooling. She was concerned with the secular humanism being taught in today's public schools (even in locations like Tennessee and Texas). She immediately enrolled her two little boys into a local Christian school. Unfortunately, this was a DISASTER!
The school (which used both Abeka and the terrible ACE curriculum) was extremely unprofessional, and the educational quality of the children suffered greatly. In fact, only one of the "teachers" actually held a college degree, and some actually were high school dropouts without a GED. The Christian school's standardized test (the very outdated California Achievement Test [CAT]) indicated that they were doing well. However, a more up-to-date test indicated that most of the children were falling far behind in their education. In fact, the high school graduates underperformed drastically on their ACTs and SATs. The average score on the ACT was a 15 (the national average is a 21) and their SAT scores were all extremely low.
My sister then began the process of finding private schools. She enrolled them in the best she could afford. While the quality of education was higher, she still worried about the curriculum and secular methodology of the school.
Eventually, my sister relocated. She enrolled her children in a couple of different Christian schools, but her experience was the same. So she decided to homeschool.
It didn't take my sister long before she realized that homeschooling is a challenge. She tried various curriculum, eventually deciding that Abeka was the strongest. However, she realized rather quickly that homeschooling requires dedication on the part of the parents AND the children. It can become "easy" to put things off. My sister then adopted her husband's nieces (making four total children). My sister found it difficult to "help" all of her children. While it was convenient and a great way to "watch over" her kids, my sister noticed that her children were beginning to lack social interaction. Yes, they fellowshipped with other homeschool children. However, my sister felt that she was placing her kids into a "bubble." She questioned whether or not such "protection" was healthy for their spiritual and intellectual growth. They were, however, performing well in academic areas.
Eventually, my sister decided to enroll the children into public schools. She worried that the physical seperation was not fulfilling any sort of spiritual mandate other than protecting her kids. She now feels that the best thing is to strengthen the kids spiritually, and allow them to be a light to the world. She explains to them that they will hear things, see things, and "learn" things that are contrary to the Word of God. However, she encourages them to seek the face of God on all of these issues -- and to never accept a teacher's word (or the word of a textbook) upon face value.
Her children are doing quite well.
[b]Colleges and Universities[/b]
It is my opinion that the school matters. An education taken at a Christian college or university is probably better geared for a spiritual education (like a ministerial license or denominational ordination). Should a Christian attend a Christian College in order to obtain a "secular" degree? Regardless of how optimistically a school attempts to persuade enrollment, the name of the school matters somewhat when attempting to find a job. I know of several individuals who graduated from a major denominational University with "secular" degrees and have experienced terrible difficulty finding a job in their discipline.
Unless the Christian school has a great academic reputation, I would recommend that a student attend a state or reputable institution. State universities and colleges are typically less expensive and offer financial aid that can cover most, if not all, of the cost. Many states (like Texas) offer automatic grants and scholarships and tuition rebates to academically-strong graduates of public schools. Texas has the "Texas Grant" which pays for much of the tuition and living expenses of public school graduates with a "B" average or higher. These schools are also accredited. This means quite a bit to potential employers.
I suppose that the first thing that a potential college student must do is to choose a major. They must decide upon what type of job or career that they desire -- remembering that some majors limit their ability to find desired employment. How many Theology, Pastoral Studies, or Youth Studies majors do you know with a career outside of the Church? Thus, the student should frugally investigate such matters. Many schools offer statistics of their graduates' employment.
Ultimately, the student should choose a school that will offer the best academic and educational value. While Christian schools seems like a great place to give your children "Christian" things to do and "Christian" friends, some of them are just as "secular" as state schools. Sadly, many of them are not know for their positive academic integrity. One particular Assembly of God school is known for the easy academic requirements of their students. Project and homework deadlines are easily extended, and good grades are "easy" to come by. As an undergrad, several fellow students transferred from that school. They were immediately ill-equipped to handle their courses.
Of course, this sort of discussion is certainly open to opinion. I suggest much study and prayer!
:-)
