As an American Parent, I'm Terrified to Send My Kids to Public School. Here's Why It's Justified

Yahoo

25-03-2025

Part of the 'As Told to The Bolde' series. Have a story to share? Contact [e-mail]
Meet Sarah, 38. She shares her fears as a parent over the educational landscape in America.
"My husband and I grew up in the system, and despite its flaws— overcrowded classrooms, underfunded programs, overwhelmed teachers—I've never questioned sending my kids to public school. But in recent years, my confidence has been replaced by actual fear.
If our culture of school shootings isn't horrific enough, the threat of the DOE being dismantled dominating headlines, along with curriculum changes, book bans, safety concerns, and now ice raids, it's genuinely terrifying." — Sarah Hudson, 38, NYC.
Continue reading to explore why parents have become uncertain and fearful of public education in America > >
School should be a safe place for kids to learn, but for many parents, the fear of a shooting is a constant worry. Mass shootings have become disturbingly common in the U.S., and public schools have been the target of some of the worst tragedies. While politicians debate gun control, parents are left wondering if their child's school is the next to make national headlines. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, "38% of parents fear for their child's physical safety at school," highlighting the growing concern over school shootings.
The mental toll on students is undeniable. Many kids now accept active shooter drills as a normal part of their school experience, growing up in an environment where safety isn't guaranteed. Some parents have decided that no quality of education is worth the risk and are looking for schools with stricter security measures—or opting out of public education entirely.
Education has become another battleground for political disputes, with school board meetings becoming heated fights over curriculum, book bans, and lesson plans. Instead of focusing on improving education, many school districts have become consumed with culture wars, where policies are dictated by political agendas rather than what's best for students. According to Education Week, "school board meetings have become ground zero for political and cultural debates, with issues like masking policies and equity resolutions causing significant disruptions."
For parents, this constant tension is exhausting, especially with all the talk of dismantling the Department of Education and what that means. Many feel that their children's education is being hijacked by divisive debates that have little to do with learning. Rather than deal with the chaos, some parents are pulling their kids from public schools and seeking out environments where politics take a backseat to academics.
Despite anti-bullying campaigns, many parents feel that schools still fail to take bullying seriously. Reports of students being harassed—both in person and online—are often met with little action, leaving victims feeling unheard and unsafe. According to StopBullying.gov, "despite widespread anti-bullying initiatives, many schools still struggle to effectively address bullying, with only about 20-30% of students who are bullied notifying adults."
For parents, the breaking point often comes when they realize that their child is suffering, and school administrators either downplay the issue or blame the victim. When schools refuse to step in, parents are left with no choice but to find an alternative where their child won't feel like they have to fend for themselves every day.
The rise of artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever for students to cheat, but it's also raising concerns about how kids are learning. With AI-generated essays, automated tutoring, and even AI-assisted grading, the role of actual teachers is shifting—sometimes in ways that aren't beneficial to students. According to Inside Higher Ed, "47% of students believe it is easier to cheat than it was last year due to the increased use of generative AI, raising concerns about academic integrity."
Many parents worry that AI will reduce critical thinking skills, making education less about learning and more about finding shortcuts. While technology can be a powerful tool, the fear is that public schools are relying too much on AI without considering the long-term effects on students' ability to think, analyze, and create independently.
Public schools have become obsessed with standardized tests, using them as a measure of student success and school funding. But parents are increasingly frustrated by how these tests shape education, forcing teachers to 'teach to the test' instead of fostering real understanding.
Students are spending more time memorizing formulas and test strategies than actually learning critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Many parents feel that public schools are more focused on hitting testing benchmarks than on nurturing well-rounded, curious learners. As a result, they're seeking alternative education models that prioritize creativity and individual growth over multiple-choice exams.
Teaching has always been a demanding job, but in recent years, burnout has reached crisis levels. Low pay, increased workloads, and lack of support have driven thousands of teachers to leave the profession, leaving schools scrambling to fill positions.
Parents are noticing the impact, with teacher shortages leading to less experienced educators, overcrowded classrooms, and lower-quality instruction. When teachers are exhausted, underpaid, and constantly stretched too thin, students suffer. For parents who want their kids to be in an environment where teachers are supported and engaged, public schools are starting to look less appealing.
Many public schools simply don't have the funding to provide students with the resources they need. From outdated textbooks to overcrowded classrooms, the lack of investment in education is glaring.
Parents see this firsthand—teachers paying for supplies out of their own pockets, schools cutting extracurricular programs, and classrooms with 30+ students. Watching politicians talk about improving education while public schools remain severely underfunded is frustrating. Private and charter schools look like a better bet for families who want better opportunities for their children.
Kids today are facing more stress, anxiety, and mental health struggles than ever before, yet many public schools lack the resources to support them. With limited school counselors and mental health services, students often have nowhere to turn when they need help.
Parents are seeing the effects—rising rates of depression, self-harm, and anxiety among students, with little intervention from schools. Finding an alternative to public school is becoming a serious consideration for those who want their children in an environment where emotional well-being is a priority.
For today's students, lockdown drills are as normal as fire drills but carry a very different weight. The idea of an intruder coming into their school is terrifying, and regularly practicing what to do in case of an active shooter takes an emotional toll.
Many parents feel uneasy knowing their children are being trained to prepare for the worst. While safety measures are necessary, the constant reinforcement of danger is causing stress and anxiety among young students. Some parents are deciding that homeschooling or smaller private schools with stricter security feel like a safer option.
Many parents feel they have less say in their child's education than ever. Shifting policies, political interference, and controversial decisions by school boards can make parents feel powerless.
Some schools limit parental involvement, make major curriculum changes without consulting families, or dismiss concerns altogether. As a result, more parents seek educational environments where they feel they have more influence and direct communication with teachers.
Instead of focusing on improving education, many schools seem more concerned with policing what students wear. Strict and often outdated dress codes disproportionately target female students, reinforcing harmful stereotypes about what is considered 'appropriate' rather than fostering a respectful learning environment. Instead of addressing bullying, mental health, or academic struggles, schools spend valuable time disciplining students over ripped jeans, tank tops, or hair color.
Parents are frustrated watching their children be pulled from class or even sent home over minor dress code violations while academic performance and emotional well-being take a backseat. Many feel that enforcing these rules often serves as a distraction from bigger issues—like teacher shortages, school safety, and lack of resources. With outdated policies taking priority over meaningful education, some families are reconsidering whether public school is the right choice for their child.
For many immigrant families, the school drop-off is no longer a simple morning routine—it's a moment filled with fear and anxiety. With increased I.C.E. activity under shifting immigration policies, schools are no longer seen as safe havens. The thought of I.C.E. agents showing up unannounced, pulling students or parents into questioning, or detaining someone in front of their classmates is a terrifying reality for many. Children are arriving at school already on edge, fearful that a normal day could turn into a life-altering event. Teachers have reported students breaking down in tears during class, terrified they'll come home to an empty house because their parents have been taken.
Parents face the impossible choice of sending their children to school and risking exposure or keeping them home and sacrificing their education. Educators are frustrated and heartbroken, feeling powerless as they try to create a sense of normalcy in a climate of fear. While some schools have tried to implement 'safe zones' where I.C.E. agents are barred from entering, the threat remains palpable. Families who have spent years building a life in the U.S. now face the daily uncertainty of being separated—sometimes permanently—all while trying to give their children a shot at a better future through education. The fear isn't just psychological; it's systemic, and for many immigrant families, the schoolhouse is no longer a place of learning—it's a potential site of trauma.