Private schools in DC that aren't $30k or more?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The tuition at Washington Waldorf is several thousands lower, not $25 k a year as stated above. It isn't even $25k for high school students much less lower grades.

Elementary school is $24k without fees. 6-8 is ~$26k

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The tuition at Washington Waldorf is several thousands lower, not $25 k a year as stated above. It isn't even $25k for high school students much less lower grades.

Elementary school is $24k without fees. 6-8 is ~$26k

http://www.washingtonwaldorf.org/site/assets/files/1134/2015-2016_tuition_and_fee_schedule.pdf

[Anonymous]

Besides catholic schools??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the public schools are spending 15 k per year on your kid (and don't need to pay rent) and paying their starting teachers 52K. If your school is charging less than than 15K, they will be spending less on your child than the public system and attracting teachers who couldn't get a higher paying job in the public system.

I was going to say something along these lines. The level of rigor in a catholic school could be questionable as a result. Typically the teachers at catholic schools don't need to be certified and often they only hold a BA. Many PS teachers (including charters) have higher degrees and hold multiple certifications. Also not sure what kind of professional development is offered to catholic school teachers. Bottom line is to just be sure to ask a lot of right questions.

My children attend parochial school. We have been very happy with their teachers and the curriculum is solid. Just because it is Catholic doesn't make it bad. This is a popular trope here on DCUM. It is annoying since it is usually said by people who have ZERO knowledge of Catholic schools.

[Anonymous]

But, because it is Catholic, it is Catholic, which many find unacceptable for their families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the public schools are spending 15 k per year on your kid (and don't need to pay rent) and paying their starting teachers 52K. If your school is charging less than than 15K, they will be spending less on your child than the public system and attracting teachers who couldn't get a higher paying job in the public system.

I was going to say something along these lines. The level of rigor in a catholic school could be questionable as a result. Typically the teachers at catholic schools don't need to be certified and often they only hold a BA. Many PS teachers (including charters) have higher degrees and hold multiple certifications. Also not sure what kind of professional development is offered to catholic school teachers. Bottom line is to just be sure to ask a lot of right questions.

My children attend parochial school. We have been very happy with their teachers and the curriculum is solid. Just because it is Catholic doesn't make it bad. This is a popular trope here on DCUM. It is annoying since it is usually said by people who have ZERO knowledge of Catholic schools.

I grew up here, went to Catholic schools, and I think the statements made on DCUM about the academic rigor, class sizes, anemic developmentally appropriate educational pedagogy and child development knowledge are accurate. That doesn't mean that all parish schools are horrible, but parish schools are a totally different animal than independent schools. The statements on DCUM about Catholic schools are probably said by people who do have knowledge of them. Otherwise they would make the common mistake of calling them private or independent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the public schools are spending 15 k per year on your kid (and don't need to pay rent) and paying their starting teachers 52K. If your school is charging less than than 15K, they will be spending less on your child than the public system and attracting teachers who couldn't get a higher paying job in the public system.

My son's school is out in the burbs, so it's a little different. But it's got a completely different teaching philosophy than public school, and it's the teaching philosophy that attracts the teachers. They have more freedom in how they teach, and love the smaller class where they can give individualized instruction. It's not perfect. The teachers are definitely not in it for the money. Most have spouses who earn much more.

There MANY teachers out there who are very disillusioned with public schools these days. (I have tons of teacher friends.) If they can afford a pay cut, they often seek out private schools. So tuition cost alone shouldn't be an indicator of quality. The lower-priced schools likely take more research to see if it's a good fit for your kid, but you can find gems around the DMV area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that the public schools are spending 15 k per year on your kid (and don't need to pay rent) and paying their starting teachers 52K. If your school is charging less than than 15K, they will be spending less on your child than the public system and attracting teachers who couldn't get a higher paying job in the public system.

My son's school is out in the burbs, so it's a little different. But it's got a completely different teaching philosophy than public school, and it's the teaching philosophy that attracts the teachers. They have more freedom in how they teach, and love the smaller class where they can give individualized instruction. It's not perfect. The teachers are definitely not in it for the money. Most have spouses who earn much more.

There MANY teachers out there who are very disillusioned with public schools these days. (I have tons of teacher friends.) If they can afford a pay cut, they often seek out private schools. So tuition cost alone shouldn't be an indicator of quality. The lower-priced schools likely take more research to see if it's a good fit for your kid, but you can find gems around the DMV area.

But privates also don't need to cover cost of special ed so per pupil costs for other students are actually lower than overall average.

[Anonymous]

Washington Waldorf School is one of the lower cost K - 12 schools in the D.C. area. WWS has siblings discounts, too.

[Anonymous]

For a 4 year old in full time kindy, WWS is $21,500.00

[Anonymous]

OP, look at Christian Family Montessori - very affordable and right in Petworth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, look at Christian Family Montessori - very affordable and right in Petworth.

Thanks for that recommendation--I didn't know about this school!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, look at Christian Family Montessori - very affordable and right in Petworth.

Thanks for that recommendation--I didn't know about this school!

Welcome! I have several friends there and hear wonderful things. They turn out great kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For a 4 year old in full time kindy, WWS is $21,500.00

Anonymous wrote:
The tuition at Washington Waldorf is several thousands lower, not $25 k a year as stated above. It isn't even $25k for high school students much less lower grades.


Elementary school is $24k without fees. 6-8 is ~$26k

[Anonymous]

None except for catholic