Why did you choose a private school?

[Anonymous]

I have a 2nd grader in public school here in Montgomery County. The school has a great reputation and so far we've had no major issues. I have two younger kids not in school yet and I've been considering private school as an option for them. I worry about the overcrowding in the school and that class sizes are increasing. This concerns me I'm terms of quality of education for our kids. If your kids are in private school why did you choose to enroll them in one? Do you think they benefit academically and socially over the public school system?

[Anonymous]

I chose Washington International School because it was culturally important to me that our children grow up fully bilingual and completely fluent in Spanish, as my family is Latin American. There was really no public school alternative that would accomplish that, where we live. I am completely happy with our choice, as my children have received an outstanding education all around.

[Anonymous]

We have a private school lined up as a fallback in case we don't get into any of the better public/charter schools through the DC school lottery.

[Anonymous]

So many reasons, including (but not limited to):

1. smaller class sizes
2. wanting to foster a love of learning early
3. reduced focus on standardized testing
4. frequent (daily/multiple times a week) PE, music, art, language class
5. positive environment with an emphasis on kindness
6. ability to differentiate academically, because the teachers get to know each kid's strengths and weaknesses

[Anonymous]

I decided that I wanted an all-boys school for DS. Right there, my choices were limited to just a handful of schools. I talked to parents, visited schools and chose the one that just "clicked" for me.

We got accepted in non-entry year and have been thrilled.

[Anonymous]

My wife and I attended private school

[Anonymous]

Our reasons have changed over the years. Initially it was because in preschool, DC's social/classroom skills were behind the academic skills, and we felt we needed especially small classes, a safe peer group that we could carefully check out, a lot of flexibility on the part of the school itself, and individualized teaching methods.

Since that time DC's classroom and social skills have advanced tremendously and we don't really have the same reasons anymore. Now it's primarily because a) we love our current school and don't want to change it, and b) DC can handle bigger classes now and less individualized attention, but our local public schools are bursting at the seams.

[Anonymous]

Because I barely trust DC to pick up my trash much less educate my child (and I grew up here)

[Anonymous]

I am from an immigrant family and grew up in an area where the school is rated "1". My mother's focus was on my education and gave me everything to go to private school. I went onto an Ivy League. I think one of the greatest gifts a parent can give to their child is a good education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am from an immigrant family and grew up in an area where the school is rated "1". My mother's focus was on my education and gave me everything to go to private school. I went onto an Ivy League. I think one of the greatest gifts a parent can give to their child is a good education.

+1
My parents settled for nothing but number one!

[Anonymous]

Because my child was bored in a highly regarded charter. Because our neighborhood EOTP school is terrible. Because our in boundary HS boasts a 1 in 4 graduation rate. Because we feel our child will be safer, happier and learn more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many reasons, including (but not limited to):

1. smaller class sizes
2. wanting to foster a love of learning early
3. reduced focus on standardized testing
4. frequent (daily/multiple times a week) PE, music, art, language class
5. positive environment with an emphasis on kindness
6. ability to differentiate academically, because the teachers get to know each kid's strengths and weaknesses

This, exactly. Also a MoCo family, in a very highly regarding elementary school area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many reasons, including (but not limited to):

1. smaller class sizes
2. wanting to foster a love of learning early
3. reduced focus on standardized testing
4. frequent (daily/multiple times a week) PE, music, art, language class
5. positive environment with an emphasis on kindness
6. ability to differentiate academically, because the teachers get to know each kid's strengths and weaknesses

This, plus our in-bounds school in DC was not a good option and we did not want to move to the 'burbs. Tuition is the price we pay for a great school and a short commute to work.

[Anonymous]

Because we wanted the incorporation of religion into the education program.

[Anonymous]

To avoid the ultra competitiveness at the public high school. I wanted a challenging education for my kids with less stress.