Private v Public, can someone summarize the difference?

[Anonymous]

Our kid is at Ross and loves it. We could go private for middle or high school, but as an immigrant, I don't really have a sense of the major differences in quality and experience between the two and am not sure what to do. I will say that my coworkers who went to private schools seem to be better writers, but I realize that's a small and biased sample.

I promise I am not trying to start anything, I'm just a bumbling foreigner who would rather rely on advice from well meaning and well informed DCUM strangers than switch my kids back and forth multiple times.

[Anonymous]

You are asking too broad a question: not all public and not all private schools are the same.

So Ross ->Hardy->Wilson/Walls/Banneker, etc. or which privates? Where would you consider?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our kid is at Ross and loves it. We could go private for middle or high school, but as an immigrant, I don't really have a sense of the major differences in quality and experience between the two and am not sure what to do. I will say that my coworkers who went to private schools seem to be better writers, but I realize that's a small and biased sample.

I promise I am not trying to start anything, I'm just a bumbling foreigner who would rather rely on advice from well meaning and well informed DCUM strangers than switch my kids back and forth multiple times.

This question is likely too broad for me to be helpful. Private schools are different from each other as are public schools. Also, every kid (and family) is different, which will influence where your child will have the best experience. Check out the school websites and open houses and you can get a feeling for each school while focusing on where you may actually apply.

We are lucky to have great public schools throughout this area, as well as privates and magnets. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

You have to pay for Private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to pay for Private.

This is the only difference that applies to all in regards to your very broad and un-nuanced question.
It all depends on the schools in question...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to pay for Private.

Above and beyond your taxes (if you pay local taxes), which support the public school system.

[Anonymous]

Private is better. We tried public and I truly wish it weren’t true but for us the academics are superior. More differentiation, more advanced curriculum, more support when needed. Better.

[Anonymous]

We moved to private last year, HS students after 10 years in public. For us, the big differences are:

Class size - our public usually had 35 in their HS classes, our private caps at 15

School size - from well over 2,500 to 1,000 for the entire school

Responsiveness - we had to call the school about something relatively minor and it was addressed/resolved in less than 24 hours. In public it can take days to get an answer, longer to set up a meeting, and even longer for any change to happen

Diversity- our public school had more (races socioeconomic, religion, just about every metric you can think of)

[Anonymous]

PPs are right that schools differ widely, but in general
- the classes are smaller, or there is a higher ratio of teachers to students;
- arts, music, and foreign language happen earlier and more often, and sometimes with better resources;
- school admin has more of a customer service orientation (yes, it varies) and are responsive to parent questions and concerns;
- there is more focus on writing and public speaking.

IME, the big difference between public and private school families is how much they value those things in a school. For example, not everybody thinks a very small class size is a good thing, or perhaps it's a fine thing but not that important. They may pursue music lessons on their own and not care whether it's offered in school. And so on.

[Anonymous]

If my kid was at a school they loved I would not rock that boat unless my kid was driving an interest in leaving. Or if there was a real risk for their future and life. So…. Is this FOMO?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are asking too broad a question: not all public and not all private schools are the same.

So Ross ->Hardy->Wilson/Walls/Banneker, etc. or which privates? Where would you consider?

Ross feeds SWW@Francis Stevens - not Hardy

I do not know where Ross families typically go to - but I am guess that many are pulling for private middle school.
Given this - you need to know what your options are and what the entry years are for the programs you are interested in.

6th grade is not an entry year for many of the privates - so you need to pull after 4th grade as the # of spots available are materially different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are asking too broad a question: not all public and not all private schools are the same.

So Ross ->Hardy->Wilson/Walls/Banneker, etc. or which privates? Where would you consider?

Ross feeds SWW@Francis Stevens - not Hardy

I do not know where Ross families typically go to - but I am guess that many are pulling for private middle school.
Given this - you need to know what your options are and what the entry years are for the programs you are interested in.

6th grade is not an entry year for many of the privates - so you need to pull after 4th grade as the # of spots available are materially different.

Thank you, PP, and everyone else who has tried answering. I'm learning a lot already.

We are not considering moving the kid now, just thinking about the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are asking too broad a question: not all public and not all private schools are the same.

So Ross ->Hardy->Wilson/Walls/Banneker, etc. or which privates? Where would you consider?

Ross feeds SWW@Francis Stevens - not Hardy

I do not know where Ross families typically go to - but I am guess that many are pulling for private middle school.
Given this - you need to know what your options are and what the entry years are for the programs you are interested in.

6th grade is not an entry year for many of the privates - so you need to pull after 4th grade as the # of spots available are materially different.

Thank you, PP, and everyone else who has tried answering. I'm learning a lot already.

We are not considering moving the kid now, just thinking about the future.

Best thing we did was talk to our financial advisor. We have one in public and one in private (now) for financial reasons and my public loves their school whereas my private showed signs of needing it. It's been the best fit. Not too early to ask general questions and explore a change. If finances are no obstacle good for you, but they can be for some... and it may impact choices now to save for it. We're working that part out for when my other child may go private.

Some parents narrow schools based on cost and fit and some just fit. if you're not close to your schools you like, inquire about bussing options. It's been a huge help for us.

[Anonymous]

We switched from public to private this year. My previously straight A student is now a solid D. Completely unprepared for a single class, in spite of doing homework for hours every night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are asking too broad a question: not all public and not all private schools are the same.

So Ross ->Hardy->Wilson/Walls/Banneker, etc. or which privates? Where would you consider?

Ross doesn’t feed to Hardy or Wilson.

If you don’t want to spend $50k for private, just go to Basis DC. Lots of Ross kids do. You will get a private school education for free.