Why do so many folks pay for private school in this area?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reduce tuition? Our school made lots of modifications, upgrades and structural improvements due to covid. Even the high tech cameras in every room come at a price. No, tuition was not reduced. But anyone was free to enroll in public school and then have zero instruction.

You mean public education is free. You paid for cameras.

And for the first 18 months you got what you paid for at public school. Nothing. I’ll take seamless transition to zoom and in school everyday or hybrid option over many many months of public school zilch. This should not be a hard point for pro-public schoolers to concede.

Valid, but once pandemic is over that will be a moot point.

It's going to take a while for leaders to guide the transition from pandemic to endemic. Wish that weren't true, but our country doesn't have the will to use the tools we have to control/manage the virus.

Our country's foundational cookie-cutter and tiered education model is outdated. We are slipping in critical thinking, fostering innovation, and preparing our kids for current and future jobs. Our private isn't cutting edge by any means - should be much better for what we pay IMO- but I do value the whole child approach. In a world where jobs are increasingly linked to developing a personal brand/freelancing/differentiating in one's career path, I value the EQ skills that our school has helped foster. [/quote

Being able to hear the instruction at my child’s private school during virtual was a big eye opener for me. I was not impressed and actually displeased with some teachers and realized that they promise much more than they teach. Had it not been for the virtual experience, I might not have been aware of this. At least not as quickly. Other poster mentioned writing is better at private, my experience has been its worse. And no, I don’t think public has good writing instruction, I am merely saying, don’t assume it’s going to better at private. I mentioned earlier that it’s a very respected school and based some of my decision of sending my child there in that. I was duped. Some things better at private, but some things worse and with the cost-it should all be better. Do what you promise to do to those who are paying and not cheaply. That’s all I ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reduce tuition? Our school made lots of modifications, upgrades and structural improvements due to covid. Even the high tech cameras in every room come at a price. No, tuition was not reduced. But anyone was free to enroll in public school and then have zero instruction.

You mean public education is free. You paid for cameras.

And for the first 18 months you got what you paid for at public school. Nothing. I’ll take seamless transition to zoom and in school everyday or hybrid option over many many months of public school zilch. This should not be a hard point for pro-public schoolers to concede.

Valid, but once pandemic is over that will be a moot point.

It's going to take a while for leaders to guide the transition from pandemic to endemic. Wish that weren't true, but our country doesn't have the will to use the tools we have to control/manage the virus.

Our country's foundational cookie-cutter and tiered education model is outdated. We are slipping in critical thinking, fostering innovation, and preparing our kids for current and future jobs. Our private isn't cutting edge by any means - should be much better for what we pay IMO- but I do value the whole child approach. In a world where jobs are increasingly linked to developing a personal brand/freelancing/differentiating in one's career path, I value the EQ skills that our school has helped foster. [/quote

Being able to hear the instruction at my child’s private school during virtual was a big eye opener for me. I was not impressed and actually displeased with some teachers and realized that they promise much more than they teach. Had it not been for the virtual experience, I might not have been aware of this. At least not as quickly. Other poster mentioned writing is better at private, my experience has been its worse. And no, I don’t think public has good writing instruction, I am merely saying, don’t assume it’s going to better at private. I mentioned earlier that it’s a very respected school and based some of my decision of sending my child there in that. I was duped. Some things better at private, but some things worse and with the cost-it should all be better. Do what you promise to do to those who are paying and not cheaply. That’s all I ask.

+1-virtual learning let me see first hand the teaching and the curriculum. Not what I would’ve thought when we toured and sold on. Having virtual was a great way to get insight. Wasn’t impressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The short version is I used to be a public school teacher. If I thought I weren’t getting my money’s worth, I wouldn’t do it.

This. Some of the best teachers at my kids’ private left public school for private to focus on things that have been sacrificed by public..such as essay writing and tests with open ended questions

lol sure...
private schools pay less than public schools. I don't buy it.

They offer one very lucrative benefit that public cannot match, tuition remission.

I work in a private and I’m part of a rather large group who transferred from public schools. Yes, the salary is slightly lower and I am no longer contributing to a pension. The gains I made in job satisfaction, however, are worth it. My current mentee is also a former public school teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The short version is I used to be a public school teacher. If I thought I weren’t getting my money’s worth, I wouldn’t do it.

This. Some of the best teachers at my kids’ private left public school for private to focus on things that have been sacrificed by public..such as essay writing and tests with open ended questions

lol sure...
private schools pay less than public schools. I don't buy it.

They offer one very lucrative benefit that public cannot match, tuition remission.

I work in a private and I’m part of a rather large group who transferred from public schools. Yes, the salary is slightly lower and I am no longer contributing to a pension. The gains I made in job satisfaction, however, are worth it. My current mentee is also a former public school teacher.

I wonder if you believe the $30000 plus and up tuition is justified. Not from what I saw on virtual at my child’s respected private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The short version is I used to be a public school teacher. If I thought I weren’t getting my money’s worth, I wouldn’t do it.

This. Some of the best teachers at my kids’ private left public school for private to focus on things that have been sacrificed by public..such as essay writing and tests with open ended questions

lol sure...
private schools pay less than public schools. I don't buy it.

They offer one very lucrative benefit that public cannot match, tuition remission.

I work in a private and I’m part of a rather large group who transferred from public schools. Yes, the salary is slightly lower and I am no longer contributing to a pension. The gains I made in job satisfaction, however, are worth it. My current mentee is also a former public school teacher.

I wonder if you believe the $30000 plus and up tuition is justified. Not from what I saw on virtual at my child’s respected private.

Not this poster but the longer I've been at my well-respected private, the more mediocre I think it is from an academic perspective. I can say definitively that I believe it's overpriced. Overall experience, other benefits have somewhat offset the underwhelming quality. The biggest lesson I've learned is that polish does not equal quality. In hindsight, I wish that I had been less trusting in earlier years for sure that they would adequately challenge/prepare my kids and would have been more hands-on sooner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So curious, as this area is recognized as a top 10 public school system in the nation. In this climate of social change, where as diversity / inclusion / anti-privilege is more driving change, why subject yourself to the perception (whether right or wrong) of privilege, especially when AOs are now pivoting towards more socially well-rounded experiences and stories of struggle / perseverance. Is it worth the price, stress, dealing with the Jones, etc?

Because I like that my DC learns how to think not what to think. I like the small class size, individual focus, and opportunities. Life isn’t about molding your kids to AO desires.

[Anonymous]

The better school districts around here are also bubbles of incredible privilege, so the perception is there anyway. Your question is based off a false premise that sending a kid to Langley High School instead of Sidwell buys them the scrappy underdog public school kid label. It doesn’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The short version is I used to be a public school teacher. If I thought I weren’t getting my money’s worth, I wouldn’t do it.

This. Some of the best teachers at my kids’ private left public school for private to focus on things that have been sacrificed by public..such as essay writing and tests with open ended questions

My child’s private school does no writing instruction whatsoever or critical thinking exercises. Just dated grammar lessons in English class that has not and does not help with writing. I would say it actually hurts advancing in writing because it excludes all writing instruction. But boy, do we know many types of pronouns. I’m not against grammar instruction, but not at the exclusion of writing instruction. Essays are done (again with no lessons leading up to it) but they are also done at what would be our public home school as well. I suppose the private thinks it’s just learned through osmosis. Did our due diligence and met with school, talked about curicullum, read the curicullum which does state what to expect each year to be taught, but at least for this class it has not happen and isn’t being taught now. It’s been disappointing and brought up, but brushed under the rug. Told that essays are done. Yes, but where’s the instruction to progress-that’s what school is set up for-to teach. Actually, had a mom whose child already went through our grade warn us that this class for this grade was underwhelming and hyper focused on grammar and a weak spot in the school. She was not wrong.
I’m not saying private is not worth it for those who value it, but for what we pay, it has not been head and shoulders over public. Not even close. Feels like a bait and switch in a way. Some things are good but for what we pay and how they portray themselves-its been a disappointment. This is a school with a great reputation. Couldn’t find any negatives before committing but should’ve listened to the small part of me that felt it seemed too good to be true. It’s turned out to be just that.
If you want private, go for it, I think it’s anyone’s choice. However, for those who think private is inherently superior, I wouldn’t count on it as a sure thing. I was suckered.

Are you at a Catholic or independent school? Our private middle school does almost zero worksheets and has a very strong focus on writing and critical thinking. We have essay assignments in both social studies and language arts every week. They have speech and debate where they have to choose a topic, do research and present. They do a to of science labs. They have 15 kids per class get a lot of one-on-one attention. The experience is vastly different from public school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The short version is I used to be a public school teacher. If I thought I weren’t getting my money’s worth, I wouldn’t do it.

This. Some of the best teachers at my kids’ private left public school for private to focus on things that have been sacrificed by public..such as essay writing and tests with open ended questions

My child’s private school does no writing instruction whatsoever or critical thinking exercises. Just dated grammar lessons in English class that has not and does not help with writing. I would say it actually hurts advancing in writing because it excludes all writing instruction. But boy, do we know many types of pronouns. I’m not against grammar instruction, but not at the exclusion of writing instruction. Essays are done (again with no lessons leading up to it) but they are also done at what would be our public home school as well. I suppose the private thinks it’s just learned through osmosis. Did our due diligence and met with school, talked about curicullum, read the curicullum which does state what to expect each year to be taught, but at least for this class it has not happen and isn’t being taught now. It’s been disappointing and brought up, but brushed under the rug. Told that essays are done. Yes, but where’s the instruction to progress-that’s what school is set up for-to teach. Actually, had a mom whose child already went through our grade warn us that this class for this grade was underwhelming and hyper focused on grammar and a weak spot in the school. She was not wrong.
I’m not saying private is not worth it for those who value it, but for what we pay, it has not been head and shoulders over public. Not even close. Feels like a
bait and switch in a way. Some things are good but for what we pay and how they portray themselves-its been a disappointment. This is a school with a great reputation. Couldn’t find any negatives before committing but should’ve listened to the small part of me that felt it seemed too good to be true. It’s turned out to be just that.
If you want private, go for it, I think it’s anyone’s choice. However, for those who think private is inherently superior, I wouldn’t count on it as a sure thing. I was suckered.

Are you at a Catholic or independent school? Our private middle school does almost zero worksheets and has a very strong focus on writing and critical thinking. We have essay assignments in both social studies and language arts every week. They have speech and debate where they have to choose a topic, do research and present. They do a to of science labs. They have 15 kids per class get a lot of one-on-one attention. The experience is vastly different from public school.

My child is at one of the top ones in DC without giving away too much info. Its not coed and is known for rigor and no, it’s not St. Albans. Only focus in English is grammar and essay after reading novel. No instruction at all with writing. No sentence fluency lesson, no critical thinking assignments, no paragraph practice, or anything else that that I’m missing that would lend to gaining better writing knowledge. They write in many classes, but for general purposes and not to get better at it. Again, the class targeted for this (English) has no writing instruction. No science labs this year and in fact one thing that occurred last year-I heard teacher promise on virtual with my own ears that they would get to do a lab. Teacher bailed when the kids were told the teacher wanted to give more notes on new topic before final. This was a huge disappointment to my son as it would’ve been and should’ve been a priority considering they would have done labs in a normal year. Teacher certainly could have done it-the kids were attending school at hybrid at that point. And a lab experiment would have been better for learning than more giving notes for the sake of giving more notes. This school has some good but is in desperate need
of an overhaul. I’ve tried to get answers and brought up the topic of what is in curicullum is not getting passed down, I get the vibe of “how dare I question it” and some BS answer. It just gets brushed under the rug.
Glad however that your child is receiving all that he/she should. Like I said, some things are good with the school, but many are being fooled and I really think the school believes grammar lessons are more important than writing instruction. I’m not knocking grammar lessons but not at the exclusion of writing lessons. Major overhaul needed but it won’t happen, long tradition and would have to get rid of the older major decision makers. Anyone who would try to make changes have their hands tied with the older decision makers controlling everything.

[Anonymous]

I'm another one who switched my kid from public to private this year. The pandemic and failure of virtual school was the last straw, but I was contemplating a change before that due to his experience in our Title 1 school, where he was basically left to his own devices at "stations" or doing "choice board" activities at his seat while the teacher understandably spent most of the time focused on teaching kids below grade level. There was a constant cycle of testing, it seemed every other month, and my kid said he always finished quickly and had to entertain himself the rest of the time, leading to many wasted days. I was skeptical he was actually learning anything, and I was dismayed by his increasingly negative attitude toward school. This is a kid who is not super motivated anyway, so happy to sit in the back and chat with friends, not doing any work. He is not the type to volunteer for special projects or seek his own enrichment.

This year in private has been night and day. With only 15 kids in a class, no longer can he skirt by under the radar. He has to participate, and is pushed to do more. The learning is more engaging and for the first time ever, he says school is fun and looks forward to going! That alone, to me, is worth the money. I also agree with other posts that the arts, music, foreign language, and sports opportunities are better - and they are built into the curriculum, so it's not like he can opt out (I had previously tried to get him to sign up for band in public but he refused to do anything "extra").

Now, if your super smart kid is motivated and takes initiative, I definitely think they can and will succeed in a large public school. But for average kids who could get lost in the shuffle and become disengaged, I think sometimes a smaller environment with more individual attention could be just the right thing to keep them on track, especially through the delicate middle-early high school period where they are going through a lot developmentally and trying to figure out who they are. We can't get that at our local public, so that is why we pay for private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm another one who switched my kid from public to private this year. The pandemic and failure of virtual school was the last straw, but I was contemplating a change before that due to his experience in our Title 1 school, where he was basically left to his own devices at "stations" or doing "choice board" activities at his seat while the teacher understandably spent most of the time focused on teaching kids below grade level. There was a constant cycle of testing, it seemed every other month, and my kid said he always finished quickly and had to entertain himself the rest of the time, leading to many wasted days. I was skeptical he was actually learning anything, and I was dismayed by his increasingly negative attitude toward school. This is a kid who is not super motivated anyway, so happy to sit in the back and chat with friends, not doing any work. He is not the type to volunteer for special projects or seek his own enrichment.

This year in private has been night and day. With only 15 kids in a class, no longer can he skirt by under the radar. He has to participate, and is pushed to do more. The learning is more engaging and for the first time ever, he says school is fun and looks forward to going! That alone, to me, is worth the money. I also agree with other posts that the arts, music, foreign language, and sports opportunities are better - and they are built into the curriculum, so it's not like he can opt out (I had previously tried to get him to sign up for band in public but he refused to do anything "extra").

Now, if your super smart kid is motivated and takes initiative, I definitely think they can and will succeed in a large public school. But for average kids who could get lost in the shuffle and become disengaged, I think sometimes a smaller environment with more individual attention could be just the right thing to keep them on track, especially through the delicate middle-early high school period where they are going through a lot developmentally and trying to figure out who they are. We can't get that at our local public, so that is why we pay for private.

Not at the cost of paying for private with not getting instruction for what we pay for. I know how instruction was because of virtual and it wasn’t what I was paying for. Would’ve thought the same as you if I would not have heard first hand what and how the instruction was going. I know public virtual was bad, but I also know my nearly $40 grand wasn’t head and shoulders better. Worse in some core subjects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So curious, as this area is recognized as a top 10 public school system in the nation. In this climate of social change, where as diversity / inclusion / anti-privilege is more driving change, why subject yourself to the perception (whether right or wrong) of privilege, especially when AOs are now pivoting towards more socially well-rounded experiences and stories of struggle / perseverance. Is it worth the price, stress, dealing with the Jones, etc?

Negative externalities of large 200+ school, county-level public school districts (not township public school districts)
Lack of in-person education at public schools the last two years
No discipline or behavior issues addressed at public schools
No frequent arts, PE, science, music in K-8 public schools
Too much screen time at our public schools K-8
Too many days of testing at public schools, should not be 3-6 days eaten up, just test every other year one day. Like in the 1980s.
No books, textbooks, cursive, handwriting, foreign language in public ESs
Politics, unions and $$ kickbacks driving the curriculum purchases in this area's public schools.
9:35am school start time is asinine.
Public Magnet schools based 1 hour away in traffic are moot "options." Plus now selection process is race and income based, not merit or test-in. Again, politicized education options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm another one who switched my kid from public to private this year. The pandemic and failure of virtual school was the last straw, but I was contemplating a change before that due to his experience in our Title 1 school, where he was basically left to his own devices at "stations" or doing "choice board" activities at his seat while the teacher understandably spent most of the time focused on teaching kids below grade level. There was a constant cycle of testing, it seemed every other month, and my kid said he always finished quickly and had to entertain himself the rest of the time, leading to many wasted days. I was skeptical he was actually learning anything, and I was dismayed by his increasingly negative attitude toward school. This is a kid who is not super motivated anyway, so happy to sit in the back and chat with friends, not doing any work. He is not the type to volunteer for special projects or seek his own enrichment.

This year in private has been night and day. With only 15 kids in a class, no longer can he skirt by under the radar. He has to participate, and is pushed to do more. The learning is more engaging and for the first time ever, he says school is fun and looks forward to going! That alone, to me, is worth the money. I also agree with other posts that the arts, music, foreign language, and sports opportunities are better - and they are built into the curriculum, so it's not like he can opt out (I had previously tried to get him to sign up for band in public but he refused to do anything "extra").

Now, if your super smart kid is motivated and takes initiative, I definitely think they can and will succeed in a large public school. But for average kids who could get lost in the shuffle and become disengaged, I think sometimes a smaller environment with more individual attention could be just the right thing to keep them on track, especially through the delicate middle-early high school period where they are going through a lot developmentally and trying to figure out who they are. We can't get that at our local public, so that is why we pay for private.

Not at the cost of paying for private with not getting instruction for what we pay for. I know how instruction was because of virtual and it wasn’t what I was paying for. Would’ve thought the same as you if I would not have heard first hand what and how the instruction was going. I know public virtual was bad, but I also know my nearly $40 grand wasn’t head and shoulders better. Worse in some core subjects.

I think it's fair to say that virtual learning has been a failure across the board at most schools, with varying degrees of bad. I understand your sentiment that it's painful to pay the tuition rates for bad, even if a relatively better bad. I think that schools are also aware that virtual learning has increased parent awareness/visibility in the sausage-making, so to speak. it's showing up in fundraising challenges, as an example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The short version is I used to be a public school teacher. If I thought I weren’t getting my money’s worth, I wouldn’t do it.

This. Some of the best teachers at my kids’ private left public school for private to focus on things that have been sacrificed by public..such as essay writing and tests with open ended questions

lol sure...
private schools pay less than public schools. I don't buy it.

They offer one very lucrative benefit that public cannot match, tuition remission.

I work in a private and I’m part of a rather large group who transferred from public schools. Yes, the salary is slightly lower and I am no longer contributing to a pension. The gains I made in job satisfaction, however, are worth it. My current mentee is also a former public school teacher.

I wonder if you believe the $30000 plus and up tuition is justified. Not from what I saw on virtual at my child’s respected private.

I’m the PP. Yes, I absolutely believe the tuition is justified. I send my own child to this school, so I see its value as both a parent and a teacher. (I do not receive a discount.) The level of instruction and the professionalism of the staff are both dramatically better than the public school in which I used to teach. Here’s the catch, though: I think *this* private school is worth it. I can’t claim that *all* are. Schools are so dramatically different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reduce tuition? Our school made lots of modifications, upgrades and structural improvements due to covid. Even the high tech cameras in every room come at a price. No, tuition was not reduced. But anyone was free to enroll in public school and then have zero instruction.

You mean public education is free. You paid for cameras.

And for the first 18 months you got what you paid for at public school. Nothing. I’ll take seamless transition to zoom and in school everyday or hybrid option over many many months of public school zilch. This should not be a hard point for pro-public schoolers to concede.

Valid, but once pandemic is over that will be a moot point.

That cannot be your conclusion. Or maybe you don’t understand what moot means.

It’s been almost 2 years and I think my neighbors’ kids have been in school full time for less than 2 quarters. And January 2022 has t started off great. Some kids will take a long time to recover. Others will be fine.