Please enlighten us public school parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. Would consider the big 3 in DC elite schools... Even if I've never heard the term until moving to DC. Schools like Horace Mann, Trinity, Brearley, Collegiate in NYC. Exeter, Andover, lawrenceville, Groton, St Paul's, Choate, etc

Basically the schools that rank in the top 50 nationwide whenever some magazine like Forbes, WSJ does rankings.

Should add that the endowments for these schools as well as cost of attending rivals that of most colleges.

[Anonymous]

^^ which is also part of the reason the better privates have to be better than the best publics. Virtually unlimited resources, small class sizes, ability to tailor the curriculum to the students, no fighting with central office of DCPS, ability to hand select children through extensive testing, families that are able to afford $40,000+ tuitions, and autonomous decision making to improve and redesign facilities at will.

For the sake of the parents who are paying tuition it inevitably has to be better than public. The question is by how much? We are at Janney and it seems that 10-15% better (as mentioned by a PP) seems about reasonable. However, for us it is a non-issue.

We would not qualify for financial aid, yet do not have a dedicated trust fund, or grandparents that would pay the way. It you look at the recent private school threads it seems that for many families in the elite independent schools private school tuition is not a factor in their budget because they pay significantly less than 10% of their income on tuition or absolutely nothing because it is part of the inheritance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a product of DCPS public, and private. My kids are in private, but have attended public.

I'm no expert, and I think most parents select schools that they feel are best for their kids. If Janney is the best fit for you and your kids, then super. Goal achieved. Who cares what anyone else does?

But to answer your question, my kids in private are in small schools, with small classes. They also have advisories. They have easy access to their teachers and are encouraged to advocate for themselves. The teachers are given the latitude to work with each kid, and tailor and pivot their classes if the kids get really engage in one area. The school ties in subject matter throughout different courses. The schools have robust arts and theatre programs with black box theatres, darkrooms, access to great sports (which are wrapped into the school day), art studios, different bands, and chorus. There are science labs, and block schedules which enables them to delve deeply into a subject. They also have differentiation in the classroom to meet students' needs, and very little bureaucracy to deal with. I can email teachers and administrators if I need to, and they can email me (which they do). Everyone is held accountable.

I'm sure you have many of these things at Janney, but these are some of the things that my kids schools do really well. (they go to different schools).

Lowell? We really loved this about Lowell, but decided to go with a HRCS for PK. We will reapply for another entry year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^ which is also part of the reason the better privates have to be better than the best publics. Virtually unlimited resources, small class sizes, ability to tailor the curriculum to the students, no fighting with central office of DCPS, ability to hand select children through extensive testing, families that are able to afford $40,000+ tuitions, and autonomous decision making to improve and redesign facilities at will.

For the sake of the parents who are paying tuition it inevitably has to be better than public. The question is by how much? We are at Janney and it seems that 10-15% better (as mentioned by a PP) seems about reasonable. However, for us it is a non-issue.

We would not qualify for financial aid, yet do not have a dedicated trust fund, or grandparents that would pay the way. It you look at the recent private school threads it seems that for many families in the elite independent schools private school tuition is not a factor in their budget because they pay significantly less than 10% of their income on tuition or absolutely nothing because it is part of the inheritance.

I just switched my kids from public to private (after five years in public) and agree with much of this. If private was at all a financial burden, I could have gotten my kids a very good education in public. But, I would peg difference at more than ten to fifteen percent in terms of what is extra benefit at the private, but much of that depends on the quality of the public alternative and of the particular private. In my own case, the most significant differences are going to be at the middle and high school levels.

[Anonymous]

PP -- this makes sense. At middle or high school you are likely getting even more benefit. This is an important clarification.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:18:16 here

My kids' private schools are more diverse than many public schools that have few OOB kids. More kids of color, and thanks to large endowments and great FA, kids from many different SES levels. In the DC area, it's a myth that all privates are filled with rich white kids.

Every time I see a post like this I will call the BS. Even at the very best private schools in DC, 80 percent of the kids are full pay -- 40k plus a year -- while only a small fraction of the remaining 20 percent are no pay. Most of those on FA are still paying 10k, 20k, etc. Yes, there's racial diversity in many of the top DC privates but there isn't economic diversity. The schools skew rich rich rich, and even the minorities are mostly from professional/wealthy families who live in white neighborhoods and have more in common with their white classmates from Upper NW than the kids EOTP.

Interesting how the same folks who argue that affirmative action shouldn't apply to rich, privileged AA kids also argue that their private schools are "diverse" because they have those same kids. You can't have it both ways.

How much socioeconomic diversity is their truly at Janney? Come on.

[Anonymous]

Simple, really … we switched to private (and a really unique one, I must say) so that our kid would love learning again! Priceless to have a child jump out of bed every morning and loving the curriculum, the teacher's, the students …. college will come, she will get into whatever is right for her at that time, we have no expectations and trust that the teachers and college counselors will have her best interest at heart. The bureaucracy of her previous school was mind numbing and we could no longer sit back and watch her love of learning destroyed. Are we wealthy, no, we simply work hard and save. Can we afford it, yes, but only because we choose to forgo other things in our lives to put her happiness first. She is not the richest, she is not the poorest, but she is, along with the other students in her community, happy and we feel that is what it should be all about, not the teaching to the test or which college she will attend. How can we possibly look at a middle schooler and determine what type of person she will be in four or five years, that will come and for now, we are enjoying the journey and relishing in our teenagers humorous take on the world and all that surrounds her … we would not change this decision for anything, even from the glaring looks that we get in our community because we chose private school. Truly, when I lay my head on my pillow at night what my neighbors think about my educational choice for my children simply is not on the list that goes through my mind as I recount my families day …. what does stay with me is my daughter reminding me not to get up late, she doesn't want to miss a thing! We are blessed that she got into this school and are so thankful everyday that we chose this path, childhood happens once and if this is the path for her, then we are lucky to be able to make this happen. Would not change a thing

[Anonymous]

Can you let us know which school? Sounds almost like Waldorf (you mentioned really unique).

[Anonymous]

FWIW, I am having some pretty interesting talks with my kiddo about his transition from a DCPCS to a nonelite/alternative private. The recurring themes are relief and suspicion: relief that he no longer has to be on guard constantly, suspicion that this calmer environment is somehow going to disappear.

Looking back, I regret not making the transition sooner: middle school is when things went south for my DC. I think that's when the differences between public and private become apparent, especially for quirky, emotionally intense kids like mine.

[Anonymous]

So much of this depends on the specific public vs the specific private, the grade, the child, and the family's financial situation. Sidwell vs Powell is a no-brainer - Sidwell wins in every category. Murch vs a non-NCS Catholic school? I'd choose Murch.

The big 3 have huge financial advantages due to endowments and demographics of many of the parents. This allows much better facilities, specials such as art programs, etc. The focus is on learning, and some PPs listed these advantages. You don't get these same advantages with Tier II - III privates.

We tried private (not a big 3 but an exclusive DC independent school) then switched to charter, still in elementary school. Here are my anecdotal observations: The facilities are much better at the better independent schools, and there's more of a focus on child development. There are good and bad teachers at both. We had a FABULOUS teacher at our independent school, but my husband and I agreed that we would have been upset if we were paying that kind of money and got some of the other not-so-great teachers. The administration cares more about parental input at privates, because they want to keep the income flowing.

However, if the parents are big donors, then their offspring's severe behavior issues will be overlooked. Good luck to you if one of these kids bullies your kid and you're not a big donor. We didn't have that issue, but definitely saw it.

For us, another issue is that we're upper middle class (HHI a little over $300K), but the tuition was really impacting our finances and the % increases are way out of whack with inflation. We felt poor at our independent school, and we're far from poor. We feel more comfortable at our charter and have disposable income for travel, etc.

I grew up going to an elite private, but it was more affordable back then. If the DC elite private tuition was about $15K now or if we made $500K+, then we would send our kids to private. But we just can't swing $60K+ for elementary school then $80K+ for HS. The increasing tuition is squeezing out the middle class, and I just don't see the benefit of some of the tier II or tier III privates that charge less. Just my observations, FWIW.

Not sure what we'll do for MS/HS. Probably move to the burbs if our public option doesn't work.

[Anonymous]

The MoCo publics don't offer much more than DCPS. They've been coasting on hype for years. If you really need to switch, stay put and try and do private. I can't speak to NoVa schools.

My kids are in private - and I'm sacrificing a lot to keep them there. But what I get in return is priceless. I'm not gunning for HYP, I'm trying to give them a fabulous and solid foundation and a great education NOW. They are in ES, MS, and HS. They love school and are totally invested in their own success. We tried public and it was a major fail for all the reasons PPs have listed. Part of it is my kids - some kids will do well in any environment. They thrive with the individual attention, the extra curriculars, the access to great facilities, the safety, and the freedom to think critically and be held accountable in a respectful, positive fashion. FWIW, they are all in different schools, because they are all very different kids. But what they are getting could never be replicated in a public school.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]So much of this depends on the specific public vs the specific private, the grade, the child, and the family's financial situation. Sidwell vs Powell is a no-brainer - Sidwell wins in every category. Murch vs a non-NCS Catholic school? I'd choose Murch.

The big 3 have huge financial advantages due to endowments and demographics of many of the parents. This allows much better facilities, specials such as art programs, etc. The focus is on learning, and some PPs listed these advantages. You don't get these same advantages with Tier II - III privates.

We tried private (not a big 3 but an exclusive DC independent school) then switched to charter, still in elementary school. Here are my anecdotal observations: The facilities are much better at the better independent schools, and there's more of a focus on child development. There are good and bad teachers at both. We had a FABULOUS teacher at our independent school, but my husband and I agreed that we would have been upset if we were paying that kind of money and got some of the other not-so-great teachers. The administration cares more about parental input at privates, because they want to keep the income flowing.

However, if the parents are big donors, then their offspring's severe behavior issues will be overlooked. Good luck to you if one of these kids bullies your kid and you're not a big donor. We didn't have that issue, but definitely saw it.

For us, another issue is that we're upper middle class (HHI a little over $300K), but the tuition was really impacting our finances and the % increases are way out of whack with inflation. We felt poor at our independent school, and we're far from poor. We feel more comfortable at our charter and have disposable income for travel, etc.

I grew up going to an elite private, but it was more affordable back then. If the DC elite private tuition was about $15K now or if we made $500K+, then we would send our kids to private. But we just can't swing $60K+ for elementary school then $80K+ for HS. The increasing tuition is squeezing out the middle class, and I just don't see the benefit of some of the tier II or tier III privates that charge less. Just my observations, FWIW.

Not sure what we'll do for MS/HS. Probably move to the burbs if our public option doesn't work.[/quote]

Sidwell's/GDS/St Albans tuition is ~40K. Elite private day schools in NYC ~45k. Boarding high schools like Exeter ~60k, tuition+Room and board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a product of DCPS public, and private. My kids are in private, but have attended public.

I'm no expert, and I think most parents select schools that they feel are best for their kids. If Janney is the best fit for you and your kids, then super. Goal achieved. Who cares what anyone else does?

But to answer your question, my kids in private are in small schools, with small classes. They also have advisories. They have easy access to their teachers and are encouraged to advocate for themselves. The teachers are given the latitude to work with each kid, and tailor and pivot their classes if the kids get really engage in one area. The school ties in subject matter throughout different courses. The schools have robust arts and theatre programs with black box theatres, darkrooms, access to great sports (which are wrapped into the school day), art studios, different bands, and chorus. There are science labs, and block schedules which enables them to delve deeply into a subject. They also have differentiation in the classroom to meet students' needs, and very little bureaucracy to deal with. I can email teachers and administrators if I need to, and they can email me (which they do). Everyone is held accountable.

I'm sure you have many of these things at Janney, but these are some of the things that my kids schools do really well. (they go to different schools).

Lowell? We really loved this about Lowell, but decided to go with a HRCS for PK. We will reapply for another entry year.

Quoted pp here - not Lowell. Don't want to out myself - but three different schools, all solid, progressive. Not Sidwell/STA/NCS.

[Anonymous]

I have one kid in each. The private provides better customer service in every way - the head of school knows us, knows our child. There's drop-in aftercare, and it's excellent. I can speak to my child's teacher every day at pickup about how the day went. The school provides all school supplies. There's organic food grown in the garden and cooked by a chef.

Academically, there's much more writing, hands-on science, and more specials. The depth of the academic work my private school kid was doing in 2nd or 3rd grade is far different from what my public school kid is getting. It's the difference between an interesting hands-on assignment and a ton of worksheets. But that said, it costs tons and we've decided for financial reasons to supplement instead, at least for now.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]So much of this depends on the specific public vs the specific private, the grade, the child, and the family's financial situation. Sidwell vs Powell is a no-brainer - Sidwell wins in every category. Murch vs a non-NCS Catholic school? I'd choose Murch.

The big 3 have huge financial advantages due to endowments and demographics of many of the parents. This allows much better facilities, specials such as art programs, etc. The focus is on learning, and some PPs listed these advantages. You don't get these same advantages with Tier II - III privates.

We tried private (not a big 3 but an exclusive DC independent school) then switched to charter, still in elementary school. Here are my anecdotal observations: The facilities are much better at the better independent schools, and there's more of a focus on child development. There are good and bad teachers at both. We had a FABULOUS teacher at our independent school, but my husband and I agreed that we would have been upset if we were paying that kind of money and got some of the other not-so-great teachers. The administration cares more about parental input at privates, because they want to keep the income flowing.

However, if the parents are big donors, then their offspring's severe behavior issues will be overlooked. Good luck to you if one of these kids bullies your kid and you're not a big donor. We didn't have that issue, but definitely saw it.

For us, another issue is that we're upper middle class (HHI a little over $300K), but the tuition was really impacting our finances and the % increases are way out of whack with inflation. We felt poor at our independent school, and we're far from poor. We feel more comfortable at our charter and have disposable income for travel, etc.

I grew up going to an elite private, but it was more affordable back then. If the DC elite private tuition was about $15K now or if we made $500K+, then we would send our kids to private. But we just can't swing $60K+ for elementary school then $80K+ for HS. The increasing tuition is squeezing out the middle class, and I just don't see the benefit of some of the tier II or tier III privates that charge less. Just my observations, FWIW.

Not sure what we'll do for MS/HS. Probably move to the burbs if our public option doesn't work.[/quote]

Sidwell's/GDS/St Albans tuition is ~40K. Elite private day schools in NYC ~45k. Boarding high schools like Exeter ~60k, tuition+Room and board.[/quote]

KIDS - not KID, so $60K+ for elementary school then $80K+ for HS.