How's the year been? (Asking as we debate leaving private for public)

[Anonymous]

For many years we enjoyed sending our kids to a small private school because there was a strong sense of community, limited screen time, and a lot of consistency. The pandemic has basically done away with all that and we are seriously considering moving them to public next year. I'm wondering whether people can share how their schools have managed this year. Have there been a lot of subs? Are kids progressing through their learning reasonably well? Are you concerned about issues that weren't a problem before?

FWIW, we've got two children, rising 6th and 4th in the Takoma cluster.

TY!

[Anonymous]

We are leaving private. Tired if denying that it’s worth the cost. Headmaster is leaving and has just been coasting with no leadership the two years he has been at the school.

[Anonymous]

This year hasn’t been great for us. My kid did fine in the pandemic because we heavily supplemented. That meant DC was above grade level this year, especially considering learning loss in the pandemic. Result has been that DC is not progressing at all this year—scores are actually down from last year. Basically kids above grade level are ignored in class. The one exception is compacted math.

I would stay in private if you can afford it.

[Anonymous]

You shouldn't need to hop on a public forum to have outsiders justify what is a personal decision for your and your family. Have internal/emotional security. It seems as though you know what you want to do already, and that you're telling us instead of asking us. Just a thought.

[Anonymous]

I have current 4th and 7th in the same cluster and it's been fine. The only class that seems hard to cover is PE/health, but core classes have been consistent in terms of teachers and no more subs than usual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For many years we enjoyed sending our kids to a small private school because there was a strong sense of community, limited screen time, and a lot of consistency. The pandemic has basically done away with all that and we are seriously considering moving them to public next year. I'm wondering whether people can share how their schools have managed this year. Have there been a lot of subs? Are kids progressing through their learning reasonably well? Are you concerned about issues that weren't a problem before?

FWIW, we've got two children, rising 6th and 4th in the Takoma cluster.

TY!

Our kids are doing great under the circumstances.

[Anonymous]

It's been a tough year. But I think that's true for everyone in the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This year hasn’t been great for us. My kid did fine in the pandemic because we heavily supplemented. That meant DC was above grade level this year, especially considering learning loss in the pandemic. Result has been that DC is not progressing at all this year—scores are actually down from last year. Basically kids above grade level are ignored in class. The one exception is compacted math.

I would stay in private if you can afford it.

No reason to pay.

[Anonymous]

Behavior issues in schools are up. Teachers seem more tired. Yes there is a sub shortage so teachers cover for each other when they can't get a sub. State test scores are down. Screen distractions (on school Chromebooks) are worse than pre-pandemic and schools don't have it under control. The pandemic hit public schools harder than it hit privates. Maybe your kids would do fine coming from private.

[Anonymous]

Public and supplement if needed. Don’t waste your money.

[Anonymous]

There were a lot of behavior problems at the beginning of the year but it has calmed down by now at our Silver Spring school. I know that there are more kids who are behind, but my top of the curve kids like going to school and are clearly still learning.

We were at a small Catholic school for 2020-21 and returned this year and are glad we did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Behavior issues in schools are up. Teachers seem more tired. Yes there is a sub shortage so teachers cover for each other when they can't get a sub. State test scores are down. Screen distractions (on school Chromebooks) are worse than pre-pandemic and schools don't have it under control. The pandemic hit public schools harder than it hit privates. Maybe your kids would do fine coming from private.

All of this, but I still think that for most kids, private is a waste of money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Public and supplement if needed. Don’t waste your money.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You shouldn't need to hop on a public forum to have outsiders justify what is a personal decision for your and your family. Have internal/emotional security. It seems as though you know what you want to do already, and that you're telling us instead of asking us. Just a thought.

The upside is if you move to public you'll be around fewer people like this.

[Anonymous]

Most privates are mediocre and therefore a waste of money. Kind of like most charter schools - not much oversight. If your child isn't flourishing at the private, I'd definitely look elsewhere.