I can’t decide whether to stay in private or not

[Anonymous]

Just started K at a pK-8. We can afford the $40k price tag (x 2 when her little sister joins in two years) and it doesn’t change our current standard of living, but if we let that money pile up in a brokerage account, we would have SO much more money to give them in the future, or we could buy a huge vacation home for grandchildren to visit, etc. She’s had a pretty nice experience at her school and making progress in reading and math, but still finding her way socially since the other kids have known each other for a year already. Anybody else in the same boat? We are zoned for excellent publics, but after all they are publics with large class size and MCPS curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Yes, private school tuition for "normal" people is a great way to limit your ability to build wealth. A lot of the people at these schools are able to do it, while also give their kids a ton of money in the future and have a huge vacation home, etc. so there's no real trade off. If you aren't in that boat, presumably you weighed this trade off prior to enrolling your daughter, so has anything changed? Has the school not lived up to your expectations in some respect? I think it's hard to judge just 3 months in. Unless there are clear issues, which it doesn't sound like, I'd give it another year. Whatever made you decide the tuition was worth it originally is probably still valid.

[Anonymous]

If you aren’t blown away, don’t stay. It gets harder socially to leave with every year.

[Anonymous]

Leave and come back in middle school if you think you'd prefer private then

[Anonymous]

typically kids don't click with new class until around Jan.
I saw this with my kids in middle school and high school.

[Anonymous]

Who kids become as people largely depends on their experiences growing up. It depends on the type of family they have, but also on the teachers and friends. If I think my children will become more confident, able to stand up for themselves, comfortable around intelligent and educated people, feel valued as people, aim higher because of what they are exposed to, etc. then yes, it is worth it for me.

For us private school for 3 kids is a stretch, but we feel it’s totally worth it. We are at top private schools and that is all I know (and public). I don’t know if I would feel the same at other schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who kids become as people largely depends on their experiences growing up. It depends on the type of family they have, but also on the teachers and friends. If I think my children will become more confident, able to stand up for themselves, comfortable around intelligent and educated people, feel valued as people, aim higher because of what they are exposed to, etc. then yes, it is worth it for me.

For us private school for 3 kids is a stretch, but we feel it’s totally worth it. We are at top private schools and that is all I know (and public). I don’t know if I would feel the same at other schools

I had to laugh at this post. As a public school family, my kids absolutely have all of those things. Come on. Comfortable around intelligent and educated people? My kids’ great great grandmothers are all college educated and everyone has advanced degrees. Two of my child’s public school teachers have PhDs this year. My kids are super confident and aim very high. MCPS, like any school or school system, certainly has flaws. But all the values PP listed can absolutely be emphasized for FREE at public.

[Anonymous]

Ours is no way close to 40k and I’m sure our HHI is way lower but we were in mcps before Covid then switched for 4th grade. It def took time for DD to find he’d people but it’s so worth it. The smaller class sizes are the biggest plus, no violent kids are another, and not having to switch rooms and sit on the floor because there are no subs and the teacher is out is another. Our plan right now is backto public for HS but right now private is worth it.

[Anonymous]

OP - if the reasons you chose the private school haven't changed and if the private school is providing what you thought it would, then you should probably wait it out. (as others said - you made this financial decision already). This is WAY too early for your child and you to feel fully adjusted. Our children always took a full year to finally feel not-new (and it happened again in HS during 9th). This is normal. And it's MUCH easier to become part of the community when your child is younger than by joining again later in late elementary or middle school. By then, there are not all the opportunities provided by large bday parties, sports sidelines, scouts, class volunteer options. The older (4th/5th grade) they get - the more specialized everybody's weekends become and the smaller the bday parties and fewer are the opportunities to help at class parties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who kids become as people largely depends on their experiences growing up. It depends on the type of family they have, but also on the teachers and friends. If I think my children will become more confident, able to stand up for themselves, comfortable around intelligent and educated people, feel valued as people, aim higher because of what they are exposed to, etc. then yes, it is worth it for me.

For us private school for 3 kids is a stretch, but we feel it’s totally worth it. We are at top private schools and that is all I know (and public). I don’t know if I would feel the same at other schools

I had to laugh at this post. As a public school family, my kids absolutely have all of those things. Come on. Comfortable around intelligent and educated people? My kids’ great great grandmothers are all college educated and everyone has advanced degrees. Two of my child’s public school teachers have PhDs this year. My kids are super confident and aim very high. MCPS, like any school or school system, certainly has flaws. But all the values PP listed can absolutely be emphasized for FREE at public.

Why are you at this forum?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who kids become as people largely depends on their experiences growing up. It depends on the type of family they have, but also on the teachers and friends. If I think my children will become more confident, able to stand up for themselves, comfortable around intelligent and educated people, feel valued as people, aim higher because of what they are exposed to, etc. then yes, it is worth it for me.

For us private school for 3 kids is a stretch, but we feel it’s totally worth it. We are at top private schools and that is all I know (and public). I don’t know if I would feel the same at other schools

I had to laugh at this post. As a public school family, my kids absolutely have all of those things. Come on. Comfortable around intelligent and educated people? My kids’ great great grandmothers are all college educated and everyone has advanced degrees. Two of my child’s public school teachers have PhDs this year. My kids are super confident and aim very high. MCPS, like any school or school system, certainly has flaws. But all the values PP listed can absolutely be emphasized for FREE at public.

I agree, this is hilarious. And there are values that you get at public school that you certainly don't get at private. But geez, this person has an inflated sense of importance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just started K at a pK-8. We can afford the $40k price tag (x 2 when her little sister joins in two years) and it doesn’t change our current standard of living, but if we let that money pile up in a brokerage account, we would have SO much more money to give them in the future, or we could buy a huge vacation home for grandchildren to visit, etc. She’s had a pretty nice experience at her school and making progress in reading and math, but still finding her way socially since the other kids have known each other for a year already. Anybody else in the same boat? We are zoned for excellent publics, but after all they are publics with large class size and MCPS curriculum.

I think it depends on your child's personality. She is very young so things can change, but currently: Does she feel comfortable in larger classes, have no problem asking the teacher for help if needed?(if so she will likely be just fine in your excellent public) Is she very shy and needs a smaller school(stay where you are for at least 2 more years and then wait and see). Is she advanced academically? I would say go to public as no pk-8 here except for Feynman will be able to meet her needs the way magnets will if needed and easier to get in that system in 3rd grade in MCPS if you are already there.
What were your reasons for seeking out private k-8 aside from covid? Teachers often have more credentials at the MCPS elems than at the pk-K. I say this as a parent who had kids at a k-8 for over 10 years, hindsight is 20/20...
it is hard to give you real advice based on what you shared. I wouldn't worry about not finding her way socially yet. She's 5, right? It takes time. If she was still feeling that way in winter of next year I would be more concerned. Have you made efforts to get together with other families outside of class on the weekends? That helps bond the K girls more. Pottery painting, park, zoo, etc. Ask if any of them are signed up for gymnastic classes and then try to get in the same one(this sort of idea).

[Anonymous]

OP, we opted against private for our 3 children for the reasons that you stated. we have instead opted to build wealth for the kids by saving the $40K per head and invest in brokerage/retirement/529s. We supplement with a ton of enrichment activities, take great vacations overseas, and are still able to save quite a bit. The kids are also in AAP/honors courses at FCPS and doing well. I didn't see the need for private and have been pleased with how things have worked out thus far.

Your decision will be personal but I have enjoyed the financial freedom that comes with public, and knowing that we don't have to worry about our retirement or our kids' futures.

I myself went to a nice private school (loved it) so I feel that I have a good handle of what the pros/cons are of each option. I made the right decision for our family.

Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who kids become as people largely depends on their experiences growing up. It depends on the type of family they have, but also on the teachers and friends. If I think my children will become more confident, able to stand up for themselves, comfortable around intelligent and educated people, feel valued as people, aim higher because of what they are exposed to, etc. then yes, it is worth it for me.

For us private school for 3 kids is a stretch, but we feel it’s totally worth it. We are at top private schools and that is all I know (and public). I don’t know if I would feel the same at other schools

I had to laugh at this post. As a public school family, my kids absolutely have all of those things. Come on. Comfortable around intelligent and educated people? My kids’ great great grandmothers are all college educated and everyone has advanced degrees. Two of my child’s public school teachers have PhDs this year. My kids are super confident and aim very high. MCPS, like any school or school system, certainly has flaws. But all the values PP listed can absolutely be emphasized for FREE at public.

We have been to both MCPS and Big 3…. Sorry, but you are wrong. The difference is huge in what the kids actually get (especially from the teachers and the smaller class size). But keep telling yourself whatever makes you feel better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who kids become as people largely depends on their experiences growing up. It depends on the type of family they have, but also on the teachers and friends. If I think my children will become more confident, able to stand up for themselves, comfortable around intelligent and educated people, feel valued as people, aim higher because of what they are exposed to, etc. then yes, it is worth it for me.

For us private school for 3 kids is a stretch, but we feel it’s totally worth it. We are at top private schools and that is all I know (and public). I don’t know if I would feel the same at other schools

I had to laugh at this post. As a public school family, my kids absolutely have all of those things. Come on. Comfortable around intelligent and educated people? My kids’ great great grandmothers are all college educated and everyone has advanced degrees. Two of my child’s public school teachers have PhDs this year. My kids are super confident and aim very high. MCPS, like any school or school system, certainly has flaws. But all the values PP listed can absolutely be emphasized for FREE at public.

We have been to both MCPS and Big 3…. Sorry, but you are wrong. The difference is huge in what the kids actually get (especially from the teachers and the smaller class size). But keep telling yourself whatever makes you feel better.

NP:
The OP's child isn't at a Big 3... your comment is irrelevant. No pk-8 in DMV is like a Big 3. (and the Cathedral schools only start in 4th, so no way to compare K there either!)
You are not comparing what the discussion is about: excellent MCPS elem vs k-8.