Going from private to public and back again

[Anonymous]

We're moving to a small city where the only private high school has all grades wait-listed. DD has been in private since pre-k, and while I'd love to get her back into private as soon as a spot opens up, people have recommended against it. I.e., it seems once you go public, it's recommend you stay public. Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

That doesn't make any sense. Do whatever is best for you all - if you have to wait to get into the private you want, fine. Maybe you'll like the public and stay, and if not, and a spot opens up, switch to private.

[Anonymous]

Huh? I don't think there is any one way. I also don't think "public" and "private" are the way to think about things. Aside from charging or not charging tuition, there's nothing universally similar among the schools.

Rather, you should look at each individual school as compared to the others. Remove the labels and it will make it easier to do.

Meanwhile, pick the school that's right for your kid and don't worry about the rest. It sounds like you don't have any reservations about the public school aside from it being public - so put that aside, and see how DD likes it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Huh? I don't think there is any one way. I also don't think "public" and "private" are the way to think about things. Aside from charging or not charging tuition, there's nothing universally similar among the schools.

Rather, you should look at each individual school as compared to the others. Remove the labels and it will make it easier to do.

Meanwhile, pick the school that's right for your kid and don't worry about the rest. It sounds like you don't have any reservations about the public school aside from it being public - so put that aside, and see how DD likes it!

No, we have tons of reservations (it was shut down for 18 months during covid while the private was open, for one), but they didn't seem relevant. DD also hasn't ever been in a school where kids run wild, which concerns us. But private simply isn't an option right now, so...

[Anonymous]

Kids running wild!!!

OP, you might consider boarding school. Moving her for HS and then moving her for another HS is more the problem than your concerns about the Maurice Sendak Public HS.

[Anonymous]

Convent school seems like the best solution here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids running wild!!!

OP, you might consider boarding school. Moving her for HS and then moving her for another HS is more the problem than your concerns about the Maurice Sendak Public HS.

I went to public school. It's night and day compared to her experience so far. She doesn't even have enough clothes for public school, doesn't even know what's in style.

[Anonymous]

Actually, if there’s a school with 5 day boarding nearby it’s probably worth looking at. What assurance do you have that a spot will open up next year at this one private school, esp since it sounds as though it won’t be an entrance/expansion year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually, if there’s a school with 5 day boarding nearby it’s probably worth looking at. What assurance do you have that a spot will open up next year at this one private school, esp since it sounds as though it won’t be an entrance/expansion year.

Zero assurance. And no 5-day boarding schools, either. Next closest private is 90 minutes one-way.

[Anonymous]

Go and check out the public school.
You seem to think it’s filled with wild children. Get out of your bubble and do a tour, see for yourself then form your own open minded opinion.

[Anonymous]

Oh heavens, boarding school, quick. Do NOT allow your little darling to mix with the hoi polloi at that disgraceful public school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids running wild!!!

OP, you might consider boarding school. Moving her for HS and then moving her for another HS is more the problem than your concerns about the Maurice Sendak Public HS.

I went to public school. It's night and day compared to her experience so far. She doesn't even have enough clothes for public school, doesn't even know what's in style.

So she gets out of her bubble for year and learns to dress herself, and then you send her back to private.

Otherwise, (1) don’t move or (2) boarding school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, if there’s a school with 5 day boarding nearby it’s probably worth looking at. What assurance do you have that a spot will open up next year at this one private school, esp since it sounds as though it won’t be an entrance/expansion year.

Zero assurance. And no 5-day boarding schools, either. Next closest private is 90 minutes one-way.

How far is that by helicopter?

[Anonymous]

You’re going to need to get comfortable with that public school then. Your DC may well be there throughout high school. Other option is asking current head if s/he can pull strings to get kid off waitlist. And of these don’t work then you really are looking at boarding school. Do you have to move?

[Anonymous]

Unless you're looking at some little no name boarding school, what makes people here think that getting in a good boarding school is any easier? Not to mention academics can be more rigorous at the same time that the kids are adapting to living independently away from family. This works only if the kid is ready and willing. It genuinely works for some and is a great environment. But it isn't for everyone and certainly isn't a bandaid for public school.