How do MCPS teachers approach private school recommendations and how important are the recommendations?

[Anonymous]

This year, my child applied to several private schools as we were considering options for the transition to high school. We are zoned for Whitman, and I’m worried about such a large school with so many recent issues in the news.All of the schools we applied torequired recommendations from English and math teachers. Considering my child’s grades and scores, I was surprised that she did not get in to some of the schools we were most enthusiastic about. I wondered how much influence teacher recommendations have. I don’t consider myself a difficult parent, but I do reach out about issues throughout the year and advocate for my child. I wondered if that hurt her chances.

Teachers, when you fill out a recommendation, how critical are you? Are there questions about parent interactions?

[Anonymous]

I can almost guarantee it wasn't the teacher recommendations, even when it is a horrible student who is rude to me, I write a generic but decently positive recommendation so that they won't have the opportunity to bother any other kids or teachers at my school.

[Anonymous]

If a parent is mildly annoying, I usually spin it as them being “invested”— but in situations where a child or parent is really a pain, I’m extremely honest because I don’t want that child getting a leg up over someone who is more deserving. If I were more of a cynic, I might be happy to recommend difficult families to private schools since privates generally have the privilege of not having to teach that kind of student.

[Anonymous]

Some of the recommendation forms directly ask teachers about the parent’s involvement.

I’m honest on these forms. My name is on that paper and I’m not going to hurt my professional reputation by lying.

But truthfully, it’s probably not the recommendations. Private schools have a ton of applicants right now. It’s a numbers game.

[Anonymous]

High school private school applications are very competitive. Some applicants don’t get into any.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If a parent is mildly annoying, I usually spin it as them being “invested”— but in situations where a child or parent is really a pain, I’m extremely honest because I don’t want that child getting a leg up over someone who is more deserving. If I were more of a cynic, I might be happy to recommend difficult families to private schools since privates generally have the privilege of not having to teach that kind of student.

Wow! That’s a disgusting thing to say, so glad you’re not my kid’s teacher!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a parent is mildly annoying, I usually spin it as them being “invested”— but in situations where a child or parent is really a pain, I’m extremely honest because I don’t want that child getting a leg up over someone who is more deserving. If I were more of a cynic, I might be happy to recommend difficult families to private schools since privates generally have the privilege of not having to teach that kind of student.

Wow! That’s a disgusting thing to say, so glad you’re not my kid’s teacher!

Why is that bad? Its smart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a parent is mildly annoying, I usually spin it as them being “invested”— but in situations where a child or parent is really a pain, I’m extremely honest because I don’t want that child getting a leg up over someone who is more deserving. If I were more of a cynic, I might be happy to recommend difficult families to private schools since privates generally have the privilege of not having to teach that kind of student.

Wow! That’s a disgusting thing to say, so glad you’re not my kid’s teacher!

New poster here. What part is disgusting? The PP sounds very rational. Also, you don't know whether your kid has teachers who think like this, so weird comment

Are you OP? OP sounds very entitled.

[Anonymous]

A few years ago, I stopped writing external recommendations because parents were livid if their kid didn’t get in. I still do the internal ones as required by my job description.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a parent is mildly annoying, I usually spin it as them being “invested”— but in situations where a child or parent is really a pain, I’m extremely honest because I don’t want that child getting a leg up over someone who is more deserving. If I were more of a cynic, I might be happy to recommend difficult families to private schools since privates generally have the privilege of not having to teach that kind of student.

Wow! That’s a disgusting thing to say, so glad you’re not my kid’s teacher!

Oh no, not someone being honest when filling out a recommendation form! How dare they!

[Anonymous]

As a seventh grade English teacher, I have a lot of families asking me to fill out recommendations. I’m totally honest on them. I have certainly let schools know about difficult parents. Teachers are just looking for partnership in supporting your children, so maybe be sure to give them that partnership.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a parent is mildly annoying, I usually spin it as them being “invested”— but in situations where a child or parent is really a pain, I’m extremely honest because I don’t want that child getting a leg up over someone who is more deserving. If I were more of a cynic, I might be happy to recommend difficult families to private schools since privates generally have the privilege of not having to teach that kind of student.

Wow! That’s a disgusting thing to say, so glad you’re not my kid’s teacher!

You have no idea how awful some parents are - they believe their child's teacher is responsible to them, not the student (or other students). I think honesty is good.

And, agree there are many parents working to get out of MCPS, and there are nowhere near enough spaces for all of the students. Some won't get in - its a numbers game