Indulge my fantasy - top private vs. Walls

[Anonymous]

Play along with my total fantasy scenario here: let's imagine my 8th grade DD gets into Sidwell or GDS and also Walls. I think she'd be happy at any of them. She's tough as nails, entirely self-motivated, deeply curious, very smart. Has been happy and successful in DCPS. I, however, am exhausted by DCPS - the nonstop advocacy, feeling like parents have to hold it all up bc it's so chaotic and funding always in jeopardy, issues with staffing and facilities, always wondering if we will lose a teacher or a section, not get a sub, get subjected to a crappy online curriculum. Walls may be protected from some of that, but it's still DCPS. We *can* afford private but we make too much to qualify for aid ($400k) so it will be a stretch. We will have to cut other things like vacations. We won't be doing all the tutoring and extra fancy stuff other kids do like get college essay consultants and marketing people to help develop a podcast or whatever latest thing is the "hook" to get "unhooked" kids into college. Sigh. So, in this totally fantasy scenario...what would you do? She will be ok anywhere because she's that kind of kid. She will be more challenged - I think - at a Sidwell or a GDS and I would be relieved to step back. But I would be trading that relief for financial stress. And the crazy social and status stuff that comes with private school. Thanks for indulging me in this fantasy world.

[Anonymous]

With a kid like yours, I'd choose the private school 10 times out of 10. While it won't be a financial cakewalk for you to pay the tuition, it also won't be a real hardship. I think your kid's actual high school experience will likely be materially better.

(I have a kid at Walls. It is fine but there is so, so much that could be better but won't be because... DCPS.)

If you care more about college admissions than high school experience, the comparison becomes a bit closer. Walls punches above its weight in that category and it means Walls parents let a lot of other things go.

[Anonymous]

I'm a DCPS and Big3 private school parent and I would also choose Sidwell.

You won't need a private essay coach or marketing person either. We had neither and so far got 2 kids into Ivies, unhooked just based on their grades and normal extracurriculars.

[Anonymous]

I would be careful about fantasizing. It’s much better to go into admissions season with the attitude that the schools are all good, and you will wait and see what the options are, rather than making an ordered list and then being said your kid ended up at their “third choice”.

It sounds like you have a kid who will thrive at each option.

[Anonymous]

I would choose private over Walls. Walls seemed too disorganized when I toured it.

[Anonymous]

We had friends whose kid went to one of these schools and then Walls and ended up at a HYPS school - legacy but still.

I am sure she will be fine wherever she goes, but I get the DCPS fatigue.

[Anonymous]

Will you post this on the DC Public and Public Charter Schools forum too? Here you're asking parents who've already decided private school is better.

[Anonymous]

What does your kid want?
Both communities have problems. Very different problems, but neither would be problem-free.

[Anonymous]

I’m so confused. Why haven’t you asked your daughter what SHE wants?… Instead of random strangers on the internet. If she has a good head on her shoulders, she will have her own aspirations and desires that are outside other people’s opinions. You say that YOU are exhausted but is your daughter exhausted with DCPS? Also why are you spending so much time thinking about this? She may not even have a choice and then you’re wasted everyone’s time on this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will you post this on the DC Public and Public Charter Schools forum too? Here you're asking parents who've already decided private school is better.

OP here and yes, good point and I will do.

[Anonymous]

If your kid is everything you say she is then why do you need to be involved at all? Truly perplexed. I have a trickier kid and I would be on easy street and on autopilot if he could just unproblematically go to Walls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m so confused. Why haven’t you asked your daughter what SHE wants?… Instead of random strangers on the internet. If she has a good head on her shoulders, she will have her own aspirations and desires that are outside other people’s opinions. You say that YOU are exhausted but is your daughter exhausted with DCPS? Also why are you spending so much time thinking about this? She may not even have a choice and then you’re wasted everyone’s time on this.

I’m sure at the end of the day the daughter would prefer the $200k+ you would throw away on Sidwell to use as a downpayment on a house or law school tuition … not sure why you will start this phase of her life off with a terrible financial choice.

[Anonymous]

By posting on the private school thread you're going to get more responses pushing private.

Personally, I think you sound entitled and difficult to deal with and think your kid is better than everybody else. You're clearly one of those parents that the rest of us roll our eyes at.

So, as a DCPS parent, sure, go private and don't let the door hit you in the a$$ on the way out.

[Anonymous]

We had this exact choice in 2018, begin 9th grade at Sidwell or at Walls. Once DS shadowed for the entire day at Walls, there was no question in his mind that he would never attend Walls. He deeply disliked multiple (not all) teachers, specifically their condescending, teach to the lowest common denominator style. DS was shocked at what I would label 'classroom management techniques,' ie, harshly keeping kids in line.

He was unimpressed with the apparent intellectual level of his assigned mentor and others (not all) in the classes he attended. He found the ECs under-resourced, especially music.

His dad and I were shocked at the poor quality writing that was on display for prospective parents. As a point of reference, DS was about to graduate from an independent K-8 and already had better analytical and writing skills than were on display at Walls.

(we're also IB for then-Wilson, which wasn't on the table)

If you get into GDS or Sidwell at 9th, you go. Maybe you work an extra 3 years at the end of your careers to pad your retirement accounts to compensate for the money well spent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:By posting on the private school thread you're going to get more responses pushing private.

Personally, I think you sound entitled and difficult to deal with and think your kid is better than everybody else. You're clearly one of those parents that the rest of us roll our eyes at.

So, as a DCPS parent, sure, go private and don't let the door hit you in the a$$ on the way out.

The thing is, some kids -are- better at school and life than other kids.