a dread

[Anonymous]

As the decisions come closer, even though we have a good choice, as a non-millionaire that doesn't qualify for FA, I feel we are going to pay a lot of money for an uncertain, subpar education. Are you paying for the cafeteria? The sports? The safety? The community. Maybe yes. It is definitely better than public school, but maybe not by too much. It is a gamble at the end.

[Anonymous]

I think if it feels like a gamble you should not do it! If you already pay a lot to live in an affluent public school district and tuition will cause financial stress, just don’t do it. That stress is surely more damaging than a dingy cafeteria.

[Anonymous]

If you think the schools you are considering will provide an “uncertain, subpar education” then no, it isn’t worth it, and you’re looking at the wrong schools, or at least the wrong schools for your particular kid.

[Anonymous]

If you’re feeling this uncertain, I would encourage you to not move forward. It seems very likely that no school will be able to meet your expectations and you’ll resent the monthly tuition payment. I absolutely love our private, but it still isn’t perfect and that’s fine. The good far outweighs the “bad.”

[Anonymous]

We choose our child's school because they were having a hard time at their former school. We were all overjoyed when the acceptance came. It has changed our child's life, no exaggeration. If we were unsure we likely would not have done it. Why pay 40k+/yr if you are unsure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you think the schools you are considering will provide an “uncertain, subpar education” then no, it isn’t worth it, and you’re looking at the wrong schools, or at least the wrong schools for your particular kid.

but they are big 3.

[Anonymous]

Why did you apply if you were unsure and what is the alternative? It’s an annual commitment. You can always leave if you find out it’s not worth it to you. Without knowing the school or grade, it’s difficult to say how easy it will be for you to reapply and be admitted the following year. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP, we moved to private even though it’s not simple for us financially and involves a significant daily commute. We don’t regret it. Am I worried about finances more than before? Yes. But we are making it work.

I think it matters why you want the private school. For us, we cared about smaller class sizes, minimal screen usage in early years, reliable communication with teachers who actually cared to get to know our child, and a school that would foster a love of learning in our kid, who is intelligent, curious, and sensitive. We tried for sometime in DCPS and it was not a good fit for us.

Our private school isn’t perfect, there are things I wish I’d known before we enrolled but overall, I am blown away by the attention kid is getting from the teachers and their ability to quickly solve any issues that we flag for them. My kid is happy. Will it be the right place for them for the next decade, I can’t say. Will we have less in savings and travel less to make this happen? Yes. Do I want to renovate my kitchen and can’t have that right now? Yes. But for now I do not regret centering my kid’s education.

[Anonymous]

You clearly have money if you can full pay.

[Anonymous]

I can't advise you on what to do in your situation, OP, however I will say that DD and all but one of her public school friends who applied got into their top pick of privates for high school. Which is to say, if you feel like you have to get on the tuition express early in order to have a spot later on is just not the case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you think the schools you are considering will provide an “uncertain, subpar education” then no, it isn’t worth it, and you’re looking at the wrong schools, or at least the wrong schools for your particular kid.

but they are big 3.

I doubt that. But even if so, if you dread a subpar education from a big 3, don’t send your kid there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you think the schools you are considering will provide an “uncertain, subpar education” then no, it isn’t worth it, and you’re looking at the wrong schools, or at least the wrong schools for your particular kid.

but they are big 3.

I doubt that. But even if so, if you dread a subpar education from a big 3, don’t send your kid there.

What do you doubt? A big 3 can't be subpar?

[Anonymous]

Troll

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you think the schools you are considering will provide an “uncertain, subpar education” then no, it isn’t worth it, and you’re looking at the wrong schools, or at least the wrong schools for your particular kid.

but they are big 3.

I doubt that. But even if so, if you dread a subpar education from a big 3, don’t send your kid there.

What do you doubt? A big 3 can't be subpar?

I doubt that the school under discussion is a big 3.

[Anonymous]

^although for the record, no, I don’t think a big 3, or most of the the mainstream independent or Catholic schools in this area, provide a subpar education. A subpar *experience*, sure, just as mine was at NCS, but a subpar *education*, no.

If OP is truly worried about a subpar education, I think those fears are unfounded, but if OP is that anxious then the school they are considering is not a good fit for the family.