Why do so many folks pay for private school in this area?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:It's just another symptom of the competitiveness of the area and the guilt and insecurity of the parents. It's sad, really.

If you are rich, why not do private? Give your kids every advantage you can.

Because what I have learned is that private is not always better. It has not proven to be an advantage at all.

By what metric do you say it’s no advantage at all? Are you assuming that everyone gauges the advantages by the same metric? Our student is much more engaged academically, is more calm, and socially confident in private school than she was in public. The advantage for her mental health is enormous.

You can say that they are ______, but how can you say they are more ______? You can’t compare as they only know one way. And your $200k says you need to say this to justify your decision.

Can you read? I compared her current situation to when she was in public. I don’t only know one way, we have experience with both? And her three years in private high school won’t cost $200k. Are you a bot, or are you just randomly making things up?

[Anonymous]

I'm actually finding this discussion really interesting as a public school teacher considering private for my rising kindergartener, Something I never thought I would do. I'm also tempted to teach in a private school as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's just another symptom of the competitiveness of the area and the guilt and insecurity of the parents. It's sad, really.

If you are rich, why not do private? Give your kids every advantage you can.

Because what I have learned is that private is not always better. It has not proven to be an advantage at all.

By what metric do you say it’s no advantage at all? Are you assuming that everyone gauges the advantages by the same metric? Our student is much more engaged academically, is more calm, and socially confident in private school than she was in public. The advantage for her mental health is enormous.

You can say that they are ______, but how can you say they are more ______? You can’t compare as they only know one way. And your $200k says you need to say this to justify your decision.

Can you read? I compared her current situation to when she was in public. I don’t only know one way, we have experience with both? And her three years in private high school won’t cost $200k. Are you a bot, or are you just randomly making things up?

You are a liberal as name calling is directly from their playbook

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's just another symptom of the competitiveness of the area and the guilt and insecurity of the parents. It's sad, really.

If you are rich, why not do private? Give your kids every advantage you can.

Because what I have learned is that private is not always better. It has not proven to be an advantage at all.

By what metric do you say it’s no advantage at all? Are you assuming that everyone gauges the advantages by the same metric? Our student is much more engaged academically, is more calm, and socially confident in private school than she was in public. The advantage for her mental health is enormous.

You can say that they are ______, but how can you say they are more ______? You can’t compare as they only know one way. And your $200k says you need to say this to justify your decision.

Can you read? I compared her current situation to when she was in public. I don’t only know one way, we have experience with both? And her three years in private high school won’t cost $200k. Are you a bot, or are you just randomly making things up?

Are you comparing her experience as a child vs. ages 14-18? Not really Apple, apples. It’s likely maturity

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's just another symptom of the competitiveness of the area and the guilt and insecurity of the parents. It's sad, really.

If you are rich, why not do private? Give your kids every advantage you can.

Because what I have learned is that private is not always better. It has not proven to be an advantage at all.

By what metric do you say it’s no advantage at all? Are you assuming that everyone gauges the advantages by the same metric? Our student is much more engaged academically, is more calm, and socially confident in private school than she was in public. The advantage for her mental health is enormous.

You can say that they are ______, but how can you say they are more ______? You can’t compare as they only know one way. And your $200k says you need to say this to justify your decision.

Can you read? I compared her current situation to when she was in public. I don’t only know one way, we have experience with both? And her three years in private high school won’t cost $200k. Are you a bot, or are you just randomly making things up?

Are you comparing her experience as a child vs. ages 14-18? Not really Apple, apples. It’s likely maturity

Yeah, I even saw that with my son, who was in publics the whole time. Likely just grew into her own

[Anonymous]

My kid is a great student with high academic stats and is a recruited athlete. He goes to private school. For his sport, college coaches come to his school to watch workouts, practices, and recruit. In the DMV, those getting college offers and admission slots at top liberal arts colleges are mostly from private schools. If you're a top student-athlete who wants to play a varsity sport in college, private school provides more of a viable path as compared to a public school. There's just more exposure. Not talking about the non athletic bookworm type. If you play the tuba, great. I'm referring to high academic student athletes. At privates in the DC area it's a "hook" that works well for college admissions. Some parents don't like it or want to admit it, but it works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's just another symptom of the competitiveness of the area and the guilt and insecurity of the parents. It's sad, really.

If you are rich, why not do private? Give your kids every advantage you can.

Because what I have learned is that private is not always better. It has not proven to be an advantage at all.

By what metric do you say it’s no advantage at all? Are you assuming that everyone gauges the advantages by the same metric? Our student is much more engaged academically, is more calm, and socially confident in private school than she was in public. The advantage for her mental health is enormous.

You can say that they are ______, but how can you say they are more ______? You can’t compare as they only know one way. And your $200k says you need to say this to justify your decision.

Can you read? I compared her current situation to when she was in public. I don’t only know one way, we have experience with both? And her three years in private high school won’t cost $200k. Are you a bot, or are you just randomly making things up?

Are you comparing her experience as a child vs. ages 14-18? Not really Apple, apples. It’s likely maturity

No I’m comparing one grade to the next. She completed a year of public high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So curious, as this area is recognized as a top 10 public school system in the nation. In this climate of social change, where as diversity / inclusion / anti-privilege is more driving change, why subject yourself to the perception (whether right or wrong) of privilege, especially when AOs are now pivoting towards more socially well-rounded experiences and stories of struggle / perseverance. Is it worth the price, stress, dealing with the Jones, etc?

You can search for this question as it comes up over and over. Some kids need private school and the public schools in this area are good for some but, not all. Short answer: MYOB

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reduce tuition? Our school made lots of modifications, upgrades and structural improvements due to covid. Even the high tech cameras in every room come at a price. No, tuition was not reduced. But anyone was free to enroll in public school and then have zero instruction.

You mean public education is free. You paid for cameras.

And for the first 18 months you got what you paid for at public school. Nothing. I’ll take seamless transition to zoom and in school everyday or hybrid option over many many months of public school zilch. This should not be a hard point for pro-public schoolers to concede.

Valid, but once pandemic is over that will be a moot point.

That cannot be your conclusion. Or maybe you don’t understand what moot means.

It’s been almost 2 years and I think my neighbors’ kids have been in school full time for less than 2 quarters. And January 2022 has t started off great. Some kids will take a long time to recover. Others will be fine.

Moot? No. More like the opposite of moot. Immeasurable. That’s the difference in Covid times.

[Anonymous]

As a parent who has surprised herself by pursuing private school in the elementary years, and for which it is absolutely a financial stretch, I wish we could have this conversation without insulting either the public schools in the area (and, by default, the families who attend them) OR those who choose to send their kids to private.

It can be true that there are good public schools in the area AND that some parents see reasons to spend the money on the independent school experience. There are wonderful public schools in the DC region. There are also some of the top independent schools in the country. Let's get away from the deficit mentality of what's lacking that causes people to "flee", eh?

For us, it is the focus on fostering a love of lifelong learning, the smaller class sizes, and the individualized attention. It is not about a path to the Ivy League or keeping up with the Joneses. It is because as we explored the independent schools in the area, my husband and I each realized that this was the type of schooling we wish we'd had as kids.

I also think the public schools in the area are quite strong - but for our kid, we think the independent schools will better support his curiosity and love of learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:The short version is I used to be a public school teacher. If I thought I weren’t getting my money’s worth, I wouldn’t do it.

This. Some of the best teachers at my kids’ private left public school for private to focus on things that have been sacrificed by public..such as essay writing and tests with open ended questions

My child’s private school does no writing instruction whatsoever or critical thinking exercises. Just dated grammar lessons in English class that has not and does not help with writing. I would say it actually hurts advancing in writing because it excludes all writing instruction. But boy, do we know many types of pronouns. I’m not against grammar instruction, but not at the exclusion of writing instruction. Essays are done (again with no lessons leading up to it) but they are also done at what would be our public home school as well. I suppose the private thinks it’s just learned through osmosis. Did our due diligence and met with school, talked about curicullum, read the curicullum which does state what to expect each year to be taught, but at least for this class it has not happen and isn’t being taught now. It’s been disappointing and brought up, but brushed under the rug. Told that essays are done. Yes, but where’s the instruction to progress-that’s what school is set up for-to teach. Actually, had a mom whose child already went through our grade warn us that this class for this grade was underwhelming and hyper focused on grammar and a weak spot in the school. She was not wrong.
I’m not saying private is not worth it for those who value it, but for what we pay, it has not been head and shoulders over public. Not even close. Feels like a bait and switch in a way. Some things are good but for what we pay and how they portray themselves-its been a disappointment. This is a school with a great reputation. Couldn’t find any negatives before committing but should’ve listened to the small part of me that felt it seemed too good to be true. It’s turned out to be just that.
If you want private, go for it, I think it’s anyone’s choice. However, for those who think private is inherently superior, I wouldn’t count on it as a sure thing. I was suckered.

That’s too bad our k-8 has an amazing writing program as part of its curriculum

Unfortunately, I agree with the other poster as our program was not as advertised. But they had a glossy brochure that said otherwise.

Same here. We did our due diligence-tour, interview, shadow, etc. I know one can’t get it all and I’m okay with that. However, do not be deceptive. We spoke at length about curicullum and given information on it but one core class is not being taught with fidelity as it was presented. I had to hire a tutor to fill that gap. He says one would assume you should not have to do so with paying a private. Sad for the child, can’t just uproot in the middle of the school year as a good solution. If on your search for a private and it’s all perfect with promise of all that a child needs in a curriculum, I would question that. Take what they say with a grain of salt. Don’t set the bar as high as they present themselves, you will likely be disappointed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We don't have tons of money and it is a huge stretch (we do not get FA). But, when covid hit, our W school turned into a sh*tshow like all of MCPS. Our HS child has been in school all of last year and all of this year, class size is capped at 15 (over 30 in evwry class in MCPS), and their education is better. If covid never happened, we wouldn't be in private, but it did and we are.

Especially with what is going on right now in MCPS, I am beyond happy with our choice, even though it makes for serious belt tightening.

Agree, wholeheartedly. The "W" schools are supposed to be "the best." Not in my experience. So, yes, when Covid hit it prompted us to seek other options and we are so happy we did. It opened our eyes to the fact that the "W" schools are not all people make them out to be. They are sub-par at best. I think the hype is more about the caliber of students rather than the quality of the education. Whereas in private, the education is quality keeping the students engaged and challenged. I'm so happy we made the switch.

[Anonymous]

This. Our non-genius kids would totally fall through the cracks at a W school. They are being pushed hard at private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don't have tons of money and it is a huge stretch (we do not get FA). But, when covid hit, our W school turned into a sh*tshow like all of MCPS. Our HS child has been in school all of last year and all of this year, class size is capped at 15 (over 30 in evwry class in MCPS), and their education is better. If covid never happened, we wouldn't be in private, but it did and we are.

Especially with what is going on right now in MCPS, I am beyond happy with our choice, even though it makes for serious belt tightening.

Agree, wholeheartedly. The "W" schools are supposed to be "the best." Not in my experience. So, yes, when Covid hit it prompted us to seek other options and we are so happy we did. It opened our eyes to the fact that the "W" schools are not all people make them out to be. They are sub-par at best. I think the hype is more about the caliber of students rather than the quality of the education. Whereas in private, the education is quality keeping the students engaged and challenged. I'm so happy we made the switch.

I’m not saying public is better or worse. However, saying private is quality is a misnomer. I know, my child attended both mcps and one of the top privates in dc. The private was not head and shoulders better (especially for what we paid) and actually was not as good in some areas as public. Private definitely does not always mean quality. Better in some aspects at public and some aspects better at private. Was private at nearly $40000/yearly better? No way!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reduce tuition? Our school made lots of modifications, upgrades and structural improvements due to covid. Even the high tech cameras in every room come at a price. No, tuition was not reduced. But anyone was free to enroll in public school and then have zero instruction.

You mean public education is free. You paid for cameras.

And for the first 18 months you got what you paid for at public school. Nothing. I’ll take seamless transition to zoom and in school everyday or hybrid option over many many months of public school zilch. This should not be a hard point for pro-public schoolers to concede.

Valid, but once pandemic is over that will be a moot point.

That cannot be your conclusion. Or maybe you don’t understand what moot means.

It’s been almost 2 years and I think my neighbors’ kids have been in school full time for less than 2 quarters. And January 2022 has t started off great. Some kids will take a long time to recover. Others will be fine.

Moot? No. More like the opposite of moot. Immeasurable. That’s the difference in Covid times.

My kids go to a mix of public and parish catholic, so we hardly fit the "private school" stereotype or definition. But, the pro-public schoolers ignoring the almost 2 years and counting of covid times as a one off, seem almost delusional to me. Wouldn't the true test of a school's ability to deal with change and contingency such as a global pandemic, pushing the absolute pressure points of a school and school system, tell you everything you need to know? I get that some just can't afford it. That's fair. But to call pandemic schooling "moot" is just willful ignorance I'd say.