If you are wealthy would you send your kids to a W school over private?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[img]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We could have afforded it easily (Biglaw) but I place Trump supporters and (non religious) private school parents living in average or better public school districts in the same category: people whose values I don’t share and who I will have nothing to do with.

The feeling is mutual!! How about that. I have absolutely no respect for families who have wealth and instead of spending it on a good education, they choose multiple homes, trips, etc. We have a net worth of $12M plus $1M annual income, and we have only one home and basic cars. We spent $120K on education last year between my college and HS students. Money well spent and they are great kids with wonderful friends. Wouldn't have it any other way and glad they are away from families like yours!!

+1. I don’t get what the point of this money is, if not for their kids. Famous poster Retired Biglaw Partner loves to brag about how little money he spent on his kids’ education which is just bizarre to me. What on earth was it all for, if not for your kids?

Lol I didn’t know I was famous!

My kids went to top ranked public schools, UVA, and top ranked LACs on merit aid. They all have masters degrees, good and productive jobs, and nice spouses. I covered the house in the nice suburb where there schools were located, paid for college, paid for beautiful weddings, provided down payments for houses, have a vacation home that they enjoy immensely, and between my spouse and me in my early retirement have provided them with so much free and loving childcare that they literally have never had to spend a dime on it themselves.

Yes, you’re right - I didn’t spend hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to keep them away from the great unwashed with a single-eyed drive to get them into an expensive named-brand college that impressed my friends and looked good on a bumper sticker. I knew enough all along to know that, in the end, it would amount to nothing.

If that’s your definition of not “doing it all for the kids,” then I’m guilty as charged. But I’m pretty confident I’d be acquitted if any of them were on your jury.

Your kids have masters? So you realize they attended MCPS in another era. It is not the same at all, and today they would likely not have been as successful. It is very different now...especially after covid. You lucked out and got a bargain. Sadly, many who bought here thinking they were getting one will find out the hard way. You will have to shell out the money if you want them to get a real education. Sorry.

Every generation thinks it had it worse than the one before it. There’s no evidence that this generation of kids from the better public schools in the DMV - including MCPS - are doing any worse than prior ones. Obviously Covid had a unique and singular impact, I get that, but Covid was felt everywhere.

MCPS was a disaster with COVID. It was NOT like that everywhere...especially the private schools, many of which never closed. Do you even read the reports out there about how few students are at grade level with math and reading? It's only a matter of time until you start to see how it impacts college admissions. The good universities aren't going to want kids who can't read, write or understand math concepts. Many kids will never make it to calc or even pre-calc based on how behind they are on math...it's only a matter of a few years and you will see this.

Earth to this poster: Covid is over.

I am the PP. I never claimed Covid is currently an issue from a disease standpoint. But it is an issue in terms of the aftermath...i.e. the learning loss and mental health issues that have emerged since then. Do you even read the news reports? Or are you one of those with your head in the sand?

Right. So together we deal with it. We make adjustments. We focus on solving the problems that resulted. We re-devote ourselves to student achievement. We expect that colleges will recognize how difficult the last few years have been for many students and don’t hold it against them.

We don’t just write off public education. Public schools aren’t closing down like they did then anytime soon.

Never said you should write it off. We are talking about people with means. People with means will generally purchase the better product. In this case, that is private schools.

That may have made sense when public schools were closed. But now they’re open.

LOL, but they lost an entire year of learning, so basically at least a year (and more in some cases) behind private school students in terms of academic proficiency. For the life of me, I don't understand how someone with means would want that for their kid.

You’re exaggerating.

Oh really?

So you think that having only about half of 6th graders meeting the mathematics benchmarks (as defined by MCPS) is acceptable? How about the fact that only about half of 3rd graders meet benchmarks for reading? I mean, I am pretty confident that in my child's private school, approximately 100% meet/exceed the same benchmarks. But you seem like you are ok with this data. Then by all means send your child there. https://www.mymcmedia.org/mcps-releases-mid-year-grade-data-on-math-and-reading-proficiency/

You’re comparing apples and oranges. Private schools select who they want to attend. They require testing and interviewing for admission. You cannot compare them one on one with each other.

As I said before, Covid was an issue, yes. It set many schools and students back, yes. But it will ultimately prove to be a blip on the radar screen. It is time for all of us to move on.

This x1000

It astonishes me that people don’t understand this.

I am the poster with the gen pop non W rising 12th grader. S/he has wealthy, successful and involved parents. S/he would do well anywhere we put her/him.

Yes actually this is a good thing! I want my kid surrounded by people who want to excel. Why would I let them be exposed to kids who only seek to game the system and do the least work possible to pass? Kids are impressionable. And MCPS has managed to create ab environment of mediocrity that will only turn out mediocre high school graduates.

My kid is self motivated. Doesn’t matter what other kids around them are doing.

It’s all relative dear. You are under an illusion because your kid competes with low performing students. So anything can easily look “motivated.” I would much prefer an environment where you are surrounded by excellence.

So if my kid was in private school, s/he would have gotten better than an A in AP lang and better than a 5 on the AP test? Is that what you’re saying, DEAR?

It’s not all about AP tests. The top private schools go beyond the AP curriculum.

Do you get tired of constantly moving the goalposts? Must be a full time job to justify the tuition money you’re blowing for all that “beyond AP curriculum.”

Actually my kid is in lower ES and is thriving in small classes and a curriculum that goes well beyond the state testing subjects (reading and math). We love that she has integrated art, music, ample recess and PE time every single day, and perhaps most importantly, two highly qualified teachers who team teach 16 kids. We love that her class put on 3 plays this past year and that the plays integrated concepts across subject areas.

We love that we get detailed feedback on where she is not only academically, but also socio-emotionally. By October of last year, her teachers knew the nuances that would change in her personality when she was getting frustrated and told us exactly how they tailored how they taught her to help convince her to not give up.

What you don’t understand is that a high quality private school, especially for ES, is so much about letting teachers teach by giving them ample resources and small class sizes.

If your kid needs that, then clearly private is for you! Mine doesn’t, they’re flourishing in MCPS.

Let’s just be honest that it’s not about the academics.

You don’t think every kid could benefit from a full curriculum and individualized attention?

[Anonymous]

Oh and my kid had to take the WPPSI for private school admissions. She tested at the 99th percentile. She doesn’t NEED it. We simply realize that having a kid in a small class with highly skilled teachers who are teaching a full-scale curriculum is highly beneficial for kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[img]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We could have afforded it easily (Biglaw) but I place Trump supporters and (non religious) private school parents living in average or better public school districts in the same category: people whose values I don’t share and who I will have nothing to do with.

The feeling is mutual!! How about that. I have absolutely no respect for families who have wealth and instead of spending it on a good education, they choose multiple homes, trips, etc. We have a net worth of $12M plus $1M annual income, and we have only one home and basic cars. We spent $120K on education last year between my college and HS students. Money well spent and they are great kids with wonderful friends. Wouldn't have it any other way and glad they are away from families like yours!!

+1. I don’t get what the point of this money is, if not for their kids. Famous poster Retired Biglaw Partner loves to brag about how little money he spent on his kids’ education which is just bizarre to me. What on earth was it all for, if not for your kids?

Lol I didn’t know I was famous!

My kids went to top ranked public schools, UVA, and top ranked LACs on merit aid. They all have masters degrees, good and productive jobs, and nice spouses. I covered the house in the nice suburb where there schools were located, paid for college, paid for beautiful weddings, provided down payments for houses, have a vacation home that they enjoy immensely, and between my spouse and me in my early retirement have provided them with so much free and loving childcare that they literally have never had to spend a dime on it themselves.

Yes, you’re right - I didn’t spend hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to keep them away from the great unwashed with a single-eyed drive to get them into an expensive named-brand college that impressed my friends and looked good on a bumper sticker. I knew enough all along to know that, in the end, it would amount to nothing.

If that’s your definition of not “doing it all for the kids,” then I’m guilty as charged. But I’m pretty confident I’d be acquitted if any of them were on your jury.

Your kids have masters? So you realize they attended MCPS in another era. It is not the same at all, and today they would likely not have been as successful. It is very different now...especially after covid. You lucked out and got a bargain. Sadly, many who bought here thinking they were getting one will find out the hard way. You will have to shell out the money if you want them to get a real education. Sorry.

Every generation thinks it had it worse than the one before it. There’s no evidence that this generation of kids from the better public schools in the DMV - including MCPS - are doing any worse than prior ones. Obviously Covid had a unique and singular impact, I get that, but Covid was felt everywhere.

MCPS was a disaster with COVID. It was NOT like that everywhere...especially the private schools, many of which never closed. Do you even read the reports out there about how few students are at grade level with math and reading? It's only a matter of time until you start to see how it impacts college admissions. The good universities aren't going to want kids who can't read, write or understand math concepts. Many kids will never make it to calc or even pre-calc based on how behind they are on math...it's only a matter of a few years and you will see this.

Earth to this poster: Covid is over.

I am the PP. I never claimed Covid is currently an issue from a disease standpoint. But it is an issue in terms of the aftermath...i.e. the learning loss and mental health issues that have emerged since then. Do you even read the news reports? Or are you one of those with your head in the sand?

Right. So together we deal with it. We make adjustments. We focus on solving the problems that resulted. We re-devote ourselves to student achievement. We expect that colleges will recognize how difficult the last few years have been for many students and don’t hold it against them.

We don’t just write off public education. Public schools aren’t closing down like they did then anytime soon.

Never said you should write it off. We are talking about people with means. People with means will generally purchase the better product. In this case, that is private schools.

That may have made sense when public schools were closed. But now they’re open.

LOL, but they lost an entire year of learning, so basically at least a year (and more in some cases) behind private school students in terms of academic proficiency. For the life of me, I don't understand how someone with means would want that for their kid.

You’re exaggerating.

Oh really?

So you think that having only about half of 6th graders meeting the mathematics benchmarks (as defined by MCPS) is acceptable? How about the fact that only about half of 3rd graders meet benchmarks for reading? I mean, I am pretty confident that in my child's private school, approximately 100% meet/exceed the same benchmarks. But you seem like you are ok with this data. Then by all means send your child there. https://www.mymcmedia.org/mcps-releases-mid-year-grade-data-on-math-and-reading-proficiency/

You’re comparing apples and oranges. Private schools select who they want to attend. They require testing and interviewing for admission. You cannot compare them one on one with each other.

As I said before, Covid was an issue, yes. It set many schools and students back, yes. But it will ultimately prove to be a blip on the radar screen. It is time for all of us to move on.

This x1000

It astonishes me that people don’t understand this.

I am the poster with the gen pop non W rising 12th grader. S/he has wealthy, successful and involved parents. S/he would do well anywhere we put her/him.

Yes actually this is a good thing! I want my kid surrounded by people who want to excel. Why would I let them be exposed to kids who only seek to game the system and do the least work possible to pass? Kids are impressionable. And MCPS has managed to create ab environment of mediocrity that will only turn out mediocre high school graduates.

My kid is self motivated. Doesn’t matter what other kids around them are doing.

It’s all relative dear. You are under an illusion because your kid competes with low performing students. So anything can easily look “motivated.” I would much prefer an environment where you are surrounded by excellence.

So if my kid was in private school, s/he would have gotten better than an A in AP lang and better than a 5 on the AP test? Is that what you’re saying, DEAR?

It’s not all about AP tests. The top private schools go beyond the AP curriculum.

Do you get tired of constantly moving the goalposts? Must be a full time job to justify the tuition money you’re blowing for all that “beyond AP curriculum.”

Actually my kid is in lower ES and is thriving in small classes and a curriculum that goes well beyond the state testing subjects (reading and math). We love that she has integrated art, music, ample recess and PE time every single day, and perhaps most importantly, two highly qualified teachers who team teach 16 kids. We love that her class put on 3 plays this past year and that the plays integrated concepts across subject areas.

We love that we get detailed feedback on where she is not only academically, but also socio-emotionally. By October of last year, her teachers knew the nuances that would change in her personality when she was getting frustrated and told us exactly how they tailored how they taught her to help convince her to not give up.

What you don’t understand is that a high quality private school, especially for ES, is so much about letting teachers teach by giving them ample resources and small class sizes.

If your kid needs that, then clearly private is for you! Mine doesn’t, they’re flourishing in MCPS.

Let’s just be honest that it’s not about the academics.

You don’t think every kid could benefit from a full curriculum and individualized attention?

For my kid? Not worth 50K/yr when they’re doing so well in public.

[Anonymous]

If you have a student who is gifted in math and science, the publics offer accelerated classes that the private schools do not. They have large enough cohorts to offer classes beyond APs, like multivariable calc or science electives taught by NIH retirees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[img]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We could have afforded it easily (Biglaw) but I place Trump supporters and (non religious) private school parents living in average or better public school districts in the same category: people whose values I don’t share and who I will have nothing to do with.

The feeling is mutual!! How about that. I have absolutely no respect for families who have wealth and instead of spending it on a good education, they choose multiple homes, trips, etc. We have a net worth of $12M plus $1M annual income, and we have only one home and basic cars. We spent $120K on education last year between my college and HS students. Money well spent and they are great kids with wonderful friends. Wouldn't have it any other way and glad they are away from families like yours!!

+1. I don’t get what the point of this money is, if not for their kids. Famous poster Retired Biglaw Partner loves to brag about how little money he spent on his kids’ education which is just bizarre to me. What on earth was it all for, if not for your kids?

Lol I didn’t know I was famous!

My kids went to top ranked public schools, UVA, and top ranked LACs on merit aid. They all have masters degrees, good and productive jobs, and nice spouses. I covered the house in the nice suburb where there schools were located, paid for college, paid for beautiful weddings, provided down payments for houses, have a vacation home that they enjoy immensely, and between my spouse and me in my early retirement have provided them with so much free and loving childcare that they literally have never had to spend a dime on it themselves.

Yes, you’re right - I didn’t spend hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to keep them away from the great unwashed with a single-eyed drive to get them into an expensive named-brand college that impressed my friends and looked good on a bumper sticker. I knew enough all along to know that, in the end, it would amount to nothing.

If that’s your definition of not “doing it all for the kids,” then I’m guilty as charged. But I’m pretty confident I’d be acquitted if any of them were on your jury.

Your kids have masters? So you realize they attended MCPS in another era. It is not the same at all, and today they would likely not have been as successful. It is very different now...especially after covid. You lucked out and got a bargain. Sadly, many who bought here thinking they were getting one will find out the hard way. You will have to shell out the money if you want them to get a real education. Sorry.

Every generation thinks it had it worse than the one before it. There’s no evidence that this generation of kids from the better public schools in the DMV - including MCPS - are doing any worse than prior ones. Obviously Covid had a unique and singular impact, I get that, but Covid was felt everywhere.

MCPS was a disaster with COVID. It was NOT like that everywhere...especially the private schools, many of which never closed. Do you even read the reports out there about how few students are at grade level with math and reading? It's only a matter of time until you start to see how it impacts college admissions. The good universities aren't going to want kids who can't read, write or understand math concepts. Many kids will never make it to calc or even pre-calc based on how behind they are on math...it's only a matter of a few years and you will see this.

Earth to this poster: Covid is over.

I am the PP. I never claimed Covid is currently an issue from a disease standpoint. But it is an issue in terms of the aftermath...i.e. the learning loss and mental health issues that have emerged since then. Do you even read the news reports? Or are you one of those with your head in the sand?

Right. So together we deal with it. We make adjustments. We focus on solving the problems that resulted. We re-devote ourselves to student achievement. We expect that colleges will recognize how difficult the last few years have been for many students and don’t hold it against them.

We don’t just write off public education. Public schools aren’t closing down like they did then anytime soon.

Never said you should write it off. We are talking about people with means. People with means will generally purchase the better product. In this case, that is private schools.

That may have made sense when public schools were closed. But now they’re open.

LOL, but they lost an entire year of learning, so basically at least a year (and more in some cases) behind private school students in terms of academic proficiency. For the life of me, I don't understand how someone with means would want that for their kid.

You’re exaggerating.

Oh really?

So you think that having only about half of 6th graders meeting the mathematics benchmarks (as defined by MCPS) is acceptable? How about the fact that only about half of 3rd graders meet benchmarks for reading? I mean, I am pretty confident that in my child's private school, approximately 100% meet/exceed the same benchmarks. But you seem like you are ok with this data. Then by all means send your child there. https://www.mymcmedia.org/mcps-releases-mid-year-grade-data-on-math-and-reading-proficiency/

You’re comparing apples and oranges. Private schools select who they want to attend. They require testing and interviewing for admission. You cannot compare them one on one with each other.

As I said before, Covid was an issue, yes. It set many schools and students back, yes. But it will ultimately prove to be a blip on the radar screen. It is time for all of us to move on.

This x1000

It astonishes me that people don’t understand this.

I am the poster with the gen pop non W rising 12th grader. S/he has wealthy, successful and involved parents. S/he would do well anywhere we put her/him.

Yes actually this is a good thing! I want my kid surrounded by people who want to excel. Why would I let them be exposed to kids who only seek to game the system and do the least work possible to pass? Kids are impressionable. And MCPS has managed to create ab environment of mediocrity that will only turn out mediocre high school graduates.

My kid is self motivated. Doesn’t matter what other kids around them are doing.

It’s all relative dear. You are under an illusion because your kid competes with low performing students. So anything can easily look “motivated.” I would much prefer an environment where you are surrounded by excellence.

So if my kid was in private school, s/he would have gotten better than an A in AP lang and better than a 5 on the AP test? Is that what you’re saying, DEAR?

It’s not all about AP tests. The top private schools go beyond the AP curriculum.

Do you get tired of constantly moving the goalposts? Must be a full time job to justify the tuition money you’re blowing for all that “beyond AP curriculum.”

Actually my kid is in lower ES and is thriving in small classes and a curriculum that goes well beyond the state testing subjects (reading and math). We love that she has integrated art, music, ample recess and PE time every single day, and perhaps most importantly, two highly qualified teachers who team teach 16 kids. We love that her class put on 3 plays this past year and that the plays integrated concepts across subject areas.

We love that we get detailed feedback on where she is not only academically, but also socio-emotionally. By October of last year, her teachers knew the nuances that would change in her personality when she was getting frustrated and told us exactly how they tailored how they taught her to help convince her to not give up.

What you don’t understand is that a high quality private school, especially for ES, is so much about letting teachers teach by giving them ample resources and small class sizes.

If your kid needs that, then clearly private is for you! Mine doesn’t, they’re flourishing in MCPS.

Let’s just be honest that it’s not about the academics.

You don’t think every kid could benefit from a full curriculum and individualized attention?

For my kid? Not worth 50K/yr when they’re doing so well in public.

Our values are clearly just different. We prioritize giving our kid the very best, fullest education possible. We started her out in MCPS and she learned nothing. It was a waste.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have a student who is gifted in math and science, the publics offer accelerated classes that the private schools do not. They have large enough cohorts to offer classes beyond APs, like multivariable calc or science electives taught by NIH retirees.

We’ve been over this already. We showed you the course catalogs from top private schools and proved that this is wrong. Do we need to rehash this?

[Anonymous]

This type of thread is always very triggering to parents who want to pretend they could afford private school but in reality it’s out of reach ($100k/year in post tax dollars for two kids is really tough even for UMC families!), so they spin us all a yarn about why actually public is the exact same or better and it’s not really about the money.

I don’t understand why you won’t just admit to yourself and us that you actually CAN’T afford it, and that’s the real reason. Not math at Wootton or whatever TF you’re trying to convince us of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We could have afforded it easily (Biglaw) but I place Trump supporters and (non religious) private school parents living in average or better public school districts in the same category: people whose values I don’t share and who I will have nothing to do with.

The feeling is mutual!! How about that. I have absolutely no respect for families who have wealth and instead of spending it on a good education, they choose multiple homes, trips, etc. We have a net worth of $12M plus $1M annual income, and we have only one home and basic cars. We spent $120K on education last year between my college and HS students. Money well spent and they are great kids with wonderful friends. Wouldn't have it any other way and glad they are away from families like yours!!

+1. I don’t get what the point of this money is, if not for their kids. Famous poster Retired Biglaw Partner loves to brag about how little money he spent on his kids’ education which is just bizarre to me. What on earth was it all for, if not for your kids?

Lol I didn’t know I was famous!

My kids went to top ranked public schools, UVA, and top ranked LACs on merit aid. They all have masters degrees, good and productive jobs, and nice spouses. I covered the house in the nice suburb where there schools were located, paid for college, paid for beautiful weddings, provided down payments for houses, have a vacation home that they enjoy immensely, and between my spouse and me in my early retirement have provided them with so much free and loving childcare that they literally have never had to spend a dime on it themselves.

Yes, you’re right - I didn’t spend hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to keep them away from the great unwashed with a single-eyed drive to get them into an expensive named-brand college that impressed my friends and looked good on a bumper sticker. I knew enough all along to know that, in the end, it would amount to nothing.

If that’s your definition of not “doing it all for the kids,” then I’m guilty as charged. But I’m pretty confident I’d be acquitted if any of them were on your jury.

Your kids have masters? So you realize they attended MCPS in another era. It is not the same at all, and today they would likely not have been as successful. It is very different now...especially after covid. You lucked out and got a bargain. Sadly, many who bought here thinking they were getting one will find out the hard way. You will have to shell out the money if you want them to get a real education. Sorry.

Every generation thinks it had it worse than the one before it. There’s no evidence that this generation of kids from the better public schools in the DMV - including MCPS - are doing any worse than prior ones. Obviously Covid had a unique and singular impact, I get that, but Covid was felt everywhere.

MCPS was a disaster with COVID. It was NOT like that everywhere...especially the private schools, many of which never closed. Do you even read the reports out there about how few students are at grade level with math and reading? It's only a matter of time until you start to see how it impacts college admissions. The good universities aren't going to want kids who can't read, write or understand math concepts. Many kids will never make it to calc or even pre-calc based on how behind they are on math...it's only a matter of a few years and you will see this.

Earth to this poster: Covid is over.

I am the PP. I never claimed Covid is currently an issue from a disease standpoint. But it is an issue in terms of the aftermath...i.e. the learning loss and mental health issues that have emerged since then. Do you even read the news reports? Or are you one of those with your head in the sand?

Right. So together we deal with it. We make adjustments. We focus on solving the problems that resulted. We re-devote ourselves to student achievement. We expect that colleges will recognize how difficult the last few years have been for many students and don’t hold it against them.

We don’t just write off public education. Public schools aren’t closing down like they did then anytime soon.

Never said you should write it off. We are talking about people with means. People with means will generally purchase the better product. In this case, that is private schools.

That may have made sense when public schools were closed. But now they’re open.

LOL, but they lost an entire year of learning, so basically at least a year (and more in some cases) behind private school students in terms of academic proficiency. For the life of me, I don't understand how someone with means would want that for their kid.

You’re exaggerating.

Oh really?

So you think that having only about half of 6th graders meeting the mathematics benchmarks (as defined by MCPS) is acceptable? How about the fact that only about half of 3rd graders meet benchmarks for reading? I mean, I am pretty confident that in my child's private school, approximately 100% meet/exceed the same benchmarks. But you seem like you are ok with this data. Then by all means send your child there. https://www.mymcmedia.org/mcps-releases-mid-year-grade-data-on-math-and-reading-proficiency/

You’re comparing apples and oranges. Private schools select who they want to attend. They require testing and interviewing for admission. You cannot compare them one on one with each other.

As I said before, Covid was an issue, yes. It set many schools and students back, yes. But it will ultimately prove to be a blip on the radar screen. It is time for all of us to move on.

This x1000

It astonishes me that people don’t understand this.

I am the poster with the gen pop non W rising 12th grader. S/he has wealthy, successful and involved parents. S/he would do well anywhere we put her/him.

Yes actually this is a good thing! I want my kid surrounded by people who want to excel. Why would I let them be exposed to kids who only seek to game the system and do the least work possible to pass? Kids are impressionable. And MCPS has managed to create ab environment of mediocrity that will only turn out mediocre high school graduates.

Every MCPS school (including non-W) has extremely smart motivated kids who want to excel, and they do. It is up to your kid. And, many of the wealthy, entitled kids at privates seem even less motivated knowing they can rely on their wealth and connections. Public school kids aren’t coddled, they work hard and make it happen. That environment of truly motivated kids has been great for DS.

Ah yes. Potomac, Bethesda, and Chevy Chase kids who go to MCPS schools aren’t coddled.

Give me a fking break.

So now public school kids are coddled? Ok, so yet another reason to not go private (where you go for the coddling).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[img]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We could have afforded it easily (Biglaw) but I place Trump supporters and (non religious) private school parents living in average or better public school districts in the same category: people whose values I don’t share and who I will have nothing to do with.

The feeling is mutual!! How about that. I have absolutely no respect for families who have wealth and instead of spending it on a good education, they choose multiple homes, trips, etc. We have a net worth of $12M plus $1M annual income, and we have only one home and basic cars. We spent $120K on education last year between my college and HS students. Money well spent and they are great kids with wonderful friends. Wouldn't have it any other way and glad they are away from families like yours!!

+1. I don’t get what the point of this money is, if not for their kids. Famous poster Retired Biglaw Partner loves to brag about how little money he spent on his kids’ education which is just bizarre to me. What on earth was it all for, if not for your kids?

Lol I didn’t know I was famous!

My kids went to top ranked public schools, UVA, and top ranked LACs on merit aid. They all have masters degrees, good and productive jobs, and nice spouses. I covered the house in the nice suburb where there schools were located, paid for college, paid for beautiful weddings, provided down payments for houses, have a vacation home that they enjoy immensely, and between my spouse and me in my early retirement have provided them with so much free and loving childcare that they literally have never had to spend a dime on it themselves.

Yes, you’re right - I didn’t spend hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to keep them away from the great unwashed with a single-eyed drive to get them into an expensive named-brand college that impressed my friends and looked good on a bumper sticker. I knew enough all along to know that, in the end, it would amount to nothing.

If that’s your definition of not “doing it all for the kids,” then I’m guilty as charged. But I’m pretty confident I’d be acquitted if any of them were on your jury.

Your kids have masters? So you realize they attended MCPS in another era. It is not the same at all, and today they would likely not have been as successful. It is very different now...especially after covid. You lucked out and got a bargain. Sadly, many who bought here thinking they were getting one will find out the hard way. You will have to shell out the money if you want them to get a real education. Sorry.

Every generation thinks it had it worse than the one before it. There’s no evidence that this generation of kids from the better public schools in the DMV - including MCPS - are doing any worse than prior ones. Obviously Covid had a unique and singular impact, I get that, but Covid was felt everywhere.

MCPS was a disaster with COVID. It was NOT like that everywhere...especially the private schools, many of which never closed. Do you even read the reports out there about how few students are at grade level with math and reading? It's only a matter of time until you start to see how it impacts college admissions. The good universities aren't going to want kids who can't read, write or understand math concepts. Many kids will never make it to calc or even pre-calc based on how behind they are on math...it's only a matter of a few years and you will see this.

Earth to this poster: Covid is over.

I am the PP. I never claimed Covid is currently an issue from a disease standpoint. But it is an issue in terms of the aftermath...i.e. the learning loss and mental health issues that have emerged since then. Do you even read the news reports? Or are you one of those with your head in the sand?

Right. So together we deal with it. We make adjustments. We focus on solving the problems that resulted. We re-devote ourselves to student achievement. We expect that colleges will recognize how difficult the last few years have been for many students and don’t hold it against them.

We don’t just write off public education. Public schools aren’t closing down like they did then anytime soon.

Never said you should write it off. We are talking about people with means. People with means will generally purchase the better product. In this case, that is private schools.

That may have made sense when public schools were closed. But now they’re open.

LOL, but they lost an entire year of learning, so basically at least a year (and more in some cases) behind private school students in terms of academic proficiency. For the life of me, I don't understand how someone with means would want that for their kid.

You’re exaggerating.

Oh really?

So you think that having only about half of 6th graders meeting the mathematics benchmarks (as defined by MCPS) is acceptable? How about the fact that only about half of 3rd graders meet benchmarks for reading? I mean, I am pretty confident that in my child's private school, approximately 100% meet/exceed the same benchmarks. But you seem like you are ok with this data. Then by all means send your child there. https://www.mymcmedia.org/mcps-releases-mid-year-grade-data-on-math-and-reading-proficiency/

You’re comparing apples and oranges. Private schools select who they want to attend. They require testing and interviewing for admission. You cannot compare them one on one with each other.

As I said before, Covid was an issue, yes. It set many schools and students back, yes. But it will ultimately prove to be a blip on the radar screen. It is time for all of us to move on.

This x1000

It astonishes me that people don’t understand this.

I am the poster with the gen pop non W rising 12th grader. S/he has wealthy, successful and involved parents. S/he would do well anywhere we put her/him.

Yes actually this is a good thing! I want my kid surrounded by people who want to excel. Why would I let them be exposed to kids who only seek to game the system and do the least work possible to pass? Kids are impressionable. And MCPS has managed to create ab environment of mediocrity that will only turn out mediocre high school graduates.

My kid is self motivated. Doesn’t matter what other kids around them are doing.

It’s all relative dear. You are under an illusion because your kid competes with low performing students. So anything can easily look “motivated.” I would much prefer an environment where you are surrounded by excellence.

So if my kid was in private school, s/he would have gotten better than an A in AP lang and better than a 5 on the AP test? Is that what you’re saying, DEAR?

It’s not all about AP tests. The top private schools go beyond the AP curriculum.

Do you get tired of constantly moving the goalposts? Must be a full time job to justify the tuition money you’re blowing for all that “beyond AP curriculum.”

Actually my kid is in lower ES and is thriving in small classes and a curriculum that goes well beyond the state testing subjects (reading and math). We love that she has integrated art, music, ample recess and PE time every single day, and perhaps most importantly, two highly qualified teachers who team teach 16 kids. We love that her class put on 3 plays this past year and that the plays integrated concepts across subject areas.

We love that we get detailed feedback on where she is not only academically, but also socio-emotionally. By October of last year, her teachers knew the nuances that would change in her personality when she was getting frustrated and told us exactly how they tailored how they taught her to help convince her to not give up.

What you don’t understand is that a high quality private school, especially for ES, is so much about letting teachers teach by giving them ample resources and small class sizes.

If your kid needs that, then clearly private is for you! Mine doesn’t, they’re flourishing in MCPS.

Let’s just be honest that it’s not about the academics.

You don’t think every kid could benefit from a full curriculum and individualized attention?

For my kid? Not worth 50K/yr when they’re doing so well in public.

Our values are clearly just different. We prioritize giving our kid the very best, fullest education possible. We started her out in MCPS and she learned nothing. It was a waste.

That’s interesting because we started out in private and moved ours to public!

I do believe my kid is getting a full education. To each his own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We could have afforded it easily (Biglaw) but I place Trump supporters and (non religious) private school parents living in average or better public school districts in the same category: people whose values I don’t share and who I will have nothing to do with.

The feeling is mutual!! How about that. I have absolutely no respect for families who have wealth and instead of spending it on a good education, they choose multiple homes, trips, etc. We have a net worth of $12M plus $1M annual income, and we have only one home and basic cars. We spent $120K on education last year between my college and HS students. Money well spent and they are great kids with wonderful friends. Wouldn't have it any other way and glad they are away from families like yours!!

+1. I don’t get what the point of this money is, if not for their kids. Famous poster Retired Biglaw Partner loves to brag about how little money he spent on his kids’ education which is just bizarre to me. What on earth was it all for, if not for your kids?

Lol I didn’t know I was famous!

My kids went to top ranked public schools, UVA, and top ranked LACs on merit aid. They all have masters degrees, good and productive jobs, and nice spouses. I covered the house in the nice suburb where there schools were located, paid for college, paid for beautiful weddings, provided down payments for houses, have a vacation home that they enjoy immensely, and between my spouse and me in my early retirement have provided them with so much free and loving childcare that they literally have never had to spend a dime on it themselves.

Yes, you’re right - I didn’t spend hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to keep them away from the great unwashed with a single-eyed drive to get them into an expensive named-brand college that impressed my friends and looked good on a bumper sticker. I knew enough all along to know that, in the end, it would amount to nothing.

If that’s your definition of not “doing it all for the kids,” then I’m guilty as charged. But I’m pretty confident I’d be acquitted if any of them were on your jury.

Your kids have masters? So you realize they attended MCPS in another era. It is not the same at all, and today they would likely not have been as successful. It is very different now...especially after covid. You lucked out and got a bargain. Sadly, many who bought here thinking they were getting one will find out the hard way. You will have to shell out the money if you want them to get a real education. Sorry.

Every generation thinks it had it worse than the one before it. There’s no evidence that this generation of kids from the better public schools in the DMV - including MCPS - are doing any worse than prior ones. Obviously Covid had a unique and singular impact, I get that, but Covid was felt everywhere.

MCPS was a disaster with COVID. It was NOT like that everywhere...especially the private schools, many of which never closed. Do you even read the reports out there about how few students are at grade level with math and reading? It's only a matter of time until you start to see how it impacts college admissions. The good universities aren't going to want kids who can't read, write or understand math concepts. Many kids will never make it to calc or even pre-calc based on how behind they are on math...it's only a matter of a few years and you will see this.

Earth to this poster: Covid is over.

I am the PP. I never claimed Covid is currently an issue from a disease standpoint. But it is an issue in terms of the aftermath...i.e. the learning loss and mental health issues that have emerged since then. Do you even read the news reports? Or are you one of those with your head in the sand?

Right. So together we deal with it. We make adjustments. We focus on solving the problems that resulted. We re-devote ourselves to student achievement. We expect that colleges will recognize how difficult the last few years have been for many students and don’t hold it against them.

We don’t just write off public education. Public schools aren’t closing down like they did then anytime soon.

Never said you should write it off. We are talking about people with means. People with means will generally purchase the better product. In this case, that is private schools.

That may have made sense when public schools were closed. But now they’re open.

LOL, but they lost an entire year of learning, so basically at least a year (and more in some cases) behind private school students in terms of academic proficiency. For the life of me, I don't understand how someone with means would want that for their kid.

You’re exaggerating.

Oh really?

So you think that having only about half of 6th graders meeting the mathematics benchmarks (as defined by MCPS) is acceptable? How about the fact that only about half of 3rd graders meet benchmarks for reading? I mean, I am pretty confident that in my child's private school, approximately 100% meet/exceed the same benchmarks. But you seem like you are ok with this data. Then by all means send your child there. https://www.mymcmedia.org/mcps-releases-mid-year-grade-data-on-math-and-reading-proficiency/

You’re comparing apples and oranges. Private schools select who they want to attend. They require testing and interviewing for admission. You cannot compare them one on one with each other.

As I said before, Covid was an issue, yes. It set many schools and students back, yes. But it will ultimately prove to be a blip on the radar screen. It is time for all of us to move on.

This x1000

It astonishes me that people don’t understand this.

I am the poster with the gen pop non W rising 12th grader. S/he has wealthy, successful and involved parents. S/he would do well anywhere we put her/him.

Yes actually this is a good thing! I want my kid surrounded by people who want to excel. Why would I let them be exposed to kids who only seek to game the system and do the least work possible to pass? Kids are impressionable. And MCPS has managed to create ab environment of mediocrity that will only turn out mediocre high school graduates.

Every MCPS school (including non-W) has extremely smart motivated kids who want to excel, and they do. It is up to your kid. And, many of the wealthy, entitled kids at privates seem even less motivated knowing they can rely on their wealth and connections. Public school kids aren’t coddled, they work hard and make it happen. That environment of truly motivated kids has been great for DS.

Ah yes. Potomac, Bethesda, and Chevy Chase kids who go to MCPS schools aren’t coddled.

Give me a fking break.

So now public school kids are coddled? Ok, so yet another reason to not go private (where you go for the coddling).

Top private schools don’t coddle. You clearly have no experience with these schools.

The reality is kids are coddled in rich areas like much of MoCo, regardless of what school they attend. Stop acting like kids at Potomac MCPS schools are living a hard knock life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[img]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We could have afforded it easily (Biglaw) but I place Trump supporters and (non religious) private school parents living in average or better public school districts in the same category: people whose values I don’t share and who I will have nothing to do with.

The feeling is mutual!! How about that. I have absolutely no respect for families who have wealth and instead of spending it on a good education, they choose multiple homes, trips, etc. We have a net worth of $12M plus $1M annual income, and we have only one home and basic cars. We spent $120K on education last year between my college and HS students. Money well spent and they are great kids with wonderful friends. Wouldn't have it any other way and glad they are away from families like yours!!

+1. I don’t get what the point of this money is, if not for their kids. Famous poster Retired Biglaw Partner loves to brag about how little money he spent on his kids’ education which is just bizarre to me. What on earth was it all for, if not for your kids?

Lol I didn’t know I was famous!

My kids went to top ranked public schools, UVA, and top ranked LACs on merit aid. They all have masters degrees, good and productive jobs, and nice spouses. I covered the house in the nice suburb where there schools were located, paid for college, paid for beautiful weddings, provided down payments for houses, have a vacation home that they enjoy immensely, and between my spouse and me in my early retirement have provided them with so much free and loving childcare that they literally have never had to spend a dime on it themselves.

Yes, you’re right - I didn’t spend hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to keep them away from the great unwashed with a single-eyed drive to get them into an expensive named-brand college that impressed my friends and looked good on a bumper sticker. I knew enough all along to know that, in the end, it would amount to nothing.

If that’s your definition of not “doing it all for the kids,” then I’m guilty as charged. But I’m pretty confident I’d be acquitted if any of them were on your jury.

Your kids have masters? So you realize they attended MCPS in another era. It is not the same at all, and today they would likely not have been as successful. It is very different now...especially after covid. You lucked out and got a bargain. Sadly, many who bought here thinking they were getting one will find out the hard way. You will have to shell out the money if you want them to get a real education. Sorry.

Every generation thinks it had it worse than the one before it. There’s no evidence that this generation of kids from the better public schools in the DMV - including MCPS - are doing any worse than prior ones. Obviously Covid had a unique and singular impact, I get that, but Covid was felt everywhere.

MCPS was a disaster with COVID. It was NOT like that everywhere...especially the private schools, many of which never closed. Do you even read the reports out there about how few students are at grade level with math and reading? It's only a matter of time until you start to see how it impacts college admissions. The good universities aren't going to want kids who can't read, write or understand math concepts. Many kids will never make it to calc or even pre-calc based on how behind they are on math...it's only a matter of a few years and you will see this.

Earth to this poster: Covid is over.

I am the PP. I never claimed Covid is currently an issue from a disease standpoint. But it is an issue in terms of the aftermath...i.e. the learning loss and mental health issues that have emerged since then. Do you even read the news reports? Or are you one of those with your head in the sand?

Right. So together we deal with it. We make adjustments. We focus on solving the problems that resulted. We re-devote ourselves to student achievement. We expect that colleges will recognize how difficult the last few years have been for many students and don’t hold it against them.

We don’t just write off public education. Public schools aren’t closing down like they did then anytime soon.

Never said you should write it off. We are talking about people with means. People with means will generally purchase the better product. In this case, that is private schools.

That may have made sense when public schools were closed. But now they’re open.

LOL, but they lost an entire year of learning, so basically at least a year (and more in some cases) behind private school students in terms of academic proficiency. For the life of me, I don't understand how someone with means would want that for their kid.

You’re exaggerating.

Oh really?

So you think that having only about half of 6th graders meeting the mathematics benchmarks (as defined by MCPS) is acceptable? How about the fact that only about half of 3rd graders meet benchmarks for reading? I mean, I am pretty confident that in my child's private school, approximately 100% meet/exceed the same benchmarks. But you seem like you are ok with this data. Then by all means send your child there. https://www.mymcmedia.org/mcps-releases-mid-year-grade-data-on-math-and-reading-proficiency/

You’re comparing apples and oranges. Private schools select who they want to attend. They require testing and interviewing for admission. You cannot compare them one on one with each other.

As I said before, Covid was an issue, yes. It set many schools and students back, yes. But it will ultimately prove to be a blip on the radar screen. It is time for all of us to move on.

This x1000

It astonishes me that people don’t understand this.

I am the poster with the gen pop non W rising 12th grader. S/he has wealthy, successful and involved parents. S/he would do well anywhere we put her/him.

Yes actually this is a good thing! I want my kid surrounded by people who want to excel. Why would I let them be exposed to kids who only seek to game the system and do the least work possible to pass? Kids are impressionable. And MCPS has managed to create ab environment of mediocrity that will only turn out mediocre high school graduates.

My kid is self motivated. Doesn’t matter what other kids around them are doing.

It’s all relative dear. You are under an illusion because your kid competes with low performing students. So anything can easily look “motivated.” I would much prefer an environment where you are surrounded by excellence.

So if my kid was in private school, s/he would have gotten better than an A in AP lang and better than a 5 on the AP test? Is that what you’re saying, DEAR?

It’s not all about AP tests. The top private schools go beyond the AP curriculum.

Do you get tired of constantly moving the goalposts? Must be a full time job to justify the tuition money you’re blowing for all that “beyond AP curriculum.”

Actually my kid is in lower ES and is thriving in small classes and a curriculum that goes well beyond the state testing subjects (reading and math). We love that she has integrated art, music, ample recess and PE time every single day, and perhaps most importantly, two highly qualified teachers who team teach 16 kids. We love that her class put on 3 plays this past year and that the plays integrated concepts across subject areas.

We love that we get detailed feedback on where she is not only academically, but also socio-emotionally. By October of last year, her teachers knew the nuances that would change in her personality when she was getting frustrated and told us exactly how they tailored how they taught her to help convince her to not give up.

What you don’t understand is that a high quality private school, especially for ES, is so much about letting teachers teach by giving them ample resources and small class sizes.

If your kid needs that, then clearly private is for you! Mine doesn’t, they’re flourishing in MCPS.

Let’s just be honest that it’s not about the academics.

You don’t think every kid could benefit from a full curriculum and individualized attention?

For my kid? Not worth 50K/yr when they’re doing so well in public.

Our values are clearly just different. We prioritize giving our kid the very best, fullest education possible. We started her out in MCPS and she learned nothing. It was a waste.

That’s interesting because we started out in private and moved ours to public!

I do believe my kid is getting a full education. To each his own.

It’s a fact that at least in K-8, MCPS scrimps on subjects other than reading and math. Stop pretending otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This type of thread is always very triggering to parents who want to pretend they could afford private school but in reality it’s out of reach ($100k/year in post tax dollars for two kids is really tough even for UMC families!), so they spin us all a yarn about why actually public is the exact same or better and it’s not really about the money.

I don’t understand why you won’t just admit to yourself and us that you actually CAN’T afford it, and that’s the real reason. Not math at Wootton or whatever TF you’re trying to convince us of.

And I don’t understand why private school parents can’t admit that the education they’re kids are getting isn’t superior to public school? I had my kid in private (clearly can afford it), moved them to public, and they are doing very well.

I don’t care where people send their kids to school. But it raises my BP when people trash public and claim they care more about their kids education by sending the to private. You can tell yourself that to justify the cost, but it’s simply not true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[img]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We could have afforded it easily (Biglaw) but I place Trump supporters and (non religious) private school parents living in average or better public school districts in the same category: people whose values I don’t share and who I will have nothing to do with.

The feeling is mutual!! How about that. I have absolutely no respect for families who have wealth and instead of spending it on a good education, they choose multiple homes, trips, etc. We have a net worth of $12M plus $1M annual income, and we have only one home and basic cars. We spent $120K on education last year between my college and HS students. Money well spent and they are great kids with wonderful friends. Wouldn't have it any other way and glad they are away from families like yours!!

+1. I don’t get what the point of this money is, if not for their kids. Famous poster Retired Biglaw Partner loves to brag about how little money he spent on his kids’ education which is just bizarre to me. What on earth was it all for, if not for your kids?

Lol I didn’t know I was famous!

My kids went to top ranked public schools, UVA, and top ranked LACs on merit aid. They all have masters degrees, good and productive jobs, and nice spouses. I covered the house in the nice suburb where there schools were located, paid for college, paid for beautiful weddings, provided down payments for houses, have a vacation home that they enjoy immensely, and between my spouse and me in my early retirement have provided them with so much free and loving childcare that they literally have never had to spend a dime on it themselves.

Yes, you’re right - I didn’t spend hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to keep them away from the great unwashed with a single-eyed drive to get them into an expensive named-brand college that impressed my friends and looked good on a bumper sticker. I knew enough all along to know that, in the end, it would amount to nothing.

If that’s your definition of not “doing it all for the kids,” then I’m guilty as charged. But I’m pretty confident I’d be acquitted if any of them were on your jury.

Your kids have masters? So you realize they attended MCPS in another era. It is not the same at all, and today they would likely not have been as successful. It is very different now...especially after covid. You lucked out and got a bargain. Sadly, many who bought here thinking they were getting one will find out the hard way. You will have to shell out the money if you want them to get a real education. Sorry.

Every generation thinks it had it worse than the one before it. There’s no evidence that this generation of kids from the better public schools in the DMV - including MCPS - are doing any worse than prior ones. Obviously Covid had a unique and singular impact, I get that, but Covid was felt everywhere.

MCPS was a disaster with COVID. It was NOT like that everywhere...especially the private schools, many of which never closed. Do you even read the reports out there about how few students are at grade level with math and reading? It's only a matter of time until you start to see how it impacts college admissions. The good universities aren't going to want kids who can't read, write or understand math concepts. Many kids will never make it to calc or even pre-calc based on how behind they are on math...it's only a matter of a few years and you will see this.

Earth to this poster: Covid is over.

I am the PP. I never claimed Covid is currently an issue from a disease standpoint. But it is an issue in terms of the aftermath...i.e. the learning loss and mental health issues that have emerged since then. Do you even read the news reports? Or are you one of those with your head in the sand?

Right. So together we deal with it. We make adjustments. We focus on solving the problems that resulted. We re-devote ourselves to student achievement. We expect that colleges will recognize how difficult the last few years have been for many students and don’t hold it against them.

We don’t just write off public education. Public schools aren’t closing down like they did then anytime soon.

Never said you should write it off. We are talking about people with means. People with means will generally purchase the better product. In this case, that is private schools.

That may have made sense when public schools were closed. But now they’re open.

LOL, but they lost an entire year of learning, so basically at least a year (and more in some cases) behind private school students in terms of academic proficiency. For the life of me, I don't understand how someone with means would want that for their kid.

You’re exaggerating.

Oh really?

So you think that having only about half of 6th graders meeting the mathematics benchmarks (as defined by MCPS) is acceptable? How about the fact that only about half of 3rd graders meet benchmarks for reading? I mean, I am pretty confident that in my child's private school, approximately 100% meet/exceed the same benchmarks. But you seem like you are ok with this data. Then by all means send your child there. https://www.mymcmedia.org/mcps-releases-mid-year-grade-data-on-math-and-reading-proficiency/

You’re comparing apples and oranges. Private schools select who they want to attend. They require testing and interviewing for admission. You cannot compare them one on one with each other.

As I said before, Covid was an issue, yes. It set many schools and students back, yes. But it will ultimately prove to be a blip on the radar screen. It is time for all of us to move on.

This x1000

It astonishes me that people don’t understand this.

I am the poster with the gen pop non W rising 12th grader. S/he has wealthy, successful and involved parents. S/he would do well anywhere we put her/him.

Yes actually this is a good thing! I want my kid surrounded by people who want to excel. Why would I let them be exposed to kids who only seek to game the system and do the least work possible to pass? Kids are impressionable. And MCPS has managed to create ab environment of mediocrity that will only turn out mediocre high school graduates.

My kid is self motivated. Doesn’t matter what other kids around them are doing.

It’s all relative dear. You are under an illusion because your kid competes with low performing students. So anything can easily look “motivated.” I would much prefer an environment where you are surrounded by excellence.

So if my kid was in private school, s/he would have gotten better than an A in AP lang and better than a 5 on the AP test? Is that what you’re saying, DEAR?

It’s not all about AP tests. The top private schools go beyond the AP curriculum.

Do you get tired of constantly moving the goalposts? Must be a full time job to justify the tuition money you’re blowing for all that “beyond AP curriculum.”

Actually my kid is in lower ES and is thriving in small classes and a curriculum that goes well beyond the state testing subjects (reading and math). We love that she has integrated art, music, ample recess and PE time every single day, and perhaps most importantly, two highly qualified teachers who team teach 16 kids. We love that her class put on 3 plays this past year and that the plays integrated concepts across subject areas.

We love that we get detailed feedback on where she is not only academically, but also socio-emotionally. By October of last year, her teachers knew the nuances that would change in her personality when she was getting frustrated and told us exactly how they tailored how they taught her to help convince her to not give up.

What you don’t understand is that a high quality private school, especially for ES, is so much about letting teachers teach by giving them ample resources and small class sizes.

If your kid needs that, then clearly private is for you! Mine doesn’t, they’re flourishing in MCPS.

Let’s just be honest that it’s not about the academics.

You don’t think every kid could benefit from a full curriculum and individualized attention?

For my kid? Not worth 50K/yr when they’re doing so well in public.

Our values are clearly just different. We prioritize giving our kid the very best, fullest education possible. We started her out in MCPS and she learned nothing. It was a waste.

That’s interesting because we started out in private and moved ours to public!

I do believe my kid is getting a full education. To each his own.

It’s a fact that at least in K-8, MCPS scrimps on subjects other than reading and math. Stop pretending otherwise.

In middle school my kid had excellent history teachers and French teachers - she learned a lot in both. I’m not sure what “fact” you are talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We could have afforded it easily (Biglaw) but I place Trump supporters and (non religious) private school parents living in average or better public school districts in the same category: people whose values I don’t share and who I will have nothing to do with.

The feeling is mutual!! How about that. I have absolutely no respect for families who have wealth and instead of spending it on a good education, they choose multiple homes, trips, etc. We have a net worth of $12M plus $1M annual income, and we have only one home and basic cars. We spent $120K on education last year between my college and HS students. Money well spent and they are great kids with wonderful friends. Wouldn't have it any other way and glad they are away from families like yours!!

+1. I don’t get what the point of this money is, if not for their kids. Famous poster Retired Biglaw Partner loves to brag about how little money he spent on his kids’ education which is just bizarre to me. What on earth was it all for, if not for your kids?

Lol I didn’t know I was famous!

My kids went to top ranked public schools, UVA, and top ranked LACs on merit aid. They all have masters degrees, good and productive jobs, and nice spouses. I covered the house in the nice suburb where there schools were located, paid for college, paid for beautiful weddings, provided down payments for houses, have a vacation home that they enjoy immensely, and between my spouse and me in my early retirement have provided them with so much free and loving childcare that they literally have never had to spend a dime on it themselves.

Yes, you’re right - I didn’t spend hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to keep them away from the great unwashed with a single-eyed drive to get them into an expensive named-brand college that impressed my friends and looked good on a bumper sticker. I knew enough all along to know that, in the end, it would amount to nothing.

If that’s your definition of not “doing it all for the kids,” then I’m guilty as charged. But I’m pretty confident I’d be acquitted if any of them were on your jury.

Your kids have masters? So you realize they attended MCPS in another era. It is not the same at all, and today they would likely not have been as successful. It is very different now...especially after covid. You lucked out and got a bargain. Sadly, many who bought here thinking they were getting one will find out the hard way. You will have to shell out the money if you want them to get a real education. Sorry.

Every generation thinks it had it worse than the one before it. There’s no evidence that this generation of kids from the better public schools in the DMV - including MCPS - are doing any worse than prior ones. Obviously Covid had a unique and singular impact, I get that, but Covid was felt everywhere.

MCPS was a disaster with COVID. It was NOT like that everywhere...especially the private schools, many of which never closed. Do you even read the reports out there about how few students are at grade level with math and reading? It's only a matter of time until you start to see how it impacts college admissions. The good universities aren't going to want kids who can't read, write or understand math concepts. Many kids will never make it to calc or even pre-calc based on how behind they are on math...it's only a matter of a few years and you will see this.

Earth to this poster: Covid is over.

I am the PP. I never claimed Covid is currently an issue from a disease standpoint. But it is an issue in terms of the aftermath...i.e. the learning loss and mental health issues that have emerged since then. Do you even read the news reports? Or are you one of those with your head in the sand?

Right. So together we deal with it. We make adjustments. We focus on solving the problems that resulted. We re-devote ourselves to student achievement. We expect that colleges will recognize how difficult the last few years have been for many students and don’t hold it against them.

We don’t just write off public education. Public schools aren’t closing down like they did then anytime soon.

Never said you should write it off. We are talking about people with means. People with means will generally purchase the better product. In this case, that is private schools.

That may have made sense when public schools were closed. But now they’re open.

LOL, but they lost an entire year of learning, so basically at least a year (and more in some cases) behind private school students in terms of academic proficiency. For the life of me, I don't understand how someone with means would want that for their kid.

You’re exaggerating.

Oh really?

So you think that having only about half of 6th graders meeting the mathematics benchmarks (as defined by MCPS) is acceptable? How about the fact that only about half of 3rd graders meet benchmarks for reading? I mean, I am pretty confident that in my child's private school, approximately 100% meet/exceed the same benchmarks. But you seem like you are ok with this data. Then by all means send your child there. https://www.mymcmedia.org/mcps-releases-mid-year-grade-data-on-math-and-reading-proficiency/

You’re comparing apples and oranges. Private schools select who they want to attend. They require testing and interviewing for admission. You cannot compare them one on one with each other.

As I said before, Covid was an issue, yes. It set many schools and students back, yes. But it will ultimately prove to be a blip on the radar screen. It is time for all of us to move on.

This x1000

It astonishes me that people don’t understand this.

I am the poster with the gen pop non W rising 12th grader. S/he has wealthy, successful and involved parents. S/he would do well anywhere we put her/him.

Yes actually this is a good thing! I want my kid surrounded by people who want to excel. Why would I let them be exposed to kids who only seek to game the system and do the least work possible to pass? Kids are impressionable. And MCPS has managed to create ab environment of mediocrity that will only turn out mediocre high school graduates.

Every MCPS school (including non-W) has extremely smart motivated kids who want to excel, and they do. It is up to your kid. And, many of the wealthy, entitled kids at privates seem even less motivated knowing they can rely on their wealth and connections. Public school kids aren’t coddled, they work hard and make it happen. That environment of truly motivated kids has been great for DS.

Ah yes. Potomac, Bethesda, and Chevy Chase kids who go to MCPS schools aren’t coddled.

Give me a fking break.

So now public school kids are coddled? Ok, so yet another reason to not go private (where you go for the coddling).

Top private schools don’t coddle. You clearly have no experience with these schools.

The reality is kids are coddled in rich areas like much of MoCo, regardless of what school they attend. Stop acting like kids at Potomac MCPS schools are living a hard knock life.

dp.. I think the point is that public school kids aren't coddled by the teachers or admins like private school kids are. There is no hand holding through the college process, for example. MCPS schools do try to provide some guidance on the college process, but most of the guidance counselors don't have time to have a sitdown 1:1 with every kid to hand hold them through the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This type of thread is always very triggering to parents who want to pretend they could afford private school but in reality it’s out of reach ($100k/year in post tax dollars for two kids is really tough even for UMC families!), so they spin us all a yarn about why actually public is the exact same or better and it’s not really about the money.

I don’t understand why you won’t just admit to yourself and us that you actually CAN’T afford it, and that’s the real reason. Not math at Wootton or whatever TF you’re trying to convince us of.

And I don’t understand why private school parents can’t admit that the education they’re kids are getting isn’t superior to public school? I had my kid in private (clearly can afford it), moved them to public, and they are doing very well.

I don’t care where people send their kids to school. But it raises my BP when people trash public and claim they care more about their kids education by sending the to private. You can tell yourself that to justify the cost, but it’s simply not true.

Like most things, not all private schools are the same.

But to act as though private school is no better than public because that wasn’t your personal experience is laughable.

My kid barely learned a thing in kindergarten in MCPS. Her reading was WORSE at the end of the year than it was at the beginning because the reading instruction was so poor. Thank god for her 1st grade teachers and summer supplementing, which got her back on track.

And this is a kid who, like I said above, tested at the 99th percentile in the WPPSI.

So yes — it’s absolutely about the education.