Is private school REALLY different than public school??

[Anonymous]

Well, the landscaping is certainly nicer in private schools.

Every area is different, but pretty much uniformly, if you pay tuition, the grass is gonna look incredible.

Malcolm Gladwell (not that he's the end all be all scholar
Of education or anything, but..) says in David and Goliath that studies have shown the ideal
Class size to be between 18-24. Not going to try and summarize it, won't do it justice, but you all should google
It.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a longtime primary grade teacher in MCPS and I am looking for a "different" experience for my son for kindergarten next year. Different meaning something more developmentally appropriate--more play, maybe rest/quiet time for a few minutes in the afternoon, less "rigor". I LOVE my job, but just know that if I can afford it, I'd like something different for my kids. (Do I wish that I could change the system for all the kids in public school? Sure! But nobody is asking me what I think!)

So...are private schools any different in the younger grades? Or is there a lot of academic push there too? We are definitely planning to do the open houses this fall but just curious what the general thought about it is here.

Yes definitely different. One major way is the studio to teacher ratio. Many public schools have 30 children with one teacher. Privates have a lower ratio and can break up into groups. Public school has a much larger range generally speaking of academic abilities and behavioral abilities and this makes it challenging at times to teach. Not saying these are not at privates but not nearly as many students falling into this category. Many other differences I can't elaborate on.

[Anonymous]

I forgot that the OP is asking as a teacher. As a teacher, you would notice more entitlement from the students and parents, and an attitude from your administration that says "the customer is always right." It can feel like working high-end retail or being a nanny for very wealthy clients. In exchange for a high price you provide parents and children with a wonderful experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a longtime primary grade teacher in MCPS and I am looking for a "different" experience for my son for kindergarten next year. Different meaning something more developmentally appropriate--more play, maybe rest/quiet time for a few minutes in the afternoon, less "rigor". I LOVE my job, but just know that if I can afford it, I'd like something different for my kids. (Do I wish that I could change the system for all the kids in public school? Sure! But nobody is asking me what I think!)

So...are private schools any different in the younger grades? Or is there a lot of academic push there too? We are definitely planning to do the open houses this fall but just curious what the general thought about it is here.

Yes definitely different. One major way is the studio to teacher ratio. Many public schools have 30 children with one teacher. Privates have a lower ratio and can break up into groups. Public school has a much larger range generally speaking of academic abilities and behavioral abilities and this makes it challenging at times to teach. Not saying these are not at privates but not nearly as many students falling into this category. Many other differences I can't elaborate on.

Where is this true?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a longtime primary grade teacher in MCPS and I am looking for a "different" experience for my son for kindergarten next year. Different meaning something more developmentally appropriate--more play, maybe rest/quiet time for a few minutes in the afternoon, less "rigor". I LOVE my job, but just know that if I can afford it, I'd like something different for my kids. (Do I wish that I could change the system for all the kids in public school? Sure! But nobody is asking me what I think!)

So...are private schools any different in the younger grades? Or is there a lot of academic push there too? We are definitely planning to do the open houses this fall but just curious what the general thought about it is here.

Yes definitely different. One major way is the studio to teacher ratio. Many public schools have 30 children with one teacher. Privates have a lower ratio and can break up into groups. Public school has a much larger range generally speaking of academic abilities and behavioral abilities and this makes it challenging at times to teach. Not saying these are not at privates but not nearly as many students falling into this category. Many other differences I can't elaborate on.

Where is this true?

And how can public schools not break students up into groups? Happens daily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a longtime primary grade teacher in MCPS and I am looking for a "different" experience for my son for kindergarten next year. Different meaning something more developmentally appropriate--more play, maybe rest/quiet time for a few minutes in the afternoon, less "rigor". I LOVE my job, but just know that if I can afford it, I'd like something different for my kids. (Do I wish that I could change the system for all the kids in public school? Sure! But nobody is asking me what I think!)

So...are private schools any different in the younger grades? Or is there a lot of academic push there too? We are definitely planning to do the open houses this fall but just curious what the general thought about it is here.

Yes. Private schools are very different. In every respect.

[Anonymous]

Yes it is different. It is elite and many people seem fearful of using that word anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes it is different. It is elite and many people seem fearful of using that word anymore.

Interesting you should say that. I don't consider our private elite at all, but my public school friends feel that it is. I sometimes feel the need to talk it down so people don't think I am some sort of snob.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes it is different. It is elite and many people seem fearful of using that word anymore.

Interesting you should say that. I don't consider our private elite at all, but my public school friends feel that it is. I sometimes feel the need to talk it down so people don't think I am some sort of snob.

+1 It's amazing what some people will say when THEY ASK where my child goes to school.

[Anonymous]

If you are old money then you prob live in an area that has a highly rated public school. I think the best publics are better than some of the privates in other areas. I find these boards to be the haves talking about the have mores. The reason my kids are at a Big 3 is because I grew up in an area where the public is rated a 1. I didn't even realize public schools could be so affluent. If I had known I would have been fine sending them to public but since we got into private and I can now afford it then it's a mute point. I hope I'm getting something more for my money than just a class of entitled kids. Our kids love school and they are doing well. That's all I can ask for. But if we had to stress over the tuition then I think public in Moco is fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only people I know who were born upper middle or above who love public are Jewish people who like the idea of public.

16:22 here. This just proves that you don't know many old money types, besides maybe the handful in your private school. I mentioned that my family is old money--names on plaques for things they donated (not going to put myself by saying what)--and my kids went to public high school after private elementary. Pre-Mayflower WASP.

Here's my definition of "nouveau riche": among other things, likes to pontificate online about how rich people think public school is "horrid."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I forgot that the OP is asking as a teacher. As a teacher, you would notice more entitlement from the students and parents, and an attitude from your administration that says "the customer is always right." It can feel like working high-end retail or being a nanny for very wealthy clients. In exchange for a high price you provide parents and children with a wonderful experience.

Interesting, the teachers at our kids' private talk about how they love teaching in a school where the administration will buy them whatever they need/want for the classroom. They also rave about the paid summer research/training. Mostly, the seem to love the freedom they have to mold the curriculum.

We had great teachers in public too. However, we heard a lot about the constraints in the curriculum, particularly when the county decided to have three reading groups in every class, and basically eleiminate accelerated math in elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are old money then you prob live in an area that has a highly rated public school. I think the best publics are better than some of the privates in other areas. I find these boards to be the haves talking about the have mores. The reason my kids are at a Big 3 is because I grew up in an area where the public is rated a 1. I didn't even realize public schools could be so affluent. If I had known I would have been fine sending them to public but since we got into private and I can now afford it then it's a mute point. I hope I'm getting something more for my money than just a class of entitled kids. Our kids love school and they are doing well. That's all I can ask for. But if we had to stress over the tuition then I think public in Moco is fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only people I know who were born upper middle or above who love public are Jewish people who like the idea of public.

16:22 here. This just proves that you don't know many old money types, besides maybe the handful in your private school. I mentioned that my family is old money--names on plaques for things they donated (not going to put myself by saying what)--and my kids went to public high school after private elementary. Pre-Mayflower WASP.

Here's my definition of "nouveau riche": among other things, likes to pontificate online about how rich people think public school is "horrid."

Meh, I went to one of the best public achools in the country in a town that is home to a big 3 Ivy. Today's public schools are nothing like what they were a decade or two before no child left behind, etc. . . Teacher's have no choice but to teach to the bevy of tests forced upon kids today, and because of the county system, even schools in the wealthiest areas have about a third of the "specials" they had a few decades ago. Not arguing with the funding system, the Title 1 schools deserve the most resources.

[Anonymous]

Guess public school didn't help with the superiority complex. Do you really think people give a shit how and when your family got here?

Anonymous wrote:If you are old money then you prob live in an area that has a highly rated public school. I think the best publics are better than some of the privates in other areas. I find these boards to be the haves talking about the have mores. The reason my kids are at a Big 3 is because I grew up in an area where the public is rated a 1. I didn't even realize public schools could be so affluent. If I had known I would have been fine sending them to public but since we got into private and I can now afford it then it's a mute point. I hope I'm getting something more for my money than just a class of entitled kids. Our kids love school and they are doing well. That's all I can ask for. But if we had to stress over the tuition then I think public in Moco is fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only people I know who were born upper middle or above who love public are Jewish people who like the idea of public.

16:22 here. This just proves that you don't know many old money types, besides maybe the handful in your private school. I mentioned that my family is old money--names on plaques for things they donated (not going to put myself by saying what)--and my kids went to public high school after private elementary. Pre-Mayflower WASP.

Here's my definition of "nouveau riche": among other things, likes to pontificate online about how rich people think public school is "horrid."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are old money then you prob live in an area that has a highly rated public school. I think the best publics are better than some of the privates in other areas. I find these boards to be the haves talking about the have mores. The reason my kids are at a Big 3 is because I grew up in an area where the public is rated a 1. I didn't even realize public schools could be so affluent. If I had known I would have been fine sending them to public but since we got into private and I can now afford it then it's a mute point. I hope I'm getting something more for my money than just a class of entitled kids. Our kids love school and they are doing well. That's all I can ask for. But if we had to stress over the tuition then I think public in Moco is fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only people I know who were born upper middle or above who love public are Jewish people who like the idea of public.

16:22 here. This just proves that you don't know many old money types, besides maybe the handful in your private school. I mentioned that my family is old money--names on plaques for things they donated (not going to put myself by saying what)--and my kids went to public high school after private elementary. Pre-Mayflower WASP.

Here's my definition of "nouveau riche": among other things, likes to pontificate online about how rich people think public school is "horrid."

Meh, I went to one of the best public achools in the country in a town that is home to a big 3 Ivy. Today's public schools are nothing like what they were a decade or two before no child left behind, etc. . . Teacher's have no choice but to teach to the bevy of tests forced upon kids today, and because of the county system, even schools in the wealthiest areas have about a third of the "specials" they had a few decades ago. Not arguing with the funding system, the Title 1 schools deserve the most resources.

Public schools are not what they were, even in affluent areas. No one wants to say anything because school quality and property values are so closely linked. The FCPS of today is nothing like it was 15 or 20 years ago. And it's not testing or Title 1 - it's the burden of immigration and ESOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a longtime primary grade teacher in MCPS and I am looking for a "different" experience for my son for kindergarten next year. Different meaning something more developmentally appropriate--more play, maybe rest/quiet time for a few minutes in the afternoon, less "rigor". I LOVE my job, but just know that if I can afford it, I'd like something different for my kids. (Do I wish that I could change the system for all the kids in public school? Sure! But nobody is asking me what I think!)

So...are private schools any different in the younger grades? Or is there a lot of academic push there too? We are definitely planning to do the open houses this fall but just curious what the general thought about it is here.

Yes definitely different. One major way is the studio to teacher ratio. Many public schools have 30 children with one teacher. Privates have a lower ratio and can break up into groups. Public school has a much larger range generally speaking of academic abilities and behavioral abilities and this makes it challenging at times to teach. Not saying these are not at privates but not nearly as many students falling into this category. Many other differences I can't elaborate on.

Where is this true?

Most public schools have close to 30 kids per class after 2nd grade; some high school classes exceed that number.