If you left APS for private…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We would have stayed had we won the ATS lottery. We switched to private as the backup when we did not get an ATS offer. Overall, we are happy with the outcome, but likely also would have been happy at ATS.

Similar but for middle school lottery. Going from ATS to our zoned middle school was not an option so we opted for private MS and back to public for HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We would have stayed had we won the ATS lottery. We switched to private as the backup when we did not get an ATS offer. Overall, we are happy with the outcome, but likely also would have been happy at ATS.

Similar but for middle school lottery. Going from ATS to our zoned middle school was not an option so we opted for private MS and back to public for HS.

OP here. What made you switch back to public for HS? Was it worth doing private for just MS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to APS all the way through 8th and then private Big3 HS. Our kids did very well and had no issue coming from APS, they were well prepared. But, our private HS experience was vastly different than our public school friend at W&L and Yorktown. To each their own, but we were very happy for the children to experience the rigor of private for the HS years. I would not send my kids to private ES and expect some big difference…unless I was at a not great ES or alternatively my kid had a lot of needs. Just my two cents.

Was it mostly a difference in academic rigor between your experience and your friends W&L/Yorktown experiences?

[Anonymous]

Private is worth it for my kids. We like the smaller class size, no iPad, more consistent schedule, more rigor but also meeting their needs. We’ll consider coming back for larger social networks and more electives and extracurricular options in HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to APS all the way through 8th and then private Big3 HS. Our kids did very well and had no issue coming from APS, they were well prepared. But, our private HS experience was vastly different than our public school friend at W&L and Yorktown. To each their own, but we were very happy for the children to experience the rigor of private for the HS years. I would not send my kids to private ES and expect some big difference…unless I was at a not great ES or alternatively my kid had a lot of needs. Just my two cents.

We found that middle school and the emphasis on executive function, planning, project work, reading of complete novels was very different between private and APS. Lots of passage reading in APS for example, and novel reading was always readers choice vs assigned class novel that they all analyze and discuss

I’m a NP - I’m a pretty “rigorous” parent, if we are reading full novels at home and home-teaching/pushing on executive functioning …. And they come out in the advanced PS classes and getting good grades - would Private make any difference, or just take the own off the parents?

Weighing the cost/benefits from leaning out from work a bit to focus on a public school kid, vs do I lean into work so I can promote while private school does this (and I can better afford)?

[Anonymous]

We have one kid in public APS HS and the other in private HS. There are clear differences in the quality of education each is getting. Private offers smaller classes, more teacher availability/oversight, better communication from school administration and superior writing training. Public provides more test-focused instruction, greater diversity of peers, higher level competition for sports teams and more of a real-world experience. Each environment is right for our kids. If I had to be honest, the private school education seems more challenging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to APS all the way through 8th and then private Big3 HS. Our kids did very well and had no issue coming from APS, they were well prepared. But, our private HS experience was vastly different than our public school friend at W&L and Yorktown. To each their own, but we were very happy for the children to experience the rigor of private for the HS years. I would not send my kids to private ES and expect some big difference…unless I was at a not great ES or alternatively my kid had a lot of needs. Just my two cents.

We found that middle school and the emphasis on executive function, planning, project work, reading of complete novels was very different between private and APS. Lots of passage reading in APS for example, and novel reading was always readers choice vs assigned class novel that they all analyze and discuss

I’m a NP - I’m a pretty “rigorous” parent, if we are reading full novels at home and home-teaching/pushing on executive functioning …. And they come out in the advanced PS classes and getting good grades - would Private make any difference, or just take the own off the parents?

Weighing the cost/benefits from leaning out from work a bit to focus on a public school kid, vs do I lean into work so I can promote while private school does this (and I can better afford)?

Do you have a teen/tween? Parent assigned novels may get more pushback than when a class assignment. Discussion with peers and teachers will differ from mom.

If you only work part time and have background and bandwidth to invest in preparation and executing with your kid for all 4 years, it’s probably somewhat comparable. And they are receptive, which is the big gamble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to APS all the way through 8th and then private Big3 HS. Our kids did very well and had no issue coming from APS, they were well prepared. But, our private HS experience was vastly different than our public school friend at W&L and Yorktown. To each their own, but we were very happy for the children to experience the rigor of private for the HS years. I would not send my kids to private ES and expect some big difference…unless I was at a not great ES or alternatively my kid had a lot of needs. Just my two cents.

Was it mostly a difference in academic rigor between your experience and your friends W&L/Yorktown experiences?

Academic and social differences. I wouldn’t pay for private school for a different social experience, however. Plenty of great/bright kids in APS that I would’ve been more than happy for my kids to socialize with. Some weirdos in both systems so whatever; sort of a wash and kid dependent.

Academically, there were many differences but two biggest for us were: (1) amount of homework and (2) writing. My kids were doing 1.5-3 hours of homework starting in 9. Nothing like this for kids’ APS peers. Freshman/sophomore years in APS, kids peers in APS were still not really doing homework. This meant there lives were very different. My kids didn’t have free time in the same way that APS kids do. Many families don’t want this, I get it. Next, the writing. My kids were writing many page papers starting in 9, many times per year, with significant feedback/editing from their teachers with multiple rounds of submission. This wasn’t possible in APS and wasn’t the experience of my children’s peers.

[Anonymous]

We have always been public school parents, but then COVID-19 happened, and APS became a completely different experience . . . academic rigor completely gone, more than 50% of classroom time on ipad or ipad-based instruction, no grades or other decipherable way of telling how your child is actually doing with inflation of comments and meaningless report cards, no homework, no differentiated learning, but most of all, incredibly disgruntled and disengaged teachers. We were at ASFS, and our bright and happy children begged us to home school them - "why do I have to go to school when all we do all day is sit on the ipad, and I'm not learning anything?" Now that both children are in private schools, both are much happier, they are actually learning, and we can see their progress. We had not budgeted for it, but APS is a mess. Maybe high school will be better, but we hear that while you can get the information transfer in public, the difference is that teachers in private actually have time and interest in seeing you learn it, whereas in public, they are too burned out or disengaged to care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to APS all the way through 8th and then private Big3 HS. Our kids did very well and had no issue coming from APS, they were well prepared. But, our private HS experience was vastly different than our public school friend at W&L and Yorktown. To each their own, but we were very happy for the children to experience the rigor of private for the HS years. I would not send my kids to private ES and expect some big difference…unless I was at a not great ES or alternatively my kid had a lot of needs. Just my two cents.

Was it mostly a difference in academic rigor between your experience and your friends W&L/Yorktown experiences?

Academic and social differences. I wouldn’t pay for private school for a different social experience, however. Plenty of great/bright kids in APS that I would’ve been more than happy for my kids to socialize with. Some weirdos in both systems so whatever; sort of a wash and kid dependent.

Academically, there were many differences but two biggest for us were: (1) amount of homework and (2) writing. My kids were doing 1.5-3 hours of homework starting in 9. Nothing like this for kids’ APS peers. Freshman/sophomore years in APS, kids peers in APS were still not really doing homework. This meant there lives were very different. My kids didn’t have free time in the same way that APS kids do. Many families don’t want this, I get it. Next, the writing. My kids were writing many page papers starting in 9, many times per year, with significant feedback/editing from their teachers with multiple rounds of submission. This wasn’t possible in APS and wasn’t the experience of my children’s peers.

Weird. My kid in private had less homework than friends in public for 9th/10th. WL kids started doing APs in 9th and/or were doing IB.

By 11th, it seemed about the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to APS all the way through 8th and then private Big3 HS. Our kids did very well and had no issue coming from APS, they were well prepared. But, our private HS experience was vastly different than our public school friend at W&L and Yorktown. To each their own, but we were very happy for the children to experience the rigor of private for the HS years. I would not send my kids to private ES and expect some big difference…unless I was at a not great ES or alternatively my kid had a lot of needs. Just my two cents.

Was it mostly a difference in academic rigor between your experience and your friends W&L/Yorktown experiences?

Academic and social differences. I wouldn’t pay for private school for a different social experience, however. Plenty of great/bright kids in APS that I would’ve been more than happy for my kids to socialize with. Some weirdos in both systems so whatever; sort of a wash and kid dependent.

Academically, there were many differences but two biggest for us were: (1) amount of homework and (2) writing. My kids were doing 1.5-3 hours of homework starting in 9. Nothing like this for kids’ APS peers. Freshman/sophomore years in APS, kids peers in APS were still not really doing homework. This meant there lives were very different. My kids didn’t have free time in the same way that APS kids do. Many families don’t want this, I get it. Next, the writing. My kids were writing many page papers starting in 9, many times per year, with significant feedback/editing from their teachers with multiple rounds of submission. This wasn’t possible in APS and wasn’t the experience of my children’s peers.

Weird. My kid in private had less homework than friends in public for 9th/10th. WL kids started doing APs in 9th and/or were doing IB.

By 11th, it seemed about the same.

My post was specific to my children’s experience at a Big3 private. I am certain you could find a range of different experiences at the various private schools across DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to APS all the way through 8th and then private Big3 HS. Our kids did very well and had no issue coming from APS, they were well prepared. But, our private HS experience was vastly different than our public school friend at W&L and Yorktown. To each their own, but we were very happy for the children to experience the rigor of private for the HS years. I would not send my kids to private ES and expect some big difference…unless I was at a not great ES or alternatively my kid had a lot of needs. Just my two cents.

Was it mostly a difference in academic rigor between your experience and your friends W&L/Yorktown experiences?

Academic and social differences. I wouldn’t pay for private school for a different social experience, however. Plenty of great/bright kids in APS that I would’ve been more than happy for my kids to socialize with. Some weirdos in both systems so whatever; sort of a wash and kid dependent.

Academically, there were many differences but two biggest for us were: (1) amount of homework and (2) writing. My kids were doing 1.5-3 hours of homework starting in 9. Nothing like this for kids’ APS peers. Freshman/sophomore years in APS, kids peers in APS were still not really doing homework. This meant there lives were very different. My kids didn’t have free time in the same way that APS kids do. Many families don’t want this, I get it. Next, the writing. My kids were writing many page papers starting in 9, many times per year, with significant feedback/editing from their teachers with multiple rounds of submission. This wasn’t possible in APS and wasn’t the experience of my children’s peers.

Weird. My kid in private had less homework than friends in public for 9th/10th. WL kids started doing APs in 9th and/or were doing IB.

By 11th, it seemed about the same.

My post was specific to my children’s experience at a Big3 private. I am certain you could find a range of different experiences at the various private schools across DC.

Your kids were doing APs in 9th?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to APS all the way through 8th and then private Big3 HS. Our kids did very well and had no issue coming from APS, they were well prepared. But, our private HS experience was vastly different than our public school friend at W&L and Yorktown. To each their own, but we were very happy for the children to experience the rigor of private for the HS years. I would not send my kids to private ES and expect some big difference…unless I was at a not great ES or alternatively my kid had a lot of needs. Just my two cents.

Was it mostly a difference in academic rigor between your experience and your friends W&L/Yorktown experiences?

Academic and social differences. I wouldn’t pay for private school for a different social experience, however. Plenty of great/bright kids in APS that I would’ve been more than happy for my kids to socialize with. Some weirdos in both systems so whatever; sort of a wash and kid dependent.

Academically, there were many differences but two biggest for us were: (1) amount of homework and (2) writing. My kids were doing 1.5-3 hours of homework starting in 9. Nothing like this for kids’ APS peers. Freshman/sophomore years in APS, kids peers in APS were still not really doing homework. This meant there lives were very different. My kids didn’t have free time in the same way that APS kids do. Many families don’t want this, I get it. Next, the writing. My kids were writing many page papers starting in 9, many times per year, with significant feedback/editing from their teachers with multiple rounds of submission. This wasn’t possible in APS and wasn’t the experience of my children’s peers.

Weird. My kid in private had less homework than friends in public for 9th/10th. WL kids started doing APs in 9th and/or were doing IB.

By 11th, it seemed about the same.

My post was specific to my children’s experience at a Big3 private. I am certain you could find a range of different experiences at the various private schools across DC.

Your kids were doing APs in 9th?

That’s fairly common in APS, at least with families I know. It makes sense considering you can start high school credit classes in 7th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to APS all the way through 8th and then private Big3 HS. Our kids did very well and had no issue coming from APS, they were well prepared. But, our private HS experience was vastly different than our public school friend at W&L and Yorktown. To each their own, but we were very happy for the children to experience the rigor of private for the HS years. I would not send my kids to private ES and expect some big difference…unless I was at a not great ES or alternatively my kid had a lot of needs. Just my two cents.

Was it mostly a difference in academic rigor between your experience and your friends W&L/Yorktown experiences?

Academic and social differences. I wouldn’t pay for private school for a different social experience, however. Plenty of great/bright kids in APS that I would’ve been more than happy for my kids to socialize with. Some weirdos in both systems so whatever; sort of a wash and kid dependent.

Academically, there were many differences but two biggest for us were: (1) amount of homework and (2) writing. My kids were doing 1.5-3 hours of homework starting in 9. Nothing like this for kids’ APS peers. Freshman/sophomore years in APS, kids peers in APS were still not really doing homework. This meant there lives were very different. My kids didn’t have free time in the same way that APS kids do. Many families don’t want this, I get it. Next, the writing. My kids were writing many page papers starting in 9, many times per year, with significant feedback/editing from their teachers with multiple rounds of submission. This wasn’t possible in APS and wasn’t the experience of my children’s peers.

Weird. My kid in private had less homework than friends in public for 9th/10th. WL kids started doing APs in 9th and/or were doing IB.

By 11th, it seemed about the same.

My post was specific to my children’s experience at a Big3 private. I am certain you could find a range of different experiences at the various private schools across DC.

Your kids were doing APs in 9th?

That’s fairly common in APS, at least with families I know. It makes sense considering you can start high school credit classes in 7th grade.

Yes, very common in APS. Along with the hours of homework. On top of sports, activities, etc.

Maybe the PP doesn’t know any of the high-achieving kids in APS if he thinks they have lots of free time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to APS all the way through 8th and then private Big3 HS. Our kids did very well and had no issue coming from APS, they were well prepared. But, our private HS experience was vastly different than our public school friend at W&L and Yorktown. To each their own, but we were very happy for the children to experience the rigor of private for the HS years. I would not send my kids to private ES and expect some big difference…unless I was at a not great ES or alternatively my kid had a lot of needs. Just my two cents.

Was it mostly a difference in academic rigor between your experience and your friends W&L/Yorktown experiences?

Academic and social differences. I wouldn’t pay for private school for a different social experience, however. Plenty of great/bright kids in APS that I would’ve been more than happy for my kids to socialize with. Some weirdos in both systems so whatever; sort of a wash and kid dependent.

Academically, there were many differences but two biggest for us were: (1) amount of homework and (2) writing. My kids were doing 1.5-3 hours of homework starting in 9. Nothing like this for kids’ APS peers. Freshman/sophomore years in APS, kids peers in APS were still not really doing homework. This meant there lives were very different. My kids didn’t have free time in the same way that APS kids do. Many families don’t want this, I get it. Next, the writing. My kids were writing many page papers starting in 9, many times per year, with significant feedback/editing from their teachers with multiple rounds of submission. This wasn’t possible in APS and wasn’t the experience of my children’s peers.

Weird. My kid in private had less homework than friends in public for 9th/10th. WL kids started doing APs in 9th and/or were doing IB.

By 11th, it seemed about the same.

My post was specific to my children’s experience at a Big3 private. I am certain you could find a range of different experiences at the various private schools across DC.

Your kids were doing APs in 9th?

That’s fairly common in APS, at least with families I know. It makes sense considering you can start high school credit classes in 7th grade.

Yes, very common in APS. Along with the hours of homework. On top of sports, activities, etc.

Maybe the PP doesn’t know any of the high-achieving kids in APS if he thinks they have lots of free time.

Agreed. I've heard complaints from APS parents about not enough writing instruction, but I haven't heard any complaints about lack of rigor elsewhere in high school. I'd expect APS HS science and math class offerings are likely more expansive than most private schools. The high achieving APS kids seem pretty darn busy with AP/IB classes and ECs.

Private schools seem primarily to offer more hand holding and writing instruction.