Anyone happy after switching from private to public school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid was at a small DC private and moved to public for high school. It’s been a pretty great experience for him so far. The social aspect alone is 100x better.

Mine did the same, to a top MCPS high school. It was just a much better fit for him. Competitive sports, a super smart peer group of kids, challenging academics, great teachers for the most part. Yes, bigger classes, but that was okay for him.

[Anonymous]

If I'm understanding, it sounds like there were real academic benefits in switching to private, and you'd potentially be giving those up by switching back. What your kid is feeling (not quite able to be themselves, not fully part of things) is SO common at this age. That doesn't make it easier, but it also means she might feel the same way at another school. Outside activities, separate from the school experience, can be a huge help here, as can just getting older!

If you're at a K-8 or K-6, I'd stay until the end. You get the fun and benefits of the capstone events and being an alum, plus the school will be VERY invested in helping you find the best fit for high school (private or public). If you're at a K-12, does the grade size increase between 6th or 7th, or 8th and 9th? Again, that can shuffle up the class a lot and make a big difference. Sometimes new activities open up to you, etc.

But if no changes are on the horizon, I'd go with PP suggestion and look at larger schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully I’m not posting in the wrong thread.
Has anyone had a positive experience switching their child from private to public school?

My daughter has started to complain that she feels isolated and not part of the main group at her current private school. She has asked to switch schools and says she would be okay going back to public school. She previously attended public school, but we pulled her out due to a lack of communication with the teacher and academic issues that were not being addressed, despite our efforts to get support.

She is now at a small private school, and we are unsure what to do. She often says she wants a “fresh start” and wants to be herself, as she feels there is a lot of misunderstanding or unfair perception toward her. She has a few friends, but none she is very close to. There are no behavioral issues, no spectrum or other concerns noted. In one-on-one teacher conferences, it has sometimes been mentioned that she sits alone.
She loves books and dance and is generally a calm, thoughtful child.
I would really appreciate hearing from parents who have gone through something similar, especially if switching back to public school helped their child socially or emotionally.

If this is CES in Rockville, then yes, leave. It won’t get better.

What’s CES?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She is 11, and there are 12 kids in her class. Around 4–5 kids have changed over the years.. She mostly complains about not having true friends, even though she has tried. We have friends outside of school, but it seems like something is going on which concerning me regardless academically she is good there.

Transfer. I would never recommend a class this small for anyone outside of special needs.

[Anonymous]

Yes, mine is much happier at the much (10x) larger public school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe try a larger private.

+1 the answer is a larger school, the public vs private is a separate issue that you already have dealt with, public school can be great until it isn’t which you already know

Any recommendations for particular private schools with larger class sizes and a more welcoming community? We’re starting to wonder whether public schools would address this well, and how to best keep an eye on academics. It’s a hard decision whether to prioritize her social-emotional well-being if it might come at the expense of academics. And maybe this is really just an age-related phase. Oh, parenting is never easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully I’m not posting in the wrong thread.
Has anyone had a positive experience switching their child from private to public school?

My daughter has started to complain that she feels isolated and not part of the main group at her current private school. She has asked to switch schools and says she would be okay going back to public school. She previously attended public school, but we pulled her out due to a lack of communication with the teacher and academic issues that were not being addressed, despite our efforts to get support.

She is now at a small private school, and we are unsure what to do. She often says she wants a “fresh start” and wants to be herself, as she feels there is a lot of misunderstanding or unfair perception toward her. She has a few friends, but none she is very close to. There are no behavioral issues, no spectrum or other concerns noted. In one-on-one teacher conferences, it has sometimes been mentioned that she sits alone.
She loves books and dance and is generally a calm, thoughtful child.
I would really appreciate hearing from parents who have gone through something similar, especially if switching back to public school helped their child socially or emotionally.

If this is CES in Rockville, then yes, leave. It won’t get better.

What’s CES?

Christ Episcopal School

[Anonymous]

let her switch, mid year if she wants.

a class size of 12 is absurd.

[Anonymous]

We went from Catholic to public. Switched for 5th grade, it was an adjustment, but DC is in the gifted program and is flourishing. Middle school is okay, but we will definitely switch back to private for high school. Our younger DC started public elementary and we will likely supplement a few things to keep it on par with the Catholic education.