Really, what are you getting for $25,000 a year?

[Anonymous]

We all have unique situations - 25k is "worth it" for a year of school for some of us for many reasons that many not apply to others. For us, our local school is not an option. We don't want to move from our friends and neighbors into a better school district. Also, moving farther out means my job would no longer work out w/school pick-up and drop-off. I don't want to quit my job and I also don't want to hire someone to pick my kids up after school. We did not plan on private school, but kind of stumbled into it.

Our decision is based solely on how private school works for our family's schedule. It allows me and my husband to work nearby and attend daytime events and pick the kids up after school each day.

Some fringe benefits we've experienced include great after school programs, very involved parents, very little behavioral issues at school (no bullying), and small class sizes.

[Anonymous]

Uhhmmm, the ultimate form of "bling" for the DC-set?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
An opportunity for my DC to be surrounded by very, very bright and motivated kids. Academic success is not a hope or dream. It is expected.

An opportunity, believe it or not, for my DC to be exposed to a greater diversity than our Bethesda public shool would provide. We've met families at the school from all corners of the world, with jobs in both the private sector as well as public service/non-profit/government. Unlike our cookie-cutter, affluent and white neighbors, our school friends are of so many colors and nationalities, and bring with them a very broad and often differing world view.

Different school but similar answer. I'd also add exceptional teachers who come to (and stay at) the school because they get to exercise a lot of control over what and how they teach. And exceptional programs/pedagogy because these teachers aren't constrained by state standards and standardized test scores. So an 8th grade teacher can spend three weeks on the American revolution, culminating in a three-day candle-lit simulation of the debates over independence in the Continental Congress -- something very few public school teachers have the option of doing even if they're so inclined. (I know this because, for the last 5 summers, I've taught secondary school American History/social studies teachers from public, private, and parochial schools across the country).

My DC isn't in HS yet, but a friend whose kids have graduated (and who teaches writing) said that the other thing she felt her kids got was a great deal of individualized attention to their writing. She said her son had an equally talented friend who went to BCCHS and whose papers routinely came back with an A and a "good job!" Her son started out the weaker writer of the two, but soon became a much better writer than his friend. Her take was that this is because even when her son got an A, the paper was covered with advice about how it could be improved.

Haven't gotten the ulcer (yet?). On that front, private school makes it harder to save for college, but it lessens the sticker shock, LOL! You've had years to get your head around the idea that you're going to be shelling out tens of thousands of dollars annually for your kids' education.

[Anonymous]

A foot up for the next level in the American version of the caste system?

[Anonymous]

Interesting post. I had never considered private school because we live in a great public school district. However, the comments about fewer discipline problems, including bullying, piqued my interest. Do you think that's true of all good private schools? Including parochial schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting post. I had never considered private school because we live in a great public school district. However, the comments about fewer discipline problems, including bullying, piqued my interest. Do you think that's true of all good private schools? Including parochial schools?

I went through parochial schools. Definitely not the same as our DC's private school experience. I witnessed and was sometimes the subject of bullyin throughout my parochial school life. DC, now 12, seems to have been spared this experience.

[Anonymous]

In our case, I have no qualms about spending this much money this way, but I would add that you can spend $25,000 a year and get nothing in exchange. Private schools aren't inherently better than public and even a great private school won't always be the best choice for every kid. The money is certainly a barrier to entry (so it's all about the money if you can't afford it or have other more pressing priorities), but it guarantees nothing. It's about findng a good match (between kid, school, learning style, family's values, institutional culture) rather than climbing the highest rung you can reach of some pre-set hierarchy where the more you spend the better you get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting post. I had never considered private school because we live in a great public school district. However, the comments about fewer discipline problems, including bullying, piqued my interest. Do you think that's true of all good private schools? Including parochial schools?

No. Parochial schools are not the same thing as private school. Its is extremely rare that you get a good education in parochial (Catholic) school as numerous educational studies have routinely shown. Good publics are usually better than parochial. A good private is a whole 'nother ballgame. It just cannot be beat for most of the reasons listed above by various posters. What do We get for $25,000+/each? ... exactly what I could want for my children and everything about each of them shines with it. I am not trying to be smug but I think its the best money WE spend, by far. I also think it is not for everyone and that is why there are so many choices. People have to decide based on their own personal values system. To each his own. This is not a decision someone else should be able to talk you in to or out of. Its very personal and based on your values and priorities. Our decision to go private was made between my husband and me. It was not based on a discussion with anyone else, no pressure from, or discussion with, family or friends.

[Anonymous]

Actually, studies show that parochial schools do an excellent job with average kids - a way WAY better job than the standard public school.

[Anonymous]

OP, we will do it for three years K-2 for the smaller classes.

[Anonymous]

For $25,000? My neighbors hate us. They think we've sold out. DH has a GTH attitude. I do think all in all our DCs are getting a slightly better education, which is the only thing that prevents me from succumbing to neighborhood peer pressure to go to the neihborhood school.

[Anonymous]

Your DH is right. Your neighbors are ridiculous and it's none of their business where your kids go to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually, studies show that parochial schools do an excellent job with average kids - a way WAY better job than the standard public school.

Maybe in middle America but around here there are very few "average kids" and even fewer "standard public schools" (they tend to be either outstanding or horrible).