This is sort of a poll. Does private high school offer better academics?

[Anonymous]

We can afford private school also, and my husband really likes the idea. So, I gave in. But we live in one of the nation's top-ranked school districts. And, I keep thinking that $25K per year would pay for 2 months every summer in Europe or somewhere else. And that kind of exposure would be unquestionably beneficial to our DC.

So, I'm working on my husband to withdraw our DC before she reaches kindergarten. The difference in public and private education just isn't great enough. I have a family member who taught at one of the "Big 3" for many years -- and she feels the same way!

[Anonymous]

pp, refreshing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No difference.
I would pay for private school if someone could explain what I am getting for my money. I can afford it, honestly.

I went to private school and I'll tell you what my parent's got for their money:

* 46 kids in my grade. I had no more than 15 or so kids in my classes. Many were really small.
* I made some really wonderful friends and we are still very close. Since most of us had been in school together since we were 4, we really looked out for one another.
* Stellar facilities
* Mostly stellar teachers ** There were 1 or 2 who probably should have retired back in the 70's
* A chance for me to play and letter in three different sports without having to be Division I material
* The opportunity to be involved in the newspaper, plays, yearbook, etc. (I did all these) In fact, most of us wore so many hats because the school was so small there were not enough kids to go around and we almost had no choice. The good thing was that it forced me to try new things and I learned that I was really good at and loved photography, for example, and had I not had that opportunity I might not have learned that about myself.
* Amazing arts classes
* A strong community
* Well rounded education
* AP Classes
* I really learned HOW to study which is half the game- college was a breeze.
* I learned how to write- I use these skills everyday in my current job.
* I studied my butt off and did so many extracurriculars that I really had to learn how to manage my time which is a great life skill
* Admission into a great college- 1/2 my class went to Ivy's (including schools like Williams in that pool.)
* Community service was also very importand and I learned a lot while out in my community.
* I graduated with a strong sense of self and I think a great sense of values. I know a lot of this came from my parents, but my school helped me grow in these ways as well.

My parents will tell you that they do not regret a single dime they spent. In fact, my dad still says it's the best money they ever spent.

[Anonymous]

To the PP, my class sizes were a little larger (maybe 14-20 in a classroom and 105 in the graduating class) but the other points reflect my experience exactly, including the parental endorsement of the money and sacrifice they gave for my education.

I would not have traded my secondary education and friendships for the world. I felt exceedingly well prepared for subsequent University. I felt I was exposed to activities and experiences which helped shape who and what I am today in very positive ways.

Look at Marc Fishers blog entry (Washington Post) about testing of rural kids in India for reasons why the state of our broader educational system is a mess, and why I sacrifice to send my kids to private school today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parents will tell you that they do not regret a single dime they spent. In fact, my dad still says it's the best money they ever spent.

I feel like that is the case for me as a parent. I drive a used car and don't live in a big house by any stretch, but I have no regrets on the school cost. Unless I'm completely irrational (which could always be!) it is obviously worth it for me.

[Anonymous]

TJHSST [Thomas Jefferson] in Fairfax County contains about 2000 students in grades 9-12. Far larger than privates per graduating class. Roughly 20-30% go to UVA. The Ivy admits can be for the same children. It is the equivalent of the Montgomery Blair Magnet Program only larger numbers since it is an entire school.

Take the top grades-test scorers- mega grooming efforts and stick them in the SAME school for Fairfax [largest population in DC metropolitan area of any jurisdiction], plus these counties and other school districts: Loudoun, Arlington, Cities [Alexandria, Falls church, Fairfax], etc.

Comparable schools to TJHSST do not exist locally. The comps include Stuyvesant in NYC, Boston Latin, etc.

Kids are trained for TJ admission from an early age.

Asian academic culture dominates -
http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/education/1656.html
Now 42% Asian which excludes Indian , Pakistani, etc

[Anonymous]

In my mind, the goal of high school, public or private, is not to get you into the best college or get you the best test scores, but to instill and foster a true love of learning, equip you with the skillsets you will need to pursue learning in the future, open your mind to all of the different things there are to learn, and to help you develop strong social skills and a healthy sense of self.

Im my district, private schools do that best. In other districts, the public schools are probably better. The correct answer will vary by location.

[Anonymous]

thanks to 00:47 who articulated his or her own opinion beautifully. i had a very similar experience, and my parents feel the same way. and that's why i'm doing the same thing for my own child. of course public high schools in this area offer top-notch academics. however, in my mind, it's not just about academics. it's about the education of the whole child. and i believe there's no better way to do that for my child than in a small private school where his gifts will be nurtured, his challenges will be supported, and a joy and love of learning will be instilled.

again, this is not a knock on public schools. it's just why we're choosing to go the private school route.

[Anonymous]

At my public high school I got an excellent education too.
We had an Australian exchange student in my class.
I got to know people who had to drop out of school so that they could work and support their family financially.
- Talk about learning to not take school for granted.
I managed to keep a weekend job and juggle school. A skill I used a lot in college.
I stopped asking my parents for money because I had my own.
I listened to my friend complain that she had to pay tax on earnings.
AP Classes.
Learned to be resourceful and find information using public libraries and how to make do with what there is.

I never met anyone who expected teachers to pamper them or to go out of their way for them. Helicopter parents were unheard of.

[Anonymous]

In regards to the 00:47 poster, I received all of the same benefits you mentioned but at a public school in an affluent area similar to Mont. Cty/ Fairfax Cty. The only difference was my overall class size where there were 270 or so at graduation.

My school had a phenomenal arts program, an award winning drama program, ample sports opportunities, AP classes galore, and amazing teachers (many with PhDs). I wrote a senior thesis that was then re-used as my medical school application essay. My classmates attended top notch schools and are leading successful lives in various disciplines.

I learned how to balance my academics, extracurriculars, and social life and found myself at a distinct advantage when I started college.

My older brother attended private school and still regrets that he didn't' transfer to my public school when we moved to the town.

[Anonymous]

As always, it depends on the kid and the school and whether they're a good match. We did public for nine years, which worked fine for us, but now my kid is going private because we found the school that suits her better than the public high school she attended. I know that she wouldn't thrive in some of the private schools mentioned on these boards but I think she will do fine in the school we've chosen.

I suspect that she would get a more rigorous education in the IB program at Banneker in DCPS (and I certainly would love to save the money and send her there)but she's just doesn't have the drive and discipline to do that program. So it's private school for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my mind, the goal of high school, public or private, is not to get you into the best college or get you the best test scores, but to instill and foster a true love of learning, equip you with the skillsets you will need to pursue learning in the future, open your mind to all of the different things there are to learn, and to help you develop strong social skills and a healthy sense of self.

Im my district, private schools do that best. In other districts, the public schools are probably better. The correct answer will vary by location.

I could not have said it better myself. I live in the District in the Janney school district and while the school is good it is overcrowded and I have heard that the afterschool/enrichment programs is pretty much non-exitent which is very important to us as working parents. Had i focused on it a year ago when we bought I would have gotten a place in Wesley heights (horace Mann). Location, location, location.