If you lived in a good public school district...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can't speak to Fairfax but I'm in a great cluster in Montgomery County and we chose a small private school for elementary school. I'm thrilled with our decision, and it's completely worth the money.

However, it's worth the cash because this school is a great fit for my son, helping him take advantage of his strengths, and helping him work through his weaknesses.

If I were you, I'd visit and research all the schools your child could go to. See which one would likely be the best setting for your kid. That may be private. But it may also be your local public. It's great that you have a choice.


A great book on the subject is "The Good School" by Peg Tyre. It helps parents get a good education for their kids regardless of setting - public, private, charter, parochial, homeschooling - by discussing best practices and outcome based measures - and shows you where it matters to really advocate for your child.

NP, do you mind mentioning the small private school. We may be in the same boat, great local public school but child may need something smaller to take advantage of strengths and help work thru weaknesses.

Back to OP, both of DH's parents are retired public school teachers and my mom is currently a public school teacher but came to it later in life. Not only is private a tough sell with DH, but it goes against this idealized picture of kids walking to the neighborhood school together and the local school as this place of community. Now of course, reality is very dependent on your kids personality, the other parents, the school leadership etc as to how much of a true community it may be. There are also a lot of traditions and perhaps with it, sense of security and identity that your kids may get going to the local elementary school.

I would look to see which environment would be a better fit for your child's personality, what is the transition like for new students to the school (will your kid have no one to sit next to other than other new kids, and if so, how many new kids do they get typically for that grade)
, what is that school like for the interest your child has e.g. if your kid is into drama will he/she be locked out of participating at the big public school starting as an unknown and more likely to get to participate at a smaller school, or would he/she need the bigger school to continue with a sport? As someone else said it isn't about the education, it's about the experiences. Likely the private and public both offer excellent educational opportunities but your child will be more likely to take advantage of them and be happier if the experiences line up with what makes your child feel more supported,secure, and connected.

[Anonymous]

Are these the only privates that would be covered? I can think of some other good schools such as Montessori of McLean and St. Johns in that area.

[Anonymous]

Choose the best fit for your child.

I chose my house based on the neighborhood school cluster and now find that the highly reputable elementary school might actually not be the right fit...
we paid a lot for the house, and thankfully there are other perks for us in that neighborhood, otherwise I would be feeling rather frustrated!

[Anonymous]

Big Langley promoter here. Daughter is a graduating senior this year. She's had a fabulous four years with xlnt teachers. She also now knows how to negotiate large schools so will have no problem with dorm life or living at a large university, if that's what she chooses, next year. She would not be that mature if we had continued in private school

[Anonymous]

In a heartbeat.

[Anonymous]

How old is your child now and what is your school pyramid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the input! We have already visit Potomac and Langley and hope to see the public school soon. Part of the problem is that DH and I went to public schools and deep down we both believe in the idea of a public school. But the class size is an issue that is making us think twice...

This is exactly why I am considering the same two private schools for my son, even though we live in one of the best school districts. Class size is an issue for me especially in primary level education where kids require more attention. Let me know which one you go with OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old is your child now and what is your school pyramid?

DC will be in K next year. Madison pyramid in Vienna.

[Anonymous]

Yes, only single sex private schools though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How old is your child now and what is your school pyramid?

DC will be in K next year. Madison pyramid in Vienna.

Definitely check out your options, OP.

[Anonymous]

There are still a lot of transfer students into public up to 3rd grade at the elementaries in Madison. You could do private for a couple of years and then reevluate. There are some nice small schools for K especially. I would do this and then consider switching either for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. And btw don't believe the hype. The public school classes excluding perhaps AAP classes are not as challenging as private .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:...in Fairfax county, would you send your child to a private school (say, Potomac or Langley) if your employer covered most of the cost? Dh and I struggling with the public versus private choice.

you don't just "send" your child to the likes of Potomac/ They have to get accepted. Why not apply and see if they get accepted, otherwise it's a moot point.

[Anonymous]

Quite a few Vienna families go to Langley, and I'm sure Potomac has many as well. You could also look at Green Hedges and Flint Hill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How old is your child now and what is your school pyramid?

DC will be in K next year. Madison pyramid in Vienna.

That's a good pyramid, I would tour the public elementary and several private schools. Like the pp said, if class size is a concern in younger years you could always transfer back to public later. A huge pro about most of public schools in the Madison pyramid and what makes it really unique is that there is a real sense of community and partnership with the Town of Vienna.

[Anonymous]

I like Madison and all, but am curious what the town really does for the school. I hear about Fairfax buying technology and things like that for Fairfax High. What does the town actually do for Madison?