DC parents, why don't you use MD private schools more?

[Anonymous]

Look people, I hate to tell you this, but even if DCPS was great, there would always be a large number of people in this area who opt for privates because, well, they're private. Some second tier schools might go out of business, but the top ranked private schools (by popular opinion at least) will continue to get more applications than they have spots. Why else do you think so many people who live in Potomac and McLean (home of excellent school systems), opt for private school, many of them in DC?

[Anonymous]

Exactly. OP if the schools you listed had the reputation of Sidwell then DC parents would say it's so far away but i'ts such a great school and DC loves it. What do you think all the Virginia and Montgomery Country parents say after driving their kid 30-40 to attend Maret or GDS or NCS.

Location is a factor, but it does not come even close to reputation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: This does not appeal to the hardcore DC folks who would rather send their kids to schools they can brag about how hard it was to get into.

Do you folks actually travel in these circles? Do you find yourself around people who brag like this? Does it put a lot of pressure on you?
I guess I just don't hang out in those circles. It doesn't sound pleasant. Are there other things that make up for that?

[Anonymous]

I do not know too many MC parents who drive into DC to send their kids to GDS unless they live very close in. So reputation counts, but location is very important. (I'm not even sure if GDS is better than Whitman or BCC). I do not agree that if DCPS were great that the waiting lists would be as long. There is a breaking point. Even top schools in London are seeing a drop off in applicants. Even rich people can be practical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look people, I hate to tell you this, but even if DCPS was great, there would always be a large number of people in this area who opt for privates because, well, they're private. Some second tier schools might go out of business, but the top ranked private schools (by popular opinion at least) will continue to get more applications than they have spots. Why else do you think so many people who live in Potomac and McLean (home of excellent school systems), opt for private school, many of them in DC?

Yes. For some families private school is just "what you do." These posts about "bragging" and "social connections" are ridiculous to those people. Noone who really gets the private school mentality does that. That is not what it is about. Private schools have been around for generations for a reason, the same reason they will continue regardless of the quality of DCPS, the current economis woes, or whatever.

[Anonymous]

I actually disagree with the premise behind the OP's question. Our DC attends one of the schools mentioned, and a quick look over the student roster shows that about 1/3 of the families are from DC. Somebody obviously thinks it's worth the commute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: This does not appeal to the hardcore DC folks who would rather send their kids to schools they can brag about how hard it was to get into.

Do you folks actually travel in these circles? Do you find yourself around people who brag like this? Does it put a lot of pressure on you?
I guess I just don't hang out in those circles. It doesn't sound pleasant. Are there other things that make up for that?

I don't travel in this circle, but I certainly read their posts here and see them around and talk to them on the playground. I've had people brag like this, yeah, yeah, getting into the schools around here these days are really tough. Little Johnny got really lucky. We got someone who doesn't know him to write a letter and now he's just thriving at Maret. It's such a great school and he's really learning a lot.