Not rich and do not know Obama. Can I get my kid into an "elite" school?

[Anonymous]

They don't leave. They become lobbyists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They don't leave. They become lobbyists.

who's left to lobby?
isn't there a critical mass?

[Anonymous]

The administration policy wonks (coming to town with kids in tow) become lobbyists and stay in town. It works out fine because it just means that every 4 years may be a poor entry year for the non-connected. But the other 3 years are just dandy.

[Anonymous]

ok.
I just wonder about the financial backing for lobbyists in this crisis...seems like at least as many kids should be leaving as are arriving, tho the outgoing administrators might wait till summer to go home

[Anonymous]

I'm sure some leave...but maybe not the ones in the elite schools. That's not being flip. I honestly think some of them rough it out here for a few more years if Junior has only got 3 more years of STA.

[Anonymous]

ok, I guess it would be better to hustle for a few yrs in DC than go home in defeat
But it disturbs the equilibrium of the schools
how can new families get in if the old ones don't leave?

[Anonymous]

the retention rate at the top tier schools is VERY high. Not sure why that is, but they aren't looking for transient folks. They want to build a stable community.

[Anonymous]

but they let in politician's kids, right?

[Anonymous]

Not a big risk given that re-election rates for House members were 94% or above between 1996 and 2006. Over the same period re-election rates for the Senate were between 79% and 96%.

[Anonymous]

Plus, of course, many of those who are defeated or leave voluntarily end up sticking around.

[Anonymous]

Oh well, I guess it's good for my peace of mind that I'm not looking for a spot
Why aren't there more term limits in place? lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:19:47, you have made an interesting point that you may not even realize.

Families who go to elite 3 private schools do not eat at Clyde's. It's a "chain restaurant."

Big Three Family here - Clydes is our favorite place to go with the family!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:19:47, you have made an interesting point that you may not even realize.

Families who go to elite 3 private schools do not eat at Clyde's. It's a "chain restaurant."

Oh No! I will immediately call my kids' schools and withdraw them. I didn't know...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:19:47, you have made an interesting point that you may not even realize.

Families who go to elite 3 private schools do not eat at Clyde's. It's a "chain restaurant."

Big Three Family here - Clydes is our favorite place to go with the family!

We go to Clyde's as a special outing at the most once a year. Big Three. Also we are not rich, not well-connected.

[Anonymous]

Applicatons are down because of the economic downturn. Lots of families, apparently, are rethinking the 25K to 30K pricetag. At the same time, current private school families are cutting back on their gifts to their school's scholarship fund, which means that these schools will have much less money available in financial aid to not-rich families. If there's a silver lining in all this bad news, it's that your chances of getting your kid in (unless you need financial aid) have improved. On the other hand, the competition for spaces at free public magnet and charter schools is way, way up.