If you could mix the best parts of private school and the best parts of public school

[Anonymous]

The only two things I'd take from public school would be (1) the cost and (2) the neighborhood location. From private school- the smaller overall school size, the small class size, the frequent art/music/drama/PE, caring teachers who know my kids whether or not they're in their class, values education, extensive writing and public speaking experience for all, nicer facilities, foreign language starting in K, no disruptive kids.

[Anonymous]

I'd prefer to keep the public school parents in my ideal school. I've had kids in both public and private schools, so I have experience here. For those of you who haven't tried both systems, 21:02's special combination of ignorance and smugness will give you an idea.

[Anonymous]

It would look like Finland's public school system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:8:51, what school is that? Sorry, but I can't think of any school in the DC area that meets all of these excellent standards. And I'm familiar (professionally) with many of them.

Applies to most privates and some publics.

Not the high quality highly paid teachers.

Don't see "highly paid" teachers in the post. The teachers are high quality. So sorry you don't like your school.

[Anonymous]

The biggest difference that I see between private and public school is accountability. Private schools must produce good outcomes..meaning educated, motivated kids or no one will pay the tuition. In public school, there is just no accountability for school performance.

We switched from private to public when we moved and it has been interesting. In private, the teachers are much more on top of how your child is doing and quick to give feedback. I have one child learning disabilities but he is very smart and can compensate. The private school was on top of when he wasn't achieving HIS potential and quick to say something. They fully supported us bringing in a tutor that he could work with during after school. In MCPS, its been a terrible fit for him. He basically has to fall to the bottom and even then they will say he is doing well enough. He is measured against their lowest bar not measured against what he can do which is very frustrating. I can't even offer to pay for a tutor or a private special ed teacher to come in during after school in their facilities. He's not failing so he gets BS accommodations that don't do anything but no pull out services. He's gone from being able to manage his disability and being toward the top of the group to floating around the bottom. Its sad but he could be a top performer if the school was in any way responsible for his outcome rather than just getting everyone to the bare minimum. I've had to book up our weekends with private tutors but it isn't the same as doing something a few days week as we did in private. For my non-LD kid, we are also paying for math enrichment because the math is so bad in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The biggest difference that I see between private and public school is accountability. Private schools must produce good outcomes..meaning educated, motivated kids or no one will pay the tuition. In public school, there is just no accountability for school performance.

We switched from private to public when we moved and it has been interesting. In private, the teachers are much more on top of how your child is doing and quick to give feedback. I have one child learning disabilities but he is very smart and can compensate. The private school was on top of when he wasn't achieving HIS potential and quick to say something. They fully supported us bringing in a tutor that he could work with during after school. In MCPS, its been a terrible fit for him. He basically has to fall to the bottom and even then they will say he is doing well enough. He is measured against their lowest bar not measured against what he can do which is very frustrating. I can't even offer to pay for a tutor or a private special ed teacher to come in during after school in their facilities. He's not failing so he gets BS accommodations that don't do anything but no pull out services. He's gone from being able to manage his disability and being toward the top of the group to floating around the bottom. Its sad but he could be a top performer if the school was in any way responsible for his outcome rather than just getting everyone to the bare minimum. I've had to book up our weekends with private tutors but it isn't the same as doing something a few days week as we did in private. For my non-LD kid, we are also paying for math enrichment because the math is so bad in MCPS.

Not quite right. Public schools are accountable through NCLB, whatever you think of the tests, and various things happen to a public school that fails to make progress. Private schools, and my kids have attended them, are very good at sending home newsletters but there's certainly no guarantee that all the kids will turn out "motivated." And if your kid is being bullied, good luck getting the private school to address it if the bully is from a family the private school can't afford to lose, because the family is wealthy family or has multiple kids at the school.

And I don't get your complaint, that you can't do a tutor after school on weekdays so now your weekends are booked with tutors. Why can't you have a tutor come to your house after school, or on weekday nights if you work?

[Anonymous]

My great private school would be free! The best of both worlds.

[Anonymous]

Privates really vary, but what we have liked the best for our different kids (who are normal kids not uber achievers)

For our boys, understanding how boys thrive: every day a schedule with academic time then time to run around in the am, more academics, long recess. Did wonders for my sons - even one who doesn't love sports.

Daily writing practice and teachers who can guide/coach in writing. For tests, sentence responses/math problem, not much multiple choice.

Frequent Public speaking particularly for shy kids to build confidence.

Simple Uniforms - so no fuss in the am on what to wear or what to buy for the school year

What we miss from public school, diversity, neighborhood friendships, walking to school/bus stops, services for kids when there are challenges and of course, costs.