Holton tuition

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever noticed that it's an iron-clad requirement on DCUM that every single parent that took their child out of private school "couldn't be happier" now that the kid attends public school? The only acceptable alternative phrasing is "very happy."

Why does no one ever use different phrasing, like maybe "it's going well so far" or "we like this public school"?

I'm PP 7:35, and you will notice I didn't say that we couldn't be happier. We are satisfied overall, but we miss certain aspects of private. The things we miss are saner scheduling and more opportunities to form relationships with teachers, more close-knit school community, and the more intensive writing instruction given in private. In other respects we've had a positive experience with our public high school. It's just that the few advantages of private don't outweigh the massive crush of tuition debt for our middle class family (just a little too well off for financial aid but struggling to pay 60k a year).

[Anonymous]

How do the children feel? Are they happy? I appreciate the way all of the PPs spoke about the change and would love to hear about the children. I know the parents would not be this happy if their children were not but hope you will share how they are doing.

[Anonymous]

I used the phrase, "couldn't be happier" and I will stick with it as this thread is about tuition. 90k (after tax dollars) for three kids was a lot of work and stress. That stress is gone now. I very much value a private education. I also value more family time and less stress about the next stage for my children - college. If this thread was about some other topic than I may use another phrase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever noticed that it's an iron-clad requirement on DCUM that every single parent that took their child out of private school "couldn't be happier" now that the kid attends public school? The only acceptable alternative phrasing is "very happy."

Why does no one ever use different phrasing, like maybe "it's going well so far" or "we like this public school"?

I agree and what I want to know is why they are on the private school forum all the time then? It seems sketchy to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever noticed that it's an iron-clad requirement on DCUM that every single parent that took their child out of private school "couldn't be happier" now that the kid attends public school? The only acceptable alternative phrasing is "very happy."

Why does no one ever use different phrasing, like maybe "it's going well so far" or "we like this public school"?

We pulled our daughter out of private and we "couldn't be happier" with her experience at Whitman. I understand where you're coming from and sometimes everything on this site seems to reflect only the extremes. That said, we are really thrilled with her experience. I think those of us who have made the move feel like sharing these positive experiences (especially on this site) b/c there seem to be so much public school bashing. There's a lot along the lines of "if you care about education you'll go private" or "if you have the $, you'll go private" or "if you don't go private, you'll have to settle for public" and basically, "public isn't good." These things are simply not true. There is so much hype about private schools - much of it premised upon the assumption that private is always better and the more you pay, the better it is. Not at all true in our experience.

We've also got a child at Whitman and "couldn't be happier". Same goes for the kid. Really and truly. However I wouldn't say we pulled our child out of private. DC chose Whitman for high school because it was the best fit. The fact that we don't pay tuition is a super nice bonus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever noticed that it's an iron-clad requirement on DCUM that every single parent that took their child out of private school "couldn't be happier" now that the kid attends public school? The only acceptable alternative phrasing is "very happy."

Why does no one ever use different phrasing, like maybe "it's going well so far" or "we like this public school"?

I agree and what I want to know is why they are on the private school forum all the time then? It seems sketchy to me.

Because some of us had or still have children in private schools. I love that we seem sketchy though!

[Anonymous]

My daughter is at Holton and she is so happy so I guess I don't have an issue with cost and happy we can afford it. She went from not being pushed/encouraged to thriving in writing, science, high level math and getting organizational skills that were not offered at public. It wasn't a good match for her. The cost is high but I like her being in an environment where it is "cool" to get good grades and they push each other to do better. Teachers that call/email parents directly. A director that knows every child by name and can figure out what works for them. Report cards that are 5-8 pages in length. Nothing gets by these teachers and you truly know where your child's strengths and weaknesses are. Lots of homework but lots of community events too. If there is a struggle, there is extra help available. The arts,music, clubs, sports are top notch. I don't want to go on and on, and I get that people think it is insane but it works for us. I grew up dreading school. I was smart but never pushed and didn't care too much in middle and early high school. My daughter gets up ready to go to school so great everyday. So different than 2yrs ago when I started to see myself in here. I wanted her to have the option for more. Maybe I will regret it one day but for now, we do not.

[Anonymous]

^^started to see myself in her (not here) when she was at public.

[Anonymous]

When you can afford it, why should your child be in a school that isn't a fit for their personality, learning style, or aspirations? That fit might be in a private school, but it might be better at a public. That's why everyone who switches from private to public "couldn't be happier."

Tuition is as high as parents are willing to pay for what they think is best for their children. As long as there are 5 to 10 applicants for every slot, the schools can increase tuition at will. I'm happy to pay full freight for DC's school plus another 7% next year. What am I going to do with $35K/year other than spend it on DC? I don't want a new car, or a bigger house and I don't have time to take any more vacations. What could I get DC that would be more meaningful/valuable than a first rate school with all the extras?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Worked hard to keep three children in private school for five years. Now two are in public high school and we couldn't be happier. Our children are thriving and life (financially) got a lot easier and less stressful for everyone.

I appreciate hearing that this poster "couldn't be happier" with her decision. The tuition increases at our private school (not Holton) have been absurd- way out of synch with wages or even inflation. We love the school, but there comes a point when enough is enough and the financial impact is too great (for us, at least). So I am also looking at catholic school and our local public school. Hope that next year I will be in the "couldn't be happier" camp.

[Anonymous]

Yes, my kids are worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is at Holton and she is so happy so I guess I don't have an issue with cost and happy we can afford it. She went from not being pushed/encouraged to thriving in writing, science, high level math and getting organizational skills that were not offered at public. It wasn't a good match for her. The cost is high but I like her being in an environment where it is "cool" to get good grades and they push each other to do better. Teachers that call/email parents directly. A director that knows every child by name and can figure out what works for them. Report cards that are 5-8 pages in length. Nothing gets by these teachers and you truly know where your child's strengths and weaknesses are. Lots of homework but lots of community events too. If there is a struggle, there is extra help available. The arts,music, clubs, sports are top notch. I don't want to go on and on, and I get that people think it is insane but it works for us. I grew up dreading school. I was smart but never pushed and didn't care too much in middle and early high school. My daughter gets up ready to go to school so great everyday. So different than 2yrs ago when I started to see myself in here. I wanted her to have the option for more. Maybe I will regret it one day but for now, we do not.

It's beyond cool to get outstanding grades at Whitman.

[Anonymous]

I imagine parents who had to switch to public school and now aren't happy don't read this forum much -- it'd be painful. Not be able to afford something for DC is fucking depressing in a way that not be able to afford something for myself never was. If our school ever discontinues our FA, I'll be right there with them.

I'm happy for those for whom public school has worked out well, and sad for those for whom it hasn't. We all just want the best for our children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, my kids are worth it.

Aaawwwww.

[Anonymous]

I agree and what I want to know is why they are on the private school forum all the time then? It seems sketchy to me.

How about for general information big dummie ... just like those who religiously read and scan Bloomberg, Huff Post, Drudge, WSJ, Wash Post, Economics, Foreign Affairs, SI, GQ, for lovers only ...
Only a dummie thinks only a private school parent or wannabel scans DCUM. I thought you were a little more well rounded (in the figurative sense)?