TC Williams?

[Anonymous]

I use to live a couple of blocks fro TC-

always found kids smoking dope in my stairwell-

to previous posters-its not integrated-there are just different groups thrown together in the same place-and if your kid happens to stay on the straight and narrow they get into a good school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Isn't that kind of an obnoxious thing to say? Lots of kids get scholarships, or they apply--and get in--hoping for aid or grants. Some get it, some don't. As long as financing or scholarships are available, private school is an option.

If I can't afford my house outright, so I take out a loan, does that mean owning a home is not an option for me?

No, it is a reality kind of thing to say. Duh. Not everyone is going to get scholarships, grants or aid and not every parent is going to be able or willing to take out loans for high school when the looming cost of college is not far off; thus, if the parents are not willing to pay or can not pay, then the school is NOT an option.

[Anonymous]

I think you take a gamble with negative influences at any of these High Schools - dope smokers at TC - sure - and there are dope smokers at all the privates too (and, for those with teens - go check out their Facebook pages (I was shocked that some pages are open for all to see) and you will be shocked ( DC private school girls (and Ms. Simpson attendees) half naked and pole dancing and writing about BJs at the movie theater.....all the moms were talking about it - these kids have no shame, and I must say it was much worse than I ever imagined.) I'm sure TC kids do the same sort of stuff - it's all about navigation and trusting that your kid won't get caught up in foolish activity that can be blasted across the internet. It's everywhere folks......don't kid yourselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Students entering 9th grade at TC next year have turned down GDS, Maret, and Potomac. Our neighbor has two children -- one went to Sidwell and then NYU, the other to TC and Harvard. You've got some very high-powered students at TC.

But do you know why they turned them down? Was it for economic reasons?

I can't decide what kind of person needs to know the answer to this question. What's the difference why? This poster is making the point that these kids had options and they still chose to attend TC.

If they turned these schools down for economic reasons, does that make them less smart? Or maybe you are guessing that only poor and middle class people attend TC? Do us all a favor and send your kids to private school.

If you can't afford the private school, then its not actually an option now is it.

Burgundy has a $25K price tag per year. That's a big chunk of change for 8 years of school and to be frank if I am investing that kind of money, I expect some kind of return on that in the form of entrance to a top private school. Burgundy seems great but also it is beginning to appear that you pay for an experience and not so much an education. Do the parents feel tapped after 8 years of high tuition and can't pay for private high school? Do parents regret the money they spent on Burgundy and wish they would have applied it towards private school high school tuition. Let's face it, College Admissions are not based on where you went to elementary school.

Actually, PP, college admissions are affected by where you went to elementary school-- not b/c college admissions officers give a hoot about the name of the school, but because kids whose elementary education instill them with love of learning, curiosity and self-confidence tend to thrive wherever they go to high school. That's why so many Burgundy kids go on to great colleges whether they go from Burgundy to TC or from Burgundy to Sidwell. (And I can't imagine where you got the idea that Burgundy kids get "an experience and not an education.") And it it's college admissions you care about, read the many posts in these forums about whether elite private schools help or hurt a given child's chances of admission to an elite college. The weight of the evidence suggests that on the whole, bright kids with educated and supportive parents do as well, if not better, in the college admissions game from public schools such as TC and other big and messy public schools as they do from many elite private schools. (Don't take my word for it: compare the college destinations of Maret's class of '08, for instance, with the college destinations of honors track kids from TC or Wilson. )

[Anonymous]

Excellent post PP - agree 100% - it's sort of funny that our kids are "hoping" for TC (to follow private middle school) - if it seems the right fit. If they aren't motivated/mature enough, then they stay in private for sure - but we are crossing our fingers - all of us. Maybe it is an Alexandria thing.....

[Anonymous]

Many of my daughters' middle school teachers have said the same thing -- if your kid is a self-advocate, motivated, and smart, then TC is a great place to go. If s/he needs extra help (socially or academically), then private high school is better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you take a gamble with negative influences at any of these High Schools - dope smokers at TC - sure - and there are dope smokers at all the privates too (and, for those with teens - go check out their Facebook pages (I was shocked that some pages are open for all to see) and you will be shocked ( DC private school girls (and Ms. Simpson attendees) half naked and pole dancing and writing about BJs at the movie theater.....all the moms were talking about it - these kids have no shame, and I must say it was much worse than I ever imagined.) I'm sure TC kids do the same sort of stuff - it's all about navigation and trusting that your kid won't get caught up in foolish activity that can be blasted across the internet. It's everywhere folks......don't kid yourselves.

Yes, dd was sexually harassed at a private school by a predatory young man who I think has a long career of date rape ahead of him. In some ways, she was safer at her public school where she had less in common with most of her fellow students. Private school is no guarantee that your dc will be safe from negative influences.