Are the private schools such as STA, Sidwell, NCS, Holton, Maret, etc. worth the money?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP -- the 9% rate is the number the DCPS sends to college -- not the graduation rate. 9% is a major embarassment -- I can't believe anyone would try to argue with that. And, it does have something to do with Hardy -- if only 9% of DCPS kids go to college -- the classes at any school won't be as challenging if kids/teachers aren't motivated towards excellence.

My dd took a take-no-prisoners Algebra 1 class at Hardy which I would wager was the equal of any in the city. I don't think you have any idea of what goes on at that school. When dd was there, I dealt with some fine teachers -- some who are better than the teachers she has at private school now. The difference was that the bottom was lower than private school but private school hasn't cornered the market on the best teachers in this city by any means. OP should talk to people whose kids are actually in Hardy now instead of outsiders who are speculating based on incomplete information.

And FWIW, the 9% figure is the percentage of DCPS grads who graduate from college -- so of course class plays a role in that, just as it plays a role in school performance in K-12, a well-established fact. (Try asking a social scientist.) There's a huge difference between middle class kids with college educated parents who can afford to send their kids to school and support them emotionally and financially and kids whose parents never even finished high school -- who do the best they can but don't have the experience, the sense of entitlement, or the extra funds that help keep their kids on the road to graduation.

[Anonymous]

Previous Poster -- let me get out my violin and urge people to move the DCPS argument to the DCPS forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, since you live in Georgetown, AND are coming from London, you should also check out WIS & the British School of Washington, where there is an abundant International community. Both good schools, I might add.

I agree with this suggestion - especially the British school. They use the British curriculum and so there will be less of a transition for your kids. (If you go private).

Sorry, can't help you with the decision about private re public. We had a hard time with this one and then decided on private... DD loves her school but I actually think she would have been happy any where. We are enjoying not having to work so hard on "enrichments". We found ourselves thinking of hiring a nanny to do the after school transporation to various activities and decided against that. So far we are happy, but obviously we will never know if the alternative would have made us just as happy.

I also think you should go on line can check out scores, etc. for your local school... there are large quality differences across the system. Also check out the charter schools. Finally, since the school year has already started, you will not gain entry at this point (the British school is the exception to this).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Previous Poster -- let me get out my violin and urge people to move the DCPS argument to the DCPS forum.

Actually it should be sent to the general schools forum because the OP wanted to know about private versus public. As someone whose child has been to both private and public schools, I thought I could give some feedback based on actual experience about that. I didn't know that it was verboten to discuss public on this thread. If that's the case, maybe posters on the DCPS forum will get upset about feedback on private schools. Best to put it in the general schools forum.

[Anonymous]

OK -- will take suggestion above. I'm original poster and I like the sound of the British School...will check that out. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Yes, the British School is really nice and so are the people. They need a little work on the sports still.

[Anonymous]

The question is fine here. We're in private middle after eight years at DCPS. It's worth it for now, but I've only got one and we may go back to public for Grade 10.

Visit Hardy. It is a beautiful facility. Sports and music: Stoddert Soccer and the Levine School of Music. There are also baseball and basketball leagues. The British School is great at elementary but I hear not as strong in the upper grades.

High school publics: Wilson's got college-prep academies and a solid college placement record. There's also School Without Walls, near GW so a bus ride away. The competition is tough at SWS. Hundreds of applicants from around the city, a group of top students in the junior and senior classes can earn transferrable credits at GW. Check out the website.

[Anonymous]

P.S. Also DC privates are quite competitive, you could apply to four and not be offered a slot!

[Anonymous]

OP, our children, both middle schoolers, went to a good DCPS for elementary school. We were quite happy with the education they received there, and the teachers and parent body were wonderful. We decided to go private for middle because we felt that the academics, sports, and arts programs we could get at a private school were better than what was offered in the publics or charters. And we could afford it. That being said, I hear wonderful things from the many families I know with children starting at Deal this year, and I've actually been inside Hardy's building and think it's great. Washington Latin is also supposed to be very strong. So there are many good options available. I would suggest you check out your local middle school, as well as Deal and maybe one or two charters. Also investigate private schools, including the many recommended on this thread. See where you get in and where your kids would feel comfortable, and then make your choice. And ignore all the vitriol on this board about public versus private. You all will have enough adjusting to do without going through a lot of angst about schools. Welcome!

[Anonymous]

Oh...that's nice pp -- you've presented a balanced picture w/o railing on either public or private.

[Anonymous]

Good advice PP but what charters for middle? I know a number of Latin Eighth Graders who are considering going to Wilson or are applying to Walls, I think there's an ongoing issue with the facility. That said, OP you should do lots of research and also beware that there is a mob mentality about all this. If you are surrounded by families who send their children to private, you're not going to hear the great stories from families whose children go to private. If I had two children instead of one, we would not be in private. The tuition is obscene.

[Anonymous]

OOPS! I meant: If you are surrounded by families who send their children to private, you're not going to hear the great stories from families whose children go to PUBLIC.

[Anonymous]

Yes, OP, steer clear of anyone who takes an extreme position either way. (And they're out there in full force, I can assure you).

[Anonymous]

Good point PP. No one mentioned...and maybe it goes without saying...but it's a good idea to have your children visit different schools. We usually think we know what is best for our kids, but we have to be really careful not to project our hopes/wishes/expectations on them. Good luck with the choice.

Someone earlier had to be 'negative nelly' and mention kids are sometimes shut out and aren't accepted anywhere. That does happen -- but that is why it's good to explore the public/charter options at the same time.

[Anonymous]

OP - Take everything you you read on here with a grain of salt. Only you can answer the question of private schools being worth the money. It depends on what you are looking for. We had kids at a DC private school and public. There are solid options for middle school (Hardy and Deal), and several for high school. You should call each school and schedule a tour to see for yourself. Good luck.