MCPS to Private?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it is hard for some people to believe but there are plenty of average kids who do not have learning disabilities.

Exactly my thought and I have been teaching for almost 2 decades.
Public schools have a guide to follow. Teachers make their own worksheets/ activities. Direct teaching is minimal, and emphasis is on Independent work which does not work for every kid. There is also a lot of pressure on teachers to prepare students for the frequent tests which is not necessarily an exact measure of competency.
OP, find a school that uses good textbooks and transfer your kid there. This way you can know that things are being done in a certain logical way.

With textbook-based instruction, your child may memorize more, but not necessarily be able to apply what they “learned” to new problems or scenarios. There’s also the issue of privates either using very outdated sources or switching to cheap (and sometimes low quality) online textbooks to keep down costs. We’ve done a mix of public and private. I see a clear difference in my daughter’s longtime friends regarding who can develop their own science fair research projects or analyze a never seen before primary source.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it is hard for some people to believe but there are plenty of average kids who do not have learning disabilities.

Exactly my thought and I have been teaching for almost 2 decades.
Public schools have a guide to follow. Teachers make their own worksheets/ activities. Direct teaching is minimal, and emphasis is on Independent work which does not work for every kid. There is also a lot of pressure on teachers to prepare students for the frequent tests which is not necessarily an exact measure of competency.
OP, find a school that uses good textbooks and transfer your kid there. This way you can know that things are being done in a certain logical way.

With textbook-based instruction, your child may memorize more, but not necessarily be able to apply what they “learned” to new problems or scenarios. There’s also the issue of privates either using very outdated sources or switching to cheap (and sometimes low quality) online textbooks to keep down costs. We’ve done a mix of public and private. I see a clear difference in my daughter’s longtime friends regarding who can develop their own science fair research projects or analyze a never seen before primary source.

And you think our public schools are teaching kids better? Give me a break. Public school is busy work on their own 80% of the school day. We were there for 3 years and it was mind numbing. If you go to a decent prep private school, they are fantastic. Much lower ratios, critical thinking, actual quizzes and tests. Book reports. Things returned with actual notes and suggestions instead of a check mark. This is all in lower school. Lots of music, art, recess, PE most days, and so much more science and social studies. They all do study skills starting in 3rd to help with executive functioning. They work well with kids who need a little extra. They facilitate with so many other teachers and resources. My daughter's private, they all created their own boxcars and had a race. They planted and grew flowers and veggies in the greenhouse. They take math lessons outside and play sports with them. They go on nature walks for science. They take a ton of field trips for ah-ha moments for social studies. This was all by 4th grade (her current grade.) . She is so much better off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it is hard for some people to believe but there are plenty of average kids who do not have learning disabilities.

Exactly my thought and I have been teaching for almost 2 decades.
Public schools have a guide to follow. Teachers make their own worksheets/ activities. Direct teaching is minimal, and emphasis is on Independent work which does not work for every kid. There is also a lot of pressure on teachers to prepare students for the frequent tests which is not necessarily an exact measure of competency.
OP, find a school that uses good textbooks and transfer your kid there. This way you can know that things are being done in a certain logical way.

With textbook-based instruction, your child may memorize more, but not necessarily be able to apply what they “learned” to new problems or scenarios. There’s also the issue of privates either using very outdated sources or switching to cheap (and sometimes low quality) online textbooks to keep down costs. We’ve done a mix of public and private. I see a clear difference in my daughter’s longtime friends regarding who can develop their own science fair research projects or analyze a never seen before primary source.

And you think our public schools are teaching kids better? Give me a break. Public school is busy work on their own 80% of the school day. We were there for 3 years and it was mind numbing. If you go to a decent prep private school, they are fantastic. Much lower ratios, critical thinking, actual quizzes and tests. Book reports. Things returned with actual notes and suggestions instead of a check mark. This is all in lower school. Lots of music, art, recess, PE most days, and so much more science and social studies. They all do study skills starting in 3rd to help with executive functioning. They work well with kids who need a little extra. They facilitate with so many other teachers and resources. My daughter's private, they all created their own boxcars and had a race. They planted and grew flowers and veggies in the greenhouse. They take math lessons outside and play sports with them. They go on nature walks for science. They take a ton of field trips for ah-ha moments for social studies. This was all by 4th grade (her current grade.) . She is so much better off.

I love these posts. I am glad you are happy with your private and feel you get value from your tuition but next time take 'actual quizzes and tests' off is a reason to switch to private? Focus on your greenhouse! It sounds more unusual. My kids grew flowers on a window sill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it is hard for some people to believe but there are plenty of average kids who do not have learning disabilities.

Exactly my thought and I have been teaching for almost 2 decades.
Public schools have a guide to follow. Teachers make their own worksheets/ activities. Direct teaching is minimal, and emphasis is on Independent work which does not work for every kid. There is also a lot of pressure on teachers to prepare students for the frequent tests which is not necessarily an exact measure of competency.
OP, find a school that uses good textbooks and transfer your kid there. This way you can know that things are being done in a certain logical way.

With textbook-based instruction, your child may memorize more, but not necessarily be able to apply what they “learned” to new problems or scenarios. There’s also the issue of privates either using very outdated sources or switching to cheap (and sometimes low quality) online textbooks to keep down costs. We’ve done a mix of public and private. I see a clear difference in my daughter’s longtime friends regarding who can develop their own science fair research projects or analyze a never seen before primary source.

And you think our public schools are teaching kids better? Give me a break. Public school is busy work on their own 80% of the school day. We were there for 3 years and it was mind numbing. If you go to a decent prep private school, they are fantastic. Much lower ratios, critical thinking, actual quizzes and tests. Book reports. Things returned with actual notes and suggestions instead of a check mark. This is all in lower school. Lots of music, art, recess, PE most days, and so much more science and social studies. They all do study skills starting in 3rd to help with executive functioning. They work well with kids who need a little extra. They facilitate with so many other teachers and resources. My daughter's private, they all created their own boxcars and had a race. They planted and grew flowers and veggies in the greenhouse. They take math lessons outside and play sports with them. They go on nature walks for science. They take a ton of field trips for ah-ha moments for social studies. This was all by 4th grade (her current grade.) . She is so much better off.

Plenty of publics have book reports, actual notes on classwork, lessons outside, projects like that boxcar creation, etc. Ours certainly does.

[Anonymous]

I would echo the idea you test for learning disabilities. If you daughter seems like she is more intelligent than her test/school performance suggests... it is possible she is doing her best to work through a learning disability. As you have seen from the comments, some people are really unkind and will mischaracterize your efforts to help your daughter. In my experience, MCPS is not great at catching LD... you have to be really proactive. I hope everything works out. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it is hard for some people to believe but there are plenty of average kids who do not have learning disabilities.

Exactly my thought and I have been teaching for almost 2 decades.
Public schools have a guide to follow. Teachers make their own worksheets/ activities. Direct teaching is minimal, and emphasis is on Independent work which does not work for every kid. There is also a lot of pressure on teachers to prepare students for the frequent tests which is not necessarily an exact measure of competency.
OP, find a school that uses good textbooks and transfer your kid there. This way you can know that things are being done in a certain logical way.

With textbook-based instruction, your child may memorize more, but not necessarily be able to apply what they “learned” to new problems or scenarios. There’s also the issue of privates either using very outdated sources or switching to cheap (and sometimes low quality) online textbooks to keep down costs. We’ve done a mix of public and private. I see a clear difference in my daughter’s longtime friends regarding who can develop their own science fair research projects or analyze a never seen before primary source.

And you think our public schools are teaching kids better? Give me a break. Public school is busy work on their own 80% of the school day. We were there for 3 years and it was mind numbing. If you go to a decent prep private school, they are fantastic. Much lower ratios, critical thinking, actual quizzes and tests. Book reports. Things returned with actual notes and suggestions instead of a check mark. This is all in lower school. Lots of music, art, recess, PE most days, and so much more science and social studies. They all do study skills starting in 3rd to help with executive functioning. They work well with kids who need a little extra. They facilitate with so many other teachers and resources. My daughter's private, they all created their own boxcars and had a race. They planted and grew flowers and veggies in the greenhouse. They take math lessons outside and play sports with them. They go on nature walks for science. They take a ton of field trips for ah-ha moments for social studies. This was all by 4th grade (her current grade.) . She is so much better off.

Plenty of publics have book reports, actual notes on classwork, lessons outside, projects like that boxcar creation, etc. Ours certainly does.

Lucky for you. We are in MCPS and ours was in school from K-2nd and not one class outside. Not even PE. Always inside the gym. Recess for 25min was the only outside time they had. My step daughter is still in public in 5th and has never once had a quiz, test, spelling b, book report, and definitely not making wooden box cars they drive outside on their own. And she has yet to step a foot outside for PE or any other part of a class. Maybe it is just our 2 schools, but we hear the same thing from all the other families in MCPS. Tons of busy work and screen time in our publics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it is hard for some people to believe but there are plenty of average kids who do not have learning disabilities.

Exactly my thought and I have been teaching for almost 2 decades.
Public schools have a guide to follow. Teachers make their own worksheets/ activities. Direct teaching is minimal, and emphasis is on Independent work which does not work for every kid. There is also a lot of pressure on teachers to prepare students for the frequent tests which is not necessarily an exact measure of competency.
OP, find a school that uses good textbooks and transfer your kid there. This way you can know that things are being done in a certain logical way.

With textbook-based instruction, your child may memorize more, but not necessarily be able to apply what they “learned” to new problems or scenarios. There’s also the issue of privates either using very outdated sources or switching to cheap (and sometimes low quality) online textbooks to keep down costs. We’ve done a mix of public and private. I see a clear difference in my daughter’s longtime friends regarding who can develop their own science fair research projects or analyze a never seen before primary source.

And you think our public schools are teaching kids better? Give me a break. Public school is busy work on their own 80% of the school day. We were there for 3 years and it was mind numbing. If you go to a decent prep private school, they are fantastic. Much lower ratios, critical thinking, actual quizzes and tests. Book reports. Things returned with actual notes and suggestions instead of a check mark. This is all in lower school. Lots of music, art, recess, PE most days, and so much more science and social studies. They all do study skills starting in 3rd to help with executive functioning. They work well with kids who need a little extra. They facilitate with so many other teachers and resources. My daughter's private, they all created their own boxcars and had a race. They planted and grew flowers and veggies in the greenhouse. They take math lessons outside and play sports with them. They go on nature walks for science. They take a ton of field trips for ah-ha moments for social studies. This was all by 4th grade (her current grade.) . She is so much better off.

Plenty of publics have book reports, actual notes on classwork, lessons outside, projects like that boxcar creation, etc. Ours certainly does.

Lucky for you. We are in MCPS and ours was in school from K-2nd and not one class outside. Not even PE. Always inside the gym. Recess for 25min was the only outside time they had. My step daughter is still in public in 5th and has never once had a quiz, test, spelling b, book report, and definitely not making wooden box cars they drive outside on their own. And she has yet to step a foot outside for PE or any other part of a class. Maybe it is just our 2 schools, but we hear the same thing from all the other families in MCPS. Tons of busy work and screen time in our publics.

Not a single math test?? We are MCPS (non-W) and have math and spelling tests, a courtyard used for outdoor lessons, book reports and outdoor PE (though only 1 time per week). I know some families would prefer less testing but I have never heard of none.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should move to private and also get some support at home through tutoring etc for a few years. MCPS is not a great place to be in right now. I would move back to a MCPS at HS level after getting a good foundation at an academic rigorous private.

- long time MCPS parent.

“Academically rigorous lower schools private school”

Haha, yeah right. And I say this as someone who never bothered to have her two youngest start private school in K like the oldest in a k-12. Total joke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it is hard for some people to believe but there are plenty of average kids who do not have learning disabilities.

Exactly my thought and I have been teaching for almost 2 decades.
Public schools have a guide to follow. Teachers make their own worksheets/ activities. Direct teaching is minimal, and emphasis is on Independent work which does not work for every kid. There is also a lot of pressure on teachers to prepare students for the frequent tests which is not necessarily an exact measure of competency.
OP, find a school that uses good textbooks and transfer your kid there. This way you can know that things are being done in a certain logical way.

With textbook-based instruction, your child may memorize more, but not necessarily be able to apply what they “learned” to new problems or scenarios. There’s also the issue of privates either using very outdated sources or switching to cheap (and sometimes low quality) online textbooks to keep down costs. We’ve done a mix of public and private. I see a clear difference in my daughter’s longtime friends regarding who can develop their own science fair research projects or analyze a never seen before primary source.

And you think our public schools are teaching kids better? Give me a break. Public school is busy work on their own 80% of the school day. We were there for 3 years and it was mind numbing. If you go to a decent prep private school, they are fantastic. Much lower ratios, critical thinking, actual quizzes and tests. Book reports. Things returned with actual notes and suggestions instead of a check mark. This is all in lower school. Lots of music, art, recess, PE most days, and so much more science and social studies. They all do study skills starting in 3rd to help with executive functioning. They work well with kids who need a little extra. They facilitate with so many other teachers and resources. My daughter's private, they all created their own boxcars and had a race. They planted and grew flowers and veggies in the greenhouse. They take math lessons outside and play sports with them. They go on nature walks for science. They take a ton of field trips for ah-ha moments for social studies. This was all by 4th grade (her current grade.) . She is so much better off.

Plenty of publics have book reports, actual notes on classwork, lessons outside, projects like that boxcar creation, etc. Ours certainly does.

Lucky for you. We are in MCPS and ours was in school from K-2nd and not one class outside. Not even PE. Always inside the gym. Recess for 25min was the only outside time they had. My step daughter is still in public in 5th and has never once had a quiz, test, spelling b, book report, and definitely not making wooden box cars they drive outside on their own. And she has yet to step a foot outside for PE or any other part of a class. Maybe it is just our 2 schools, but we hear the same thing from all the other families in MCPS. Tons of busy work and screen time in our publics.

Not a single math test?? We are MCPS (non-W) and have math and spelling tests, a courtyard used for outdoor lessons, book reports and outdoor PE (though only 1 time per week). I know some families would prefer less testing but I have never heard of none.

We are also in MCPS. An MCPS fifth grader has never had a quiz or book report? WTF?

Our teachers do lessons outside. Nature hunts etc. for the littlest ones and outdoor lessons for the older.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it is hard for some people to believe but there are plenty of average kids who do not have learning disabilities.

Exactly my thought and I have been teaching for almost 2 decades.
Public schools have a guide to follow. Teachers make their own worksheets/ activities. Direct teaching is minimal, and emphasis is on Independent work which does not work for every kid. There is also a lot of pressure on teachers to prepare students for the frequent tests which is not necessarily an exact measure of competency.
OP, find a school that uses good textbooks and transfer your kid there. This way you can know that things are being done in a certain logical way.

With textbook-based instruction, your child may memorize more, but not necessarily be able to apply what they “learned” to new problems or scenarios. There’s also the issue of privates either using very outdated sources or switching to cheap (and sometimes low quality) online textbooks to keep down costs. We’ve done a mix of public and private. I see a clear difference in my daughter’s longtime friends regarding who can develop their own science fair research projects or analyze a never seen before primary source.

And you think our public schools are teaching kids better? Give me a break. Public school is busy work on their own 80% of the school day. We were there for 3 years and it was mind numbing. If you go to a decent prep private school, they are fantastic. Much lower ratios, critical thinking, actual quizzes and tests. Book reports. Things returned with actual notes and suggestions instead of a check mark. This is all in lower school. Lots of music, art, recess, PE most days, and so much more science and social studies. They all do study skills starting in 3rd to help with executive functioning. They work well with kids who need a little extra. They facilitate with so many other teachers and resources. My daughter's private, they all created their own boxcars and had a race. They planted and grew flowers and veggies in the greenhouse. They take math lessons outside and play sports with them. They go on nature walks for science. They take a ton of field trips for ah-ha moments for social studies. This was all by 4th grade (her current grade.) . She is so much better off.

Because, don’t you know, private schools have absolutely more of every subject while simultaneously going to school fewer days a year with less qualified teachers. It’s a super magic trick.

I’ve worked at both. Some of what you are describing is window dressing, some are cool projects that are done in the time that publics spend on reading and math, and some is just entertainment. But you’re right, money buys a lot of field trips. In the end, you may be surprised to see that similar students end up with similar educations wherever they go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it is hard for some people to believe but there are plenty of average kids who do not have learning disabilities.

Exactly my thought and I have been teaching for almost 2 decades.
Public schools have a guide to follow. Teachers make their own worksheets/ activities. Direct teaching is minimal, and emphasis is on Independent work which does not work for every kid. There is also a lot of pressure on teachers to prepare students for the frequent tests which is not necessarily an exact measure of competency.
OP, find a school that uses good textbooks and transfer your kid there. This way you can know that things are being done in a certain logical way.

With textbook-based instruction, your child may memorize more, but not necessarily be able to apply what they “learned” to new problems or scenarios. There’s also the issue of privates either using very outdated sources or switching to cheap (and sometimes low quality) online textbooks to keep down costs. We’ve done a mix of public and private. I see a clear difference in my daughter’s longtime friends regarding who can develop their own science fair research projects or analyze a never seen before primary source.

And you think our public schools are teaching kids better? Give me a break. Public school is busy work on their own 80% of the school day. We were there for 3 years and it was mind numbing. If you go to a decent prep private school, they are fantastic. Much lower ratios, critical thinking, actual quizzes and tests. Book reports. Things returned with actual notes and suggestions instead of a check mark. This is all in lower school. Lots of music, art, recess, PE most days, and so much more science and social studies. They all do study skills starting in 3rd to help with executive functioning. They work well with kids who need a little extra. They facilitate with so many other teachers and resources. My daughter's private, they all created their own boxcars and had a race. They planted and grew flowers and veggies in the greenhouse. They take math lessons outside and play sports with them. They go on nature walks for science. They take a ton of field trips for ah-ha moments for social studies. This was all by 4th grade (her current grade.) . She is so much better off.

Because, don’t you know, private schools have absolutely more of every subject while simultaneously going to school fewer days a year with less qualified teachers. It’s a super magic trick.

I’ve worked at both. Some of what you are describing is window dressing, some are cool projects that are done in the time that publics spend on reading and math, and some is just entertainment. But you’re right, money buys a lot of field trips. In the end, you may be surprised to see that similar students end up with similar educations wherever they go.

This. There are some fabulous private schools out there. But there are MANY mediocre ones too.

Same with public. There is no perfect school.

There are, however, wealthier educated families that have resources to provide to their children. And those kids tend to do well everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it is hard for some people to believe but there are plenty of average kids who do not have learning disabilities.

Exactly my thought and I have been teaching for almost 2 decades.
Public schools have a guide to follow. Teachers make their own worksheets/ activities. Direct teaching is minimal, and emphasis is on Independent work which does not work for every kid. There is also a lot of pressure on teachers to prepare students for the frequent tests which is not necessarily an exact measure of competency.
OP, find a school that uses good textbooks and transfer your kid there. This way you can know that things are being done in a certain logical way.

With textbook-based instruction, your child may memorize more, but not necessarily be able to apply what they “learned” to new problems or scenarios. There’s also the issue of privates either using very outdated sources or switching to cheap (and sometimes low quality) online textbooks to keep down costs. We’ve done a mix of public and private. I see a clear difference in my daughter’s longtime friends regarding who can develop their own science fair research projects or analyze a never seen before primary source.

And you think our public schools are teaching kids better? Give me a break. Public school is busy work on their own 80% of the school day. We were there for 3 years and it was mind numbing. If you go to a decent prep private school, they are fantastic. Much lower ratios, critical thinking, actual quizzes and tests. Book reports. Things returned with actual notes and suggestions instead of a check mark. This is all in lower school. Lots of music, art, recess, PE most days, and so much more science and social studies. They all do study skills starting in 3rd to help with executive functioning. They work well with kids who need a little extra. They facilitate with so many other teachers and resources. My daughter's private, they all created their own boxcars and had a race. They planted and grew flowers and veggies in the greenhouse. They take math lessons outside and play sports with them. They go on nature walks for science. They take a ton of field trips for ah-ha moments for social studies. This was all by 4th grade (her current grade.) . She is so much better off.

Because, don’t you know, private schools have absolutely more of every subject while simultaneously going to school fewer days a year with less qualified teachers. It’s a super magic trick.

I’ve worked at both. Some of what you are describing is window dressing, some are cool projects that are done in the time that publics spend on reading and math, and some is just entertainment. But you’re right, money buys a lot of field trips. In the end, you may be surprised to see that similar students end up with similar educations wherever they go.

This. There are some fabulous private schools out there. But there are MANY mediocre ones too.

Same with public. There is no perfect school.

There are, however, wealthier educated families that have resources to provide to their children. And those kids tend to do well everywhere.

It is not a magic trick. They don't have to waste one iota of time on testing. That frees up A LOT of time for more specials, more in depth work with faculty and of course, class size. 12-15 kids and two teachers in the lower grades means far more individual attention and ability to extend learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it is hard for some people to believe but there are plenty of average kids who do not have learning disabilities.

Exactly my thought and I have been teaching for almost 2 decades.
Public schools have a guide to follow. Teachers make their own worksheets/ activities. Direct teaching is minimal, and emphasis is on Independent work which does not work for every kid. There is also a lot of pressure on teachers to prepare students for the frequent tests which is not necessarily an exact measure of competency.
OP, find a school that uses good textbooks and transfer your kid there. This way you can know that things are being done in a certain logical way.

With textbook-based instruction, your child may memorize more, but not necessarily be able to apply what they “learned” to new problems or scenarios. There’s also the issue of privates either using very outdated sources or switching to cheap (and sometimes low quality) online textbooks to keep down costs. We’ve done a mix of public and private. I see a clear difference in my daughter’s longtime friends regarding who can develop their own science fair research projects or analyze a never seen before primary source.

And you think our public schools are teaching kids better? Give me a break. Public school is busy work on their own 80% of the school day. We were there for 3 years and it was mind numbing. If you go to a decent prep private school, they are fantastic. Much lower ratios, critical thinking, actual quizzes and tests. Book reports. Things returned with actual notes and suggestions instead of a check mark. This is all in lower school. Lots of music, art, recess, PE most days, and so much more science and social studies. They all do study skills starting in 3rd to help with executive functioning. They work well with kids who need a little extra. They facilitate with so many other teachers and resources. My daughter's private, they all created their own boxcars and had a race. They planted and grew flowers and veggies in the greenhouse. They take math lessons outside and play sports with them. They go on nature walks for science. They take a ton of field trips for ah-ha moments for social studies. This was all by 4th grade (her current grade.) . She is so much better off.

Because, don’t you know, private schools have absolutely more of every subject while simultaneously going to school fewer days a year with less qualified teachers. It’s a super magic trick.

I’ve worked at both. Some of what you are describing is window dressing, some are cool projects that are done in the time that publics spend on reading and math, and some is just entertainment. But you’re right, money buys a lot of field trips. In the end, you may be surprised to see that similar students end up with similar educations wherever they go.

This. There are some fabulous private schools out there. But there are MANY mediocre ones too.

Same with public. There is no perfect school.

There are, however, wealthier educated families that have resources to provide to their children. And those kids tend to do well everywhere.

It is not a magic trick. They don't have to waste one iota of time on testing. That frees up A LOT of time for more specials, more in depth work with faculty and of course, class size. 12-15 kids and two teachers in the lower grades means far more individual attention and ability to extend learning.

Hypothetically.
I can speak about roughly 25 DMV schools both public and private as a parent, teacher, and former student (all three in both public and private). They are all over the map.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it is hard for some people to believe but there are plenty of average kids who do not have learning disabilities.

Exactly my thought and I have been teaching for almost 2 decades.
Public schools have a guide to follow. Teachers make their own worksheets/ activities. Direct teaching is minimal, and emphasis is on Independent work which does not work for every kid. There is also a lot of pressure on teachers to prepare students for the frequent tests which is not necessarily an exact measure of competency.
OP, find a school that uses good textbooks and transfer your kid there. This way you can know that things are being done in a certain logical way.

With textbook-based instruction, your child may memorize more, but not necessarily be able to apply what they “learned” to new problems or scenarios. There’s also the issue of privates either using very outdated sources or switching to cheap (and sometimes low quality) online textbooks to keep down costs. We’ve done a mix of public and private. I see a clear difference in my daughter’s longtime friends regarding who can develop their own science fair research projects or analyze a never seen before primary source.

And you think our public schools are teaching kids better? Give me a break. Public school is busy work on their own 80% of the school day. We were there for 3 years and it was mind numbing. If you go to a decent prep private school, they are fantastic. Much lower ratios, critical thinking, actual quizzes and tests. Book reports. Things returned with actual notes and suggestions instead of a check mark. This is all in lower school. Lots of music, art, recess, PE most days, and so much more science and social studies. They all do study skills starting in 3rd to help with executive functioning. They work well with kids who need a little extra. They facilitate with so many other teachers and resources. My daughter's private, they all created their own boxcars and had a race. They planted and grew flowers and veggies in the greenhouse. They take math lessons outside and play sports with them. They go on nature walks for science. They take a ton of field trips for ah-ha moments for social studies. This was all by 4th grade (her current grade.) . She is so much better off.

Plenty of publics have book reports, actual notes on classwork, lessons outside, projects like that boxcar creation, etc. Ours certainly does.

Lucky for you. We are in MCPS and ours was in school from K-2nd and not one class outside. Not even PE. Always inside the gym. Recess for 25min was the only outside time they had. My step daughter is still in public in 5th and has never once had a quiz, test, spelling b, book report, and definitely not making wooden box cars they drive outside on their own. And she has yet to step a foot outside for PE or any other part of a class. Maybe it is just our 2 schools, but we hear the same thing from all the other families in MCPS. Tons of busy work and screen time in our publics.

Not a single math test?? We are MCPS (non-W) and have math and spelling tests, a courtyard used for outdoor lessons, book reports and outdoor PE (though only 1 time per week). I know some families would prefer less testing but I have never heard of none.

No the PP, but my daughter is in 5th grade and has never had a spelling list or spelling test in her 6 years at MCPS. She had her very first math quiz just last week. We don't have a courtyard, PE is only in the gym. We actually complained about that at a PTA meeting and it was not resolved. She has never had to read a book at home and definitely has never had a book report due. She gets one sheet of math homework a night. That is it. Reading groups are barely met. She types a lot of stuff on chromebooks and google docs. Math (compacted) uses a lot of apps and online work. Pretty annoying. I guess it depends on the school.

[Anonymous]

Attend some open houses and see if it is a good fit. We love Sandy Spring Friends School and there are busses from down county areas.