Is private school REALLY different than public school??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a longtime primary grade teacher in MCPS and I am looking for a "different" experience for my son for kindergarten next year. Different meaning something more developmentally appropriate--more play, maybe rest/quiet time for a few minutes in the afternoon, less "rigor". I LOVE my job, but just know that if I can afford it, I'd like something different for my kids. (Do I wish that I could change the system for all the kids in public school? Sure! But nobody is asking me what I think!)

So...are private schools any different in the younger grades? Or is there a lot of academic push there too? We are definitely planning to do the open houses this fall but just curious what the general thought about it is here.

Yes definitely different. One major way is the studio to teacher ratio. Many public schools have 30 children with one teacher. Privates have a lower ratio and can break up into groups. Public school has a much larger range generally speaking of academic abilities and behavioral abilities and this makes it challenging at times to teach. Not saying these are not at privates but not nearly as many students falling into this category. Many other differences I can't elaborate on.

Where is this true?

Most public schools have close to 30 kids per class after 2nd grade; some high school classes exceed that number.

Not around here.

[Anonymous]

My DA just entered a big 3 for sixth grade coming from a MCPS highly gifted center. We are shocked at the difference. He has
Learned more in that's few weeks than he did all last year. Small class size and creative teaching methods are very different. So happy we switched. There is LOTs of home work but somehow it is a less stressful environment overall. He feels welcomed and supported. We are impressed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are old money then you prob live in an area that has a highly rated public school. I think the best publics are better than some of the privates in other areas. I find these boards to be the haves talking about the have mores. The reason my kids are at a Big 3 is because I grew up in an area where the public is rated a 1. I didn't even realize public schools could be so affluent. If I had known I would have been fine sending them to public but since we got into private and I can now afford it then it's a mute point. I hope I'm getting something more for my money than just a class of entitled kids. Our kids love school and they are doing well. That's all I can ask for. But if we had to stress over the tuition then I think public in Moco is fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only people I know who were born upper middle or above who love public are Jewish people who like the idea of public.

16:22 here. This just proves that you don't know many old money types, besides maybe the handful in your private school. I mentioned that my family is old money--names on plaques for things they donated (not going to put myself by saying what)--and my kids went to public high school after private elementary. Pre-Mayflower WASP.

Here's my definition of "nouveau riche": among other things, likes to pontificate online about how rich people think public school is "horrid."

Meh, I went to one of the best public achools in the country in a town that is home to a big 3 Ivy. Today's public schools are nothing like what they were a decade or two before no child left behind, etc. . . Teacher's have no choice but to teach to the bevy of tests forced upon kids today, and because of the county system, even schools in the wealthiest areas have about a third of the "specials" they had a few decades ago. Not arguing with the funding system, the Title 1 schools deserve the most resources.

Public schools are not what they were, even in affluent areas. No one wants to say anything because school quality and property values are so closely linked. The FCPS of today is nothing like it was 15 or 20 years ago. And it's not testing or Title 1 - it's the burden of immigration and ESOL.

Test anxiety has invaded private schools too. In private my kids had to do ERBs every year, and several days were usually lost to this. When the results came out there was always anxiety about how your kid did relative to the school, and how the school did relative to various national peer groups. Parents whose kids did worse than the rest of the class blamed the teachers for not paying enough attention to their snowflake--that was a real thing at our school. There was pride in the school's performance--and a determination to keep performance up. I strongly suspect there was at least some teaching to the ERBs.

In public there are also tests every spring. These waste several days and are accompanied by silliness like rallies. However, if your kid is in a challenging program or even a magnet, there's no teaching to the test necessary. Teaching to the test plagues kids in the honors (honors isn't what it used to be) and regular classes. The one area where there really is a lot of testing in public is the APs. Public school kids tend to take many more APs than private school kids (more APs are offered and public school kids applying to competitive colleges feel a need to prove that A in Chem was earned and not a fluke of easy grading). The AP classes are most definitely taught to the test, and that can restrict teachers' latitude.

And to the PP who doesn't give a sh!t: I put how my ancestors got here in response to the near-anti-Semitism in the post immediately before mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are old money then you prob live in an area that has a highly rated public school. I think the best publics are better than some of the privates in other areas. I find these boards to be the haves talking about the have mores. The reason my kids are at a Big 3 is because I grew up in an area where the public is rated a 1. I didn't even realize public schools could be so affluent. If I had known I would have been fine sending them to public but since we got into private and I can now afford it then it's a mute point. I hope I'm getting something more for my money than just a class of entitled kids. Our kids love school and they are doing well. That's all I can ask for. But if we had to stress over the tuition then I think public in Moco is fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only people I know who were born upper middle or above who love public are Jewish people who like the idea of public.

16:22 here. This just proves that you don't know many old money types, besides maybe the handful in your private school. I mentioned that my family is old money--names on plaques for things they donated (not going to put myself by saying what)--and my kids went to public high school after private elementary. Pre-Mayflower WASP.

Here's my definition of "nouveau riche": among other things, likes to pontificate online about how rich people think public school is "horrid."

Meh, I went to one of the best public achools in the country in a town that is home to a big 3 Ivy. Today's public schools are nothing like what they were a decade or two before no child left behind, etc. . . Teacher's have no choice but to teach to the bevy of tests forced upon kids today, and because of the county system, even schools in the wealthiest areas have about a third of the "specials" they had a few decades ago. Not arguing with the funding system, the Title 1 schools deserve the most resources.

Public schools are not what they were, even in affluent areas. No one wants to say anything because school quality and property values are so closely linked. The FCPS of today is nothing like it was 15 or 20 years ago. And it's not testing or Title 1 - it's the burden of immigration and ESOL.

Test anxiety has invaded private schools too. In private my kids had to do ERBs every year, and several days were usually lost to this. When the results came out there was always anxiety about how your kid did relative to the school, and how the school did relative to various national peer groups. Parents whose kids did worse than the rest of the class blamed the teachers for not paying enough attention to their snowflake--that was a real thing at our school. There was pride in the school's performance--and a determination to keep performance up. I strongly suspect there was at least some teaching to the ERBs.

In public there are also tests every spring. These waste several days and are accompanied by silliness like rallies. However, if your kid is in a challenging program or even a magnet, there's no teaching to the test necessary. Teaching to the test plagues kids in the honors (honors isn't what it used to be) and regular classes. The one area where there really is a lot of testing in public is the APs. Public school kids tend to take many more APs than private school kids (more APs are offered and public school kids applying to competitive colleges feel a need to prove that A in Chem was earned and not a fluke of easy grading). The AP classes are most definitely taught to the test, and that can restrict teachers' latitude.

And to the PP who doesn't give a sh!t: I put how my ancestors got here in response to the near-anti-Semitism in the post immediately before mine.

What's an ERB?

[Anonymous]

Just my two cents - my son with severe ADHD and slow processing speed was much better off with an IEP in public school than in private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a longtime primary grade teacher in MCPS and I am looking for a "different" experience for my son for kindergarten next year. Different meaning something more developmentally appropriate--more play, maybe rest/quiet time for a few minutes in the afternoon, less "rigor". I LOVE my job, but just know that if I can afford it, I'd like something different for my kids. (Do I wish that I could change the system for all the kids in public school? Sure! But nobody is asking me what I think!)

So...are private schools any different in the younger grades? Or is there a lot of academic push there too? We are definitely planning to do the open houses this fall but just curious what the general thought about it is here.

Yes definitely different. One major way is the studio to teacher ratio. Many public schools have 30 children with one teacher. Privates have a lower ratio and can break up into groups. Public school has a much larger range generally speaking of academic abilities and behavioral abilities and this makes it challenging at times to teach. Not saying these are not at privates but not nearly as many students falling into this category. Many other differences I can't elaborate on.

Where is this true?

This is true throughout MoCo unless you send your kid to a TitleI (aka Focus School).
Most public schools have close to 30 kids per class after 2nd grade; some high school classes exceed that number.

Not around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a class thing OP. If you come from the upper middle class or above, it would be horrid to send your kid to a public school. If you are an upward bound striver, then you will aim for a "good" public school in the white suburbs.

\

This couldn't be more wrong.

Haha, +1. Top poster doesn't understand the US class system at all.

I don't know... They make a pretty solid argument.

I come from an old money DC family. Went to a big 3. Kids going public (granted MoCo, not DC). Couldn't stand the parents, frankly, and the neighborhood feel of the school is awesome and something I really missed as a kid.

It's strange. I'm always surprised by how many MoCo families send their kids to the big 3.

That's because under Leggett, our school system is going down the toilet. Term limits now!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Just my two cents - my son with severe ADHD and slow processing speed was much better off with an IEP in public school than in private.

That all depends on which private you were in. A public school is kind of like a big box store vs. a boutique store (private school). You can pick the private that serves the needs of your child. Now, it may be that your child's needs demand more than most privates can and want to offer. But there are some schools out there that specialize in this type of student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes it is different. It is elite and many people seem fearful of using that word anymore.

Yes and no. The families clearly value education, which can be seen as elite, I guess. But I found my kids' private schools (different ones) to be much more diverse ethnically and economically than our Bethesda public school.

[Anonymous]

I find it strange how many people thinkit's relevant to define themselves as old money as a badge of pride, unless it is the same poster who just interjects it constantly.

I

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a class thing OP. If you come from the upper middle class or above, it would be horrid to send your kid to a public school. If you are an upward bound striver, then you will aim for a "good" public school in the white suburbs.

\

This couldn't be more wrong.

Haha, +1. Top poster doesn't understand the US class system at all.

I don't know... They make a pretty solid argument.

I come from an old money DC family. Went to a big 3. Kids going public (granted MoCo, not DC). Couldn't stand the parents, frankly, and the neighborhood feel of the school is awesome and something I really missed as a kid.

It's strange. I'm always surprised by how many MoCo families send their kids to the big 3.

That's because under Leggett, our school system is going down the toilet. Term limits now!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a longtime primary grade teacher in MCPS and I am looking for a "different" experience for my son for kindergarten next year. Different meaning something more developmentally appropriate--more play, maybe rest/quiet time for a few minutes in the afternoon, less "rigor". I LOVE my job, but just know that if I can afford it, I'd like something different for my kids. (Do I wish that I could change the system for all the kids in public school? Sure! But nobody is asking me what I think!)

So...are private schools any different in the younger grades? Or is there a lot of academic push there too? We are definitely planning to do the open houses this fall but just curious what the general thought about it is here.

Yes definitely different. One major way is the studio to teacher ratio. Many public schools have 30 children with one teacher. Privates have a lower ratio and can break up into groups. Public school has a much larger range generally speaking of academic abilities and behavioral abilities and this makes it challenging at times to teach. Not saying these are not at privates but not nearly as many students falling into this category. Many other differences I can't elaborate on.

Where is this true?

This is true for MCPS - most of the "highly sought after" W schools are this size in elementary.

Most public schools have close to 30 kids per class after 2nd grade; some high school classes exceed that number.

Not around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a longtime primary grade teacher in MCPS and I am looking for a "different" experience for my son for kindergarten next year. Different meaning something more developmentally appropriate--more play, maybe rest/quiet time for a few minutes in the afternoon, less "rigor". I LOVE my job, but just know that if I can afford it, I'd like something different for my kids. (Do I wish that I could change the system for all the kids in public school? Sure! But nobody is asking me what I think!)

So...are private schools any different in the younger grades? Or is there a lot of academic push there too? We are definitely planning to do the open houses this fall but just curious what the general thought about it is here.

Yes definitely different. One major way is the studio to teacher ratio. Many public schools have 30 children with one teacher. Privates have a lower ratio and can break up into groups. Public school has a much larger range generally speaking of academic abilities and behavioral abilities and this makes it challenging at times to teach. Not saying these are not at privates but not nearly as many students falling into this category. Many other differences I can't elaborate on.

Where is this true?

Most public schools have close to 30 kids per class after 2nd grade; some high school classes exceed that number.

Not around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a longtime primary grade teacher in MCPS and I am looking for a "different" experience for my son for kindergarten next year. Different meaning something more developmentally appropriate--more play, maybe rest/quiet time for a few minutes in the afternoon, less "rigor". I LOVE my job, but just know that if I can afford it, I'd like something different for my kids. (Do I wish that I could change the system for all the kids in public school? Sure! But nobody is asking me what I think!)

So...are private schools any different in the younger grades? Or is there a lot of academic push there too? We are definitely planning to do the open houses this fall but just curious what the general thought about it is here.

Yes definitely different. One major way is the studio to teacher ratio. Many public schools have 30 children with one teacher. Privates have a lower ratio and can break up into groups. Public school has a much larger range generally speaking of academic abilities and behavioral abilities and this makes it challenging at times to teach. Not saying these are not at privates but not nearly as many students falling into this category. Many other differences I can't elaborate on.

Where is this true?

Most public schools have close to 30 kids per class after 2nd grade; some high school classes exceed that number.

Not around here.

Definitely true in MCPS, especially in the "highly sought after" Bethesda clusters that are very over crowded. Aides are nonexistent, student teacher ratios are horrible, and with all the other obligations and needs teachers must meet, it's tough in a classroom for the younger kids. Many are leaving simply because of the class sizes right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are old money then you prob live in an area that has a highly rated public school. I think the best publics are better than some of the privates in other areas. I find these boards to be the haves talking about the have mores. The reason my kids are at a Big 3 is because I grew up in an area where the public is rated a 1. I didn't even realize public schools could be so affluent. If I had known I would have been fine sending them to public but since we got into private and I can now afford it then it's a mute point. I hope I'm getting something more for my money than just a class of entitled kids. Our kids love school and they are doing well. That's all I can ask for. But if we had to stress over the tuition then I think public in Moco is fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only people I know who were born upper middle or above who love public are Jewish people who like the idea of public.

16:22 here. This just proves that you don't know many old money types, besides maybe the handful in your private school. I mentioned that my family is old money--names on plaques for things they donated (not going to put myself by saying what)--and my kids went to public high school after private elementary. Pre-Mayflower WASP.

Here's my definition of "nouveau riche": among other things, likes to pontificate online about how rich people think public school is "horrid."

Meh, I went to one of the best public achools in the country in a town that is home to a big 3 Ivy. Today's public schools are nothing like what they were a decade or two before no child left behind, etc. . . Teacher's have no choice but to teach to the bevy of tests forced upon kids today, and because of the county system, even schools in the wealthiest areas have about a third of the "specials" they had a few decades ago. Not arguing with the funding system, the Title 1 schools deserve the most resources.

Public schools are not what they were, even in affluent areas. No one wants to say anything because school quality and property values are so closely linked. The FCPS of today is nothing like it was 15 or 20 years ago. And it's not testing or Title 1 - it's the burden of immigration and ESOL.

Test anxiety has invaded private schools too. In private my kids had to do ERBs every year, and several days were usually lost to this. When the results came out there was always anxiety about how your kid did relative to the school, and how the school did relative to various national peer groups. Parents whose kids did worse than the rest of the class blamed the teachers for not paying enough attention to their snowflake--that was a real thing at our school. There was pride in the school's performance--and a determination to keep performance up. I strongly suspect there was at least some teaching to the ERBs.

In public there are also tests every spring. These waste several days and are accompanied by silliness like rallies. However, if your kid is in a challenging program or even a magnet, there's no teaching to the test necessary. Teaching to the test plagues kids in the honors (honors isn't what it used to be) and regular classes. The one area where there really is a lot of testing in public is the APs. Public school kids tend to take many more APs than private school kids (more APs are offered and public school kids applying to competitive colleges feel a need to prove that A in Chem was earned and not a fluke of easy grading). The AP classes are most definitely taught to the test, and that can restrict teachers' latitude.

And to the PP who doesn't give a sh!t: I put how my ancestors got here in response to the near-anti-Semitism in the post immediately before mine.

There is literally no comparison btw the testing for the kids. Publics prep all year. ERB prep is very minimal in the top privates.

[Anonymous]

If your private is pushing your kid hard for the ERB, then you should move schools. In most of the mainline highly sought after schools, it is an afterthought.