Can we stop the "is it worth it" threads?

[Anonymous]

Whether it's the case or not, these threads seem like jilted applicants lashing out at the school that rejected them. The answer is one of supply and demand. If these schools charge what they charge and still have people lining up to go to the school, it's worth it to them. To others who look at the price tag and say they can't justify paying that kind of money on an education which could be gotten (in essence) for free in the public school system, the answer is no.

Consider however, that all these high-priced private schools do not cover the cost of educating a child by tuition alone. In other words, whether it's St. Patrick's, Lowell (the two most recent threads here) or NCS/St. Albans, Sidwell, Potomac, SSSAS or whereever else, the amount of money the school spends to educate its students is well over the roughly $30,000 they charge their non-financial aid applicants. As ridiculous at it may sound, these high-priced schools are giving you more in return than what you're paying for in tuition. Also, many of these schools offer generous financial aid package where some students are getting a free ride at these private schools. I'm not sure how you evaluate it whether it's "worth it" when you bring financial aid into consideration?

It doesn't seem productive to single out ONE school about its cost. Is private school expensive? Yes, breathtakingly so. That's why people are paying up to live in good public school districts in the area (and there are many excellent public schools to choose from).

But, is private school tuition "worth it"? Is the opera worth $150 a ticket? Is a Redskins game worth $300? Is a Mercedes worth $70K? Certainly not to everyone. But, in all those cases, they don't seem to be having any problems convincing people to buy their product. Neither are the $30,000 a year private schools.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Thank you OP. My thoughts exactly. Worth it to some and not worth it to others. What more is there to say?

[Anonymous]

There is actually a LOT more to say. I wasn't the one that originally posted, but I easily could have. They aren't likely asking "Is it worth it?" So much as that is an easier subject line. What they/I really want to know is we may have been prepared to spend that amount on a well-known, quality school that was likely going to take our child all the way through the 12th grade (Sidwell, GDS, and perhaps the Cathedral schools).

But we applied to a "safely" or 2nd tier school. And guess what? That was the only school where the child go in so its back to the drawing board and make some tougher choices.

It's not a huge committment to spend $50-60 to apply, throw out a bunch of darts and see what sticks. And so yes, beauty/value is in the eye of the beholder, that is well understood by eveyone on this website! What we are wanting to know is a) how does the education compare b)what will they do for 6th or 8th grade based on past children, etc.

So don't be so selfserving. Just skip over the GD thread if you don't want to read it. Its pretty simple. I do it to about 80% of what's on here. So perhaps you should mind your own business and stop insulting people's questions which I, for one, might think are legit.

[Anonymous]

A lot of wealthy people in our area don't need to worry if something is "worth it". They just do it. Some send their kids to St. Pats because there are other kids there like theirs. Maybe they didn't get into Sidwell or Beauvoir...but they can still feel good that their kids are with other advantaged children.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is actually a LOT more to say. I wasn't the one that originally posted, but I easily could have. They aren't likely asking "Is it worth it?" So much as that is an easier subject line. What they/I really want to know is we may have been prepared to spend that amount on a well-known, quality school that was likely going to take our child all the way through the 12th grade (Sidwell, GDS, and perhaps the Cathedral schools).

But we applied to a "safely" or 2nd tier school. And guess what? That was the only school where the child go in so its back to the drawing board and make some tougher choices.

It's not a huge committment to spend $50-60 to apply, throw out a bunch of darts and see what sticks. And so yes, beauty/value is in the eye of the beholder, that is well understood by eveyone on this website! What we are wanting to know is a) how does the education compare b)what will they do for 6th or 8th grade based on past children, etc.

So don't be so selfserving. Just skip over the GD thread if you don't want to read it. Its pretty simple. I do it to about 80% of what's on here. So perhaps you should mind your own business and stop insulting people's questions which I, for one, might think are legit.

YOU are a damn idiot. If you GENUINELY want to know the answer to your question, essentially where do the kids in a K-6th or 8th go next, ask the AD or Head of school. They have real statistics and lists fpor you to review. Actual FACTS, PP! That is the only place you are going to get the 100% accurate answer. The threads that you believe will answer your questions are being answered by anonymous people who could be as crazy as you. Also, being a K-6th or K-8th does not a second tier make and if you have already bought into that crap you are going to have many a wretched long year ahead. Oh, and you definitely do not belong at a K-6th/8th, SO GO TO PUBLIC, PLEASE!!!.

[Anonymous]

sorry I don't agree with you because some schools are worth it and I want to hear why, and some are not worth it, and I'd 'like to hear
why - so the answer may be different depending on the school being discussed. Like I was considering Flint Hill, but I've read several posts where
people said it isn't worth it, and if that's the consensus perception I'd like to hear it.

[Anonymous]

YOU are a damn idiot. If you GENUINELY want to know the answer to your question, essentially where do the kids in a K-6th or 8th go next, ask the AD or Head of school. They have real statistics and lists fpor you to review. Actual FACTS, PP! That is the only place you are going to get the 100% accurate answer. The threads that you believe will answer your questions are being answered by anonymous people who could be as crazy as you. Also, being a K-6th or K-8th does not a second tier make and if you have already bought into that crap you are going to have many a wretched long year ahead. Oh, and you definitely do not belong at a K-6th/8th, SO GO TO PUBLIC, PLEASE!!!.

Wow! I can practically see your claws. The whole reason for these threads are to ask people's opinions. And if she's going to spend $30K, she can do whatever due diligence she feels is appropriate. I think you need to take a few deep breaths because you seem a little too invested. Owen Meany, for reals. Peace out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

YOU are a damn idiot. If you GENUINELY want to know the answer to your question, essentially where do the kids in a K-6th or 8th go next, ask the AD or Head of school. They have real statistics and lists fpor you to review. Actual FACTS, PP! That is the only place you are going to get the 100% accurate answer. The threads that you believe will answer your questions are being answered by anonymous people who could be as crazy as you. Also, being a K-6th or K-8th does not a second tier make and if you have already bought into that crap you are going to have many a wretched long year ahead. Oh, and you definitely do not belong at a K-6th/8th, SO GO TO PUBLIC, PLEASE!!!.

OMG - Do you really need to call someone an idiot that you've never even met. You go on to call her crazy and tell her she doesn't belong at a private school. Chill out sister. Maybe you can come up with a clever apology.

I've been sending my three children to private school for 11 years and I regularly ask myself if it's worth it. Some days I think it is, others I don't. I'd like to know what other people think about their decision. But bottom line - this is a Board where anyone can ask anything and that's part of the fun. So be nice and enjoy reading what you want and ignoring what you want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

YOU are a damn idiot. If you GENUINELY want to know the answer to your question, essentially where do the kids in a K-6th or 8th go next, ask the AD or Head of school. They have real statistics and lists fpor you to review. Actual FACTS, PP! That is the only place you are going to get the 100% accurate answer. The threads that you believe will answer your questions are being answered by anonymous people who could be as crazy as you. Also, being a K-6th or K-8th does not a second tier make and if you have already bought into that crap you are going to have many a wretched long year ahead. Oh, and you definitely do not belong at a K-6th/8th, SO GO TO PUBLIC, PLEASE!!!.

Wow! I can practically see your claws. The whole reason for these threads are to ask people's opinions. And if she's going to spend $30K, she can do whatever due diligence she feels is appropriate. I think you need to take a few deep breaths because you seem a little too invested. Owen Meany, for reals. Peace out.

Hijack here - explain the Owen Meany reference, please. I don't get it, and it is my favorite book, and John Irving is one of my favorite authors.

[Anonymous]

I would explain the reference to A Prayer for Owen Meany, but when I got to the bookstore, I noticed the book cost $26. That didn't seem worth it to me.

[Anonymous]

I think these threads help people feel better about their own choices-- by putting down schools they deem "unworthy" (even if they have no personal experience with the school) they feel superior, eg "at least my kid isn't going to School A". It's kind of the undercurrent of a lot of the threads on this forum this time of year...

[Anonymous]

It is completely valid to have a discussion about the cost of schools to determine if its cost reflects its value. It's part of consumerism--buyer beware. Private schools are branding a very expensive education. And if you're spending a lot of money many people assume that quality is excellent. Well that is just not true with some area schools, imo, but it is up to each family to dedide for themselves. So of course we can and should have a discussion about this.

[Anonymous]

No, posters are free to post "is it worth it" threads and readers are free to read or not to read "is it worth it" threads". Simple solution.

[Anonymous]

The Owen Meany reference is to the ALL CAPS that the "mean girl" who is trying to bully the OP of the "is it worth it" thread. She was just throwing down ALL CAPS throughout her thread.

Favorite book of mine too.