If you are wealthy would you send your kids to a W school over private?

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:And in case you don’t believe me, here are some course catalogs:

Sidwell — https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1646081213/sidwell/nupkscgkbe3ygfut2pke/CurriculumGuide2022-23_1.pdf

Holton: https://www.holton-arms.edu/scholar/course-of-study

GDS: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1665500535/gdsorg/nkiemjllnejiz8sujsbz/GDS_HS_Course_of_Study.pdf

Maret: https://www.maret.org/academics/curriculum?tag_id=70

You’ll find multivariate calc, linear algebra, etc in every one.

I don't know about the others, but the Maret one is taught online by a Stanford online HS per the catalog.

"Taught at Maret and offered as an MSON course taught by Stanford Online High School "
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:If that’s not enough, here’s more:

Landon: https://issuu.com/landonschool/docs/landon_course_of_study_2022-23_fnl_1_/18?ff

Georgetown Prep: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1679927503/georgetown/ei1bqgzlpiudexqdkxpi/2023-24_GP_AcademicCatalogue.pdf

NCS school profile, which lists math courses: https://ncs.myschoolapp.com/ftpimages/59/download/download_2961509.pdf

Sometimes the catalog has it, but that doesn't mean they actually have it offered that year if there aren't enough kids who are able to take the class.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If that’s not enough, here’s more:

Landon: https://issuu.com/landonschool/docs/landon_course_of_study_2022-23_fnl_1_/18?ff

Georgetown Prep: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1679927503/georgetown/ei1bqgzlpiudexqdkxpi/2023-24_GP_AcademicCatalogue.pdf

NCS school profile, which lists math courses: https://ncs.myschoolapp.com/ftpimages/59/download/download_2961509.pdf

Sometimes the catalog has it, but that doesn't mean they actually have it offered that year if there aren't enough kids who are able to take the class.


Classic goalpost moving! You gotta love it.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:And in case you don’t believe me, here are some course catalogs:

Sidwell — https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1646081213/sidwell/nupkscgkbe3ygfut2pke/CurriculumGuide2022-23_1.pdf

Holton: https://www.holton-arms.edu/scholar/course-of-study

GDS: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1665500535/gdsorg/nkiemjllnejiz8sujsbz/GDS_HS_Course_of_Study.pdf

Maret: https://www.maret.org/academics/curriculum?tag_id=70

You’ll find multivariate calc, linear algebra, etc in every one.

I don't know about the others, but the Maret one is taught online by a Stanford online HS per the catalog.

"Taught at Maret and offered as an MSON course taught by Stanford Online High School "


That doesn’t mean what you think it means. It’s taught at Maret and then Stanford online takes advantage of that.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Finally, if your kid is in grad school, his MCPS experience is so dated that it’s irrelevant.


Strongly disagree. No one gets into an Ivy grad program of any kind without having had a strong primary and secondary education. You don’t get into an Ivy graduate program without starting at a good undergraduate program, which comes back to the high school’s success with college placement.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Finally, if your kid is in grad school, his MCPS experience is so dated that it’s irrelevant.


Strongly disagree. No one gets into an Ivy grad program of any kind without having had a strong primary and secondary education. You don’t get into an Ivy graduate program without starting at a good undergraduate program, which comes back to the high school’s success with college placement.


Not universally true. You seriously don’t understand how these grad programs work.
Anonymous
I’ll give you an example: Yale has MA social sciences programs that offer 80% scholarship. They fill the spots in part with kids who didn’t get into their social sciences PhD programs.

MA programs in particular are huge cash cows for these schools and the admissions requirements are … lackluster.
Anonymous
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Anonymous wrote:We could have afforded it easily (Biglaw) but I place Trump supporters and (non religious) private school parents living in average or better public school districts in the same category: people whose values I don’t share and who I will have nothing to do with.


The feeling is mutual!! How about that. I have absolutely no respect for families who have wealth and instead of spending it on a good education, they choose multiple homes, trips, etc. We have a net worth of $12M plus $1M annual income, and we have only one home and basic cars. We spent $120K on education last year between my college and HS students. Money well spent and they are great kids with wonderful friends. Wouldn't have it any other way and glad they are away from families like yours!!


+1. I don’t get what the point of this money is, if not for their kids. Famous poster Retired Biglaw Partner loves to brag about how little money he spent on his kids’ education which is just bizarre to me. What on earth was it all for, if not for your kids?


Lol I didn’t know I was famous!

My kids went to top ranked public schools, UVA, and top ranked LACs on merit aid. They all have masters degrees, good and productive jobs, and nice spouses. I covered the house in the nice suburb where there schools were located, paid for college, paid for beautiful weddings, provided down payments for houses, have a vacation home that they enjoy immensely, and between my spouse and me in my early retirement have provided them with so much free and loving childcare that they literally have never had to spend a dime on it themselves.

Yes, you’re right - I didn’t spend hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to keep them away from the great unwashed with a single-eyed drive to get them into an expensive named-brand college that impressed my friends and looked good on a bumper sticker. I knew enough all along to know that, in the end, it would amount to nothing.

If that’s your definition of not “doing it all for the kids,” then I’m guilty as charged. But I’m pretty confident I’d be acquitted if any of them were on your jury.


Your kids have masters? So you realize they attended MCPS in another era. It is not the same at all, and today they would likely not have been as successful. It is very different now...especially after covid. You lucked out and got a bargain. Sadly, many who bought here thinking they were getting one will find out the hard way. You will have to shell out the money if you want them to get a real education. Sorry.


Every generation thinks it had it worse than the one before it. There’s no evidence that this generation of kids from the better public schools in the DMV - including MCPS - are doing any worse than prior ones. Obviously Covid had a unique and singular impact, I get that, but Covid was felt everywhere.


MCPS was a disaster with COVID. It was NOT like that everywhere...especially the private schools, many of which never closed. Do you even read the reports out there about how few students are at grade level with math and reading? It's only a matter of time until you start to see how it impacts college admissions. The good universities aren't going to want kids who can't read, write or understand math concepts. Many kids will never make it to calc or even pre-calc based on how behind they are on math...it's only a matter of a few years and you will see this.


Earth to this poster: Covid is over.


I am the PP. I never claimed Covid is currently an issue from a disease standpoint. But it is an issue in terms of the aftermath...i.e. the learning loss and mental health issues that have emerged since then. Do you even read the news reports? Or are you one of those with your head in the sand?


Right. So together we deal with it. We make adjustments. We focus on solving the problems that resulted. We re-devote ourselves to student achievement. We expect that colleges will recognize how difficult the last few years have been for many students and don’t hold it against them.

We don’t just write off public education. Public schools aren’t closing down like they did then anytime soon.


Never said you should write it off. We are talking about people with means. People with means will generally purchase the better product. In this case, that is private schools.


That may have made sense when public schools were closed. But now they’re open.


LOL, but they lost an entire year of learning, so basically at least a year (and more in some cases) behind private school students in terms of academic proficiency. For the life of me, I don't understand how someone with means would want that for their kid.


You’re exaggerating.


Oh really?

So you think that having only about half of 6th graders meeting the mathematics benchmarks (as defined by MCPS) is acceptable? How about the fact that only about half of 3rd graders meet benchmarks for reading? I mean, I am pretty confident that in my child's private school, approximately 100% meet/exceed the same benchmarks. But you seem like you are ok with this data. Then by all means send your child there. https://www.mymcmedia.org/mcps-releases-mid-year-grade-data-on-math-and-reading-proficiency/


You’re comparing apples and oranges. Private schools select who they want to attend. They require testing and interviewing for admission. You cannot compare them one on one with each other.

As I said before, Covid was an issue, yes. It set many schools and students back, yes. But it will ultimately prove to be a blip on the radar screen. It is time for all of us to move on.


This x1000

It astonishes me that people don’t understand this.

I am the poster with the gen pop non W rising 12th grader. S/he has wealthy, successful and involved parents. S/he would do well anywhere we put her/him.


Yes actually this is a good thing! I want my kid surrounded by people who want to excel. Why would I let them be exposed to kids who only seek to game the system and do the least work possible to pass? Kids are impressionable. And MCPS has managed to create ab environment of mediocrity that will only turn out mediocre high school graduates.


Every MCPS school (including non-W) has extremely smart motivated kids who want to excel, and they do. It is up to your kid. And, many of the wealthy, entitled kids at privates seem even less motivated knowing they can rely on their wealth and connections. Public school kids aren’t coddled, they work hard and make it happen. That environment of truly motivated kids has been great for DS.


Ah yes. Potomac, Bethesda, and Chevy Chase kids who go to MCPS schools aren’t coddled.

Give me a fking break.


So now public school kids are coddled? Ok, so yet another reason to not go private (where you go for the coddling).


Top private schools don’t coddle. You clearly have no experience with these schools.

The reality is kids are coddled in rich areas like much of MoCo, regardless of what school they attend. Stop acting like kids at Potomac MCPS schools are living a hard knock life.


No experience with specific high schools, but I used to teach at an Ivy. You could tell the public high school kids from the private school kids. There was good and bad on both sides, and I’m not here to say private school is worthless because it’s not. But 1000% those were the kids who were used to being coddled and who felt entitled to special treatment.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Finally, if your kid is in grad school, his MCPS experience is so dated that it’s irrelevant.


Strongly disagree. No one gets into an Ivy grad program of any kind without having had a strong primary and secondary education. You don’t get into an Ivy graduate program without starting at a good undergraduate program, which comes back to the high school’s success with college placement.


Not universally true. You seriously don’t understand how these grad programs work.


I’m a PhD myself (Ivy). I stand by it.
Anonymous
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Anonymous wrote:We could have afforded it easily (Biglaw) but I place Trump supporters and (non religious) private school parents living in average or better public school districts in the same category: people whose values I don’t share and who I will have nothing to do with.


The feeling is mutual!! How about that. I have absolutely no respect for families who have wealth and instead of spending it on a good education, they choose multiple homes, trips, etc. We have a net worth of $12M plus $1M annual income, and we have only one home and basic cars. We spent $120K on education last year between my college and HS students. Money well spent and they are great kids with wonderful friends. Wouldn't have it any other way and glad they are away from families like yours!!


+1. I don’t get what the point of this money is, if not for their kids. Famous poster Retired Biglaw Partner loves to brag about how little money he spent on his kids’ education which is just bizarre to me. What on earth was it all for, if not for your kids?


Lol I didn’t know I was famous!

My kids went to top ranked public schools, UVA, and top ranked LACs on merit aid. They all have masters degrees, good and productive jobs, and nice spouses. I covered the house in the nice suburb where there schools were located, paid for college, paid for beautiful weddings, provided down payments for houses, have a vacation home that they enjoy immensely, and between my spouse and me in my early retirement have provided them with so much free and loving childcare that they literally have never had to spend a dime on it themselves.

Yes, you’re right - I didn’t spend hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to keep them away from the great unwashed with a single-eyed drive to get them into an expensive named-brand college that impressed my friends and looked good on a bumper sticker. I knew enough all along to know that, in the end, it would amount to nothing.

If that’s your definition of not “doing it all for the kids,” then I’m guilty as charged. But I’m pretty confident I’d be acquitted if any of them were on your jury.


Your kids have masters? So you realize they attended MCPS in another era. It is not the same at all, and today they would likely not have been as successful. It is very different now...especially after covid. You lucked out and got a bargain. Sadly, many who bought here thinking they were getting one will find out the hard way. You will have to shell out the money if you want them to get a real education. Sorry.


Every generation thinks it had it worse than the one before it. There’s no evidence that this generation of kids from the better public schools in the DMV - including MCPS - are doing any worse than prior ones. Obviously Covid had a unique and singular impact, I get that, but Covid was felt everywhere.


MCPS was a disaster with COVID. It was NOT like that everywhere...especially the private schools, many of which never closed. Do you even read the reports out there about how few students are at grade level with math and reading? It's only a matter of time until you start to see how it impacts college admissions. The good universities aren't going to want kids who can't read, write or understand math concepts. Many kids will never make it to calc or even pre-calc based on how behind they are on math...it's only a matter of a few years and you will see this.


Earth to this poster: Covid is over.


I am the PP. I never claimed Covid is currently an issue from a disease standpoint. But it is an issue in terms of the aftermath...i.e. the learning loss and mental health issues that have emerged since then. Do you even read the news reports? Or are you one of those with your head in the sand?


Right. So together we deal with it. We make adjustments. We focus on solving the problems that resulted. We re-devote ourselves to student achievement. We expect that colleges will recognize how difficult the last few years have been for many students and don’t hold it against them.

We don’t just write off public education. Public schools aren’t closing down like they did then anytime soon.


Never said you should write it off. We are talking about people with means. People with means will generally purchase the better product. In this case, that is private schools.


That may have made sense when public schools were closed. But now they’re open.


LOL, but they lost an entire year of learning, so basically at least a year (and more in some cases) behind private school students in terms of academic proficiency. For the life of me, I don't understand how someone with means would want that for their kid.


You’re exaggerating.


Oh really?

So you think that having only about half of 6th graders meeting the mathematics benchmarks (as defined by MCPS) is acceptable? How about the fact that only about half of 3rd graders meet benchmarks for reading? I mean, I am pretty confident that in my child's private school, approximately 100% meet/exceed the same benchmarks. But you seem like you are ok with this data. Then by all means send your child there. https://www.mymcmedia.org/mcps-releases-mid-year-grade-data-on-math-and-reading-proficiency/


You’re comparing apples and oranges. Private schools select who they want to attend. They require testing and interviewing for admission. You cannot compare them one on one with each other.

As I said before, Covid was an issue, yes. It set many schools and students back, yes. But it will ultimately prove to be a blip on the radar screen. It is time for all of us to move on.


This x1000

It astonishes me that people don’t understand this.

I am the poster with the gen pop non W rising 12th grader. S/he has wealthy, successful and involved parents. S/he would do well anywhere we put her/him.


Yes actually this is a good thing! I want my kid surrounded by people who want to excel. Why would I let them be exposed to kids who only seek to game the system and do the least work possible to pass? Kids are impressionable. And MCPS has managed to create ab environment of mediocrity that will only turn out mediocre high school graduates.


Every MCPS school (including non-W) has extremely smart motivated kids who want to excel, and they do. It is up to your kid. And, many of the wealthy, entitled kids at privates seem even less motivated knowing they can rely on their wealth and connections. Public school kids aren’t coddled, they work hard and make it happen. That environment of truly motivated kids has been great for DS.


Ah yes. Potomac, Bethesda, and Chevy Chase kids who go to MCPS schools aren’t coddled.

Give me a fking break.


So now public school kids are coddled? Ok, so yet another reason to not go private (where you go for the coddling).


Top private schools don’t coddle. You clearly have no experience with these schools.

The reality is kids are coddled in rich areas like much of MoCo, regardless of what school they attend. Stop acting like kids at Potomac MCPS schools are living a hard knock life.


No experience with specific high schools, but I used to teach at an Ivy. You could tell the public high school kids from the private school kids. There was good and bad on both sides, and I’m not here to say private school is worthless because it’s not. But 1000% those were the kids who were used to being coddled and who felt entitled to special treatment.


You seriously think kids from Potomac MCPS schools don’t feel entitled to special treatment? Come on.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Finally, if your kid is in grad school, his MCPS experience is so dated that it’s irrelevant.


Strongly disagree. No one gets into an Ivy grad program of any kind without having had a strong primary and secondary education. You don’t get into an Ivy graduate program without starting at a good undergraduate program, which comes back to the high school’s success with college placement.


Not universally true. You seriously don’t understand how these grad programs work.


I’m a PhD myself (Ivy). I stand by it.


I’m a PhD too. My sister is a professor. I work in higher ed degree management, as does my husband.

I guarantee you I know more about how the programs are run than you do.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I’ll give you an example: Yale has MA social sciences programs that offer 80% scholarship. They fill the spots in part with kids who didn’t get into their social sciences PhD programs.

MA programs in particular are huge cash cows for these schools and the admissions requirements are … lackluster.


Lackluster? I’m familiar with these MA programs but the quality of applicants who miss out at the PhD application level is high. Many of these students pay for a masters are try again, often successfully, for PhD admission.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I’ll give you an example: Yale has MA social sciences programs that offer 80% scholarship. They fill the spots in part with kids who didn’t get into their social sciences PhD programs.

MA programs in particular are huge cash cows for these schools and the admissions requirements are … lackluster.


Lackluster? I’m familiar with these MA programs but the quality of applicants who miss out at the PhD application level is high. Many of these students pay for a masters are try again, often successfully, for PhD admission.


If you want to hang your hat on MA programs the PhD students and professors laugh at, be my guest. That’s not what I’d use to substantiate how great MCPS is.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I’ll give you an example: Yale has MA social sciences programs that offer 80% scholarship. They fill the spots in part with kids who didn’t get into their social sciences PhD programs.

MA programs in particular are huge cash cows for these schools and the admissions requirements are … lackluster.


Lackluster? I’m familiar with these MA programs but the quality of applicants who miss out at the PhD application level is high. Many of these students pay for a masters are try again, often successfully, for PhD admission.


If you want to hang your hat on MA programs the PhD students and professors laugh at, be my guest. That’s not what I’d use to substantiate how great MCPS is.


DP
And this is supposed to make me respect Ivies? What a bunch of self important a$$holes.
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