Where is the fat in private schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the same fashion as healthcare, the US education system is characterized for being bloated, overpriced, with poor academic outcomes. So yes, there is plenty of fat to trim in both private and public schools.

Yes and no. In the US the same syringe costs 10x more than in Europe. Similarly in the US healthcare, insurance, attorney retention fees, etc all cost more than in Europe. They add significantly to the bottom line.

However the cost of the basketball coach, tennis court, swimming pool, science lab, second campus (Sheridan), European trips (WES) is a difference in choice. The programming is similar to top boarding schools in Europe. The price is also similar—take the boarding school tuition and discount it to a day rate. It’s similar to a DC private.

They are similar to the extent that they have a very poor value per dollar spent.

It’s usually up to the buyer to determine if they’re happy with the value of their dollar and want a repeat purchase.

Yes, usually, unfortunately when the average quality of the service is so low the options are limited. It’s hard to have a surgery in Canada or send your kids to a schooo in Europe.

What a negative Nancy. Many of these private school graduates have the option to create a life in Europe if they want. They won’t.

As for you, I would lobby for better public schools. The system is made for lobbying.

Never thought that discussing an issue turns you in a “negative Nancy”. I still think that is better than burying your head under the sand and pretend that we have the best education in the world.

Why do you think the best universities in the US have an increasing fraction of foreign students and faculty (before trump)?

No one says our education system was the best. Just that many parents with kids in private were satisfied. The position that it’s all gone to the dogs is what makes you a negative Nancy. There’s a lot wrong with the world. There are better battles to pick with a lot more support than whether or not private school kids could save $2K by not doing the Europe trip.

Sure. Next time I post my opinion I will ask for your permission. And next time something goes wrong with your hotel booking or medical bill please don’t complain that there are better battles to pick.

A hotel is a perfect example. Do I have to pay $500 a night for a hotel? No. Is it a problem? Also no.

Do people need $2m houses? No Could they raise children just as well in a $500K apartment? Yes. Could the child raised in the $500K apartment do better in life than the one from the $2m house? Of course.

But nothing’s wrong with the $2m house.

Nothing’s gone wrong with my child’s tuition. I knew what it was in advance. It was never a secret. The school did not make a billing mistake. Yes it could be lower if healthcare were universal and not tied to employment. But that’s a separate, far more universal issue than private schools.

You are assuming two things: first, that schools cannot make mistakes; and second, that parents should stay quiet when they disagree with those mistakes.

Suppose you book a hotel room with a lake view for $600, but when you arrive, you get a room with no view, which normally costs less. Would you complain, or would you just accept it quietly? Maybe you would let it go, and that is fine. But if other people are not fine with it, I would not criticize them for complaining about a mistake or a subpar service.

A school is no different. If you are paying for a service, and a large share of that money is not translating into value, it is perfectly reasonable to raise the issue and discuss it.

I do not think that is very hard to understand.

Sorry. This is dcum. If there were a lot of unhappy parents you’d hear it fast. But generally private school parents feel good about being private school parents. They were sold the pretty campus with the fancy science labs, and they got it.

Read carefully the posts today or yesterday and you will be surprised how many schools are criticized. So yes, parents do complain.

Well go ahead and round them up. Get them to lobby about the science labs being too expensive. I’m confident that the labs will stay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the same fashion as healthcare, the US education system is characterized for being bloated, overpriced, with poor academic outcomes. So yes, there is plenty of fat to trim in both private and public schools.

Yes and no. In the US the same syringe costs 10x more than in Europe. Similarly in the US healthcare, insurance, attorney retention fees, etc all cost more than in Europe. They add significantly to the bottom line.

However the cost of the basketball coach, tennis court, swimming pool, science lab, second campus (Sheridan), European trips (WES) is a difference in choice. The programming is similar to top boarding schools in Europe. The price is also similar—take the boarding school tuition and discount it to a day rate. It’s similar to a DC private.

They are similar to the extent that they have a very poor value per dollar spent.

It’s usually up to the buyer to determine if they’re happy with the value of their dollar and want a repeat purchase.

Yes, usually, unfortunately when the average quality of the service is so low the options are limited. It’s hard to have a surgery in Canada or send your kids to a schooo in Europe.

What a negative Nancy. Many of these private school graduates have the option to create a life in Europe if they want. They won’t.

As for you, I would lobby for better public schools. The system is made for lobbying.

Never thought that discussing an issue turns you in a “negative Nancy”. I still think that is better than burying your head under the sand and pretend that we have the best education in the world.

Why do you think the best universities in the US have an increasing fraction of foreign students and faculty (before trump)?

No one says our education system was the best. Just that many parents with kids in private were satisfied. The position that it’s all gone to the dogs is what makes you a negative Nancy. There’s a lot wrong with the world. There are better battles to pick with a lot more support than whether or not private school kids could save $2K by not doing the Europe trip.

Sure. Next time I post my opinion I will ask for your permission. And next time something goes wrong with your hotel booking or medical bill please don’t complain that there are better battles to pick.

A hotel is a perfect example. Do I have to pay $500 a night for a hotel? No. Is it a problem? Also no.

Do people need $2m houses? No Could they raise children just as well in a $500K apartment? Yes. Could the child raised in the $500K apartment do better in life than the one from the $2m house? Of course.

But nothing’s wrong with the $2m house.

Nothing’s gone wrong with my child’s tuition. I knew what it was in advance. It was never a secret. The school did not make a billing mistake. Yes it could be lower if healthcare were universal and not tied to employment. But that’s a separate, far more universal issue than private schools.

You are assuming two things: first, that schools cannot make mistakes; and second, that parents should stay quiet when they disagree with those mistakes.

Suppose you book a hotel room with a lake view for $600, but when you arrive, you get a room with no view, which normally costs less. Would you complain, or would you just accept it quietly? Maybe you would let it go, and that is fine. But if other people are not fine with it, I would not criticize them for complaining about a mistake or a subpar service.

A school is no different. If you are paying for a service, and a large share of that money is not translating into value, it is perfectly reasonable to raise the issue and discuss it.

I do not think that is very hard to understand.

Sorry. This is dcum. If there were a lot of unhappy parents you’d hear it fast. But generally private school parents feel good about being private school parents. They were sold the pretty campus with the fancy science labs, and they got it.

Read carefully the posts today or yesterday and you will be surprised how many schools are criticized. So yes, parents do complain.

Well go ahead and round them up. Get them to lobby about the science labs being too expensive. I’m confident that the labs will stay.

I don’t think there is fat in the labs. In many other things, yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the same fashion as healthcare, the US education system is characterized for being bloated, overpriced, with poor academic outcomes. So yes, there is plenty of fat to trim in both private and public schools.

Yes and no. In the US the same syringe costs 10x more than in Europe. Similarly in the US healthcare, insurance, attorney retention fees, etc all cost more than in Europe. They add significantly to the bottom line.

However the cost of the basketball coach, tennis court, swimming pool, science lab, second campus (Sheridan), European trips (WES) is a difference in choice. The programming is similar to top boarding schools in Europe. The price is also similar—take the boarding school tuition and discount it to a day rate. It’s similar to a DC private.

They are similar to the extent that they have a very poor value per dollar spent.

It’s usually up to the buyer to determine if they’re happy with the value of their dollar and want a repeat purchase.

Yes, usually, unfortunately when the average quality of the service is so low the options are limited. It’s hard to have a surgery in Canada or send your kids to a schooo in Europe.

What a negative Nancy. Many of these private school graduates have the option to create a life in Europe if they want. They won’t.

As for you, I would lobby for better public schools. The system is made for lobbying.

Never thought that discussing an issue turns you in a “negative Nancy”. I still think that is better than burying your head under the sand and pretend that we have the best education in the world.

Why do you think the best universities in the US have an increasing fraction of foreign students and faculty (before trump)?

No one says our education system was the best. Just that many parents with kids in private were satisfied. The position that it’s all gone to the dogs is what makes you a negative Nancy. There’s a lot wrong with the world. There are better battles to pick with a lot more support than whether or not private school kids could save $2K by not doing the Europe trip.

Sure. Next time I post my opinion I will ask for your permission. And next time something goes wrong with your hotel booking or medical bill please don’t complain that there are better battles to pick.

A hotel is a perfect example. Do I have to pay $500 a night for a hotel? No. Is it a problem? Also no.

Do people need $2m houses? No Could they raise children just as well in a $500K apartment? Yes. Could the child raised in the $500K apartment do better in life than the one from the $2m house? Of course.

But nothing’s wrong with the $2m house.

Nothing’s gone wrong with my child’s tuition. I knew what it was in advance. It was never a secret. The school did not make a billing mistake. Yes it could be lower if healthcare were universal and not tied to employment. But that’s a separate, far more universal issue than private schools.

You are assuming two things: first, that schools cannot make mistakes; and second, that parents should stay quiet when they disagree with those mistakes.

Suppose you book a hotel room with a lake view for $600, but when you arrive, you get a room with no view, which normally costs less. Would you complain, or would you just accept it quietly? Maybe you would let it go, and that is fine. But if other people are not fine with it, I would not criticize them for complaining about a mistake or a subpar service.

A school is no different. If you are paying for a service, and a large share of that money is not translating into value, it is perfectly reasonable to raise the issue and discuss it.

I do not think that is very hard to understand.

You can certainly complain about the service. Or even the price.

But if you are trying to tell the hotel how to manage their back office operations I’m sure they’d rightly just laugh in your face.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the same fashion as healthcare, the US education system is characterized for being bloated, overpriced, with poor academic outcomes. So yes, there is plenty of fat to trim in both private and public schools.

Yes and no. In the US the same syringe costs 10x more than in Europe. Similarly in the US healthcare, insurance, attorney retention fees, etc all cost more than in Europe. They add significantly to the bottom line.

However the cost of the basketball coach, tennis court, swimming pool, science lab, second campus (Sheridan), European trips (WES) is a difference in choice. The programming is similar to top boarding schools in Europe. The price is also similar—take the boarding school tuition and discount it to a day rate. It’s similar to a DC private.

They are similar to the extent that they have a very poor value per dollar spent.

It’s usually up to the buyer to determine if they’re happy with the value of their dollar and want a repeat purchase.

Yes, usually, unfortunately when the average quality of the service is so low the options are limited. It’s hard to have a surgery in Canada or send your kids to a schooo in Europe.

What a negative Nancy. Many of these private school graduates have the option to create a life in Europe if they want. They won’t.

As for you, I would lobby for better public schools. The system is made for lobbying.

Never thought that discussing an issue turns you in a “negative Nancy”. I still think that is better than burying your head under the sand and pretend that we have the best education in the world.

Why do you think the best universities in the US have an increasing fraction of foreign students and faculty (before trump)?

No one says our education system was the best. Just that many parents with kids in private were satisfied. The position that it’s all gone to the dogs is what makes you a negative Nancy. There’s a lot wrong with the world. There are better battles to pick with a lot more support than whether or not private school kids could save $2K by not doing the Europe trip.

Sure. Next time I post my opinion I will ask for your permission. And next time something goes wrong with your hotel booking or medical bill please don’t complain that there are better battles to pick.

A hotel is a perfect example. Do I have to pay $500 a night for a hotel? No. Is it a problem? Also no.

Do people need $2m houses? No Could they raise children just as well in a $500K apartment? Yes. Could the child raised in the $500K apartment do better in life than the one from the $2m house? Of course.

But nothing’s wrong with the $2m house.

Nothing’s gone wrong with my child’s tuition. I knew what it was in advance. It was never a secret. The school did not make a billing mistake. Yes it could be lower if healthcare were universal and not tied to employment. But that’s a separate, far more universal issue than private schools.

You are assuming two things: first, that schools cannot make mistakes; and second, that parents should stay quiet when they disagree with those mistakes.

Suppose you book a hotel room with a lake view for $600, but when you arrive, you get a room with no view, which normally costs less. Would you complain, or would you just accept it quietly? Maybe you would let it go, and that is fine. But if other people are not fine with it, I would not criticize them for complaining about a mistake or a subpar service.

A school is no different. If you are paying for a service, and a large share of that money is not translating into value, it is perfectly reasonable to raise the issue and discuss it.

I do not think that is very hard to understand.

Sorry. This is dcum. If there were a lot of unhappy parents you’d hear it fast. But generally private school parents feel good about being private school parents. They were sold the pretty campus with the fancy science labs, and they got it.

Read carefully the posts today or yesterday and you will be surprised how many schools are criticized. So yes, parents do complain.

Well go ahead and round them up. Get them to lobby about the science labs being too expensive. I’m confident that the labs will stay.

I don’t think there is fat in the labs. In many other things, yes.

Maybe, but just where do you think the fat exists?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the same fashion as healthcare, the US education system is characterized for being bloated, overpriced, with poor academic outcomes. So yes, there is plenty of fat to trim in both private and public schools.

Yes and no. In the US the same syringe costs 10x more than in Europe. Similarly in the US healthcare, insurance, attorney retention fees, etc all cost more than in Europe. They add significantly to the bottom line.

However the cost of the basketball coach, tennis court, swimming pool, science lab, second campus (Sheridan), European trips (WES) is a difference in choice. The programming is similar to top boarding schools in Europe. The price is also similar—take the boarding school tuition and discount it to a day rate. It’s similar to a DC private.

They are similar to the extent that they have a very poor value per dollar spent.

It’s usually up to the buyer to determine if they’re happy with the value of their dollar and want a repeat purchase.

Yes, usually, unfortunately when the average quality of the service is so low the options are limited. It’s hard to have a surgery in Canada or send your kids to a schooo in Europe.

What a negative Nancy. Many of these private school graduates have the option to create a life in Europe if they want. They won’t.

As for you, I would lobby for better public schools. The system is made for lobbying.

Never thought that discussing an issue turns you in a “negative Nancy”. I still think that is better than burying your head under the sand and pretend that we have the best education in the world.

Why do you think the best universities in the US have an increasing fraction of foreign students and faculty (before trump)?

No one says our education system was the best. Just that many parents with kids in private were satisfied. The position that it’s all gone to the dogs is what makes you a negative Nancy. There’s a lot wrong with the world. There are better battles to pick with a lot more support than whether or not private school kids could save $2K by not doing the Europe trip.

Sure. Next time I post my opinion I will ask for your permission. And next time something goes wrong with your hotel booking or medical bill please don’t complain that there are better battles to pick.

A hotel is a perfect example. Do I have to pay $500 a night for a hotel? No. Is it a problem? Also no.

Do people need $2m houses? No Could they raise children just as well in a $500K apartment? Yes. Could the child raised in the $500K apartment do better in life than the one from the $2m house? Of course.

But nothing’s wrong with the $2m house.

Nothing’s gone wrong with my child’s tuition. I knew what it was in advance. It was never a secret. The school did not make a billing mistake. Yes it could be lower if healthcare were universal and not tied to employment. But that’s a separate, far more universal issue than private schools.

You are assuming two things: first, that schools cannot make mistakes; and second, that parents should stay quiet when they disagree with those mistakes.

Suppose you book a hotel room with a lake view for $600, but when you arrive, you get a room with no view, which normally costs less. Would you complain, or would you just accept it quietly? Maybe you would let it go, and that is fine. But if other people are not fine with it, I would not criticize them for complaining about a mistake or a subpar service.

A school is no different. If you are paying for a service, and a large share of that money is not translating into value, it is perfectly reasonable to raise the issue and discuss it.

I do not think that is very hard to understand.

You can certainly complain about the service. Or even the price.

But if you are trying to tell the hotel how to manage their back office operations I’m sure they’d rightly just laugh in your face.

Sure. I can tell them I booked a room with value of 600 and you gave me one for 300. I can also tell the same thing to the school. I paid for high quality education and you are not delivering x, y, and z. Perfectly normal in a free market economy. Tell me what’s so unusual about that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the same fashion as healthcare, the US education system is characterized for being bloated, overpriced, with poor academic outcomes. So yes, there is plenty of fat to trim in both private and public schools.

Yes and no. In the US the same syringe costs 10x more than in Europe. Similarly in the US healthcare, insurance, attorney retention fees, etc all cost more than in Europe. They add significantly to the bottom line.

However the cost of the basketball coach, tennis court, swimming pool, science lab, second campus (Sheridan), European trips (WES) is a difference in choice. The programming is similar to top boarding schools in Europe. The price is also similar—take the boarding school tuition and discount it to a day rate. It’s similar to a DC private.

They are similar to the extent that they have a very poor value per dollar spent.

It’s usually up to the buyer to determine if they’re happy with the value of their dollar and want a repeat purchase.

Yes, usually, unfortunately when the average quality of the service is so low the options are limited. It’s hard to have a surgery in Canada or send your kids to a schooo in Europe.

What a negative Nancy. Many of these private school graduates have the option to create a life in Europe if they want. They won’t.

As for you, I would lobby for better public schools. The system is made for lobbying.

Never thought that discussing an issue turns you in a “negative Nancy”. I still think that is better than burying your head under the sand and pretend that we have the best education in the world.

Why do you think the best universities in the US have an increasing fraction of foreign students and faculty (before trump)?

No one says our education system was the best. Just that many parents with kids in private were satisfied. The position that it’s all gone to the dogs is what makes you a negative Nancy. There’s a lot wrong with the world. There are better battles to pick with a lot more support than whether or not private school kids could save $2K by not doing the Europe trip.

Sure. Next time I post my opinion I will ask for your permission. And next time something goes wrong with your hotel booking or medical bill please don’t complain that there are better battles to pick.

A hotel is a perfect example. Do I have to pay $500 a night for a hotel? No. Is it a problem? Also no.

Do people need $2m houses? No Could they raise children just as well in a $500K apartment? Yes. Could the child raised in the $500K apartment do better in life than the one from the $2m house? Of course.

But nothing’s wrong with the $2m house.

Nothing’s gone wrong with my child’s tuition. I knew what it was in advance. It was never a secret. The school did not make a billing mistake. Yes it could be lower if healthcare were universal and not tied to employment. But that’s a separate, far more universal issue than private schools.

You are assuming two things: first, that schools cannot make mistakes; and second, that parents should stay quiet when they disagree with those mistakes.

Suppose you book a hotel room with a lake view for $600, but when you arrive, you get a room with no view, which normally costs less. Would you complain, or would you just accept it quietly? Maybe you would let it go, and that is fine. But if other people are not fine with it, I would not criticize them for complaining about a mistake or a subpar service.

A school is no different. If you are paying for a service, and a large share of that money is not translating into value, it is perfectly reasonable to raise the issue and discuss it.

I do not think that is very hard to understand.

Sorry. This is dcum. If there were a lot of unhappy parents you’d hear it fast. But generally private school parents feel good about being private school parents. They were sold the pretty campus with the fancy science labs, and they got it.

Read carefully the posts today or yesterday and you will be surprised how many schools are criticized. So yes, parents do complain.

Well go ahead and round them up. Get them to lobby about the science labs being too expensive. I’m confident that the labs will stay.

I don’t think there is fat in the labs. In many other things, yes.

Maybe, but just where do you think the fat exists?

Besides your belly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the same fashion as healthcare, the US education system is characterized for being bloated, overpriced, with poor academic outcomes. So yes, there is plenty of fat to trim in both private and public schools.

Yes and no. In the US the same syringe costs 10x more than in Europe. Similarly in the US healthcare, insurance, attorney retention fees, etc all cost more than in Europe. They add significantly to the bottom line.

However the cost of the basketball coach, tennis court, swimming pool, science lab, second campus (Sheridan), European trips (WES) is a difference in choice. The programming is similar to top boarding schools in Europe. The price is also similar—take the boarding school tuition and discount it to a day rate. It’s similar to a DC private.

They are similar to the extent that they have a very poor value per dollar spent.

It’s usually up to the buyer to determine if they’re happy with the value of their dollar and want a repeat purchase.

Yes, usually, unfortunately when the average quality of the service is so low the options are limited. It’s hard to have a surgery in Canada or send your kids to a schooo in Europe.

What a negative Nancy. Many of these private school graduates have the option to create a life in Europe if they want. They won’t.

As for you, I would lobby for better public schools. The system is made for lobbying.

Never thought that discussing an issue turns you in a “negative Nancy”. I still think that is better than burying your head under the sand and pretend that we have the best education in the world.

Why do you think the best universities in the US have an increasing fraction of foreign students and faculty (before trump)?

No one says our education system was the best. Just that many parents with kids in private were satisfied. The position that it’s all gone to the dogs is what makes you a negative Nancy. There’s a lot wrong with the world. There are better battles to pick with a lot more support than whether or not private school kids could save $2K by not doing the Europe trip.

Sure. Next time I post my opinion I will ask for your permission. And next time something goes wrong with your hotel booking or medical bill please don’t complain that there are better battles to pick.

A hotel is a perfect example. Do I have to pay $500 a night for a hotel? No. Is it a problem? Also no.

Do people need $2m houses? No Could they raise children just as well in a $500K apartment? Yes. Could the child raised in the $500K apartment do better in life than the one from the $2m house? Of course.

But nothing’s wrong with the $2m house.

Nothing’s gone wrong with my child’s tuition. I knew what it was in advance. It was never a secret. The school did not make a billing mistake. Yes it could be lower if healthcare were universal and not tied to employment. But that’s a separate, far more universal issue than private schools.

You are assuming two things: first, that schools cannot make mistakes; and second, that parents should stay quiet when they disagree with those mistakes.

Suppose you book a hotel room with a lake view for $600, but when you arrive, you get a room with no view, which normally costs less. Would you complain, or would you just accept it quietly? Maybe you would let it go, and that is fine. But if other people are not fine with it, I would not criticize them for complaining about a mistake or a subpar service.

A school is no different. If you are paying for a service, and a large share of that money is not translating into value, it is perfectly reasonable to raise the issue and discuss it.

I do not think that is very hard to understand.

You can certainly complain about the service. Or even the price.

But if you are trying to tell the hotel how to manage their back office operations I’m sure they’d rightly just laugh in your face.

Sure. I can tell them I booked a room with value of 600 and you gave me one for 300. I can also tell the same thing to the school. I paid for high quality education and you are not delivering x, y, and z. Perfectly normal in a free market economy. Tell me what’s so unusual about that?

I think the head of school earns her salary having conversations like this put on her calendar, then needing to make that parent donate money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the same fashion as healthcare, the US education system is characterized for being bloated, overpriced, with poor academic outcomes. So yes, there is plenty of fat to trim in both private and public schools.

Yes and no. In the US the same syringe costs 10x more than in Europe. Similarly in the US healthcare, insurance, attorney retention fees, etc all cost more than in Europe. They add significantly to the bottom line.

However the cost of the basketball coach, tennis court, swimming pool, science lab, second campus (Sheridan), European trips (WES) is a difference in choice. The programming is similar to top boarding schools in Europe. The price is also similar—take the boarding school tuition and discount it to a day rate. It’s similar to a DC private.

They are similar to the extent that they have a very poor value per dollar spent.

It’s usually up to the buyer to determine if they’re happy with the value of their dollar and want a repeat purchase.

Yes, usually, unfortunately when the average quality of the service is so low the options are limited. It’s hard to have a surgery in Canada or send your kids to a schooo in Europe.

What a negative Nancy. Many of these private school graduates have the option to create a life in Europe if they want. They won’t.

As for you, I would lobby for better public schools. The system is made for lobbying.

Never thought that discussing an issue turns you in a “negative Nancy”. I still think that is better than burying your head under the sand and pretend that we have the best education in the world.

Why do you think the best universities in the US have an increasing fraction of foreign students and faculty (before trump)?

No one says our education system was the best. Just that many parents with kids in private were satisfied. The position that it’s all gone to the dogs is what makes you a negative Nancy. There’s a lot wrong with the world. There are better battles to pick with a lot more support than whether or not private school kids could save $2K by not doing the Europe trip.

Sure. Next time I post my opinion I will ask for your permission. And next time something goes wrong with your hotel booking or medical bill please don’t complain that there are better battles to pick.

A hotel is a perfect example. Do I have to pay $500 a night for a hotel? No. Is it a problem? Also no.

Do people need $2m houses? No Could they raise children just as well in a $500K apartment? Yes. Could the child raised in the $500K apartment do better in life than the one from the $2m house? Of course.

But nothing’s wrong with the $2m house.

Nothing’s gone wrong with my child’s tuition. I knew what it was in advance. It was never a secret. The school did not make a billing mistake. Yes it could be lower if healthcare were universal and not tied to employment. But that’s a separate, far more universal issue than private schools.

You are assuming two things: first, that schools cannot make mistakes; and second, that parents should stay quiet when they disagree with those mistakes.

Suppose you book a hotel room with a lake view for $600, but when you arrive, you get a room with no view, which normally costs less. Would you complain, or would you just accept it quietly? Maybe you would let it go, and that is fine. But if other people are not fine with it, I would not criticize them for complaining about a mistake or a subpar service.

A school is no different. If you are paying for a service, and a large share of that money is not translating into value, it is perfectly reasonable to raise the issue and discuss it.

I do not think that is very hard to understand.

You can certainly complain about the service. Or even the price.

But if you are trying to tell the hotel how to manage their back office operations I’m sure they’d rightly just laugh in your face.

Sure. I can tell them I booked a room with value of 600 and you gave me one for 300. I can also tell the same thing to the school. I paid for high quality education and you are not delivering x, y, and z. Perfectly normal in a free market economy. Tell me what’s so unusual about that?

I think the head of school earns her salary having conversations like this put on her calendar, then needing to make that parent donate money.

Makes sense for a salary of 800k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the same fashion as healthcare, the US education system is characterized for being bloated, overpriced, with poor academic outcomes. So yes, there is plenty of fat to trim in both private and public schools.

Yes and no. In the US the same syringe costs 10x more than in Europe. Similarly in the US healthcare, insurance, attorney retention fees, etc all cost more than in Europe. They add significantly to the bottom line.

However the cost of the basketball coach, tennis court, swimming pool, science lab, second campus (Sheridan), European trips (WES) is a difference in choice. The programming is similar to top boarding schools in Europe. The price is also similar—take the boarding school tuition and discount it to a day rate. It’s similar to a DC private.

They are similar to the extent that they have a very poor value per dollar spent.

It’s usually up to the buyer to determine if they’re happy with the value of their dollar and want a repeat purchase.

Yes, usually, unfortunately when the average quality of the service is so low the options are limited. It’s hard to have a surgery in Canada or send your kids to a schooo in Europe.

What a negative Nancy. Many of these private school graduates have the option to create a life in Europe if they want. They won’t.

As for you, I would lobby for better public schools. The system is made for lobbying.

Never thought that discussing an issue turns you in a “negative Nancy”. I still think that is better than burying your head under the sand and pretend that we have the best education in the world.

Why do you think the best universities in the US have an increasing fraction of foreign students and faculty (before trump)?

No one says our education system was the best. Just that many parents with kids in private were satisfied. The position that it’s all gone to the dogs is what makes you a negative Nancy. There’s a lot wrong with the world. There are better battles to pick with a lot more support than whether or not private school kids could save $2K by not doing the Europe trip.

Sure. Next time I post my opinion I will ask for your permission. And next time something goes wrong with your hotel booking or medical bill please don’t complain that there are better battles to pick.

A hotel is a perfect example. Do I have to pay $500 a night for a hotel? No. Is it a problem? Also no.

Do people need $2m houses? No Could they raise children just as well in a $500K apartment? Yes. Could the child raised in the $500K apartment do better in life than the one from the $2m house? Of course.

But nothing’s wrong with the $2m house.

Nothing’s gone wrong with my child’s tuition. I knew what it was in advance. It was never a secret. The school did not make a billing mistake. Yes it could be lower if healthcare were universal and not tied to employment. But that’s a separate, far more universal issue than private schools.

You are assuming two things: first, that schools cannot make mistakes; and second, that parents should stay quiet when they disagree with those mistakes.

Suppose you book a hotel room with a lake view for $600, but when you arrive, you get a room with no view, which normally costs less. Would you complain, or would you just accept it quietly? Maybe you would let it go, and that is fine. But if other people are not fine with it, I would not criticize them for complaining about a mistake or a subpar service.

A school is no different. If you are paying for a service, and a large share of that money is not translating into value, it is perfectly reasonable to raise the issue and discuss it.

I do not think that is very hard to understand.

You can certainly complain about the service. Or even the price.

But if you are trying to tell the hotel how to manage their back office operations I’m sure they’d rightly just laugh in your face.

Sure. I can tell them I booked a room with value of 600 and you gave me one for 300. I can also tell the same thing to the school. I paid for high quality education and you are not delivering x, y, and z. Perfectly normal in a free market economy. Tell me what’s so unusual about that?

Totally normal to complain about prices and services rendered.

Totally NOT normal to try to dig into hotel’s back office to try to customersplain how they should run their hotel.

“You should charge less by switching to lower-thread-count sheets and not giving housekeeping any benefits.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the same fashion as healthcare, the US education system is characterized for being bloated, overpriced, with poor academic outcomes. So yes, there is plenty of fat to trim in both private and public schools.

Yes and no. In the US the same syringe costs 10x more than in Europe. Similarly in the US healthcare, insurance, attorney retention fees, etc all cost more than in Europe. They add significantly to the bottom line.

However the cost of the basketball coach, tennis court, swimming pool, science lab, second campus (Sheridan), European trips (WES) is a difference in choice. The programming is similar to top boarding schools in Europe. The price is also similar—take the boarding school tuition and discount it to a day rate. It’s similar to a DC private.

They are similar to the extent that they have a very poor value per dollar spent.

It’s usually up to the buyer to determine if they’re happy with the value of their dollar and want a repeat purchase.

Yes, usually, unfortunately when the average quality of the service is so low the options are limited. It’s hard to have a surgery in Canada or send your kids to a schooo in Europe.

What a negative Nancy. Many of these private school graduates have the option to create a life in Europe if they want. They won’t.

As for you, I would lobby for better public schools. The system is made for lobbying.

Never thought that discussing an issue turns you in a “negative Nancy”. I still think that is better than burying your head under the sand and pretend that we have the best education in the world.

Why do you think the best universities in the US have an increasing fraction of foreign students and faculty (before trump)?

No one says our education system was the best. Just that many parents with kids in private were satisfied. The position that it’s all gone to the dogs is what makes you a negative Nancy. There’s a lot wrong with the world. There are better battles to pick with a lot more support than whether or not private school kids could save $2K by not doing the Europe trip.

Sure. Next time I post my opinion I will ask for your permission. And next time something goes wrong with your hotel booking or medical bill please don’t complain that there are better battles to pick.

A hotel is a perfect example. Do I have to pay $500 a night for a hotel? No. Is it a problem? Also no.

Do people need $2m houses? No Could they raise children just as well in a $500K apartment? Yes. Could the child raised in the $500K apartment do better in life than the one from the $2m house? Of course.

But nothing’s wrong with the $2m house.

Nothing’s gone wrong with my child’s tuition. I knew what it was in advance. It was never a secret. The school did not make a billing mistake. Yes it could be lower if healthcare were universal and not tied to employment. But that’s a separate, far more universal issue than private schools.

You are assuming two things: first, that schools cannot make mistakes; and second, that parents should stay quiet when they disagree with those mistakes.

Suppose you book a hotel room with a lake view for $600, but when you arrive, you get a room with no view, which normally costs less. Would you complain, or would you just accept it quietly? Maybe you would let it go, and that is fine. But if other people are not fine with it, I would not criticize them for complaining about a mistake or a subpar service.

A school is no different. If you are paying for a service, and a large share of that money is not translating into value, it is perfectly reasonable to raise the issue and discuss it.

I do not think that is very hard to understand.

You can certainly complain about the service. Or even the price.

But if you are trying to tell the hotel how to manage their back office operations I’m sure they’d rightly just laugh in your face.

Sure. I can tell them I booked a room with value of 600 and you gave me one for 300. I can also tell the same thing to the school. I paid for high quality education and you are not delivering x, y, and z. Perfectly normal in a free market economy. Tell me what’s so unusual about that?

I think the head of school earns her salary having conversations like this put on her calendar, then needing to make that parent donate money.

100%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the same fashion as healthcare, the US education system is characterized for being bloated, overpriced, with poor academic outcomes. So yes, there is plenty of fat to trim in both private and public schools.

Yes and no. In the US the same syringe costs 10x more than in Europe. Similarly in the US healthcare, insurance, attorney retention fees, etc all cost more than in Europe. They add significantly to the bottom line.

However the cost of the basketball coach, tennis court, swimming pool, science lab, second campus (Sheridan), European trips (WES) is a difference in choice. The programming is similar to top boarding schools in Europe. The price is also similar—take the boarding school tuition and discount it to a day rate. It’s similar to a DC private.

They are similar to the extent that they have a very poor value per dollar spent.

It’s usually up to the buyer to determine if they’re happy with the value of their dollar and want a repeat purchase.

Yes, usually, unfortunately when the average quality of the service is so low the options are limited. It’s hard to have a surgery in Canada or send your kids to a schooo in Europe.

What a negative Nancy. Many of these private school graduates have the option to create a life in Europe if they want. They won’t.

As for you, I would lobby for better public schools. The system is made for lobbying.

Never thought that discussing an issue turns you in a “negative Nancy”. I still think that is better than burying your head under the sand and pretend that we have the best education in the world.

Why do you think the best universities in the US have an increasing fraction of foreign students and faculty (before trump)?

No one says our education system was the best. Just that many parents with kids in private were satisfied. The position that it’s all gone to the dogs is what makes you a negative Nancy. There’s a lot wrong with the world. There are better battles to pick with a lot more support than whether or not private school kids could save $2K by not doing the Europe trip.

Sure. Next time I post my opinion I will ask for your permission. And next time something goes wrong with your hotel booking or medical bill please don’t complain that there are better battles to pick.

A hotel is a perfect example. Do I have to pay $500 a night for a hotel? No. Is it a problem? Also no.

Do people need $2m houses? No Could they raise children just as well in a $500K apartment? Yes. Could the child raised in the $500K apartment do better in life than the one from the $2m house? Of course.

But nothing’s wrong with the $2m house.

Nothing’s gone wrong with my child’s tuition. I knew what it was in advance. It was never a secret. The school did not make a billing mistake. Yes it could be lower if healthcare were universal and not tied to employment. But that’s a separate, far more universal issue than private schools.

You are assuming two things: first, that schools cannot make mistakes; and second, that parents should stay quiet when they disagree with those mistakes.

Suppose you book a hotel room with a lake view for $600, but when you arrive, you get a room with no view, which normally costs less. Would you complain, or would you just accept it quietly? Maybe you would let it go, and that is fine. But if other people are not fine with it, I would not criticize them for complaining about a mistake or a subpar service.

A school is no different. If you are paying for a service, and a large share of that money is not translating into value, it is perfectly reasonable to raise the issue and discuss it.

I do not think that is very hard to understand.

You can certainly complain about the service. Or even the price.

But if you are trying to tell the hotel how to manage their back office operations I’m sure they’d rightly just laugh in your face.

Sure. I can tell them I booked a room with value of 600 and you gave me one for 300. I can also tell the same thing to the school. I paid for high quality education and you are not delivering x, y, and z. Perfectly normal in a free market economy. Tell me what’s so unusual about that?

Totally normal to complain about prices and services rendered.

Totally NOT normal to try to dig into hotel’s back office to try to customersplain how they should run their hotel.

“You should charge less by switching to lower-thread-count sheets and not giving housekeeping any benefits.”

Sure. Improvements tend to occur when you receive feedback. It’s enough to say that you are not delivering x,y, and z.

Normally companies deliver more by cutting fat and improving efficiency. If no one complains and everyone is content with a mediocre product, of course there is going to be a buildup in fat. Nothing surprising there.

[Anonymous]

If you think there is fat to be trimmed at your independent school, you probably shouldn’t be there. They charge a lot of money so they can provide the services and the environment that people are willing to pay in order to have. So do you think financial aid is a waste of your money? And would you like to see financial aid eliminated so your tuition can be reduced to $55,000? You probably shouldn’t be at that school to begin with. Are the social justice trips around the world just another fat to be trimmed? A lot of people are at the school in part because they love that their kids will have those learning experiences. If those are the sorts of things you would like to see eliminated so that your tuition bill can be reduced, you probably shouldn’t be at the school to begin with. A few of the previous posters have commented that development department at their school employs too many people. Folks, they literally are there to pay for themselves plus all the excess dollars they raise for the school. Sheesh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you think there is fat to be trimmed at your independent school, you probably shouldn’t be there. They charge a lot of money so they can provide the services and the environment that people are willing to pay in order to have. So do you think financial aid is a waste of your money? And would you like to see financial aid eliminated so your tuition can be reduced to $55,000? You probably shouldn’t be at that school to begin with. Are the social justice trips around the world just another fat to be trimmed? A lot of people are at the school in part because they love that their kids will have those learning experiences. If those are the sorts of things you would like to see eliminated so that your tuition bill can be reduced, you probably shouldn’t be at the school to begin with. A few of the previous posters have commented that development department at their school employs too many people. Folks, they literally are there to pay for themselves plus all the excess dollars they raise for the school. Sheesh.

The fact that you are happy with a mediocre product doesn’t mean that everyone else should also be happy. Yes you can leave, but before that you provide feedback. Pretty normal in any business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you think there is fat to be trimmed at your independent school, you probably shouldn’t be there. They charge a lot of money so they can provide the services and the environment that people are willing to pay in order to have. So do you think financial aid is a waste of your money? And would you like to see financial aid eliminated so your tuition can be reduced to $55,000? You probably shouldn’t be at that school to begin with. Are the social justice trips around the world just another fat to be trimmed? A lot of people are at the school in part because they love that their kids will have those learning experiences. If those are the sorts of things you would like to see eliminated so that your tuition bill can be reduced, you probably shouldn’t be at the school to begin with. A few of the previous posters have commented that development department at their school employs too many people. Folks, they literally are there to pay for themselves plus all the excess dollars they raise for the school. Sheesh.

The fact that you are happy with a mediocre product doesn’t mean that everyone else should also be happy. Yes you can leave, but before that you provide feedback. Pretty normal in any business.

Lmao. I don’t think the product is mediocre. I’m thrilled with the product I’m getting, and I’m not looking for any fat to be cut. So you can leave if you want, but I’m not sure your feedback will matter much to anyone. There’s another family waiting for your spot. Adiós.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you think there is fat to be trimmed at your independent school, you probably shouldn’t be there. They charge a lot of money so they can provide the services and the environment that people are willing to pay in order to have. So do you think financial aid is a waste of your money? And would you like to see financial aid eliminated so your tuition can be reduced to $55,000? You probably shouldn’t be at that school to begin with. Are the social justice trips around the world just another fat to be trimmed? A lot of people are at the school in part because they love that their kids will have those learning experiences. If those are the sorts of things you would like to see eliminated so that your tuition bill can be reduced, you probably shouldn’t be at the school to begin with. A few of the previous posters have commented that development department at their school employs too many people. Folks, they literally are there to pay for themselves plus all the excess dollars they raise for the school. Sheesh.

The fact that you are happy with a mediocre product doesn’t mean that everyone else should also be happy. Yes you can leave, but before that you provide feedback. Pretty normal in any business.

Lmao. I don’t think the product is mediocre. I’m thrilled with the product I’m getting, and I’m not looking for any fat to be cut. So you can leave if you want, but I’m not sure your feedback will matter much to anyone. There’s another family waiting for your spot. Adiós.

With that attitude no wonder US education is getting worse and worse. Enjoy your mediocre education!