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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have a student who is gifted in math and science, the publics offer accelerated classes that the private schools do not. They have large enough cohorts to offer classes beyond APs, like multivariable calc or science electives taught by NIH retirees.

We’ve been over this already. We showed you the course catalogs from top private schools and proved that this is wrong. Do we need to rehash this?

Apparently, we do. The privates are not even close in math and science options, or in providing an advanced math cohort.

Look at the 8-9 course catalogs I posted.

I’m sorry, but the level of math in public schools in the area is no contest with private, particularly with respect to the cohort of math/computer science kids. It is generally accepted, if you have a stem kid go public. The public kids are truly amazing in this area.

It’s like you didn’t even read the course catalogs.

[Anonymous]

And don’t talk to me about STEM magnet programs because private school kids go to those as well. I mean non-magnet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This type of thread is always very triggering to parents who want to pretend they could afford private school but in reality it’s out of reach ($100k/year in post tax dollars for two kids is really tough even for UMC families!), so they spin us all a yarn about why actually public is the exact same or better and it’s not really about the money.

I don’t understand why you won’t just admit to yourself and us that you actually CAN’T afford it, and that’s the real reason. Not math at Wootton or whatever TF you’re trying to convince us of.

The question OP asked was for those of us who can easily afford private. Can’t speak for others, but our decision to send our kids to a W school wasn’t based on money, the cost of private wouldn’t matter to us, we just thought public was a better environment, better opportunities and generally offered a great education. Very happy in MCPS as many other posters here are.

+1 The W school my older kids attended is vastly better than any public or private school I attended growing up in mostly rural areas, and I still have managed to have an excellent career. They both got a great education, and were extremely well-prepared for college.

We significantly over-funded our 529s and could easily afford to send our younger kids to private HS and college without touching any other funds in our brokerage accounts. But why would we? They have friends from Big 3 schools, including ones they met in college, and none of those kids was any better prepared or happier than ours. I also appreciate the confidence that navigating a big school gives kids. The W schools are all in a bubble of wealthy and well-educated parents, but not nearly to the same degree as the local privates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This is ugly elitism. I’ve seen it, and it’s always gross. If this is your opinion of Ivy masters students I’m sure I’d shudder to hear what you think of the masses.

I have nothing against the MA students. I’m simply saying that this is the reality of how the programs are perceived.

You yourself are being incredibly elitist by pointing to Ivy grad program admissions as the marker of MCPS success.

So — pot meet kettle.

DP

That is NOT elitist. At all.
PP’s point stands - much better than yours.

It’s blatantly elitist because it implies that non-Ivies are inferior.

It implies that Ivies are known for being of a high quality. You can infer that non-Ivies are universally lesser quality I guess but I’m not sure why you would.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This type of thread is always very triggering to parents who want to pretend they could afford private school but in reality it’s out of reach ($100k/year in post tax dollars for two kids is really tough even for UMC families!), so they spin us all a yarn about why actually public is the exact same or better and it’s not really about the money.

I don’t understand why you won’t just admit to yourself and us that you actually CAN’T afford it, and that’s the real reason. Not math at Wootton or whatever TF you’re trying to convince us of.

The question OP asked was for those of us who can easily afford private. Can’t speak for others, but our decision to send our kids to a W school wasn’t based on money, the cost of private wouldn’t matter to us, we just thought public was a better environment, better opportunities and generally offered a great education. Very happy in MCPS as many other posters here are.

+1 The W school my older kids attended is vastly better than any public or private school I attended growing up in mostly rural areas, and I still have managed to have an excellent career. They both got a great education, and were extremely well-prepared for college.

We significantly over-funded our 529s and could easily afford to send our younger kids to private HS and college without touching any other funds in our brokerage accounts. But why would we? They have friends from Big 3 schools, including ones they met in college, and none of those kids was any better prepared or happier than ours. I also appreciate the confidence that navigating a big school gives kids. The W schools are all in a bubble of wealthy and well-educated parents, but not nearly to the same degree as the local privates.

The basis for you saying it’s vastly better is your secondhand knowledge of your kid’s friends? Critical thinking isn’t your strong suit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This is ugly elitism. I’ve seen it, and it’s always gross. If this is your opinion of Ivy masters students I’m sure I’d shudder to hear what you think of the masses.

I have nothing against the MA students. I’m simply saying that this is the reality of how the programs are perceived.

You yourself are being incredibly elitist by pointing to Ivy grad program admissions as the marker of MCPS success.

So — pot meet kettle.

DP

That is NOT elitist. At all.
PP’s point stands - much better than yours.

It’s blatantly elitist because it implies that non-Ivies are inferior.

It implies that Ivies are known for being of a high quality. You can infer that non-Ivies are universally lesser quality I guess but I’m not sure why you would.

We’re not talking about perception. We’re talking about actual markers of success.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have a student who is gifted in math and science, the publics offer accelerated classes that the private schools do not. They have large enough cohorts to offer classes beyond APs, like multivariable calc or science electives taught by NIH retirees.

We’ve been over this already. We showed you the course catalogs from top private schools and proved that this is wrong. Do we need to rehash this?

Apparently, we do. The privates are not even close in math and science options, or in providing an advanced math cohort.

Look at the 8-9 course catalogs I posted.

that doesn't show the number of cohorts in the class. I stated above, my kid's HS needs two MVC classes.

Your kid’s HS is probably 4 times larger than most private schools, so the percentage of the class in MVC is likely comparable to private, if not lower.

Simple math, my friend.

um.. that's the point. Public schools like that will have a larger high achieving cohort than private. More kids to make friends with.

Before we moved here, there was only one single kid who was reading at the same level as my DC (3 grades above). When we moved here to the DC area, half the class was reading at DC's level. It was so great for DC to have a large peer cohort.

Having a good sized high achieving peer cohort is important for those who are high achieving, and that applies to private or lower performing schools. And btw, we used to live in a very wealthy area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This is ugly elitism. I’ve seen it, and it’s always gross. If this is your opinion of Ivy masters students I’m sure I’d shudder to hear what you think of the masses.

I have nothing against the MA students. I’m simply saying that this is the reality of how the programs are perceived.

You yourself are being incredibly elitist by pointing to Ivy grad program admissions as the marker of MCPS success.

So — pot meet kettle.

DP

That is NOT elitist. At all.
PP’s point stands - much better than yours.

It’s blatantly elitist because it implies that non-Ivies are inferior.

It implies that Ivies are known for being of a high quality. You can infer that non-Ivies are universally lesser quality I guess but I’m not sure why you would.

We’re not talking about perception. We’re talking about actual markers of success.

Are we? Not very clear on your argument at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Not the PPs, but will state That’s not goalpost moving it’s a known fact. One I can attest to having attended a DC private. Just because it’s listed in the course catalog, doesn’t mean the course will be offered in a given year. You could actually wind up having to take one of your selected Alternative classes. Particularly if this is an advance course that is not required for graduation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Not the PPs, but will state That’s not goalpost moving it’s a known fact. One I can attest to having attended a DC private. Just because it’s listed in the course catalog, doesn’t mean the course will be offered in a given year. You could actually wind up having to take one of your selected Alternative classes. Particularly if this is an advance course that is not required for graduation.

But you could say that for any school. That proves nothing.

[Anonymous]

Will your kids end up wealthier going to a public or private school? I say private with all of the connections and softer skills they acquire. School is about so much more than just classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have a student who is gifted in math and science, the publics offer accelerated classes that the private schools do not. They have large enough cohorts to offer classes beyond APs, like multivariable calc or science electives taught by NIH retirees.

We’ve been over this already. We showed you the course catalogs from top private schools and proved that this is wrong. Do we need to rehash this?

Apparently, we do. The privates are not even close in math and science options, or in providing an advanced math cohort.

Look at the 8-9 course catalogs I posted.

that doesn't show the number of cohorts in the class. I stated above, my kid's HS needs two MVC classes.

Your kid’s HS is probably 4 times larger than most private schools, so the percentage of the class in MVC is likely comparable to private, if not lower.

Simple math, my friend.

um.. that's the point. Public schools like that will have a larger high achieving cohort than private. More kids to make friends with.

Before we moved here, there was only one single kid who was reading at the same level as my DC (3 grades above). When we moved here to the DC area, half the class was reading at DC's level. It was so great for DC to have a large peer cohort.

Having a good sized high achieving peer cohort is important for those who are high achieving, and that applies to private or lower performing schools. And btw, we used to live in a very wealthy area.

But that doesn’t mean public schools are better at teaching math, which is the contention here. It just means they’re bigger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Not the PPs, but will state That’s not goalpost moving it’s a known fact. One I can attest to having attended a DC private. Just because it’s listed in the course catalog, doesn’t mean the course will be offered in a given year. You could actually wind up having to take one of your selected Alternative classes. Particularly if this is an advance course that is not required for graduation.

But you could say that for any school. That proves nothing.

dp.. indeed, that can happen at any school, but for high achieving large publics, you won't have the issue where there aren't enough kids taking MVC. You can have that issue in smaller privates in any given year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Not the PPs, but will state That’s not goalpost moving it’s a known fact. One I can attest to having attended a DC private. Just because it’s listed in the course catalog, doesn’t mean the course will be offered in a given year. You could actually wind up having to take one of your selected Alternative classes. Particularly if this is an advance course that is not required for graduation.

But you could say that for any school. That proves nothing.

dp.. indeed, that can happen at any school, but for high achieving large publics, you won't have the issue where there aren't enough kids taking MVC. You can have that issue in smaller privates in any given year.

In my experience, they’ll offer the class regardless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have a student who is gifted in math and science, the publics offer accelerated classes that the private schools do not. They have large enough cohorts to offer classes beyond APs, like multivariable calc or science electives taught by NIH retirees.

We’ve been over this already. We showed you the course catalogs from top private schools and proved that this is wrong. Do we need to rehash this?

Apparently, we do. The privates are not even close in math and science options, or in providing an advanced math cohort.

Look at the 8-9 course catalogs I posted.

But when was the last time they actually offered these classes?
Been there, done that, moved on far away from the marketing plot.