Are Independent Schools for Black Children

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i've worked at three DC privates. here;s the deal: if you pay full tuition and your child is well behaved and attractive, you're golden. no worries. however, if your child does not have 3 out of 3, watch out.

Liar. No educator would post what you did.

[Anonymous]

My white DS was picked on by a crazy teacher. She also picked on the AA boys and other white boys. I quickly figured out that 1) she was crazy and 2) she picked on the boys in the class. It's amazing that people that don't really like children chose a profession like teaching. You might think something is a race issue, but it might be something different. Always try to talk to other parents to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together -- it might take time, but it will all come together. I stuck up for my DC, and I reported this teacher when she was cruel to another boy in the class (he is AA) -- I even went to the Head of the School about it. I never told the boys parents until much later, but you never know who is looking out for you and your child and willing to do the right thing.

[Anonymous]

I think the premise of your question is racist and race-bating OP. Not every AA child is the same just as not every white child is the same. Private schools are great for some kids and not others regardless of race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i've worked at three DC privates. here;s the deal: if you pay full tuition and your child is well behaved and attractive, you're golden. no worries. however, if your child does not have 3 out of 3, watch out.

Liar. No educator would post what you did.

I agree that this post is very unlikely to be written by a private school employee, nonetheless, it is true.

[Anonymous]

Two of the AA girls in my daughter's class last year regularly teased my white daughter's AA best friend for having a white friend. They were in first grade. It was very disappointing all around. The teachers knew about it and did nothing. In that situation. I think the school was irresponsible pussyfooting around the issue, I am guessing because it involved race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two of the AA girls in my daughter's class last year regularly teased my white daughter's AA best friend for having a white friend. They were in first grade. It was very disappointing all around. The teachers knew about it and did nothing. In that situation. I think the school was irresponsible pussyfooting around the issue, I am guessing because it involved race.

I suppose we shouldn't be surprised, racism is inevitable in any race conscious society. Someone taught those 1st graders to judge people by the color of their skin.

[Anonymous]

There were more black children than white children at Grace's PK last year. It was a very welcoming inclusive environment. The children all got along very nicely with wonderful teachers. Grace Episcopal in Kensington really knows how to treat every child to be a good contributor and to feel valued. The faculty is not diverse; mostly white.

[Anonymous]

Who resurrects posts from January 2013?

[Anonymous]

My DS and DD both AA are beautiful and smart. Both attended a great independent. Both received FA, and we couldn't swing the difference this year, so they're in PS. Looks have nothing to do with it, neither does your bank account. Kids do not give 2 shits about color these days...just people like your ignorant ass asking this stupid ass question.

[Anonymous]

i have taught at three private schools and i can tell you for sure, from an insider's view, that discrimination is REAL. i won't call out certain schools but i wills say this:

1. one excellent school looked at black girls as less intellgent and black boys as behavior issues --whether they were these things or not. basically, that is the default impression.

2. another less elite private treated students and staff of color horribly. counseling the black kids out and firing the black teachers and staff for not doing anything of significance.

knowing what i know i would NEVER send my black child to either of those two schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i've worked at three DC privates. here;s the deal: if you pay full tuition and your child is well behaved and attractive, you're golden. no worries. however, if your child does not have 3 out of 3, watch out.

Liar. No educator would post what you did.

I agree that this post is very unlikely to be written by a private school employee, nonetheless, it is true.

i just posted a second ago, and yes, it is true. what do i have to lie about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They get too many breaks IMO.

Who are you referring to?

[Anonymous]

21:44, why not name these two schools, please? Your post is not helpful otherwise, unless you just want to make parents wonder which schools....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How's your DC treated at his/her independent school? Do you think fairly? Is it easier for boys than girls? Which schools do a good job educating children of color? I've heard varying stories some great and some horrible? Do elite blacks fair better than FA blacks? I know this is like talking about the elephant in the room but I really would like to hear your well thought out views. Please if you can't respond responsibly don't add your input! Just want to hear other parents perspectives of all races.

I am white, but DC attends one private, went to camp at another and I work at a third and here are my impressions:


If a black child is well behaved and does well academically, they will be accepted and gain praise( girl or boy) . I have seen this play out over and over again.

Poor academic performance or bad behavior will be met with compassion at first, and then less and less patience. This is true for white children as well. The difference is : if you get negative feedback at any point, will you "trip on it" and suspect it is because your child is black, when actually it would just be the behavior? The question is : how healthy are your relationships with white people because, if the chips are ever down and you need to trust administrators or teachers, they won't ALWAYS be white, but most of the time they will.

If THAT is a problem for you at your gut level, then look for a school that has more AA Admin ( GDS comes to mind) and where most of the AA families tend to be wealthy, and not the ones on FA so that the road has already been paved for you.

Good luck.

While this thread went off the rails, the pp is very sound advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I am full pay but I guarantee that if I see something that doesn't feel right, I am going to address it with the school. How sad that some of the AA posters are reluctant to 'make waves' for fear of repercussions even though they have justifiable issues regardless of full pay or FA.

I hate to burst your bubble but white parents are reluctant to make waves for fear of repercussions, also. It is simply the nature of private schools where the headmaster has toal control over your child's future. I really isn't a race issue. Unless you are a big donor or have a perfect kid, you walk on eggshells.

Exactly. I am just learning this, sadly. I thought the schools would be more receptive to parent input, but they are not. It feels like the 1950s.