Private schools are indefensible

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As though they couldn’t believe that folks actually believe in helping out and being part of their local school community. The kids that attend this school live in our neighborhoods and surrounding community. They are your neighbors. Or did you just leave the behind when you went private?

LOL, how is any of this surprising to you? We live in a country that glorifies and celebrates selfishness and rugged individualism.

You are being disingenuous. If you have school age children and you do NOT send them to the local public schools, then you are NOT (by your own choice) a part of the local school community. It rings as INCREDIBLY condescending and false for you to try to be involved and “help out” all those OTHER kids...

DP. Wait, what? Are you seriously suggesting that people who don't send their kids to public schools shouldn't volunteer or advocate in education, let alone work in education? Do you realize how crazy that sounds?

I’m saying actions speak louder than words. If you support the local public schools, then send your kids to the local public schools. You don’t get credit for “supporting” the schools while simultaneously showing that they’re not actually good enough for YOUR kids. It’s really not complicated.

[Anonymous]

I’ll be brutally honest. I live in an amazing school district. Yet, I pay money to send my son to, what most would consider, an elite private school. I graduated from the same school many years ago and had an amazing experience. Not only was it the most challenging academic environment I have ever been a part of, including college and law school, it opened up doors for me that would have never been available otherwise. I did not come from money, and my parents struggled to make ends meet to send me there. Even though the local public high school is amazing, it is still not the equivalent by any measure. The whole point of my parents sending me there and me sending my son there is to gain an unfair advantage in life—academically and socially. Otherwise, there is no point in spending $40,000.00+ annually of after tax dollars. I don’t lose a minute of sleep over my decision nor do I feel an ounce of guilt. I am, however, extremely thankful and grateful that I could have that experience and that I could offer the same experience to my son. I just said what is on the minds of many parents who are reluctant to state the truth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ll be brutally honest. I live in an amazing school district. Yet, I pay money to send my son to, what most would consider, an elite private school. I graduated from the same school many years ago and had an amazing experience. Not only was it the most challenging academic environment I have ever been a part of, including college and law school, it opened up doors for me that would have never been available otherwise. I did not come from money, and my parents struggled to make ends meet to send me there. Even though the local public high school is amazing, it is still not the equivalent by any measure. The whole point of my parents sending me there and me sending my son there is to gain an unfair advantage in life—academically and socially. Otherwise, there is no point in spending $40,000.00+ annually of after tax dollars. I don’t lose a minute of sleep over my decision nor do I feel an ounce of guilt. I am, however, extremely thankful and grateful that I could have that experience and that I could offer the same experience to my son. I just said what is on the minds of many parents who are reluctant to state the truth.

I’m trying to find the big reveal in there. I’m pretty sure we all know that’s the truth.

[Anonymous]

I mean, what is the point of life besides getting ahead from exploiting unfair advantages? It’s the American way!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As though they couldn’t believe that folks actually believe in helping out and being part of their local school community. The kids that attend this school live in our neighborhoods and surrounding community. They are your neighbors. Or did you just leave the behind when you went private?

LOL, how is any of this surprising to you? We live in a country that glorifies and celebrates selfishness and rugged individualism.

You are being disingenuous. If you have school age children and you do NOT send them to the local public schools, then you are NOT (by your own choice) a part of the local school community. It rings as INCREDIBLY condescending and false for you to try to be involved and “help out” all those OTHER kids...

DP. Wait, what? Are you seriously suggesting that people who don't send their kids to public schools shouldn't volunteer or advocate in education, let alone work in education? Do you realize how crazy that sounds?

I’m saying actions speak louder than words. If you support the local public schools, then send your kids to the local public schools. You don’t get credit for “supporting” the schools while simultaneously showing that they’re not actually good enough for YOUR kids. It’s really not complicated.

+1 PP, knock yourself out if you’re passionate about volunteering or “advocating” in your own special way, but don’t be surprised when the public school parents are rolling their eyes at you behind your back.

[Anonymous]

Come back and talk to me about my private school choices when Presidents start sending their kids to public schools. They could do it if they wanted to; don't give us the "but security!" BS.

[Anonymous]

The family on my FB feed that is most passionate about public schools goes to a public school where the school looks like a castle. It could be in a Harry Potter movie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Come back and talk to me about my private school choices when Presidents start sending their kids to public schools. They could do it if they wanted to; don't give us the "but security!" BS.

It’s almost as if the ruling class is continually fed by the top universities, which disproportionately pluck students from elite private schools, so that they have no first-hand experience, nor vested interest, in doing anything to help public schools. Huh.

[Anonymous]

And public school teachers who send their kids to private school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ll be brutally honest. I live in an amazing school district. Yet, I pay money to send my son to, what most would consider, an elite private school. I graduated from the same school many years ago and had an amazing experience. Not only was it the most challenging academic environment I have ever been a part of, including college and law school, it opened up doors for me that would have never been available otherwise. I did not come from money, and my parents struggled to make ends meet to send me there. Even though the local public high school is amazing, it is still not the equivalent by any measure. The whole point of my parents sending me there and me sending my son there is to gain an unfair advantage in life—academically and socially. Otherwise, there is no point in spending $40,000.00+ annually of after tax dollars. I don’t lose a minute of sleep over my decision nor do I feel an ounce of guilt. I am, however, extremely thankful and grateful that I could have that experience and that I could offer the same experience to my son. I just said what is on the minds of many parents who are reluctant to state the truth.

I’m trying to find the big reveal in there. I’m pretty sure we all know that’s the truth.

Exactly lol

And no one has a problem with this true. The problem is the chasm between elite private schools and even the best public schools are now too big to ignore. Hence, why one has to wonder what chance does unremarkable average kids in mediocre public school have?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Come back and talk to me about my private school choices when Presidents start sending their kids to public schools. They could do it if they wanted to; don't give us the "but security!" BS.

Thank you!!

[Anonymous]

Get back to me when expensive popular privates start admitting actual poor kids, ELLs, homeless and almost any diversity that is not immediately visible in their viewbooks.

[Anonymous]

Admittedly I have not and do not plan to read the article but I am curious if the author explains why private schools more indefensible than tutors, travel sports, private music lessons, etc? Those all cost money as well. Or the ability for kids not to need to work a part time job or look after younger siblings. Wealth confers its advantages in innumerable ways, why is this one particular way worse than others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually agree with the author (whom I know nothing about). Objectively schools, especially those strongly left leaning such as GDS and Sidwell ( and people have said on this board that Holton has swung aggressively in the same direction) are in fact a complete contradiction. They have aggressively embraced what I will describe as hyper-liberalism, and yet charge circa $50,000 per child, per year to attend school. This does not feel like the "equality" they espouse. Can anyone not see the inherent contradiction?

I agree with this. Most people are missing the point of the article. That private schools exist to perpetuate the elite class but also want credit for being progressive and in support of social justice. All she is saying is that these schools are hypocritical. The democrat parents at these schools should be honest about the part we all play in supporting a highly unequal system. We want the best for our kids at the expense of others. I had to laugh when she called Sidwell the Saks 5th Avenue of Quakerism. Spot on and my own kids go to Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

I pay for a nicer house, so I can live in a nicer house. Same goes for food, cars, dental care, fitness, vacations, etc. I use money, that I earn, to have more fun, experience less stress, and experience better security than I would otherwise.

All of these things give me, and my children, a life advantage over those who don't.

This is an inevitable fact of life. The fruits of labor are best enjoyed by the laborer, otherwise, it's compelled/co-opted/recalcitrant labor...which is immoral and not very productive.

If you want to attack 'privilege', attack those private leges/laws that enrich the few: titles, licenses, patents, copyrights, etc. 3/4's of the problems the poor face are right here: they didn't inherit a home, and their parents were working so hard to survive they had nothing left to invest in their children's education/upbringing with. Then the children can't go out and work a good job, because there's a license for damn near any job that doesn't require a college degree.

Don't attack those who learn a difficult skill and then work, invest, save, and build families.

Attack the system that gatekeeps jobs, and prefers high housing prices to high wages.