Anyone start at private elementary then switch to MD public?

[Anonymous]

We are in the middle of applying to private K for our DS. Although we started out intending on going public, we toured some of the private schools in DC and were impressed enough to make a decision to find a way to afford the tuition. But we are still mixed - love the community feel of public school, the MD public schools are strong despite perhaps some overcrowding and the public school's necessary focus on testing.

We might still do public. But - we also might start private and then after a few years switch to public.

Has anyone move from private to public school in elementary or middle school for financial, logistical, or other reasons? And if so, can you comment on the impact of that switch on your family/child? Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Yes, moved to MCPS for high school. The impact on our family has been amazing, other than I kick myself for not moving to public earlier. In our case it's not about the money, although saving $35k a year is a major plus, but about the fit. It happens to be a great fit for this child. A nice by product is that we are more involved in the neighborhood/comunity than we ever were when we were commuting to DC for school. I don't think you can predict now what will be appropriate in 8-10 years, I certainly couldn't have done it at K, so the key is to be flexible and see what works for your kid at different points.

[Anonymous]

We did this too. I posted in another thread that DC went from private elementary to a magnet. We have no regrets and, like the PP, we are happy to be more involved in the community as a side benefit. In addition to being flexible about what your kid might need in 8-9 years, the decision may also depend on what private school you would be leaving, and what public school you would be going to.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you both. Very reassuring!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, moved to MCPS for high school. The impact on our family has been amazing, other than I kick myself for not moving to public earlier. In our case it's not about the money, although saving $35k a year is a major plus, but about the fit. It happens to be a great fit for this child. A nice by product is that we are more involved in the neighborhood/comunity than we ever were when we were commuting to DC for school. I don't think you can predict now what will be appropriate in 8-10 years, I certainly couldn't have done it at K, so the key is to be flexible and see what works for your kid at different points.

Can you say what private school you left? Did you or DH go to private? Why is it a better fit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, moved to MCPS for high school. The impact on our family has been amazing, other than I kick myself for not moving to public earlier. In our case it's not about the money, although saving $35k a year is a major plus, but about the fit. It happens to be a great fit for this child. A nice by product is that we are more involved in the neighborhood/comunity than we ever were when we were commuting to DC for school. I don't think you can predict now what will be appropriate in 8-10 years, I certainly couldn't have done it at K, so the key is to be flexible and see what works for your kid at different points.

Can you say what private school you left? Did you or DH go to private? Why is it a better fit?

One parent went to an elite private school and the other public. The school is a better fit because it is bigger and with plenty of compatible kids, has very challenging classes and a lot of advanced options, competitive sports, and more normal families. Of course that combo definitely does not work for everyone.