Indulge my fantasy - top private vs. Walls

[Anonymous]

This is a no brainer. With 1 kid and OP HHI, she can afford private. It is not a stretch. Go private.

DCPS has never been great and is going downhill even more. The race to the bottom is real. The continued lowering of standards is real and just when you don’t think the bottom could go lower, it does. Supplementing only gets you so far. It can’t make up for the many deficits.

I won’t even go into all the other BS of bureaucracy, behavior issues, bad teachers, subs, etc….

What better priority for your money than your kids education and experience?

[Anonymous]

This was the oldest kid of close friends of ours, except their HHI is a few 100K higher... but they also have 3 kids.

She ended up getting into Walls and liking it a lot on her tour, but was ultimately very taken with a (different) top private. They let her go and she's been very happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was the oldest kid of close friends of ours, except their HHI is a few 100K higher... but they also have 3 kids.

She ended up getting into Walls and liking it a lot on her tour, but was ultimately very taken with a (different) top private. They let her go and she's been very happy.

I know a family with an almost identical experience (not the same fam since fewer kids, lower household income). They bemoan what they are paying for the private school and think their daughter, who was in DCPS through grade 8, would have been fine at Walls. But she apparently fell head over heels for this very prestigious private and is thriving there.

I think if you asked the daughter, it's worth it. If you ask the parents, it's an academic wash, but their kid loves the environment so much. That's hard to put a price-tag on.

I really think it's more about what fits your kid best and since I don't know her, I can't say. My guess is college/life outcomes aren't going to be radically different. It'll just be a different high school experience, but if the fit of the private is as amazing as it is for this kid, it's probably worth fewer trips to Italy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a no brainer. With 1 kid and OP HHI, she can afford private. It is not a stretch. Go private.

DCPS has never been great and is going downhill even more. The race to the bottom is real. The continued lowering of standards is real and just when you don’t think the bottom could go lower, it does. Supplementing only gets you so far. It can’t make up for the many deficits.

I won’t even go into all the other BS of bureaucracy, behavior issues, bad teachers, subs, etc….

What better priority for your money than your kids education and experience?

What DCPS HS does your kid go to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have had friends in this position. Those who were on the cusp of being able to easily afford it and who involved their child in the decision (school tours, interviews, etc) ended up in private. I think once the kids really got a taste for private school they said they were unimpressd with what they saw of Walls.

But i do agree the cultures are going to be really different. the curriculum is going to be more challenging at GDS or Sidwell, but the student body at Walls is going to be smarter. College placements are close. College readiness better at GDS or Sidwell, but I think at Walls they are ready enough. I have friends who went through Sidwell years ago who still feel burned out from the workload.

And The median income at GDS is $1 million. That comes with a host of cultural aspects that you either like or dont.

You pulled this stat out of thin air.
GDS (or any private school) has never asked parents to report their income.

no, this is a fact (median income is $1 million) that I know because I have worked at a private high school and have close contacts in director-level jobs at GDS. It's true.

[Anonymous]

i agree that private sounds better for OP, but will it be better for OP's child? If OP's kid is very self-motivated, she may prefer Walls more, because there is more freedom to structure her curriculum, plus she can take classes at GW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i agree that private sounds better for OP, but will it be better for OP's child? If OP's kid is very self-motivated, she may prefer Walls more, because there is more freedom to structure her curriculum, plus she can take classes at GW.

Walls is great for students who are self-motivated and go after what they want...but I'm not sure about OP's situation. If OP is one that is overly involved in her kid's life (why is there a need for "nonstop advocacy" for ex?) than private is definitely better. If OP is willing to let her kid handle high school on their own (which the kid seems capable of doing), the Walls would probably be better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have had friends in this position. Those who were on the cusp of being able to easily afford it and who involved their child in the decision (school tours, interviews, etc) ended up in private. I think once the kids really got a taste for private school they said they were unimpressd with what they saw of Walls.

But i do agree the cultures are going to be really different. the curriculum is going to be more challenging at GDS or Sidwell, but the student body at Walls is going to be smarter. College placements are close. College readiness better at GDS or Sidwell, but I think at Walls they are ready enough. I have friends who went through Sidwell years ago who still feel burned out from the workload.

And The median income at GDS is $1 million. That comes with a host of cultural aspects that you either like or dont.

You pulled this stat out of thin air.
GDS (or any private school) has never asked parents to report their income.

no, this is a fact (median income is $1 million) that I know because I have worked at a private high school and have close contacts in director-level jobs at GDS. It's true.

I call bullshit. We don’t provide this information to GDS or Sidwell, where I was a parent. I am also a doctor and there is no way the AO could suss out what I clear from my private practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have had friends in this position. Those who were on the cusp of being able to easily afford it and who involved their child in the decision (school tours, interviews, etc) ended up in private. I think once the kids really got a taste for private school they said they were unimpressd with what they saw of Walls.

But i do agree the cultures are going to be really different. the curriculum is going to be more challenging at GDS or Sidwell, but the student body at Walls is going to be smarter. College placements are close. College readiness better at GDS or Sidwell, but I think at Walls they are ready enough. I have friends who went through Sidwell years ago who still feel burned out from the workload.

And The median income at GDS is $1 million. That comes with a host of cultural aspects that you either like or dont.

You pulled this stat out of thin air.
GDS (or any private school) has never asked parents to report their income.

no, this is a fact (median income is $1 million) that I know because I have worked at a private high school and have close contacts in director-level jobs at GDS. It's true.

I call bullshit. We don’t provide this information to GDS or Sidwell, where I was a parent. I am also a doctor and there is no way the AO could suss out what I clear from my private practice.

FWIW as a fundraising professional I can tell you there are databases out there that assess individuals' net worth without any self-reporting necessary. No idea if GDS does this but I would be surprised if any private school didn't sort out this info about their families on a regular basis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have had friends in this position. Those who were on the cusp of being able to easily afford it and who involved their child in the decision (school tours, interviews, etc) ended up in private. I think once the kids really got a taste for private school they said they were unimpressd with what they saw of Walls.

But i do agree the cultures are going to be really different. the curriculum is going to be more challenging at GDS or Sidwell, but the student body at Walls is going to be smarter. College placements are close. College readiness better at GDS or Sidwell, but I think at Walls they are ready enough. I have friends who went through Sidwell years ago who still feel burned out from the workload.

And The median income at GDS is $1 million. That comes with a host of cultural aspects that you either like or dont.

You pulled this stat out of thin air.
GDS (or any private school) has never asked parents to report their income.

no, this is a fact (median income is $1 million) that I know because I have worked at a private high school and have close contacts in director-level jobs at GDS. It's true.

I call bullshit. We don’t provide this information to GDS or Sidwell, where I was a parent. I am also a doctor and there is no way the AO could suss out what I clear from my private practice.

FWIW as a fundraising professional I can tell you there are databases out there that assess individuals' net worth without any self-reporting necessary. No idea if GDS does this but I would be surprised if any private school didn't sort out this info about their families on a regular basis.

Well of course the development office makes educated guesses from the databases you cite - which themselves compile intelligent guesses together with public data like SEC filings, 990s etc. PP was far too confident in their assertion though. Revenue sharing, partnership agreements, part-time work is all intentionally opaque

[Anonymous]

I would do Sidwell.
Entry level jobs are really scarce right now and it's increasingly important to do well in college. Companies are sorting by GPAs, especially high level ones in finance, consulting, etc. It's really important to do exceptionally well in college, even if you're at an Ivy. Gone are the days when an Ivy 3.6 will get a top job. My Ivy freshman and friends are doing whatever they can to keep close to a 4.0.

The real benefit of Sidwell and similar is that the kids do exceptionally well in college from out of the gate freshman year. Many DCPS kids struggle first semester or first year. Not all but many. I have heard this narrative countless times. Most figure it out but it takes a semester or a year.
In 2025, kids don't have this luxury. The top jobs require perfection from the start.

[Anonymous]

My kids have been in charters until my DD started at Walls for high school so I can't speak what private schools are like. For SWW though -

All of the issues you mention about DCPS - "the nonstop advocacy, feeling like parents have to hold it all up bc it's so chaotic and funding always in jeopardy, issues with staffing and facilities, always wondering if we will lose a teacher or a section" - I've seen almost all of that at SWW. It's really not protected. In some ways, it's even more exposed since the facility itself has no fields, theatre space, gym, etc. So you would absolutely be signing up for another 4 years of that.

However, it sounds like your daughter is precisely the kind of kid who would thrive at SWW, get a very solid education, and fit in well with the generally nice, smart kids who tend to go there (yes, of course, not 100%, but in my kid's experience, most!).

So then it's really more about if it's worth it to you to pay not to deal with the particular set of issues you know you'll face at DCPS and trade them for whatever issues you might find at a private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i agree that private sounds better for OP, but will it be better for OP's child? If OP's kid is very self-motivated, she may prefer Walls more, because there is more freedom to structure her curriculum, plus she can take classes at GW.

More freedom to structure the curriculum has not been my kid's experience at Walls so far (grade 10). Maybe that will change, but my sense is that there really isn't a ton of choice (especially with regard to core subjects) AND, at the end of the day, it's a small-ish school that doesn't have the budget to offer super wide-ranging electives or AP classes.

[Anonymous]

I think you need to drop a lot of your stereotypes and assumptions. My kids are at one of those privates. I don’t know of a single kid/family who has the essay writers, consultants, etc that you mention. The only kids we know who are tutored are tutored at the school, by teachers, and it was bc they really were struggling. The school dos pirated anyone from getting outside tutoring. As far as brands, your income, etc, I really don’t think you get what a broad swath of families go to privates. You will be way better off than maybe even the majority of families. To think you’d even consider applying for aid is gross. My kids have friends who are from single parent situations where they still be the first to even graduate from college. Another family was thrilled to be the first homeowners in their family, and it’s honestly in a trailer park in PG county. We were also thrilled for them, but I think you have a jaded view bc you live on a wealthy nw neighborhood.
As far as the school, your daughter will likely appreciate the challenge at one of those privates. She will truly learn how to learn and be a much better writer and thinker.

[Anonymous]

Are people on here really saying that the academics at Walls is just as good as Sidwell or GDS?? Sorry but rose colored glasses are not going to help you.

Walls is a like mediocre suburb school at best, not even great but with all the headaches of DCPS.

Your top performing kid will most likely reach their full potential by going to the top privates where there are really high performing motivated kids in an environment of teachers with very high expectations and standards. It’s not going to be easy. They are going to have to work really hard but they will be very well prepared for college and beyond. In addition, they will get small class sizes, more individualized support, and more offerings in curriculum, EC, sports, and facilities, etc…

In contrast, sure your kid will do fine in DCPS at Walls but it is because it is easier, standards are lower, and they will not be pushed to their full potential. You will have to supplement for that. Course offerings are limited and some teachers are checked out and just going thru the motions. Leadership is not good.

If you can’t afford private, then Walls is what you can get. But if you have the funds for private, this should not even be a question to go. If you don’t want to send your kid, just admit OP that you value your vacations or whatever over a better education for your kid. That is fine if that is your priority but let’s be real here.