Politically Incorrect Private School Thread What Do You Really Think?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like a lot of people don't say what they really think because they are afraid of coming across as snobby or elitest.

I'll throw this out there. I think that my private offers a higher quality education than our highly ranked public.

Here you go. Perhaps someone posted this already, but the reality is that the quality of the education in private schools is only part of what you pay for. For some private schools (e.g., Saint Albans, Georgetown Prep), you are paying for a name brand with national recognition that opens up opportunities for your child beyond just the classroom and college matriculation process. The relationships they forge during the high school years follow them for a lifetime both personally and professionally. For those who think that paying for private school is only about the education, you are thinking very naively. Other schools like Sidwell, Georgetown Day and Maret, while they enjoy an excellent academic reputation, including nationally among colleges, do not, in my opinion foster the lifelong relationships among their alumni that provide any sort of personal/professional benefit beyond getting into college (which though important is only part of the overall equation).

My non-PC statement is that this just isn't true. The rest of the real world truly does not care where you went to high school and laughs at you if you act like it matters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like a lot of people don't say what they really think because they are afraid of coming across as snobby or elitest.

I'll throw this out there. I think that my private offers a higher quality education than our highly ranked public.

Here you go. Perhaps someone posted this already, but the reality is that the quality of the education in private schools is only part of what you pay for. For some private schools (e.g., Saint Albans, Georgetown Prep), you are paying for a name brand with national recognition that opens up opportunities for your child beyond just the classroom and college matriculation process. The relationships they forge during the high school years follow them for a lifetime both personally and professionally. For those who think that paying for private school is only about the education, you are thinking very naively. Other schools like Sidwell, Georgetown Day and Maret, while they enjoy an excellent academic reputation, including nationally among colleges, do not, in my opinion foster the lifelong relationships among their alumni that provide any sort of personal/professional benefit beyond getting into college (which though important is only part of the overall equation).

My non-PC statement is that this just isn't true. The rest of the real world truly does not care where you went to high school and laughs at you if you act like it matters.

I think it matters to a certain extent, but at a certain point you have to sink or swim on your own merits. I'm a hiring manager in one of those high prestige low wage fields that rich people love, and I actively trash any job application that mentions where someone went to high school if they are older than 23.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like a lot of people don't say what they really think because they are afraid of coming across as snobby or elitest.

I'll throw this out there. I think that my private offers a higher quality education than our highly ranked public.

Here you go. Perhaps someone posted this already, but the reality is that the quality of the education in private schools is only part of what you pay for. For some private schools (e.g., Saint Albans, Georgetown Prep), you are paying for a name brand with national recognition that opens up opportunities for your child beyond just the classroom and college matriculation process. The relationships they forge during the high school years follow them for a lifetime both personally and professionally. For those who think that paying for private school is only about the education, you are thinking very naively. Other schools like Sidwell, Georgetown Day and Maret, while they enjoy an excellent academic reputation, including nationally among colleges, do not, in my opinion foster the lifelong relationships among their alumni that provide any sort of personal/professional benefit beyond getting into college (which though important is only part of the overall equation).

My non-PC statement is that this just isn't true. The rest of the real world truly does not care where you went to high school and laughs at you if you act like it matters.

If you think it doesn't matter, then you don't have access to those alumni networks. BTDT, trust me, it matters. I got my first two jobs that way. It's kind of disheartening if you believe in meritocracy but yeah the good old boy and gal networks are still flourishing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like a lot of people don't say what they really think because they are afraid of coming across as snobby or elitest.

I'll throw this out there. I think that my private offers a higher quality education than our highly ranked public.

Here you go. Perhaps someone posted this already, but the reality is that the quality of the education in private schools is only part of what you pay for. For some private schools (e.g., Saint Albans, Georgetown Prep), you are paying for a name brand with national recognition that opens up opportunities for your child beyond just the classroom and college matriculation process. The relationships they forge during the high school years follow them for a lifetime both personally and professionally. For those who think that paying for private school is only about the education, you are thinking very naively. Other schools like Sidwell, Georgetown Day and Maret, while they enjoy an excellent academic reputation, including nationally among colleges, do not, in my opinion foster the lifelong relationships among their alumni that provide any sort of personal/professional benefit beyond getting into college (which though important is only part of the overall equation).

My non-PC statement is that this just isn't true. The rest of the real world truly does not care where you went to high school and laughs at you if you act like it matters.

I think it matters to a certain extent, but at a certain point you have to sink or swim on your own merits. I'm a hiring manager in one of those high prestige low wage fields that rich people love, and I actively trash any job application that mentions where someone went to high school if they are older than 23.

That's now how it comes up. "Oh you grew up in the DC area? [I'm from there too or I have relatives there.] Where did you live? Where did you go to school?" Bingo. Substitute the private schools or nationally known magnates for any big city. One of my best friends when to Stuy in NYC and she always says that helped her get her start in life. It matters.

[Anonymous]

That indoctrination should not be confused for education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like a lot of people don't say what they really think because they are afraid of coming across as snobby or elitest.

I'll throw this out there. I think that my private offers a higher quality education than our highly ranked public.

Here you go. Perhaps someone posted this already, but the reality is that the quality of the education in private schools is only part of what you pay for. For some private schools (e.g., Saint Albans, Georgetown Prep), you are paying for a name brand with national recognition that opens up opportunities for your child beyond just the classroom and college matriculation process. The relationships they forge during the high school years follow them for a lifetime both personally and professionally. For those who think that paying for private school is only about the education, you are thinking very naively. Other schools like Sidwell, Georgetown Day and Maret, while they enjoy an excellent academic reputation, including nationally among colleges, do not, in my opinion foster the lifelong relationships among their alumni that provide any sort of personal/professional benefit beyond getting into college (which though important is only part of the overall equation).

My non-PC statement is that this just isn't true. The rest of the real world truly does not care where you went to high school and laughs at you if you act like it matters.

If you think it doesn't matter, then you don't have access to those alumni networks. BTDT, trust me, it matters. I got my first two jobs that way. It's kind of disheartening if you believe in meritocracy but yeah the good old boy and gal networks are still flourishing.

+ 1

It's networking. It just adds more people to your roster. And people are impressed by some of these names. (DH and I both went to nationally known boarding school where I was a day student). College networks matter too. You can't go to a nationally known high school than a lackluster college and think that's going to help you. But both together, yeah people take a second look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like a lot of people don't say what they really think because they are afraid of coming across as snobby or elitest.

I'll throw this out there. I think that my private offers a higher quality education than our highly ranked public.

Here you go. Perhaps someone posted this already, but the reality is that the quality of the education in private schools is only part of what you pay for. For some private schools (e.g., Saint Albans, Georgetown Prep), you are paying for a name brand with national recognition that opens up opportunities for your child beyond just the classroom and college matriculation process. The relationships they forge during the high school years follow them for a lifetime both personally and professionally. For those who think that paying for private school is only about the education, you are thinking very naively. Other schools like Sidwell, Georgetown Day and Maret, while they enjoy an excellent academic reputation, including nationally among colleges, do not, in my opinion foster the lifelong relationships among their alumni that provide any sort of personal/professional benefit beyond getting into college (which though important is only part of the overall equation).

My non-PC statement is that this just isn't true. The rest of the real world truly does not care where you went to high school and laughs at you if you act like it matters.

I think it matters to a certain extent, but at a certain point you have to sink or swim on your own merits. I'm a hiring manager in one of those high prestige low wage fields that rich people love, and I actively trash any job application that mentions where someone went to high school if they are older than 23.

That's now how it comes up. "Oh you grew up in the DC area? [I'm from there too or I have relatives there.] Where did you live? Where did you go to school?" Bingo. Substitute the private schools or nationally known magnates for any big city. One of my best friends when to Stuy in NYC and she always says that helped her get her start in life. It matters.

Not special or unique to these schools. That is the point.

[Anonymous]

Private school "lifers" (pre-K through 12) are usually kind of dumb. Either rich kids who just paid for their diploma or FA faculty kids who get preferential admissions. The kid who is the drug dealer of the class is usually also a "lifer." The kid
Who has major learning disabilities and lots
Of tutors, usually a "lifer." The kids who come in middle/high school are usually better academically, but lack family connections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like a lot of people don't say what they really think because they are afraid of coming across as snobby or elitest.

I'll throw this out there. I think that my private offers a higher quality education than our highly ranked public.

Here you go. Perhaps someone posted this already, but the reality is that the quality of the education in private schools is only part of what you pay for. For some private schools (e.g., Saint Albans, Georgetown Prep), you are paying for a name brand with national recognition that opens up opportunities for your child beyond just the classroom and college matriculation process. The relationships they forge during the high school years follow them for a lifetime both personally and professionally. For those who think that paying for private school is only about the education, you are thinking very naively. Other schools like Sidwell, Georgetown Day and Maret, while they enjoy an excellent academic reputation, including nationally among colleges, do not, in my opinion foster the lifelong relationships among their alumni that provide any sort of personal/professional benefit beyond getting into college (which though important is only part of the overall equation).

My non-PC statement is that this just isn't true. The rest of the real world truly does not care where you went to high school and laughs at you if you act like it matters.

If you think it doesn't matter, then you don't have access to those alumni networks. BTDT, trust me, it matters. I got my first two jobs that way. It's kind of disheartening if you believe in meritocracy but yeah the good old boy and gal networks are still flourishing.

But for the DC natives who stay here after college, it makes a big difference.

You don't see that because you are not from here and likely will never understand the nuances.
+ 1

It's networking. It just adds more people to your roster. And people are impressed by some of these names. (DH and I both went to nationally known boarding school where I was a day student). College networks matter too. You can't go to a nationally known high school than a lackluster college and think that's going to help you. But both together, yeah people take a second look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Private school "lifers" (pre-K through 12) are usually kind of dumb. Either rich kids who just paid for their diploma or FA faculty kids who get preferential admissions. The kid who is the drug dealer of the class is usually also a "lifer." The kid
Who has major learning disabilities and lots
Of tutors, usually a "lifer." The kids who come in middle/high school are usually better academically, but lack family connections.

Holy generalizations, Batman!

[Anonymous]

Private school "lifers" (pre-K through 12) are usually kind of dumb. Either rich kids who just paid for their diploma or "FA faculty kids who get preferential admissions. The kid who is the drug dealer of the class is usually also a "lifer." The kid
Who has major learning disabilities and lots
Of tutors, usually a "lifer." The kids who come in middle/high school are usually better academically, but lack family connections."

I agree in general that the kids who come in later have a stronger/longer academic record for the school to review. But generalizations about bad behavior is wrong because even really smart kids do stupid things, especially those trying to fit in. The kids who come into middle school with stellar records are trying to emerge from a crowd of similarly qualified candidates. Family connections and ability to donate are well represented.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like a lot of people don't say what they really think because they are afraid of coming across as snobby or elitest.

I'll throw this out there. I think that my private offers a higher quality education than our highly ranked public.

Here you go. Perhaps someone posted this already, but the reality is that the quality of the education in private schools is only part of what you pay for. For some private schools (e.g., Saint Albans, Georgetown Prep), you are paying for a name brand with national recognition that opens up opportunities for your child beyond just the classroom and college matriculation process. The relationships they forge during the high school years follow them for a lifetime both personally and professionally. For those who think that paying for private school is only about the education, you are thinking very naively. Other schools like Sidwell, Georgetown Day and Maret, while they enjoy an excellent academic reputation, including nationally among colleges, do not, in my opinion foster the lifelong relationships among their alumni that provide any sort of personal/professional benefit beyond getting into college (which though important is only part of the overall equation).

My non-PC statement is that this just isn't true. The rest of the real world truly does not care where you went to high school and laughs at you if you act like it matters.

I think it matters to a certain extent, but at a certain point you have to sink or swim on your own merits. I'm a hiring manager in one of those high prestige low wage fields that rich people love, and I actively trash any job application that mentions where someone went to high school if they are older than 23.

It matters quite a bit if both the boss and the prospective employee are products of the same high school (or other relevant community network). I always prefer to hire people who have ties to my private high school community. Frankly, they tend to be better employees. For those who cry foul (e.g., not the real world), it is very much the real world—just a different version.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I don't care what people think about my choice but I don't like it when people think my choice is a rejection of theirs.

I love this comment, especially the last part.

Me too! Very well put and accurate.

TOo bad Liberals today are n't more open minded about opinions that are different from theirs.

[Anonymous]

I believe that if you had a choice and money was not a factor, you would choose the private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Private school "lifers" (pre-K through 12) are usually kind of dumb. Either rich kids who just paid for their diploma or "FA faculty kids who get preferential admissions. The kid who is the drug dealer of the class is usually also a "lifer." The kid
Who has major learning disabilities and lots
Of tutors, usually a "lifer." The kids who come in middle/high school are usually better academically, but lack family connections."

I agree in general that the kids who come in later have a stronger/longer academic record for the school to review. But generalizations about bad behavior is wrong because even really smart kids do stupid things, especially those trying to fit in. The kids who come into middle school with stellar records are trying to emerge from a crowd of similarly qualified candidates. Family connections and ability to donate are well represented.

Tisk, tisk. "Lifer" here. I attended a top 20 university with a 3.8 GPA and have a masters degree.
I never touched drugs and I have a career that I love that does good in the world. Be careful where you point fingers. You look ugly.