Should we go the private school route?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We made double that amount twenty years ago, also lived in NOVA, and it never occurred to us to send our smart kids (and they sound a lot like your smart kid) to private. I’m sure your middle school and high schools are just fine, and it’ll do your kid some good to be exposed to different levels of intellectual ability, family and cultural backgrounds, and economic diversity.

I see that as selfish, no offense. If you have extra money, why not invest it in your kids?

Let’s see. I paid for my kids to live in a very nice neighborhood and attend top colleges. I also paid for their weddings, provided down payments for their homes, routinely take them on vacations, with my spouse have provided them with so much free and loving child care that their kids have never once had to have a nanny or go to day care, and I will be leaving each one of them a seven figure inheritance.

I’d say my kids have done pretty well by me (and my spouse).

That’s all great and you sound like a dedicated parent. I don’t understand why you’re on the private school forum advocating your choices when OP is specifically asking parents who have kids in privates. This isn’t a general education forum.

People troll the private school school forum all of the time who either never considered private school or think it’s morally wrong or can’t afford it or had some random bad experience tangentially related to a private school. It’s bizarre. I never wander into the kids with special needs forum and answer every question with “my child does not have special needs!” If you have no connection to private school this forum is not for you, move along.

You’re not the moderator of this website.

The bottom line is this: when I scroll down the “recent topics” page and see a heading that interests me, I click on it. It doesn’t occur to me to see what forum it’s posted in first to make sure I’m “qualified” to comment on it.

Also, in this particular case, I can see why the OP chose to pose the question “should we go the private school route” on the private school forum. It’s the logical spot for it. But that doesn’t necessarily mean she only wants to hear from private school parents. I mean, right now her kids are in public. It’s quite logical to assume that she would not mind hearing from public school parents who have also asked themselves the same question.

Finally, I have to ask: who started it? I simply gave my opinion, and the first response was from someone telling me I’m selfish for not sending my kids to private school just because I could afford to. It was an a$$hole move. It might benefit the OP, who has not yet been exposed to private school parents, to see how they respond to people that they disagree with.

[Anonymous]

OP - to answer your question with the information you shared I would 100% go private especially with the insight into your local MS and HS.

Your child will not be ostracized and you are making more than we did when DC started their private schooling way back in K. We make more now but that was over time and we've been able to save for college and fund private. We have one kid.

Go tour some schools, see where you feel there are fits, compare the academics/EC's etc. as well as tuition and distance from home and go from there. You'll never know until you get out there and see schools, interact with administrators/teachers and talk to parents & students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We made double that amount twenty years ago, also lived in NOVA, and it never occurred to us to send our smart kids (and they sound a lot like your smart kid) to private. I’m sure your middle school and high schools are just fine, and it’ll do your kid some good to be exposed to different levels of intellectual ability, family and cultural backgrounds, and economic diversity.

That’s because public around here was still relatively OKAY TWENTY YEARS AGO

Things have changed and that an understatement

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We made double that amount twenty years ago, also lived in NOVA, and it never occurred to us to send our smart kids (and they sound a lot like your smart kid) to private. I’m sure your middle school and high schools are just fine, and it’ll do your kid some good to be exposed to different levels of intellectual ability, family and cultural backgrounds, and economic diversity.

I see that as selfish, no offense. If you have extra money, why not invest it in your kids?

Let’s see. I paid for my kids to live in a very nice neighborhood and attend top colleges. I also paid for their weddings, provided down payments for their homes, routinely take them on vacations, with my spouse have provided them with so much free and loving child care that their kids have never once had to have a nanny or go to day care, and I will be leaving each one of them a seven figure inheritance.

I’d say my kids have done pretty well by me (and my spouse).

That’s all great and you sound like a dedicated parent. I don’t understand why you’re on the private school forum advocating your choices when OP is specifically asking parents who have kids in privates. This isn’t a general education forum.

People troll the private school school forum all of the time who either never considered private school or think it’s morally wrong or can’t afford it or had some random bad experience tangentially related to a private school. It’s bizarre. I never wander into the kids with special needs forum and answer every question with “my child does not have special needs!” If you have no connection to private school this forum is not for you, move along.

You’re not the moderator of this website.

The bottom line is this: when I scroll down the “recent topics” page and see a heading that interests me, I click on it. It doesn’t occur to me to see what forum it’s posted in first to make sure I’m “qualified” to comment on it.

Also, in this particular case, I can see why the OP chose to pose the question “should we go the private school route” on the private school forum. It’s the logical spot for it. But that doesn’t necessarily mean she only wants to hear from private school parents. I mean, right now her kids are in public. It’s quite logical to assume that she would not mind hearing from public school parents who have also asked themselves the same question.

Finally, I have to ask: who started it? I simply gave my opinion, and the first response was from someone telling me I’m selfish for not sending my kids to private school just because I could afford to. It was an a$$hole move. It might benefit the OP, who has not yet been exposed to private school parents, to see how they respond to people that they disagree with.

Go away granny

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My observation is that there are a disproportionate number of only children in private school because, of course, the $$$. (Balance that with the really wealthy who have non working moms and like four kids, which is also a disproportionate group.). I do think it makes for weird social dynamic at privates, particularly at elementary school. For my self, I find the parents are too involved, have too much time on their hands, have no sense of normal behavior for a child of that age, are over invested in their child’s sport/activity/whatever. Sorry, I know that’s not true for many and probably not true for you. But just keep in mind you are self selecting for this cohort potentially and be mindful of what you are getting into.

It is like this at my kid’s public elementary school in an affluent area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Super intelligent children like your DS are better off at a magnet schools like TJ. Private would be too easy.

....says the person with no private experience.

OP - my kids are like yours. Good private schools have the resources for differentiated learning. Your kid will get what he needs. We have a couple kids in DD grade (7th) in 10th grade advanced math, while there is an advanced class for 7th. We also find the English program to be superior in almost every way.

In terms of your concerns- you will be one of the core families. Everyone in DCUM-landia makes it sound like everyone is super rich. While there are some super rich families, the bulk (like 80%) are like yours - 1or 2 kids in private and an income between 200-700. And the peer group your kid will have will be one that values academic excellence, which I think is a bit diluted in publics, i.e., it's there, just not as prevalent in the same way. I found some of the kids in publics to be a bit arrogant/socially unaware of how they present their intelligence - this is very different in private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Super intelligent children like your DS are better off at a magnet schools like TJ. Private would be too easy.

....says the person with no private experience.

OP - my kids are like yours. Good private schools have the resources for differentiated learning. Your kid will get what he needs. We have a couple kids in DD grade (7th) in 10th grade advanced math, while there is an advanced class for 7th. We also find the English program to be superior in almost every way.

In terms of your concerns- you will be one of the core families. Everyone in DCUM-landia makes it sound like everyone is super rich. While there are some super rich families, the bulk (like 80%) are like yours - 1or 2 kids in private and an income between 200-700. And the peer group your kid will have will be one that values academic excellence, which I think is a bit diluted in publics, i.e., it's there, just not as prevalent in the same way. I found some of the kids in publics to be a bit arrogant/socially unaware of how they present their intelligence - this is very different in private school.

Which school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Super intelligent children like your DS are better off at a magnet schools like TJ. Private would be too easy.

....says the person with no private experience.

OP - my kids are like yours. Good private schools have the resources for differentiated learning. Your kid will get what he needs. We have a couple kids in DD grade (7th) in 10th grade advanced math, while there is an advanced class for 7th. We also find the English program to be superior in almost every way.

In terms of your concerns- you will be one of the core families. Everyone in DCUM-landia makes it sound like everyone is super rich. While there are some super rich families, the bulk (like 80%) are like yours - 1or 2 kids in private and an income between 200-700. And the peer group your kid will have will be one that values academic excellence, which I think is a bit diluted in publics, i.e., it's there, just not as prevalent in the same way. I found some of the kids in publics to be a bit arrogant/socially unaware of how they present their intelligence - this is very different in private school.

Wondering how you know the PP has no private school experience. And what experience you have of public schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We made double that amount twenty years ago, also lived in NOVA, and it never occurred to us to send our smart kids (and they sound a lot like your smart kid) to private. I’m sure your middle school and high schools are just fine, and it’ll do your kid some good to be exposed to different levels of intellectual ability, family and cultural backgrounds, and economic diversity.

Uh, NOVA is quite different than 20 years ago. You have no idea how public schools are different now. And I say this as a product of FCPS schools.

PP must have missed the thread about locked bathrooms

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We made double that amount twenty years ago, also lived in NOVA, and it never occurred to us to send our smart kids (and they sound a lot like your smart kid) to private. I’m sure your middle school and high schools are just fine, and it’ll do your kid some good to be exposed to different levels of intellectual ability, family and cultural backgrounds, and economic diversity.

That’s because public around here was still relatively OKAY TWENTY YEARS AGO

Things have changed and that an understatement

They made $800k in the 90s — can you imagine how good their life has been???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We made double that amount twenty years ago, also lived in NOVA, and it never occurred to us to send our smart kids (and they sound a lot like your smart kid) to private. I’m sure your middle school and high schools are just fine, and it’ll do your kid some good to be exposed to different levels of intellectual ability, family and cultural backgrounds, and economic diversity.

I see that as selfish, no offense. If you have extra money, why not invest it in your kids?

Let’s see. I paid for my kids to live in a very nice neighborhood and attend top colleges. I also paid for their weddings, provided down payments for their homes, routinely take them on vacations, with my spouse have provided them with so much free and loving child care that their kids have never once had to have a nanny or go to day care, and I will be leaving each one of them a seven figure inheritance.

I’d say my kids have done pretty well by me (and my spouse).

That’s all great and you sound like a dedicated parent. I don’t understand why you’re on the private school forum advocating your choices when OP is specifically asking parents who have kids in privates. This isn’t a general education forum.

People troll the private school school forum all of the time who either never considered private school or think it’s morally wrong or can’t afford it or had some random bad experience tangentially related to a private school. It’s bizarre. I never wander into the kids with special needs forum and answer every question with “my child does not have special needs!” If you have no connection to private school this forum is not for you, move along.

You’re not the moderator of this website.

The bottom line is this: when I scroll down the “recent topics” page and see a heading that interests me, I click on it. It doesn’t occur to me to see what forum it’s posted in first to make sure I’m “qualified” to comment on it.

Also, in this particular case, I can see why the OP chose to pose the question “should we go the private school route” on the private school forum. It’s the logical spot for it. But that doesn’t necessarily mean she only wants to hear from private school parents. I mean, right now her kids are in public. It’s quite logical to assume that she would not mind hearing from public school parents who have also asked themselves the same question.

Finally, I have to ask: who started it? I simply gave my opinion, and the first response was from someone telling me I’m selfish for not sending my kids to private school just because I could afford to. It was an a$$hole move. It might benefit the OP, who has not yet been exposed to private school parents, to see how they respond to people that they disagree with.

Go away granny

Nah.

When you don’t like the message, the easy way out is to attack the messenger. Eh?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We made double that amount twenty years ago, also lived in NOVA, and it never occurred to us to send our smart kids (and they sound a lot like your smart kid) to private. I’m sure your middle school and high schools are just fine, and it’ll do your kid some good to be exposed to different levels of intellectual ability, family and cultural backgrounds, and economic diversity.

I see that as selfish, no offense. If you have extra money, why not invest it in your kids?

Let’s see. I paid for my kids to live in a very nice neighborhood and attend top colleges. I also paid for their weddings, provided down payments for their homes, routinely take them on vacations, with my spouse have provided them with so much free and loving child care that their kids have never once had to have a nanny or go to day care, and I will be leaving each one of them a seven figure inheritance.

I’d say my kids have done pretty well by me (and my spouse).

Sounds like you could afford to give them a better education, which is worth way more than money. You don't lose an education through inflation, or when the stock or property market crashes. Education and the ability to make good decisions ricochets through the generations and doesn't come with a dollar sign. It's not what you value, we get that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We made double that amount twenty years ago, also lived in NOVA, and it never occurred to us to send our smart kids (and they sound a lot like your smart kid) to private. I’m sure your middle school and high schools are just fine, and it’ll do your kid some good to be exposed to different levels of intellectual ability, family and cultural backgrounds, and economic diversity.

That’s because public around here was still relatively OKAY TWENTY YEARS AGO

Things have changed and that an understatement

They made $800k in the 90s — can you imagine how good their life has been???

It was actually the early 2000s, and the actual amount was in the 900s. Our public school (and top college) educated kids are now raising their own kids in the DMV (in the houses we helped them buy) and are also using the public schools. We’re all close and they rely on us a lot for child care so we have a pretty good feel for how the public schools are and remain satisfied with them.

If you’re truly wealthy, God Bless You. But if you’re not, and if your kids fall somewhere in the wide band of “normal,” it’s very hard to justify spending tens of thousands of dollars a year on private schools. There’s just not a good or even measurable enough return. It’s all about the parenting and the peer group - not the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We made double that amount twenty years ago, also lived in NOVA, and it never occurred to us to send our smart kids (and they sound a lot like your smart kid) to private. I’m sure your middle school and high schools are just fine, and it’ll do your kid some good to be exposed to different levels of intellectual ability, family and cultural backgrounds, and economic diversity.

I see that as selfish, no offense. If you have extra money, why not invest it in your kids?

Let’s see. I paid for my kids to live in a very nice neighborhood and attend top colleges. I also paid for their weddings, provided down payments for their homes, routinely take them on vacations, with my spouse have provided them with so much free and loving child care that their kids have never once had to have a nanny or go to day care, and I will be leaving each one of them a seven figure inheritance.

I’d say my kids have done pretty well by me (and my spouse).

That’s all great and you sound like a dedicated parent. I don’t understand why you’re on the private school forum advocating your choices when OP is specifically asking parents who have kids in privates. This isn’t a general education forum.

People troll the private school school forum all of the time who either never considered private school or think it’s morally wrong or can’t afford it or had some random bad experience tangentially related to a private school. It’s bizarre. I never wander into the kids with special needs forum and answer every question with “my child does not have special needs!” If you have no connection to private school this forum is not for you, move along.

You’re not the moderator of this website.

The bottom line is this: when I scroll down the “recent topics” page and see a heading that interests me, I click on it. It doesn’t occur to me to see what forum it’s posted in first to make sure I’m “qualified” to comment on it.

Also, in this particular case, I can see why the OP chose to pose the question “should we go the private school route” on the private school forum. It’s the logical spot for it. But that doesn’t necessarily mean she only wants to hear from private school parents. I mean, right now her kids are in public. It’s quite logical to assume that she would not mind hearing from public school parents who have also asked themselves the same question.

Finally, I have to ask: who started it? I simply gave my opinion, and the first response was from someone telling me I’m selfish for not sending my kids to private school just because I could afford to. It was an a$$hole move. It might benefit the OP, who has not yet been exposed to private school parents, to see how they respond to people that they disagree with.

Go away granny

Nah.

When you don’t like the message, the easy way out is to attack the messenger. Eh?

Your experiences twenty years ago are irrelevant. Run along, now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We made double that amount twenty years ago, also lived in NOVA, and it never occurred to us to send our smart kids (and they sound a lot like your smart kid) to private. I’m sure your middle school and high schools are just fine, and it’ll do your kid some good to be exposed to different levels of intellectual ability, family and cultural backgrounds, and economic diversity.

I see that as selfish, no offense. If you have extra money, why not invest it in your kids?

Let’s see. I paid for my kids to live in a very nice neighborhood and attend top colleges. I also paid for their weddings, provided down payments for their homes, routinely take them on vacations, with my spouse have provided them with so much free and loving child care that their kids have never once had to have a nanny or go to day care, and I will be leaving each one of them a seven figure inheritance.

I’d say my kids have done pretty well by me (and my spouse).

Sounds like you could afford to give them a better education, which is worth way more than money. You don't lose an education through inflation, or when the stock or property market crashes. Education and the ability to make good decisions ricochets through the generations and doesn't come with a dollar sign. It's not what you value, we get that.

You really drank the kool aid, huh? You have nothing tangible to back up anything that you just said.