Curious why some families did not think of school zones before purchasing home

[Anonymous]

Length of commute, neighborhood amenities, and quality of housing stock are important factors to consider when choosing where to live. Public school rankings are important too, but just one of many factors.
You don’t necessarily have to send your kids to their zoned public school. You could send them to a public magnet, academy, or immersion program at another school, to private or parochial schools, or homeschool. This area has many options.

[Anonymous]

We thought about it a lot, actually. I realized even the best publics are still pretty crappy. We can afford private and a good home in a nice area, so why not.

[Anonymous]

We always planned on private. I just wouldn’t want to say to you directly so you don’t feel bad like I am judging you for not putting your child in private or that I feel sorry for you not being able to afford it, or something ridiculous like that. I actually hate telling other families when they ask where our kids go to school. The look on their faces when I say the private school is always shock and surprise. It makes me uncomfortable. We can easily afford it but no one has any idea how much money we have and I like to keep it that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We always planned on private. I just wouldn’t want to say to you directly so you don’t feel bad like I am judging you for not putting your child in private or that I feel sorry for you not being able to afford it, or something ridiculous like that. I actually hate telling other families when they ask where our kids go to school. The look on their faces when I say the private school is always shock and surprise. It makes me uncomfortable. We can easily afford it but no one has any idea how much money we have and I like to keep it that way.

As a person with kids in public schools, I give you permission to tell anyone and everyone that you send your kids to private without fear that anyone gives one whit about your schooling choice. Nobody thinks you are judging them just because you say your kids are in private- people who send their kids to public are perfectly happy with their choices, and don't worry, we don't judge you for sending your kids to private either.

[Anonymous]

We picked a house we love, in a city-centered neighborhood, close to everything downtown (including out work). We can afford private schools, so the school district didn’t matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a kid first then really didn't like the snow policies of FCPS. Besides having more common sense snow days, I also liked that FCCPS had IB in all grades. I moved there as a renter before my child entered K and bought a few years later.

Only over the years did I understand the differences. Much smaller class sizes, when we had a major need for accommodations the school & leadership were extremely helpful and at no time did I ever feel like we were a burden (and I'm sure we were). Now my child is heading into high school but already well integrated with activities and sports.

Don't get me wrong, I have my beefs with the school board and some activist members but it's gotten much better post COVID.

All of this to say - I knew I was buying in a good district, but it took me years to fully understand the differences. I didn't know that as a parent of a child not in school.

Hilarious, as some areas in FCPS have better schools than FCCPS, and aren’t saddled with a silly IB program to boot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We always planned on private. I just wouldn’t want to say to you directly so you don’t feel bad like I am judging you for not putting your child in private or that I feel sorry for you not being able to afford it, or something ridiculous like that. I actually hate telling other families when they ask where our kids go to school. The look on their faces when I say the private school is always shock and surprise. It makes me uncomfortable. We can easily afford it but no one has any idea how much money we have and I like to keep it that way.

As a person with kids in public schools, I give you permission to tell anyone and everyone that you send your kids to private without fear that anyone gives one whit about your schooling choice. Nobody thinks you are judging them just because you say your kids are in private- people who send their kids to public are perfectly happy with their choices, and don't worry, we don't judge you for sending your kids to private either.

So you have the authority to speak on behalf of all parents whose kids are in public school? Interesting. Did I sign something I forgot about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We always planned on private. I just wouldn’t want to say to you directly so you don’t feel bad like I am judging you for not putting your child in private or that I feel sorry for you not being able to afford it, or something ridiculous like that. I actually hate telling other families when they ask where our kids go to school. The look on their faces when I say the private school is always shock and surprise. It makes me uncomfortable. We can easily afford it but no one has any idea how much money we have and I like to keep it that way.

As a person with kids in public schools, I give you permission to tell anyone and everyone that you send your kids to private without fear that anyone gives one whit about your schooling choice. Nobody thinks you are judging them just because you say your kids are in private- people who send their kids to public are perfectly happy with their choices, and don't worry, we don't judge you for sending your kids to private either.

Haha, good try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We always planned on private. I just wouldn’t want to say to you directly so you don’t feel bad like I am judging you for not putting your child in private or that I feel sorry for you not being able to afford it, or something ridiculous like that. I actually hate telling other families when they ask where our kids go to school. The look on their faces when I say the private school is always shock and surprise. It makes me uncomfortable. We can easily afford it but no one has any idea how much money we have and I like to keep it that way.

As a person with kids in public schools, I give you permission to tell anyone and everyone that you send your kids to private without fear that anyone gives one whit about your schooling choice. Nobody thinks you are judging them just because you say your kids are in private- people who send their kids to public are perfectly happy with their choices, and don't worry, we don't judge you for sending your kids to private either.

Haha, good try.

I guess thinking others are jealous is one way to feel better about the tuition you’re paying.

[Anonymous]

A lot of people don’t really know about the details before they have kids. I remember looking in lots of areas, and I mentioned to a friend that one home we considered was zoned for a school with low scores. She said “all FCPS schools are really good” (she didn’t have kids but was a FCPS graduate many years ago). Now that I have kids in school I know there can be big differences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We always planned on private. I just wouldn’t want to say to you directly so you don’t feel bad like I am judging you for not putting your child in private or that I feel sorry for you not being able to afford it, or something ridiculous like that. I actually hate telling other families when they ask where our kids go to school. The look on their faces when I say the private school is always shock and surprise. It makes me uncomfortable. We can easily afford it but no one has any idea how much money we have and I like to keep it that way.

As a person with kids in public schools, I give you permission to tell anyone and everyone that you send your kids to private without fear that anyone gives one whit about your schooling choice. Nobody thinks you are judging them just because you say your kids are in private- people who send their kids to public are perfectly happy with their choices, and don't worry, we don't judge you for sending your kids to private either.

Haha, good try.

I guess thinking others are jealous is one way to feel better about the tuition you’re paying.

It’s not alway jealousy. Many people take it to be a judgment on their own choice.

also this idea that you have to send your kids to the community school to be a part of the community. And sending your kids to another school means that you don’t support the community.

The pp who said people don’t care may not care…but there definitely are people who do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We always planned on private. I just wouldn’t want to say to you directly so you don’t feel bad like I am judging you for not putting your child in private or that I feel sorry for you not being able to afford it, or something ridiculous like that. I actually hate telling other families when they ask where our kids go to school. The look on their faces when I say the private school is always shock and surprise. It makes me uncomfortable. We can easily afford it but no one has any idea how much money we have and I like to keep it that way.

I agree with this. We happen to live one block from our zoned public school too. Oh well. If people ask, I tell them and they can judge or not. I’d like to think we all do the best we can with the means available to us for our kids.

[Anonymous]

Public school just sort of sucks. Most people do not realize this and people don't want to insult you. Moving to be in a "good" public school is not something I would ever consider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We always planned on private. I just wouldn’t want to say to you directly so you don’t feel bad like I am judging you for not putting your child in private or that I feel sorry for you not being able to afford it, or something ridiculous like that. I actually hate telling other families when they ask where our kids go to school. The look on their faces when I say the private school is always shock and surprise. It makes me uncomfortable. We can easily afford it but no one has any idea how much money we have and I like to keep it that way.

As a person with kids in public schools, I give you permission to tell anyone and everyone that you send your kids to private without fear that anyone gives one whit about your schooling choice. Nobody thinks you are judging them just because you say your kids are in private- people who send their kids to public are perfectly happy with their choices, and don't worry, we don't judge you for sending your kids to private either.

So you have the authority to speak on behalf of all parents whose kids are in public school? Interesting. Did I sign something I forgot about?

+1
I was wondering exactly when my opinions were relegated to this poster's who wants to speak on behalf of a bunch of anonymous strangers... she must be an aspiring politician....

[Anonymous]

Bought in very good district completely accidentally. Checking it out didn't really cross my mind because the kid was only one. Time goes very fast though.
Lived in 4 different homes in the next 16 years, but again, all in good schools.