If your parents scrimped and saved to send you to private school, do you appreciate it now?

[Anonymous]

I appreciate it. I don't think it paid off in terms of money because I did not pick a lucrative career, but it helped me with self-confidence and prioritization and a sense of purpose. It also means I am part of a really nice network of accomplished, experienced, resourceful people.

[Anonymous]

I must not love my children enough cause there is no way I am spending $8K/mth to send them to school when there are great public options.

[Anonymous]

I loved going to private school from pre k through college. I especially loved all girls high school. The commeraderie and less focus on boys during the week was great! I also loved the uniforms.

I do not think it led to greater professional success though. My husband who also went private will send our kids to public although that probably has more to do with the inflated private school cost in the past 25 years.

[Anonymous]

Op was sold a line and bought it. I can't imagine spending that high of a percentage on HHi on something that's simply a substitute for what's already provided.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm noticing many of my friends who send their kids to public school went to private school themselves. And vice versa.

We are currently scrimping and saving to send our 2 kids to private middle and high school. Our income is good (HHI of $320,000), but it still means a small house that needs updating, old cars, clothes from Old Navy, modest vacations, etc. We spend $8000 per month on tuition. After saving for retirement and college (both of which are in good shape), we don't have much left over.

We think it's worth it because we really like the school our kids attend. However, I'm curious if they will think it was worth it. (Most of their friends in our neighborhood attend public school in our Bethesda neighborhood. Our kids do a decent job in school, but are not academic super stars who would excel in public school, and therefore are the types of kids who benefit most from private school, in our opinion.)

TIA! I'm really only seeking advice from people who went to private school themselves as kids, not from people who wish to criticize our decision to spend money on tuition for middle and high school.

Omg. Switch your kids to public school next year. Stop the craziness.

[Anonymous]

Well, yes, but it was their choice...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op was sold a line and bought it. I can't imagine spending that high of a percentage on HHi on something that's simply a substitute for what's already provided.

+1

OP, do your kids enjoy going to the private school -- socially, academically, etc? If not, it's money down the drain and as someone said earlier, they will resent you for it down the road if it meant less vacations, cool toys and retirement savings for you ("You wasted money on things we didn't want and ended up hurting yourself in the process!"). I know you think that the small class sizes are good for them, but do your children care or would they prefer to be with their neighborhood friends at the public?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op was sold a line and bought it. I can't imagine spending that high of a percentage on HHi on something that's simply a substitute for what's already provided.

+1

OP, do your kids enjoy going to the private school -- socially, academically, etc? If not, it's money down the drain and as someone said earlier, they will resent you for it down the road if it meant less vacations, cool toys and retirement savings for you ("You wasted money on things we didn't want and ended up hurting yourself in the process!"). I know you think that the small class sizes are good for them, but do your children care or would they prefer to be with their neighborhood friends at the public?

Who cares if they enjoy it? Op can't afford it.

[Anonymous]

Op's decision is even dumber given there are good public school options. It's not like private school is a must for the children to receive a decent education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op was sold a line and bought it. I can't imagine spending that high of a percentage on HHi on something that's simply a substitute for what's already provided.

+1

OP, do your kids enjoy going to the private school -- socially, academically, etc? If not, it's money down the drain and as someone said earlier, they will resent you for it down the road if it meant less vacations, cool toys and retirement savings for you ("You wasted money on things we didn't want and ended up hurting yourself in the process!"). I know you think that the small class sizes are good for them, but do your children care or would they prefer to be with their neighborhood friends at the public?

Who cares if they enjoy it? Op can't afford it.

+1

OP don't you see how problematic it is that you're already wondering if your kids will be grateful for your sacrifices later on? Parents shouldn't feel that way. You make sacrifices because YOU want to and it feels natural not because you're expect or are hoping for some kind of pay off later on. You're going to damage the relationship with unfulfillable expectations if you keep this up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op was sold a line and bought it. I can't imagine spending that high of a percentage on HHi on something that's simply a substitute for what's already provided.

+1

OP, do your kids enjoy going to the private school -- socially, academically, etc? If not, it's money down the drain and as someone said earlier, they will resent you for it down the road if it meant less vacations, cool toys and retirement savings for you ("You wasted money on things we didn't want and ended up hurting yourself in the process!"). I know you think that the small class sizes are good for them, but do your children care or would they prefer to be with their neighborhood friends at the public?

Who cares if they enjoy it? Op can't afford it.

If they don't enjoy it and the parents can't afford, it's doubly stupid.

[Anonymous]

I did really well in private middle school but went to public for h.s., where my performance dropped off considerably. I wish they had paid for private in h.s. and let me thrive there. I did great once in college (top honors) and grad school but did not qualify for top schools or big scholarships.

[Anonymous]

On the other hand, I have friends who were totally snubbed in private high schools because they couldn't afford the things common among their peers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did really well in private middle school but went to public for h.s., where my performance dropped off considerably. I wish they had paid for private in h.s. and let me thrive there. I did great once in college (top honors) and grad school but did not qualify for top schools or big scholarships.

How was your performance not on you?

Someone posted about a public IB program being subpar earlier. Well mine prepared me very well and got me a full tuition ride to any state school plus one year of college credit.

[Anonymous]

I went to private, I'll be sending my kids to public because the schools are great and in some cases offer more options (STEM)

To me the only reason to go private would be for religious reasons or because you have more money than you know what to do with. Don't put your kid in the position of being he poor kid at the rich kids school, it kind of sucks.