Torn between private DC schools and great public high schools in MD

[Anonymous]

Newly relocating, we got our high school kid accepted at private high school but the MD public schools offer just as many AP classes, plenty of money, resources and counseling and they are 'free'. Communities are nice but the city is also great. Class size is one difference. What would you do if the tuition was a burden (though we don't qualify for aid)? It's doable but then there's college and grad school we could pay with that money. I'm torn - we've been in private school previously but only because we fell into it and because money was no object then. Now I'm questioning class size and wondering if I'm caught up in the 'snob' value. Are other DC moms facing the private/public question? Please comment.

[Anonymous]

If the tuition would be a burden, and you can pick a great public high school, I'd go public.

Among other reasons, my impression is that class size is of greatest concern in the early years. If the larger high school classes are of the lecture sort, than consider it preparation for the 600-seat lecture classes many universities have! But seriously, I think that saving resources to give your child flexibility for college and beyond is a great gift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the tuition would be a burden, and you can pick a great public high school, I'd go public.

Among other reasons, my impression is that class size is of greatest concern in the early years. If the larger high school classes are of the lecture sort, than consider it preparation for the 600-seat lecture classes many universities have! But seriously, I think that saving resources to give your child flexibility for college and beyond is a great gift.

Ditto this. My DC is in private school (1st grade), but our goal is to go public by high school. I think the really good public high schools are by far the better choice. If the kid is in IB or AP classes, the class sizes are generally smaller anyway.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PPs. We live in DC and plan to send our children to private school K-8, mostly for smaller class size and to avoid some of the effects of NCLB, but will probably move to the Whitman or BCC district for high school.

[Anonymous]

I would move to the BCC school district and not look back. Your kids will do great and it sounds like you already have high expectations for them. Ignore the snob factor.