If you are wealthy would you send your kids to a W school over private?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:We are in a fortunate situation financially...never considered private schools to be justified from a Return on Investment, but they do have benefits. If money was a non-issue, would you go private or a W school?

Hmm, since you are posting this in the MCPS forum where the ‘W’ parents are, I suspect everyone is going to say no, they would not. You need to post this in the private school forum and ask parents who have either done it or are contemplating it. Most parents here know nothing about private school or are misinformed. In fact, I know this same question has been asked there. The ‘W’ schools are used as a friend of reference in that forum sometimes. It’s worth taking a look.

Also, we made the switch and have no regrets. It’s like night and day but I will say it depends on what private school you choose. Look carefully and read reviews.

At some point everyone here is going to realize this was a troll posting or the private school parent(s) will just never accept that some of us are able to afford private schools and yet are just fine with our kids in public school. Some of the “just fine Group” have checked out private schools and still chose public. Some of us went to these top private schools ourselves and guess where our kids are… in public. Some of us have not had a reason to look at private schools. Either way, there is a huge group of parents in this area that can afford private school and yet still send there kid to public school. If you can’t wrap your mind around that, it’s okay, we have, so have our kids. There’s no need for you to worry about our kids, they’re doing great.

ikr, the private school parents are really defensive. I wonder why they care so much?

Yes you’re right! We’re DESPERATE for your kids to enroll. PLEASE apply! We’re begging you.

Because if their DD doesn't get into an Ivy+, then it'll be seen as a major let down. They don't want to be reminded of paying their property taxes (and not getting the public school benefits) and burning through at least a half million in private school tuition when their DD could've graduated from a W and still matriculated to the same George Washington, Pittsburgh or a mediocre SLAC.

Your post is barely coherent.

I found the post easy to follow, except that I don't know what an Ivy+ is.

I think maybe PP is saying that private school kids still get into the same colleges, so it’s not worth the money?

Yes, that's correct. They're going to be really disappointed if their DD could've just gone to a public W and achieved the same result. They'll never admit this. It'll be cloaked in "small classrooms", "individual attention" or some other experiential benefit. For most of them, the juice isn't worth the squeeze.

You deeply misunderstand the benefits of a top notch private school education. It’s not just about trying to somehow game the college admissions system.

PP, should I add the individual level of faculty attention, the peer and alumni network, the resources showered upon you once you arrive on campus, and/or the signaling benefits of being an alumnus? Perhaps, it's the alleged "life experience and maturity" (i.e., class) gained at a boarding school? I have friends that attended Andover, Harvard-Westlake, and Dalton. I have friends who attended Sidwell, NCS and other local haunts. My father went to one of these. Many of these kids would've done just fine going to a W school - an education that they could've had for free. Unfortunately, there are quite a few parents deluding themselves into thinking their DD is special. It'll be a sad day when they wake up and realize they're not. They'll comfort themselves that the aforementioned benefits somehow justified the cost.

I went to college with people who went to Andover etc., and mainly what I observed was a well-developed ability to get drunk four nights a week while still maintaining good grades.

I went to Andover, so can speak from direct experience. It was 100 times more challenging than even college.

While of course some of my fellow alums partied their way through university, most of us did not.

[Anonymous]

Oh and I wouldn’t have given up my experience there for the world. Nearly 20 years later, there’s no question in my mind it was worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh and I wouldn’t have given up my experience there for the world. Nearly 20 years later, there’s no question in my mind it was worth it.

Did you pay for it, or did somebody else pay for it?

[Anonymous]

There aren’t enough private school spaces for all of the kids that go to MCPS, so I’m not sure why someone here is trying to convince us that private schools are so superior.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:We are in a fortunate situation financially...never considered private schools to be justified from a Return on Investment, but they do have benefits. If money was a non-issue, would you go private or a W school?

Hmm, since you are posting this in the MCPS forum where the ‘W’ parents are, I suspect everyone is going to say no, they would not. You need to post this in the private school forum and ask parents who have either done it or are contemplating it. Most parents here know nothing about private school or are misinformed. In fact, I know this same question has been asked there. The ‘W’ schools are used as a friend of reference in that forum sometimes. It’s worth taking a look.

Also, we made the switch and have no regrets. It’s like night and day but I will say it depends on what private school you choose. Look carefully and read reviews.

At some point everyone here is going to realize this was a troll posting or the private school parent(s) will just never accept that some of us are able to afford private schools and yet are just fine with our kids in public school. Some of the “just fine Group” have checked out private schools and still chose public. Some of us went to these top private schools ourselves and guess where our kids are… in public. Some of us have not had a reason to look at private schools. Either way, there is a huge group of parents in this area that can afford private school and yet still send there kid to public school. If you can’t wrap your mind around that, it’s okay, we have, so have our kids. There’s no need for you to worry about our kids, they’re doing great.

ikr, the private school parents are really defensive. I wonder why they care so much?

Yes you’re right! We’re DESPERATE for your kids to enroll. PLEASE apply! We’re begging you.

Because if their DD doesn't get into an Ivy+, then it'll be seen as a major let down. They don't want to be reminded of paying their property taxes (and not getting the public school benefits) and burning through at least a half million in private school tuition when their DD could've graduated from a W and still matriculated to the same George Washington, Pittsburgh or a mediocre SLAC.

Your post is barely coherent.

I found the post easy to follow, except that I don't know what an Ivy+ is.

I think maybe PP is saying that private school kids still get into the same colleges, so it’s not worth the money?

Yes, that's correct. They're going to be really disappointed if their DD could've just gone to a public W and achieved the same result. They'll never admit this. It'll be cloaked in "small classrooms", "individual attention" or some other experiential benefit. For most of them, the juice isn't worth the squeeze.

You deeply misunderstand the benefits of a top notch private school education. It’s not just about trying to somehow game the college admissions system.

PP, should I add the individual level of faculty attention, the peer and alumni network, the resources showered upon you once you arrive on campus, and/or the signaling benefits of being an alumnus? Perhaps, it's the alleged "life experience and maturity" (i.e., class) gained at a boarding school? I have friends that attended Andover, Harvard-Westlake, and Dalton. I have friends who attended Sidwell, NCS and other local haunts. My father went to one of these. Many of these kids would've done just fine going to a W school - an education that they could've had for free. Unfortunately, there are quite a few parents deluding themselves into thinking their DD is special. It'll be a sad day when they wake up and realize they're not. They'll comfort themselves that the aforementioned benefits somehow justified the cost.

I went to college with people who went to Andover etc., and mainly what I observed was a well-developed ability to get drunk four nights a week while still maintaining good grades.

I went to Andover, so can speak from direct experience. It was 100 times more challenging than even college.

While of course some of my fellow alums partied their way through university, most of us did not.

Where did you go to college?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in a fortunate situation financially...never considered private schools to be justified from a Return on Investment, but they do have benefits. If money was a non-issue, would you go private or a W school?

Hmm, since you are posting this in the MCPS forum where the ‘W’ parents are, I suspect everyone is going to say no, they would not. You need to post this in the private school forum and ask parents who have either done it or are contemplating it. Most parents here know nothing about private school or are misinformed. In fact, I know this same question has been asked there. The ‘W’ schools are used as a friend of reference in that forum sometimes. It’s worth taking a look.

Also, we made the switch and have no regrets. It’s like night and day but I will say it depends on what private school you choose. Look carefully and read reviews.

At some point everyone here is going to realize this was a troll posting or the private school parent(s) will just never accept that some of us are able to afford private schools and yet are just fine with our kids in public school. Some of the “just fine Group” have checked out private schools and still chose public. Some of us went to these top private schools ourselves and guess where our kids are… in public. Some of us have not had a reason to look at private schools. Either way, there is a huge group of parents in this area that can afford private school and yet still send there kid to public school. If you can’t wrap your mind around that, it’s okay, we have, so have our kids. There’s no need for you to worry about our kids, they’re doing great.

ikr, the private school parents are really defensive. I wonder why they care so much?

Yes you’re right! We’re DESPERATE for your kids to enroll. PLEASE apply! We’re begging you.

Because if their DD doesn't get into an Ivy+, then it'll be seen as a major let down. They don't want to be reminded of paying their property taxes (and not getting the public school benefits) and burning through at least a half million in private school tuition when their DD could've graduated from a W and still matriculated to the same George Washington, Pittsburgh or a mediocre SLAC.

Your post is barely coherent.

I found the post easy to follow, except that I don't know what an Ivy+ is.

I think maybe PP is saying that private school kids still get into the same colleges, so it’s not worth the money?

Yes, that's correct. They're going to be really disappointed if their DD could've just gone to a public W and achieved the same result. They'll never admit this. It'll be cloaked in "small classrooms", "individual attention" or some other experiential benefit. For most of them, the juice isn't worth the squeeze.

You deeply misunderstand the benefits of a top notch private school education. It’s not just about trying to somehow game the college admissions system.

PP, should I add the individual level of faculty attention, the peer and alumni network, the resources showered upon you once you arrive on campus, and/or the signaling benefits of being an alumnus? Perhaps, it's the alleged "life experience and maturity" (i.e., class) gained at a boarding school? I have friends that attended Andover, Harvard-Westlake, and Dalton. I have friends who attended Sidwell, NCS and other local haunts. My father went to one of these. Many of these kids would've done just fine going to a W school - an education that they could've had for free. Unfortunately, there are quite a few parents deluding themselves into thinking their DD is special. It'll be a sad day when they wake up and realize they're not. They'll comfort themselves that the aforementioned benefits somehow justified the cost.

I went to college with people who went to Andover etc., and mainly what I observed was a well-developed ability to get drunk four nights a week while still maintaining good grades.

I went to Andover, so can speak from direct experience. It was 100 times more challenging than even college.

While of course some of my fellow alums partied their way through university, most of us did not.

Where did you go to college?

Georgetown SFS. It was honestly so easy compared to Andover.

And to answer the PP: I am very lucky that my parents were able to pay the tuition. My family has no history of private school, so it was a stretch. I am very grateful to them.

However, 50% of the students at Andover are on financial aid and about 15% are on full scholarship. The school fulfills 100% of demonstrated financial need.

[Anonymous]

I've got the money, have to spend it somewhere. Might as well be a private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Public school parent went silent. They are trying to find the data lol.

She can probably afford to vacation with her children since she's not blowing it all on private

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Public school parent went silent. They are trying to find the data lol.

She can probably afford to vacation with her children since she's not blowing it all on private

No one paying for a high quality education is blowing it.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in Montgomery County and went through MCPS at a W school and I felt like I got a very good education. I am currently sending my kids to a very highly regarded elementary school that feeds to a W school, and I don't think the education quality is as good as when I was a kid.

The teachers give out As much more frequently now. My son gets all As and occasionally a B or two, but he tests pretty average in the MAP testing. He never got lower than an A until 3rd grade. I always tested extremely high in all standardized tests (like in the 90th percentile), and I never got straight As a single time during my time in MCPS, and I got a lot of Bs. Only people who were truly the smartest kids in my class got straight As.

I find the grade inflation frustrating because its hard to know what areas my son needs to work on when he is always getting good grades. I know he struggles with certain things, like multiplication and division, but it doesn't show up in his report cards. I find I have to be very involved so I can see for myself what areas he needs work on.

So overall, yes, if I could afford a high quality private school, I would probably send them to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Montgomery County and went through MCPS at a W school and I felt like I got a very good education. I am currently sending my kids to a very highly regarded elementary school that feeds to a W school, and I don't think the education quality is as good as when I was a kid.

The teachers give out As much more frequently now. My son gets all As and occasionally a B or two, but he tests pretty average in the MAP testing. He never got lower than an A until 3rd grade. I always tested extremely high in all standardized tests (like in the 90th percentile), and I never got straight As a single time during my time in MCPS, and I got a lot of Bs. Only people who were truly the smartest kids in my class got straight As.

I find the grade inflation frustrating because its hard to know what areas my son needs to work on when he is always getting good grades. I know he struggles with certain things, like multiplication and division, but it doesn't show up in his report cards. I find I have to be very involved so I can see for myself what areas he needs work on.

So overall, yes, if I could afford a high quality private school, I would probably send them to it.

This is accurate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in a fortunate situation financially...never considered private schools to be justified from a Return on Investment, but they do have benefits. If money was a non-issue, would you go private or a W school?

Hmm, since you are posting this in the MCPS forum where the ‘W’ parents are, I suspect everyone is going to say no, they would not. You need to post this in the private school forum and ask parents who have either done it or are contemplating it. Most parents here know nothing about private school or are misinformed. In fact, I know this same question has been asked there. The ‘W’ schools are used as a friend of reference in that forum sometimes. It’s worth taking a look.

Also, we made the switch and have no regrets. It’s like night and day but I will say it depends on what private school you choose. Look carefully and read reviews.

At some point everyone here is going to realize this was a troll posting or the private school parent(s) will just never accept that some of us are able to afford private schools and yet are just fine with our kids in public school. Some of the “just fine Group” have checked out private schools and still chose public. Some of us went to these top private schools ourselves and guess where our kids are… in public. Some of us have not had a reason to look at private schools. Either way, there is a huge group of parents in this area that can afford private school and yet still send there kid to public school. If you can’t wrap your mind around that, it’s okay, we have, so have our kids. There’s no need for you to worry about our kids, they’re doing great.

ikr, the private school parents are really defensive. I wonder why they care so much?

Yes you’re right! We’re DESPERATE for your kids to enroll. PLEASE apply! We’re begging you.

Because if their DD doesn't get into an Ivy+, then it'll be seen as a major let down. They don't want to be reminded of paying their property taxes (and not getting the public school benefits) and burning through at least a half million in private school tuition when their DD could've graduated from a W and still matriculated to the same George Washington, Pittsburgh or a mediocre SLAC.

The issue is, if you have money to burn would you prefer private to a W school? Do the privates have--better academics, sports, network, class size, lunch, safety, campus, alumni organization etc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in a fortunate situation financially...never considered private schools to be justified from a Return on Investment, but they do have benefits. If money was a non-issue, would you go private or a W school?

Hmm, since you are posting this in the MCPS forum where the ‘W’ parents are, I suspect everyone is going to say no, they would not. You need to post this in the private school forum and ask parents who have either done it or are contemplating it. Most parents here know nothing about private school or are misinformed. In fact, I know this same question has been asked there. The ‘W’ schools are used as a friend of reference in that forum sometimes. It’s worth taking a look.

Also, we made the switch and have no regrets. It’s like night and day but I will say it depends on what private school you choose. Look carefully and read reviews.

At some point everyone here is going to realize this was a troll posting or the private school parent(s) will just never accept that some of us are able to afford private schools and yet are just fine with our kids in public school. Some of the “just fine Group” have checked out private schools and still chose public. Some of us went to these top private schools ourselves and guess where our kids are… in public. Some of us have not had a reason to look at private schools. Either way, there is a huge group of parents in this area that can afford private school and yet still send there kid to public school. If you can’t wrap your mind around that, it’s okay, we have, so have our kids. There’s no need for you to worry about our kids, they’re doing great.

ikr, the private school parents are really defensive. I wonder why they care so much?

Yes you’re right! We’re DESPERATE for your kids to enroll. PLEASE apply! We’re begging you.

Because if their DD doesn't get into an Ivy+, then it'll be seen as a major let down. They don't want to be reminded of paying their property taxes (and not getting the public school benefits) and burning through at least a half million in private school tuition when their DD could've graduated from a W and still matriculated to the same George Washington, Pittsburgh or a mediocre SLAC.

The issue is, if you have money to burn would you prefer private to a W school? Do the privates have--better academics, sports, network, class size, lunch, safety, campus, alumni organization etc?

Yes to all of the above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Public school parent went silent. They are trying to find the data lol.

She can probably afford to vacation with her children since she's not blowing it all on private

I laughed out loud at the one. And herein lies the problem. Let me show you what they would say in the private school forum:

She can probably afford private school since she's not blowing it all on vacation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Montgomery County and went through MCPS at a W school and I felt like I got a very good education. I am currently sending my kids to a very highly regarded elementary school that feeds to a W school, and I don't think the education quality is as good as when I was a kid.

The teachers give out As much more frequently now. My son gets all As and occasionally a B or two, but he tests pretty average in the MAP testing. He never got lower than an A until 3rd grade. I always tested extremely high in all standardized tests (like in the 90th percentile), and I never got straight As a single time during my time in MCPS, and I got a lot of Bs. Only people who were truly the smartest kids in my class got straight As.

I find the grade inflation frustrating because its hard to know what areas my son needs to work on when he is always getting good grades. I know he struggles with certain things, like multiplication and division, but it doesn't show up in his report cards. I find I have to be very involved so I can see for myself what areas he needs work on.

So overall, yes, if I could afford a high quality private school, I would probably send them to it.

You hit the nail on the head. My DD was in public school for most of elementary school. I moved her to private school during her last year and one day she had to write an essay. I reviewed it and was so embarrassed that that is how she wrote at the time. Yet, she had all As in MCPS, including in English. She was behind in many ways and is now caught up.

Also, keep in mind many private schools, including ours, use ERB testing to gauge where kids are academically. My daughter found the ERBs tougher than MAP testing. She scored very high on the ERB math portion but middle of the pack for Language. However, in MCPS, she was consistently in the upper 90th percentile - i.e., 95/96%. I will also say though that there was no "COVID slide" at our school unlike we saw with MCPS standardized testing results. You can wholeheartedly thank MCPS for that one.