Is private school REALLY different than public school??

[Anonymous]

I am a longtime primary grade teacher in MCPS and I am looking for a "different" experience for my son for kindergarten next year. Different meaning something more developmentally appropriate--more play, maybe rest/quiet time for a few minutes in the afternoon, less "rigor". I LOVE my job, but just know that if I can afford it, I'd like something different for my kids. (Do I wish that I could change the system for all the kids in public school? Sure! But nobody is asking me what I think!)

So...are private schools any different in the younger grades? Or is there a lot of academic push there too? We are definitely planning to do the open houses this fall but just curious what the general thought about it is here.

[Anonymous]

I have kids in both DC public elementary (NW DC) and big-3 DC privates. Not sure how much things differ in MoCo but probably fairly similar. From my perspective, similarities and differences are --

- core academics are the same - excellent
- teachers are the same quality/caring/concern.

Differences are minor from my perspective:
- language instruction is nonexistent or infrequent in DCPS elementary
- art and music class are each once a week (compared to 2-3 times a week for each in private elementary)
- gym class is better focused in private

[Anonymous]

Class sizes and individual attention are the main differentiators, in my experience.

[Anonymous]

In my experience - it seems to depend on the school. We put our son in public kindergarten but ended up pulling him out after a week. He is back at the school he went to for preschool. They have more play time, a smaller class and a shorter day. But our Catholic parish school has a longer day and more kids per class.

Not sure what we will do next year. But we are happy with our choice for this year.

[Anonymous]

New poster here. One of my kids was in private for K and one in public. The one in private had 8 kids in his class and two teachers. They did a lot of hands on experiential learning. They also did a lot of learning through playing. They had books read aloud to them, they cooked, they minded a small vegetable garden, they had recess 3x/day etc... My child in public K had 26 kids in her class. They did a huge number of worksheets. They had stations they could go to during free time. They had one recess and one other short 5-10 minute time outside. They were put into reading groups pretty quickly. They also brought home a packet of math homework that they had a week to complete. My child in private did not get any homework in K. So, yes I would say that there was a huge difference in public and private for K.

[Anonymous]

My son is in a private K that I love. Three recess times a day, two snacks, and a fresh lunch made from scratch daily! There are about 14 kids in the class and 1-2 teachers depending on the time of day. It is very personal, warm, and non-institutional. I just love it.

[Anonymous]

Some are. Some aren't. My son's private kindergarten had two recesses and a rest time after lunch. Lots of outdoor time including outdoor learning. They did cool projects like build an igloo out of milk jugs and hatch chicken eggs. There seems to be a bit more freedom in curriculum, too. But you'd know better than me, since I have no recent experience with public school. For example, a marine biologist dad came in and let them dissect baby squids.

He's still at the school and now in 4th grade. I feel he was able to learn content in more depth. His particular school spends six weeks on each unit of inquiry, and they do cross-discipline learning so that they study different aspects of that unit in Spanish class, music, PE, language arts, and math.

It's not an expensive school by DC standards. I am willing to pay its current tuition (around $15,000). I wouldn't pay $35,000.

No school is perfect, IMO. Not a particular private. Not a particular public. But you may find a school that is really great for your kid. It's nice to have the opportunity to choose. I highly encourage attending several open houses, as well as visiting your local public (if you don't teach at it).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: New poster here. One of my kids was in private for K and one in public. The one in private had 8 kids in his class and two teachers. They did a lot of hands on experiential learning. They also did a lot of learning through playing. They had books read aloud to them, they cooked, they minded a small vegetable garden, they had recess 3x/day etc... My child in public K had 26 kids in her class. They did a huge number of worksheets. They had stations they could go to during free time. They had one recess and one other short 5-10 minute time outside. They were put into reading groups pretty quickly. They also brought home a packet of math homework that they had a week to complete. My child in private did not get any homework in K. So, yes I would say that there was a huge difference in public and private for K.

Can you say which public? Was it FFX county? We just started private K and were not sure about it, but your feedback indicates that we made the right choice.

[Anonymous]

An average private you're paying tuition so your kid doesn't have to interact with the bottom third or half of an average public.

[Anonymous]

Yes it's worth it, but generally speaking it's not more play based, although I guess it depends on the school.

We've had kids in public and private elementary, and the difference was huge. In private, less busy work and more actual learning.

In music, the kids (not K, just the students in general) learn to read notes. In art, they learn drawing techniques and experiment with different mediums, while also learning about art history. In Spanish, they learn to understand what their teacher is saying and how to respond to her questions. In chapel they learn about different religions, ways people across the globe express kindness and love and forgiveness. In science, the go to the lab and do experiments. They have constant opportunities for public speaking and participating in school traditions.

The school is divided into groups and they befriend children across all grades. They are recognized for their hard work, and for being leaders and taking good care of others.

There is a spirit of cooperation and family at the private school that just doesn't exist at public school. That said, public school is free and that counts for a lot. It all comes down to $

[Anonymous]

It totally depends on the school. I attended a highly regarded all girls private in this area. My best friend attended a TJ-like Public in a neighboring state. My cousin was in a public in an inner city. Another friend attended a private in NJ that was similar to Good Counsel in the 90s. My BF in public got the best overall education but the worst was my friend from NJ in the private.
Explore schools that fit your child's profile as a learner and share your family's values.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you want something like Montessori or Waldorf. Or maybe a Friends school or a play based school (not sure if that exists for kindergarten and above). If you go to a school with a different philosophy than public, then your experience will be different. But, not all privates will be different than your public. Two of my kids had some private schooling and if anything, it was far more rigorous than public.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you're looking for a progressive school. You'll find hands on learning, less stress and more play time (kids learn through play). The curriculum is developmentally appropriate, meeting children where they are, rather than forcing them to reach inappropriate benchmarks. There are many in the area: Sheridan, Green Acres, Lowell to start.

Our private has plenty of recess, incorporates the outdoors into lessons on a regular basis, includes more PE, art and music. Classes are also much smaller. No homework.

In terms of academics, all the kids end up in the same place by middle school whether in MCPS or private (basing this on my many school tours).

My son is at a local progressive now, but wasn't for K. All of my kids attended MCPS K. When I see what they're doing at our private, I deeply regret that my kids didn't attend in the early years. Unfortunately, we just couldn't afford it.

[Anonymous]

yes, private school is REALLY different. You have much more control. You can send him to K private and then switch, as I know several parents who have done that. But public K was harder on the parents than the kids ...We did both with different kids. All that K homework was a pain.

[Anonymous]

If they are not ready for K, best to hold them back a year like DCUM standard dictates. As a teacher, one would hope you got them prepared academically and socially. If your kid needs rest time in K, they do no belong in K.