I can’t decide whether to stay in private or not

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who kids become as people largely depends on their experiences growing up. It depends on the type of family they have, but also on the teachers and friends. If I think my children will become more confident, able to stand up for themselves, comfortable around intelligent and educated people, feel valued as people, aim higher because of what they are exposed to, etc. then yes, it is worth it for me.

For us private school for 3 kids is a stretch, but we feel it’s totally worth it. We are at top private schools and that is all I know (and public). I don’t know if I would feel the same at other schools

I had to laugh at this post. As a public school family, my kids absolutely have all of those things. Come on. Comfortable around intelligent and educated people? My kids’ great great grandmothers are all college educated and everyone has advanced degrees. Two of my child’s public school teachers have PhDs this year. My kids are super confident and aim very high. MCPS, like any school or school system, certainly has flaws. But all the values PP listed can absolutely be emphasized for FREE at public.

We have been to both MCPS and Big 3…. Sorry, but you are wrong. The difference is huge in what the kids actually get (especially from the teachers and the smaller class size). But keep telling yourself whatever makes you feel better.

+1

Agree that those who "laugh at" the other post just do not know better.

I am the poster that laughed. If you read my post (and the post I was responding to), you would see that I did not say anything about “what the kids actually get” or “small class sizes.” I find it frankly offensive and condescending that you think I “just do not know better.” I think there are absolutely advantages and aspects private schools offer that make the investment worth it for some students or families. I just don’t think any of the things the person I was responding to are those things. That poster basically said private schools provide confidence, external motivation, comfort around intelligent people, and the ability to self-advocate. My point was that those things are easily and commonly provided at public schools and in the homes of public school families. Had the poster said she invests in private schools because she values small class sizes, single sex education (if applicable), student body where certain behaviors are screened or counseled out, etc. I’d say that yes, those are not things the public can or will offer.

Of course you can learn those things in public, but private school students and parents self select. All private school kids/parents value education, extracurricular, travels, etc. All kids in private do those things. All children are high achievers (not some or a few). Not having problem children in class means that the two teachers my daughter has cal focus on all the children equally. Having smaller class size means that all kids (shy or not) learn public speaking because they make presentations everyday. Having a psychologist in the school means my daughter was able to work with a person who knew her, her friends, her unique situation… I could keep going… you don’t get this anywhere else.

This is why we sacrifice for private

Please stop this notion that this is completely true in private because it isn’t. There are problem kids in private, they just don’t stay forever, but they do exist. Not all kids are high achievers or care greatly about education. Their parents might but that doesn’t mean the kid does, and this becomes plainly obvious the higher up in grade/ages you go. All schools do not require presentations everyday. All schools do not have a psychologist on staff. All kids are not focused on equally, particular high fliers. And definitely not all kids/families are traveling as some are sacrificing just to afford tuition. The fact that you either don’t know all the above, or refusing to acknowledge speaks volumes about your need to expand your horizons and likely your child’s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who kids become as people largely depends on their experiences growing up. It depends on the type of family they have, but also on the teachers and friends. If I think my children will become more confident, able to stand up for themselves, comfortable around intelligent and educated people, feel valued as people, aim higher because of what they are exposed to, etc. then yes, it is worth it for me.

For us private school for 3 kids is a stretch, but we feel it’s totally worth it. We are at top private schools and that is all I know (and public). I don’t know if I would feel the same at other schools

I had to laugh at this post. As a public school family, my kids absolutely have all of those things. Come on. Comfortable around intelligent and educated people? My kids’ great great grandmothers are all college educated and everyone has advanced degrees. Two of my child’s public school teachers have PhDs this year. My kids are super confident and aim very high. MCPS, like any school or school system, certainly has flaws. But all the values PP listed can absolutely be emphasized for FREE at public.

We have been to both MCPS and Big 3…. Sorry, but you are wrong. The difference is huge in what the kids actually get (especially from the teachers and the smaller class size). But keep telling yourself whatever makes you feel better.

+1

Agree that those who "laugh at" the other post just do not know better.

I am the poster that laughed. If you read my post (and the post I was responding to), you would see that I did not say anything about “what the kids actually get” or “small class sizes.” I find it frankly offensive and condescending that you think I “just do not know better.” I think there are absolutely advantages and aspects private schools offer that make the investment worth it for some students or families. I just don’t think any of the things the person I was responding to are those things. That poster basically said private schools provide confidence, external motivation, comfort around intelligent people, and the ability to self-advocate. My point was that those things are easily and commonly provided at public schools and in the homes of public school families. Had the poster said she invests in private schools because she values small class sizes, single sex education (if applicable), student body where certain behaviors are screened or counseled out, etc. I’d say that yes, those are not things the public can or will offer.

Of course you can learn those things in public, but private school students and parents self select. All private school kids/parents value education, extracurricular, travels, etc. All kids in private do those things. All children are high achievers (not some or a few). Not having problem children in class means that the two teachers my daughter has cal focus on all the children equally. Having smaller class size means that all kids (shy or not) learn public speaking because they make presentations everyday. Having a psychologist in the school means my daughter was able to work with a person who knew her, her friends, her unique situation… I could keep going… you don’t get this anywhere else.

This is why we sacrifice for private

I am laughing again. We have school psychologists in public, they know our kids well, and we all travel too, believe it or not, though I’m not sure why you care if your kids classmates spent Winter Break at home vs. the Caribbean. The assertion that all children in private are high achievers (not some or a few) is also ridiculous, and I’m sure many posters on this board who send their kids to private can clarify that they made that choice because their kids had an academic need or were getting overlooked because they were not performing quite as well as the tippy top achievers in public. What you’re really saying is that everyone is wealthy and they’ve curated an environment so your snowflake doesn’t have to deal with people you consider beneath you. That’s right, you won’t get that in public. Thank goodness, because you sound insufferable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who kids become as people largely depends on their experiences growing up. It depends on the type of family they have, but also on the teachers and friends. If I think my children will become more confident, able to stand up for themselves, comfortable around intelligent and educated people, feel valued as people, aim higher because of what they are exposed to, etc. then yes, it is worth it for me.

For us private school for 3 kids is a stretch, but we feel it’s totally worth it. We are at top private schools and that is all I know (and public). I don’t know if I would feel the same at other schools

I had to laugh at this post. As a public school family, my kids absolutely have all of those things. Come on. Comfortable around intelligent and educated people? My kids’ great great grandmothers are all college educated and everyone has advanced degrees. Two of my child’s public school teachers have PhDs this year. My kids are super confident and aim very high. MCPS, like any school or school system, certainly has flaws. But all the values PP listed can absolutely be emphasized for FREE at public.

We have been to both MCPS and Big 3…. Sorry, but you are wrong. The difference is huge in what the kids actually get (especially from the teachers and the smaller class size). But keep telling yourself whatever makes you feel better.

+1. The poster that is laughing has NO idea what they are laughing at. There is a huge difference for the majority of kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who kids become as people largely depends on their experiences growing up. It depends on the type of family they have, but also on the teachers and friends. If I think my children will become more confident, able to stand up for themselves, comfortable around intelligent and educated people, feel valued as people, aim higher because of what they are exposed to, etc. then yes, it is worth it for me.

For us private school for 3 kids is a stretch, but we feel it’s totally worth it. We are at top private schools and that is all I know (and public). I don’t know if I would feel the same at other schools

I had to laugh at this post. As a public school family, my kids absolutely have all of those things. Come on. Comfortable around intelligent and educated people? My kids’ great great grandmothers are all college educated and everyone has advanced degrees. Two of my child’s public school teachers have PhDs this year. My kids are super confident and aim very high. MCPS, like any school or school system, certainly has flaws. But all the values PP listed can absolutely be emphasized for FREE at public.

We have been to both MCPS and Big 3…. Sorry, but you are wrong. The difference is huge in what the kids actually get (especially from the teachers and the smaller class size). But keep telling yourself whatever makes you feel better.

+1. The poster that is laughing has NO idea what they are laughing at. There is a huge difference for the majority of kids.

You can seriously just be happy you have a good fit for your child in private and not act condescending toward those of us who are happy/satisfied with the public schools. My point is that some posters were claiming all these specific amazing things their private school provided with no awareness that the public schools do in fact provide lots of those exact things. It is relevant to the OP’s post, and gives a perspective that may help as she weighs her options. I am well aware of what various privates provide. We have lots of friends and family with kids in private. I could send my kids to private if I wanted to, and one day I may want to, or I may not. Cost is not a factor for us. Right now, the best fit for my kids happens to be public. I realize others who have made a different choice sometimes feel the need to justify spending that kind of money and the narrative that public isn’t some horrible place chips away at the ability to justify the expense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who kids become as people largely depends on their experiences growing up. It depends on the type of family they have, but also on the teachers and friends. If I think my children will become more confident, able to stand up for themselves, comfortable around intelligent and educated people, feel valued as people, aim higher because of what they are exposed to, etc. then yes, it is worth it for me.

For us private school for 3 kids is a stretch, but we feel it’s totally worth it. We are at top private schools and that is all I know (and public). I don’t know if I would feel the same at other schools

I had to laugh at this post. As a public school family, my kids absolutely have all of those things. Come on. Comfortable around intelligent and educated people? My kids’ great great grandmothers are all college educated and everyone has advanced degrees. Two of my child’s public school teachers have PhDs this year. My kids are super confident and aim very high. MCPS, like any school or school system, certainly has flaws. But all the values PP listed can absolutely be emphasized for FREE at public.

We have been to both MCPS and Big 3…. Sorry, but you are wrong. The difference is huge in what the kids actually get (especially from the teachers and the smaller class size). But keep telling yourself whatever makes you feel better.

+1

Agree that those who "laugh at" the other post just do not know better.

I am the poster that laughed. If you read my post (and the post I was responding to), you would see that I did not say anything about “what the kids actually get” or “small class sizes.” I find it frankly offensive and condescending that you think I “just do not know better.” I think there are absolutely advantages and aspects private schools offer that make the investment worth it for some students or families. I just don’t think any of the things the person I was responding to are those things. That poster basically said private schools provide confidence, external motivation, comfort around intelligent people, and the ability to self-advocate. My point was that those things are easily and commonly provided at public schools and in the homes of public school families. Had the poster said she invests in private schools because she values small class sizes, single sex education (if applicable), student body where certain behaviors are screened or counseled out, etc. I’d say that yes, those are not things the public can or will offer.

Of course you can learn those things in public, but private school students and parents self select. All private school kids/parents value education, extracurricular, travels, etc. All kids in private do those things. All children are high achievers (not some or a few). Not having problem children in class means that the two teachers my daughter has cal focus on all the children equally. Having smaller class size means that all kids (shy or not) learn public speaking because they make presentations everyday. Having a psychologist in the school means my daughter was able to work with a person who knew her, her friends, her unique situation… I could keep going… you don’t get this anywhere else.

This is why we sacrifice for private

I am laughing again. We have school psychologists in public, they know our kids well, and we all travel too, believe it or not, though I’m not sure why you care if your kids classmates spent Winter Break at home vs. the Caribbean. The assertion that all children in private are high achievers (not some or a few) is also ridiculous, and I’m sure many posters on this board who send their kids to private can clarify that they made that choice because their kids had an academic need or were getting overlooked because they were not performing quite as well as the tippy top achievers in public. What you’re really saying is that everyone is wealthy and they’ve curated an environment so your snowflake doesn’t have to deal with people you consider beneath you. That’s right, you won’t get that in public. Thank goodness, because you sound insufferable.

Ok. I really don’t care to convince you. I know I am right, but believe whatever makes you sleep at night. Private school is full of kids that need attention and would not thrive in public and that is all private school has to offer. Ok?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who kids become as people largely depends on their experiences growing up. It depends on the type of family they have, but also on the teachers and friends. If I think my children will become more confident, able to stand up for themselves, comfortable around intelligent and educated people, feel valued as people, aim higher because of what they are exposed to, etc. then yes, it is worth it for me.

For us private school for 3 kids is a stretch, but we feel it’s totally worth it. We are at top private schools and that is all I know (and public). I don’t know if I would feel the same at other schools

I had to laugh at this post. As a public school family, my kids absolutely have all of those things. Come on. Comfortable around intelligent and educated people? My kids’ great great grandmothers are all college educated and everyone has advanced degrees. Two of my child’s public school teachers have PhDs this year. My kids are super confident and aim very high. MCPS, like any school or school system, certainly has flaws. But all the values PP listed can absolutely be emphasized for FREE at public.

We have been to both MCPS and Big 3…. Sorry, but you are wrong. The difference is huge in what the kids actually get (especially from the teachers and the smaller class size). But keep telling yourself whatever makes you feel better.

+1

Agree that those who "laugh at" the other post just do not know better.

I am the poster that laughed. If you read my post (and the post I was responding to), you would see that I did not say anything about “what the kids actually get” or “small class sizes.” I find it frankly offensive and condescending that you think I “just do not know better.” I think there are absolutely advantages and aspects private schools offer that make the investment worth it for some students or families. I just don’t think any of the things the person I was responding to are those things. That poster basically said private schools provide confidence, external motivation, comfort around intelligent people, and the ability to self-advocate. My point was that those things are easily and commonly provided at public schools and in the homes of public school families. Had the poster said she invests in private schools because she values small class sizes, single sex education (if applicable), student body where certain behaviors are screened or counseled out, etc. I’d say that yes, those are not things the public can or will offer.

Of course you can learn those things in public, but private school students and parents self select. All private school kids/parents value education, extracurricular, travels, etc. All kids in private do those things. All children are high achievers (not some or a few). Not having problem children in class means that the two teachers my daughter has cal focus on all the children equally. Having smaller class size means that all kids (shy or not) learn public speaking because they make presentations everyday. Having a psychologist in the school means my daughter was able to work with a person who knew her, her friends, her unique situation… I could keep going… you don’t get this anywhere else.

This is why we sacrifice for private

I am laughing again. We have school psychologists in public, they know our kids well, and we all travel too, believe it or not, though I’m not sure why you care if your kids classmates spent Winter Break at home vs. the Caribbean. The assertion that all children in private are high achievers (not some or a few) is also ridiculous, and I’m sure many posters on this board who send their kids to private can clarify that they made that choice because their kids had an academic need or were getting overlooked because they were not performing quite as well as the tippy top achievers in public. What you’re really saying is that everyone is wealthy and they’ve curated an environment so your snowflake doesn’t have to deal with people you consider beneath you. That’s right, you won’t get that in public. Thank goodness, because you sound insufferable.

+1000. I have experience with private and public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, we opted against private for our 3 children for the reasons that you stated. we have instead opted to build wealth for the kids by saving the $40K per head and invest in brokerage/retirement/529s. We supplement with a ton of enrichment activities, take great vacations overseas, and are still able to save quite a bit. The kids are also in AAP/honors courses at FCPS and doing well. I didn't see the need for private and have been pleased with how things have worked out thus far.

Your decision will be personal but I have enjoyed the financial freedom that comes with public, and knowing that we don't have to worry about our retirement or our kids' futures.

I myself went to a nice private school (loved it) so I feel that I have a good handle of what the pros/cons are of each option. I made the right decision for our family.


Best of luck.

So you went to a private but are willing to deny that to your children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, we opted against private for our 3 children for the reasons that you stated. we have instead opted to build wealth for the kids by saving the $40K per head and invest in brokerage/retirement/529s. We supplement with a ton of enrichment activities, take great vacations overseas, and are still able to save quite a bit. The kids are also in AAP/honors courses at FCPS and doing well. I didn't see the need for private and have been pleased with how things have worked out thus far.

Your decision will be personal but I have enjoyed the financial freedom that comes with public, and knowing that we don't have to worry about our retirement or our kids' futures.

I myself went to a nice private school (loved it) so I feel that I have a good handle of what the pros/cons are of each option. I made the right decision for our family.


Best of luck.

So you went to a private but are willing to deny that to your children?

Yes. That's what she's saying. Clearly. Did you develop that level of reading comprehension at a private?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, we opted against private for our 3 children for the reasons that you stated. we have instead opted to build wealth for the kids by saving the $40K per head and invest in brokerage/retirement/529s. We supplement with a ton of enrichment activities, take great vacations overseas, and are still able to save quite a bit. The kids are also in AAP/honors courses at FCPS and doing well. I didn't see the need for private and have been pleased with how things have worked out thus far.

Your decision will be personal but I have enjoyed the financial freedom that comes with public, and knowing that we don't have to worry about our retirement or our kids' futures.

I myself went to a nice private school (loved it) so I feel that I have a good handle of what the pros/cons are of each option. I made the right decision for our family.


Best of luck.

So you went to a private but are willing to deny that to your children?

Or maybe having gone to private is the reason they believe their kid would be better off in public? Or maybe their kid is just fine in public so no need for the expense at this point? Don’t know why you assume someone is being denied something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who kids become as people largely depends on their experiences growing up. It depends on the type of family they have, but also on the teachers and friends. If I think my children will become more confident, able to stand up for themselves, comfortable around intelligent and educated people, feel valued as people, aim higher because of what they are exposed to, etc. then yes, it is worth it for me.

For us private school for 3 kids is a stretch, but we feel it’s totally worth it. We are at top private schools and that is all I know (and public). I don’t know if I would feel the same at other schools

+1

This is a reasonable perspective.

no it isn’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, we left our “excellent” MCPS elementary (Whitman feeder district) after K for our oldest to go to our preK-8. We will never go back to public school.

We have three kids so the tuition is a significant portion of our income, and absolutely will reduce how much we will leave as an inheritance. But it doesn’t affect our college savings or retirement.

There differences in curriculum are significant, especially as they relate to reading. Our school teaches using phonics, which is not how MCPS teaches. My oldest didn’t learn to read in MCPS kindergarten, but their first grade teacher taught them and now they love reading.

There is also a significant difference in having PE almost daily and time to run around during snack time and recess daily. My kids also love having science, art, and music multiple times a week. You get those once a week in public.

There are other benefits to private school, but there are significant curriculum and structural differences other than the nice facilities and small class sizes.

Socially, give yourself time - have you had a chance to meet other parents at birthday parties? Hosted play dates? At young ages (private or public), friendships are facilitated by the parents. It took me a year or two to find “my people” at our private, although my kids found friends sooner.

You could've taught your kid how to read at home and saved the tuition. Thousands of public school kids learn to read well without paying for private school or tutors. Maybe your kid just needed extra special attention. Both of my kids were reading way above grade level before they went to K. All we did was read to them at home, and then it went from there. We didn't push them to read. They just naturally started picking it up.

Some kids just need smaller class sizes to do better, and some don't. Glad it worked out for you.

The approach MCPS was using didn’t work for lots of kids - do some research and find out how terrible it was. That’s why they are changing it. MCPS failed lots of kids. Ours are lucky because we have the resources to pull them into private.

I’m glad MCPS is making changes, and I know plenty of families whose kids are doing well at our home school (also know plenty who are but are sticking it out and supplementing with tutoring). But there are real differences in the education private schools offer, and it’s silly to pretend it’s just smaller classes and nicer facilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, we left our “excellent” MCPS elementary (Whitman feeder district) after K for our oldest to go to our preK-8. We will never go back to public school.

We have three kids so the tuition is a significant portion of our income, and absolutely will reduce how much we will leave as an inheritance. But it doesn’t affect our college savings or retirement.

There differences in curriculum are significant, especially as they relate to reading. Our school teaches using phonics, which is not how MCPS teaches. My oldest didn’t learn to read in MCPS kindergarten, but their first grade teacher taught them and now they love reading.

There is also a significant difference in having PE almost daily and time to run around during snack time and recess daily. My kids also love having science, art, and music multiple times a week. You get those once a week in public.

There are other benefits to private school, but there are significant curriculum and structural differences other than the nice facilities and small class sizes.

Socially, give yourself time - have you had a chance to meet other parents at birthday parties? Hosted play dates? At young ages (private or public), friendships are facilitated by the parents. It took me a year or two to find “my people” at our private, although my kids found friends sooner.

You could've taught your kid how to read at home and saved the tuition. Thousands of public school kids learn to read well without paying for private school or tutors. Maybe your kid just needed extra special attention. Both of my kids were reading way above grade level before they went to K. All we did was read to them at home, and then it went from there. We didn't push them to read. They just naturally started picking it up.

Some kids just need smaller class sizes to do better, and some don't. Glad it worked out for you.

The approach MCPS was using didn’t work for lots of kids - do some research and find out how terrible it was. That’s why they are changing it. MCPS failed lots of kids. Ours are lucky because we have the resources to pull them into private.

I’m glad MCPS is making changes, and I know plenty of families whose kids are doing well at our home school (also know plenty who are but are sticking it out and supplementing with tutoring). But there are real differences in the education private schools offer, and it’s silly to pretend it’s just smaller classes and nicer facilities.

Sure, but as I stated, you could've just taught your kid at home and save the $40K.. for Ker. I mean if you have the $$$ then sure, but OP seems like she wants to use the $$ for other things. My kids did fine in MCPS, as have many others. I think it's insane to pay $40K for Ker, but I guess if you are super wealthy, and $40K is just a drop in the bucket, then I can see why you'd do it.

Parents choose private schools for many reasons, one of which is that their kid needs more specialized attention. If your kid cannot manage in a large public school, then I can see why you'd want a smaller private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, we left our “excellent” MCPS elementary (Whitman feeder district) after K for our oldest to go to our preK-8. We will never go back to public school.

We have three kids so the tuition is a significant portion of our income, and absolutely will reduce how much we will leave as an inheritance. But it doesn’t affect our college savings or retirement.

There differences in curriculum are significant, especially as they relate to reading. Our school teaches using phonics, which is not how MCPS teaches. My oldest didn’t learn to read in MCPS kindergarten, but their first grade teacher taught them and now they love reading.

There is also a significant difference in having PE almost daily and time to run around during snack time and recess daily. My kids also love having science, art, and music multiple times a week. You get those once a week in public.

There are other benefits to private school, but there are significant curriculum and structural differences other than the nice facilities and small class sizes.

Socially, give yourself time - have you had a chance to meet other parents at birthday parties? Hosted play dates? At young ages (private or public), friendships are facilitated by the parents. It took me a year or two to find “my people” at our private, although my kids found friends sooner.

You could've taught your kid how to read at home and saved the tuition. Thousands of public school kids learn to read well without paying for private school or tutors. Maybe your kid just needed extra special attention. Both of my kids were reading way above grade level before they went to K. All we did was read to them at home, and then it went from there. We didn't push them to read. They just naturally started picking it up.

Some kids just need smaller class sizes to do better, and some don't. Glad it worked out for you.

The approach MCPS was using didn’t work for lots of kids - do some research and find out how terrible it was. That’s why they are changing it. MCPS failed lots of kids. Ours are lucky because we have the resources to pull them into private.

I’m glad MCPS is making changes, and I know plenty of families whose kids are doing well at our home school (also know plenty who are but are sticking it out and supplementing with tutoring). But there are real differences in the education private schools offer, and it’s silly to pretend it’s just smaller classes and nicer facilities.

Sure, but as I stated, you could've just taught your kid at home and save the $40K.. for Ker. I mean if you have the $$$ then sure, but OP seems like she wants to use the $$ for other things. My kids did fine in MCPS, as have many others. I think it's insane to pay $40K for Ker, but I guess if you are super wealthy, and $40K is just a drop in the bucket, then I can see why you'd do it.

Parents choose private schools for many reasons, one of which is that their kid needs more specialized attention. If your kid cannot manage in a large public school, then I can see why you'd want a smaller private.

You keep insisting that people choose private because their kids need more attention. Maybe some people do it for that reason, others (most) donit because they WANT more attention and because they want better than “fine”.
I am sure my kids would have been “fine” in public, but I am sure they have a much better experience in private

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, we left our “excellent” MCPS elementary (Whitman feeder district) after K for our oldest to go to our preK-8. We will never go back to public school.

We have three kids so the tuition is a significant portion of our income, and absolutely will reduce how much we will leave as an inheritance. But it doesn’t affect our college savings or retirement.

There differences in curriculum are significant, especially as they relate to reading. Our school teaches using phonics, which is not how MCPS teaches. My oldest didn’t learn to read in MCPS kindergarten, but their first grade teacher taught them and now they love reading.

There is also a significant difference in having PE almost daily and time to run around during snack time and recess daily. My kids also love having science, art, and music multiple times a week. You get those once a week in public.

There are other benefits to private school, but there are significant curriculum and structural differences other than the nice facilities and small class sizes.

Socially, give yourself time - have you had a chance to meet other parents at birthday parties? Hosted play dates? At young ages (private or public), friendships are facilitated by the parents. It took me a year or two to find “my people” at our private, although my kids found friends sooner.

You could've taught your kid how to read at home and saved the tuition. Thousands of public school kids learn to read well without paying for private school or tutors. Maybe your kid just needed extra special attention. Both of my kids were reading way above grade level before they went to K. All we did was read to them at home, and then it went from there. We didn't push them to read. They just naturally started picking it up.

Some kids just need smaller class sizes to do better, and some don't. Glad it worked out for you.

The approach MCPS was using didn’t work for lots of kids - do some research and find out how terrible it was. That’s why they are changing it. MCPS failed lots of kids. Ours are lucky because we have the resources to pull them into private.

I’m glad MCPS is making changes, and I know plenty of families whose kids are doing well at our home school (also know plenty who are but are sticking it out and supplementing with tutoring). But there are real differences in the education private schools offer, and it’s silly to pretend it’s just smaller classes and nicer facilities.

Sure, but as I stated, you could've just taught your kid at home and save the $40K.. for Ker. I mean if you have the $$$ then sure, but OP seems like she wants to use the $$ for other things. My kids did fine in MCPS, as have many others. I think it's insane to pay $40K for Ker, but I guess if you are super wealthy, and $40K is just a drop in the bucket, then I can see why you'd do it.

Parents choose private schools for many reasons, one of which is that their kid needs more specialized attention. If your kid cannot manage in a large public school, then I can see why you'd want a smaller private.

You keep insisting that people choose private because their kids need more attention. Maybe some people do it for that reason, others (most) donit because they WANT more attention and because they want better than “fine”.
I am sure my kids would have been “fine” in public, but I am sure they have a much better experience in private

+1. There’s a difference between “fine” and “excellent”

[Anonymous]

If you have that much money OP, you could afford to live in an area with good public schools.