What is the bottom line with this private school thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Are you considering St. Albans for the alum network and access to families in the ruling class? That is a payoff for attending St. Albans. Only you can decide if it's worth it.

This is an anachronism, is it not? I'm not sure if the "ruling class" still populates STA. I'm also not sure that gaining access to whatever approaches the ruling class that attends STA will necessarily ever pay dividends, can it?

I'm the poster who mentioned this. The answers to your questions are, I think, "It depends." Does the ruling class populate STA (or Sidwell or NCS)? That depends on what your concept of the ruling class is and on the perception of others in the community. I used STA as an example because that's the school the OP mentioned. Another poster used Sarah Palin as an example of someone who attended a mediocre school and still can run for VP; Joe Biden might be another example of that. But they are exceptions. If you're talking about the true Washington elite, then, yes, many of their kids still attend schools like this. Their alumni connections give them access to a social network that lasts well beyond high school. Many of them go to fairly elite colleges, where they further develop those social connections. You ask if this will necessarily ever pay dividends and again the answer is, "It depends," meaning it depends on what the dividend is. If it's the ability to pick up the phone and call someone who can grant them a favor or access, the answer is probably yes. It doesn't necessarily mean there will be a financial payoff, but I have never assumed that attending a school like STA or Sidwell was supposed to guarantee a better job or financial future. Nor did I assume it would guarantee higher test scores. Instead, it provides a solid education and either entree into or the continuation of a social network. It also provides the intangible benefits of feeling part of something that is elite. Those are the payoffs.

Astute analysis.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

If not ruling class, then certainly Cathedral School educated, no doubt.

[Anonymous]

The bottom line is that anything that is this expensive needs to be clearly differentiated from the free option of public school.

[Anonymous]

The bottom line is that parents will try to do the best for their children; education is one of the cornerstones of where a parental choice can make a difference.

People on this board, either to bolster their own decision making, or out of sour grapes, will trash, not only parents decisions, but educational institutions, with anonimity, hearsay and innuendo.

[Anonymous]

I noticed the same when doing my research. A lot depends on whether the writer itself went to public/private, and where their kids are in now. It is hard to get objective views. And I am after objective views when trying to decide for my kid.

[Anonymous]

"It also provides the intangible benefits of feeling part of something that is elite"

I would argue that feeling "elite" is not a benefit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

"It also provides the intangible benefits of feeling part of something that is elite"

I would argue that feeling "elite" is not a benefit.

PP did say it was "intangible."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I noticed the same when doing my research. A lot depends on whether the writer itself went to public/private, and where their kids are in now. It is hard to get objective views. And I am after objective views when trying to decide for my kid.

Agree. This is why I would like more info about test scores and so on. Edmund Burke posted their average SAT scores. I like that.
It is like buying a car with no cunsumer report.

[Anonymous]

But do you really think, for example, SAT scores are systemic to the school or the student? Many have posited that students from education families with involved parents will thrive at DCPS, despite the condition of the school buildings or the amenities the school offer.

If that is the case, then isn't that true across the board? And if so, what relevance does posting SAT scores have on the academic programs, the "extras" the schools offer etc. in the parental evaluation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But do you really think, for example, SAT scores are systemic to the school or the student? Many have posited that students from education families with involved parents will thrive at DCPS, despite the condition of the school buildings or the amenities the school offer.

If that is the case, then isn't that true across the board? And if so, what relevance does posting SAT scores have on the academic programs, the "extras" the schools offer etc. in the parental evaluation?

Of course not just SAT's. They should post everything. As much info as possible would be nice. That way parents can do informed shopping. If what you want is good arts programs, you can find them by seeing how much time is spent on that activity. I would love to have a chart that just compared these things (like consumer reports) to help me with my decision making.

[Anonymous]

You sound like an ideal candidate for hiring an educational consultant ... it is their profession to visit schools, talk to school staff as well as current students/families and alumni to collect this very information. They are very familiar with the existing information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

"It also provides the intangible benefits of feeling part of something that is elite"

I would argue that feeling "elite" is not a benefit.

You'd argue that it's not a benefit? As a PP noted, I said it's an intangible benefit. Connections are also intangible benefits. Or you'd argue that it's not a benefit at all, intangible or otherwise? You may feel that way; others feel differently. So much of the private school process and decision is intangible and perceptual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You sound like an ideal candidate for hiring an educational consultant ... it is their profession to visit schools, talk to school staff as well as current students/families and alumni to collect this very information. They are very familiar with the existing information.

They don't have the numbers that I need. Plus the information should be free or inexpensive. I would like to see the Checkbook do a section on private schools.

[Anonymous]

I define feeling "elite" as feeling different from, and superior to, others. I think that this feeling makes compassion for others very difficult; you really can't understand what their situation is or where they come from. You have trouble understanding why someone might not have a large house or be able to go to Europe for vacation. Your life becomes very circumscribed, in a way. I say this as someone who went to an "elite" private school and Ivy League university. It took me quite a long time to realize that I wasn't a better, more "special" person than anyone else. Now that I've gotten beyond that, my life is richer and more meaningful, and I am able to accomplish much more.

[Anonymous]

Getting back to OP, it would be nice to have an objective sense of what we are paying for.

[Anonymous]

True, but the "intangibles," such as coming out of a school feeling that you are "elite," must be considered as part of the package you're getting.