Why do so many folks pay for private school in this area?

[Anonymous]

I just love that any thread that might prompt the slightest bit of introspection makes y’all squirm.

[Anonymous]

there aren't trophies given to rich parents who put their kids in public schools for the duration. sone of the systems in the dmv are mediocre at best. and that's being generous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just love that any thread that might prompt the slightest bit of introspection makes y’all squirm.

So tru! And to watch everyone go into defense mode to preserve the rationale of their bubble. Most are tone deaf, and most still think the old ways work. I think we will continue to see the chipping away of the veneer in the months and years to come.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous[b wrote:]I think the better question is why are the public schools in this area not meeting the needs of our kids? Why has FCPS had a reading curriculum for the last 15+ years that doesn’t actually teach kids to read? Why are class sizes so insanely large? Why are parents prepping 6 year olds to get them into AAP? Why doesn’t FCPS teach kids how to spell[/b]?

For many families that choose private at least in VA, the goal isn’t exclusivity or prestige—it is finding a school that meets the needs of our children. My dyslexic child could not do virtual learning. So we switched to a private that serves kids with language based learning differences and was in person all last year. It is a great fit for my child and we will stay at least through the end of elementary school.

Believe me, I am incredibly disappointed that after spending what we did for a house in our school district we have to spend a small fortune for private school. I am grateful that we have the resources to do it.

Seriously these are the questions??. Why do privates cost more than most middle class folks can afford? Why are parents prepping Kindergartners to be able to get into a school early so they don’t have to compete at 6th or 9th? Why do private schools not service kids with special needs beyond mild ADHD and sometimes dyslexia? Why do privates schools not use their large space to expand to accommodate more kids in their small class sizes? Why aren’t kids who are ready allowed to accelerate in Math?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just love that any thread that might prompt the slightest bit of introspection makes y’all squirm.

So tru! And to watch everyone go into defense mode to preserve the rationale of their bubble. Most are tone deaf, and most still think the old ways work. I think we will continue to see the chipping away of the veneer in the months and years to come.

And I think that scares a lot of these folks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous[b wrote:]I think the better question is why are the public schools in this area not meeting the needs of our kids? Why has FCPS had a reading curriculum for the last 15+ years that doesn’t actually teach kids to read? Why are class sizes so insanely large? Why are parents prepping 6 year olds to get them into AAP? Why doesn’t FCPS teach kids how to spell[/b]?

For many families that choose private at least in VA, the goal isn’t exclusivity or prestige—it is finding a school that meets the needs of our children. My dyslexic child could not do virtual learning. So we switched to a private that serves kids with language based learning differences and was in person all last year. It is a great fit for my child and we will stay at least through the end of elementary school.

Believe me, I am incredibly disappointed that after spending what we did for a house in our school district we have to spend a small fortune for private school. I am grateful that we have the resources to do it.

Seriously these are the questions??. Why do privates cost more than most middle class folks can afford? Why are parents prepping Kindergartners to be able to get into a school early so they don’t have to compete at 6th or 9th? Why do private schools not service kids with special needs beyond mild ADHD and sometimes dyslexia? Why do privates schools not use their large space to expand to accommodate more kids in their small class sizes? Why aren’t kids who are ready allowed to accelerate in Math?

The societal walls these folks are used to hiding behind are crumbling. The edge is now blurred.

[Anonymous]

As the richest and most privileged kids start attending what are now second tier schools, those same schools will become the ones with the most well connected and successful alum networks. Just watch. Nothing will substantially changed. The top tier in our society will just change the game. It’s how it has always worked and you are dreaming if you think those with power and money won’t figure out how the beat this new system. As the Ivies become the stomping grounds of the poor, first gen and unconnected, and the powerful will chose new colleges and move their privileged offspring elsewhere. It will then take the 99% at least a decade to figure out what failed in the plan to create more equality.

[Anonymous]

The short version is I used to be a public school teacher. If I thought I weren’t getting my money’s worth, I wouldn’t do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As the richest and most privileged kids start attending what are now second tier schools, those same schools will become the ones with the most well connected and successful alum networks. Just watch. Nothing will substantially changed. The top tier in our society will just change the game. It’s how it has always worked and you are dreaming if you think those with power and money won’t figure out how the beat this new system. As the Ivies become the stomping grounds of the poor, first gen and unconnected, and the powerful will chose new colleges and move their privileged offspring elsewhere. It will then take the 99% at least a decade to figure out what failed in the plan to create more equality.

Yes. Tulane will be the new Harvard by 2030.

[Anonymous]

We could’ve put a nail in this thread coffin on page 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As the richest and most privileged kids start attending what are now second tier schools, those same schools will become the ones with the most well connected and successful alum networks. Just watch. Nothing will substantially changed. The top tier in our society will just change the game. It’s how it has always worked and you are dreaming if you think those with power and money won’t figure out how the beat this new system. As the Ivies become the stomping grounds of the poor, first gen and unconnected, and the powerful will chose new colleges and move their privileged offspring elsewhere. It will then take the 99% at least a decade to figure out what failed in the plan to create more equality.

It’s a real “wet sidewalks cause rain” logic chain going on at top schools, huh? If Harvard only took need kids for the next decade, the professional outcomes from Harvard would look wildly different. But elites have had a chokehold on Harvard so long people no longer understand the causal relationship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As the richest and most privileged kids start attending what are now second tier schools, those same schools will become the ones with the most well connected and successful alum networks. Just watch. Nothing will substantially changed. The top tier in our society will just change the game. It’s how it has always worked and you are dreaming if you think those with power and money won’t figure out how the beat this new system. As the Ivies become the stomping grounds of the poor, first gen and unconnected, and the powerful will chose new colleges and move their privileged offspring elsewhere. It will then take the 99% at least a decade to figure out what failed in the plan to create more equality.

I am not sure I agree with this. The playing field will be leveled at colleges, as it should be, and folks will find alternative paths if they don’t perceive it’s fair. It’s not likely in the academic path that we have now, as it no longer shows distinction amongst the rich. More and more will simply skip this and go right into careers or starting businesses. Education will switch to self-pace through a variety of mediums. The college experience will be replaced by “gap-year” like traveling.

[Anonymous]

Independent Private schools > FCPS.

Ask me how I know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous[b wrote:]I think the better question is why are the public schools in this area not meeting the needs of our kids? Why has FCPS had a reading curriculum for the last 15+ years that doesn’t actually teach kids to read? Why are class sizes so insanely large? Why are parents prepping 6 year olds to get them into AAP? Why doesn’t FCPS teach kids how to spell[/b]?

For many families that choose private at least in VA, the goal isn’t exclusivity or prestige—it is finding a school that meets the needs of our children. My dyslexic child could not do virtual learning. So we switched to a private that serves kids with language based learning differences and was in person all last year. It is a great fit for my child and we will stay at least through the end of elementary school.

Believe me, I am incredibly disappointed that after spending what we did for a house in our school district we have to spend a small fortune for private school. I am grateful that we have the resources to do it.

Seriously these are the questions??. Why do privates cost more than most middle class folks can afford? Why are parents prepping Kindergartners to be able to get into a school early so they don’t have to compete at 6th or 9th? Why do private schools not service kids with special needs beyond mild ADHD and sometimes dyslexia? Why do privates schools not use their large space to expand to accommodate more kids in their small class sizes? Why aren’t kids who are ready allowed to accelerate in Math?

This post demonstrates what starts to happen on threads like this one. We start to speak in blanket statements and they are often inaccurate. I’m a private school teacher and I can tell you that the statements above about not accommodating special needs and not offering accelerated math don’t apply to my school. The truth is… not all private schools are equal. That’s one of the benefits of a private school. If you are willing to search, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

I see these inaccuracies about public schools, as well. I’ve read that all public schools are dangerous and that they are big and impersonal. I’ve even read that public school parents can’t possibly care about their children. It’s all absurd and, once again, full of false statements. I think it boils down to the fact we want what is best for our own children and we can get defensive if our choices are challenged. There are students succeeding in both environments. If you are happy with your child’s school, either public or private, then great! I wish we didn’t sling arrows in the other direction.

[Anonymous]

Personalized learning, teaching to a test and lack of writing skills