Are private school kids returning to public next year?

[Anonymous]

We are the reverse. I thought we would just go to ride Covid and middle school out and return to public in a year or two, but it has honestly been the best decision and we will stay throughout upper school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, our private all boys school in DC hasn’t turned out to be worth the full tuition we pay at over 30 grand a year.

At least you're honest instead of trying to justify value that's not there.....

Thank you, many posts get angry when anything unfavorable is said about the school even though it’s the case or they will spin it to downplay it.
I did not anticipate this and really hoped it would’ve turned out to what I was sold on, I’m actually quite sad about it for my child. But it’s too much of a disappointment. It didn’t have to be as wonderful as the school and parents touted, I just would’ve appreciated more honesty. Take what they say with a grain of salt, there is major bias and you’ll only get information of what they want you to know and all the polish.

This. I wish the school had been what I wanted but it wasn't. Hate to move my kid but this will be the final move back to public. At least he's looking forward to it. He's been bored.

Could it perhaps be that your kid is more used to public and its less demanding requirements for behavior, attitude and writing requirements? The complainers who spend a year in private think money was going to guarantee a happy kid. Not a good fit.

Could it be just what the PP said? Could it be you greatly underestimate how many parents are faking how much they love a particular private school because they feel stuck and somewhat ashamed? Some kids do better in a bigger environment with more options for academics, more independence, more options for friends.

[Anonymous]

I say this as someone who absolutely loved everything about our public school (pre-covid).

We will never go back to public. I even put our 3-year-old in private this year. The ridiculous cost is worth every penny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are many private school kids returning to public next year since they will be fully in person again?

We are returning to public. Our private school is not as academically challenging as it touted itself to be. And also, our observation has been that the kids get away with a lot more (behavior issues and not doing homework) than in our well regarded 'W' zoned school. As a public school parent, I never wondered what it was like "on the other side" but am glad I got to observe for these past couple of years. I'm sure people will say every private school is different and of course that's true. But given the school we are zoned for, I do not think I'd waste money on any school (even a 'top 3') after this experience. My kid is/was easily one of the brightest/top scoring students in his private school class, which was not the case in public. In public he was considered a 'smart' kid but there was definitely a group of kids that outpaced him, which I like to see because that means he has room to grow and healthy competition. I am not knocking private school at all but it's just our own personal experience at this particular private school and in light of the school we are zoned for. And I recognize this is a difficult decision for most parents.

I would love to know what school this is, if you wouldn't mind saying or giving clues. This is one fear I have for my child.

Unfortunately, I can't. I will say that it is obviously not one of the top 3 or 5 that is mentioned on here but it is referenced frequently. That said, I have two nieces who did go to one of the 'top 3' schools for a couple of years but their parents reluctantly pulled them out due to financial reasons after a job change. When they enrolled the kids in their local public, they discovered that they were behind their peers academically at their local 'W' elementary school. I do suspect that there are fewer behavior problems at what are considered the top schools because parents are eager to be there and their kids know not to jeopardize their spots by not completing work or being a constant behavior problem. I think it is the middle tier schools and the religious schools that present most of the problems that I've referenced. If you are zoned for what is considered a good public school system, I would think carefully about spending money on private - not only are you passing up an excellent academic opportunity but your kids will miss out on some of the bonds that other kids who attend the local school develop with one another, which could impact their summers, after school hang outs - basically their social life in general. There really is no price you can put on that. You may not want to shuttle your kid all over the DMV for them to spend time with/visit.

I highly doubt your child received a top tier education at a public in the DMV over the last three years. Covid shut down the schools and resources and everyone is playing catch up. Your prior post on your child’s intellect and those of his peers is nauseating. Seriously.

Whaaat??? I'm saying my child was at a public pre-COVID and has been at a private since then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, our private all boys school in DC hasn’t turned out to be worth the full tuition we pay at over 30 grand a year.

At least you're honest instead of trying to justify value that's not there.....

Thank you, many posts get angry when anything unfavorable is said about the school even though it’s the case or they will spin it to downplay it.
I did not anticipate this and really hoped it would’ve turned out to what I was sold on, I’m actually quite sad about it for my child. But it’s too much of a disappointment. It didn’t have to be as wonderful as the school and parents touted, I just would’ve appreciated more honesty. Take what they say with a grain of salt, there is major bias and you’ll only get information of what they want you to know and all the polish.

This. I wish the school had been what I wanted but it wasn't. Hate to move my kid but this will be the final move back to public. At least he's looking forward to it. He's been bored.

Could it perhaps be that your kid is more used to public and its less demanding requirements for behavior, attitude and writing requirements? The complainers who spend a year in private think money was going to guarantee a happy kid. Not a good fit.

Could it be just what the PP said? Could it be you greatly underestimate how many parents are faking how much they love a particular private school because they feel stuck and somewhat ashamed? Some kids do better in a bigger environment with more options for academics, more independence, more options for friends.

This. I faked it for a year but have to eat crow at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I say this as someone who absolutely loved everything about our public school (pre-covid).

We will never go back to public. I even put our 3-year-old in private this year. The ridiculous cost is worth every penny.

How so?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, our private all boys school in DC hasn’t turned out to be worth the full tuition we pay at over 30 grand a year.

Not surprised you didn’t find Gonzaga worth it. Most Catholic schools aren’t good enough academically to differentiate themselves from public. Only reason yo go to one - and it’s a fully legitimate reason / is for religious education and connections.

It’s not Gonzaga.

Gonzaga is $26k so I knew it’s not the school pp was referring to. Plenty of other all boys schools in dc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are many private school kids returning to public next year since they will be fully in person again?

We are returning to public. Our private school is not as academically challenging as it touted itself to be. And also, our observation has been that the kids get away with a lot more (behavior issues and not doing homework) than in our well regarded 'W' zoned school. As a public school parent, I never wondered what it was like "on the other side" but am glad I got to observe for these past couple of years. I'm sure people will say every private school is different and of course that's true. But given the school we are zoned for, I do not think I'd waste money on any school (even a 'top 3') after this experience. My kid is/was easily one of the brightest/top scoring students in his private school class, which was not the case in public. In public he was considered a 'smart' kid but there was definitely a group of kids that outpaced him, which I like to see because that means he has room to grow and healthy competition. I am not knocking private school at all but it's just our own personal experience at this particular private school and in light of the school we are zoned for. And I recognize this is a difficult decision for most parents.

What is a 'W' zoned school? Our family is relocating to the DC area, so I’m not familiar with the local public schools.

[Anonymous]

Nope.

DC begged not to go public.

And Public school takes months to reply to emails and phone calls. The paper work required is insane.

Hard to partner with people who don’t communicate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are many private school kids returning to public next year since they will be fully in person again?

We are returning to public. Our private school is not as academically challenging as it touted itself to be. And also, our observation has been that the kids get away with a lot more (behavior issues and not doing homework) than in our well regarded 'W' zoned school. As a public school parent, I never wondered what it was like "on the other side" but am glad I got to observe for these past couple of years. I'm sure people will say every private school is different and of course that's true. But given the school we are zoned for, I do not think I'd waste money on any school (even a 'top 3') after this experience. My kid is/was easily one of the brightest/top scoring students in his private school class, which was not the case in public. In public he was considered a 'smart' kid but there was definitely a group of kids that outpaced him, which I like to see because that means he has room to grow and healthy competition. I am not knocking private school at all but it's just our own personal experience at this particular private school and in light of the school we are zoned for. And I recognize this is a difficult decision for most parents.

What is a 'W' zoned school? Our family is relocating to the DC area, so I’m not familiar with the local public schools.

Wootton, Winston Churchill, Walt Whitman and sometimes Walter Johnson. Wootton is hyper competitive and is known to be a pressure cooker. The others are also challenging but Wootton has a different vibe.

[Anonymous]

We're giving private one more year then planning to swap back to public... we bought in this district because of the quality of the schools. Our kids are lower elementary and I think the publics have struggled a lot with this age group and getting them not only back into the routine but also playing catchup. We know a number of local families with older kids and our sense is that upper elementary (and in particular AAP) starting in 2023-24 school year is going to be a really good fit, and will redirect the tuition funds to their college funds. If we had money to burn we might consider staying private, but seems like there are pros/cons and the privates are on balance only very marginally better in our opinion, so not worth the cost compared to the alternatives available.

[Anonymous]

Staying in religious private. My son was bored in APS elementary yet unable to write proper sentences or spell common words. We didn’t know much about what he was learning because most class work done on iPad. No work sent home, no quizzes, only vague feedback at school meetings. Math lessons are comprehensive and challenging. Science is surprisingly good for elementary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, our private all boys school in DC hasn’t turned out to be worth the full tuition we pay at over 30 grand a year.

At least you're honest instead of trying to justify value that's not there.....

Thank you, many posts get angry when anything unfavorable is said about the school even though it’s the case or they will spin it to downplay it.
I did not anticipate this and really hoped it would’ve turned out to what I was sold on, I’m actually quite sad about it for my child. But it’s too much of a disappointment. It didn’t have to be as wonderful as the school and parents touted, I just would’ve appreciated more honesty. Take what they say with a grain of salt, there is major bias and you’ll only get information of what they want you to know and all the polish.

This. I wish the school had been what I wanted but it wasn't. Hate to move my kid but this will be the final move back to public. At least he's looking forward to it. He's been bored.

Could it perhaps be that your kid is more used to public and its less demanding requirements for behavior, attitude and writing requirements? The complainers who spend a year in private think money was going to guarantee a happy kid. Not a good fit.

Could it be just what the PP said? Could it be you greatly underestimate how many parents are faking how much they love a particular private school because they feel stuck and somewhat ashamed? Some kids do better in a bigger environment with more options for academics, more independence, more options for friends.

Well have at it then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, our private all boys school in DC hasn’t turned out to be worth the full tuition we pay at over 30 grand a year.

At least you're honest instead of trying to justify value that's not there.....

Thank you, many posts get angry when anything unfavorable is said about the school even though it’s the case or they will spin it to downplay it.
I did not anticipate this and really hoped it would’ve turned out to what I was sold on, I’m actually quite sad about it for my child. But it’s too much of a disappointment. It didn’t have to be as wonderful as the school and parents touted, I just would’ve appreciated more honesty. Take what they say with a grain of salt, there is major bias and you’ll only get information of what they want you to know and all the polish.

This. I wish the school had been what I wanted but it wasn't. Hate to move my kid but this will be the final move back to public. At least he's looking forward to it. He's been bored.

Could it perhaps be that your kid is more used to public and its less demanding requirements for behavior, attitude and writing requirements? The complainers who spend a year in private think money was going to guarantee a happy kid. Not a good fit.

Could it be just what the PP said? Could it be you greatly underestimate how many parents are faking how much they love a particular private school because they feel stuck and somewhat ashamed? Some kids do better in a bigger environment with more options for academics, more independence, more options for friends.

No, that would erode the DCUM narrative that the worst private is better than any public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are many private school kids returning to public next year since they will be fully in person again?

We are returning to public. Our private school is not as academically challenging as it touted itself to be. And also, our observation has been that the kids get away with a lot more (behavior issues and not doing homework) than in our well regarded 'W' zoned school. As a public school parent, I never wondered what it was like "on the other side" but am glad I got to observe for these past couple of years. I'm sure people will say every private school is different and of course that's true. But given the school we are zoned for, I do not think I'd waste money on any school (even a 'top 3') after this experience. My kid is/was easily one of the brightest/top scoring students in his private school class, which was not the case in public. In public he was considered a 'smart' kid but there was definitely a group of kids that outpaced him, which I like to see because that means he has room to grow and healthy competition. I am not knocking private school at all but it's just our own personal experience at this particular private school and in light of the school we are zoned for. And I recognize this is a difficult decision for most parents.

What is a 'W' zoned school? Our family is relocating to the DC area, so I’m not familiar with the local public schools.

Wootton, Winston Churchill, Walt Whitman and sometimes Walter Johnson. Wootton is hyper competitive and is known to be a pressure cooker. The others are also challenging but Wootton has a different vibe.

The four schools are the wealthiest in the county. They all happen to have a W in the name too. So the W relates to the name and the wealth. They tend to have the highest scores despite the same curriculum and funding.