Rich but send kids to urban public school?

[Anonymous]

We are wealthy enought to afford private, and chose the Hardy-Wilson pathway for our child.

We did it because we value public education and because I didn't see the point of throwing away $30,000+ a year.

We have no regrets.

What DC lost in private school "extras" was more than made up for by the public school experience. School is about math, science, social studies, etc., but just as important, it is about figuring out who you are and figuring out how to deal with all kinds of people in the real world.

The academic experience at public school was perfectly adequate - our child did fine, found a solid peer group, and is on track to go to a solid college. There were some ups and downs, but ultimately, our child is a smart kid with involved parents and would have done fine anywhere.

But the social experience and the value our child gained from that was extraordinarily valuable - and I do not believe it could have been replicated in the private school environment.

OP, please consider this example and give consideration to remaining with the public school system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are rich, you probably live in an area that has a good public school. Regardless of public or private - your kid's experience and peer group will be the same.

Bringing it back to the Obama example, you are absolutely insane if you believe that the same peer group goes to Sidwell Friends as Cardozo, the public high school to which they would be assigned. Just insane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the poster at 15:08....

One observation I would like to add. To all of those who send your kids to private school and insist your kids are just as tolerant, giving, not-spoiled et cetera for the experience....I'd like to add an observation....which is, that time will tell how the environment has impacted them.

For example, I went to a great public school. My DH and his family (who were not rich) went to a great private school. My own (anecdotal) observation is that my husband, and his private school friends were impacted as adults by the experience of being in private school. On the positive, they are all 'well polished' and know (or married) lots of rich people, which opens certain doors in the world. But at the same time, they generally all ASSUME they will send their kids to private school. They simply don't value public institutions and the idea of public school the way I do (and in my observation, people who grew up in public school). And of course, why would they? They were not in that environment/it was not a value that their parents choose for them. They are by no means horrible people and may be charitable/tolerant et cetera in other ways...but the value of equal public education for all (and the general value for public institutions) is lacking. Also, my DH (and his siblings) have certain lifestyle assumptions...My DH grew up with a bunch of rich people, and as an adult is very into the idea of having (or least appearing to have) that lifestyle.

Of course this is a generality and 100% anecdotal...but nobody should kids themselves that we can all have it all....and time will tell if your kid is as tolerant et cetera as you say....

And that is the point of my question:

I don't think my city public school will deliver as good as an education (you can't have everything), and am I crazy to pick it anyways, because of other values I have?

Thanks!

With respect, I think you have the luxury of valuing the idea of public school because you went to a great one. Of course people tend to take their own experience into account when they plan for their kids' education. And because you had a great experience and it made you who you are, you want that experience for your child. And because your husband had a great experience at private school and it made him who he is, he wants that experience for your child. The trick will be to see what your specific school choices for your specific kid are, and make the best choice and try not to let your own 30 years of experience influence things too much.

[Anonymous]

Yes, wealthy, went from private to public, may be going back to private.

[Anonymous]

Kids went to public until middle school. Our MS and HS options are considered "great" in DC, but we didn't feel they were right for us. And every family I know in a charter moved their kids to private after MS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, wealthy, went from private to public, may be going back to private.

Can you specify why? What public school district is your child currently in?