Public vs. Private Schools for people living in Montgomery County

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People may jump all over this but I think that it is accurate to say that Montgomery County used to be considerably more homogenous in terms of social class. Over time the number of lower income residents has increased and this increase has occurred predominately in the eastern pert of the county. The shifting demographics have had an impact on MCPS.

That does not explain why teachers at Bethesda and Chevy Chase schools make spelling mistakes.

Ease up. Probably a typo.

This is PP. Not a typo. One of the Advanced English teachers is so bad that the kids compete to see who can be first to catch her misspellings. Plus numerous more examples in assignments that come home including summer homework. Appalling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm still not certain why people pay the premium to live in MoCo if they are going to send their kids to private. The same houses in MoCo typically are significantly more expensive than just about anywhere else in the Metro area (although some parts of NoVa are comparable). But the premium is in large part because of the school system. So why pay that premium and still pay for private school? It seems like you're paying for both.

I do understand the situation one PP mentioned of a SN child who was not adequately served by the public school system, but there are a ton of non-SN children from MoCo families that are going to privates.

The premium over D.C. prices only applies to Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Potomac. There is no premium if you live in Silver Spring, Wheaton, Rockville, Aspen Hill, etc. Houses in D.C. (just across the MD line near Silver Spring) actually cost more than houses in Silver Spring. Many of us live in the cheaper parts of MoCo and can use that savings for private school.

[Anonymous]

I think some of the PP who are talking about diversity are not looking at it from the student's point of view. It really isn't about statistics. If your AA son is high achieving in academics it may be hard for him find peers. He may be the only AA male in the most difficult AP or IB class. PP who thinks if you are AA middle class or wealthy, you are not truly "diverse," may not realize that these boys still face subtle racism in their day to day lives. They are often asked what sport they play rather than about where they would like to go to college. On the subway women look at them with fear, even if they are just listening to music on headphones. They are treated differently at Starbucks, accused of loitering, if all the want to do is have a snack and hang out. Teachers who do not know their abilities often question if they have signed up for the right level class. None of these things by themselves is a big deal, but it complicates a young person's job of developing his own identity. It helps if a school can provide a peer group. Normally these kids will have a diverse group of friends, so I am not implying the AA kids should hang out together all the time. Its just good to know your kid has some friends who are facing them same issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

say you live in Montgomery County, which has an excellent public school system

Montgomery County does not have an excellent school system. Its mediocre at best but getting worse each year. In the past few years it has gone down hill fast. Class sizes exploded a few years ago and 2.0 is the biggest disaster. The new Algebra 2.0 was such a disaster that MCPS inflated all test scores to bring everyone up to last year's failure rate. 32% of middle school kids and 82% of high school kids failed before the grade inflation. Several ES schools in Churchill and Wootton are seeing enrollment declines for the first time in years. It isn't because houses are not being sold to people with kids.

Montgomery County is becoming what NW DC used to be..a residential community with good houses but if you can afford it, you do private.

Lol, if you think MCPS is mediocre I hope you never leave the "DC Metro area" bubble...

[Anonymous]

A couple of more reasons to choose private in MoCo. Teachers have more flexibility with the curriculum. If there are things the class wants to explore further or needs more work on, they can do that. In public there is less flexibility to do so.

Another issued is falling with behavioral problems. Private schools generally have an easier time getting rid of kids who are a disruption to the classroom than public. Private schools won't just kick them out. Generally they'll try to work with them but will set clear expectations that if not met will result in expulsion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A couple of more reasons to choose private in MoCo. Teachers have more flexibility with the curriculum. If there are things the class wants to explore further or needs more work on, they can do that. In public there is less flexibility to do so.

Another issued is falling with behavioral problems. Private schools generally have an easier time getting rid of kids who are a disruption to the classroom than public. Private schools won't just kick them out. Generally they'll try to work with them but will set clear expectations that if not met will result in expulsion.

Unless the parents are big doners of course. I've heard of situations where bad behavior continues for years because the parents are somehow valuable to the school. I think in general you're right though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think some of the PP who are talking about diversity are not looking at it from the student's point of view. It really isn't about statistics. If your AA son is high achieving in academics it may be hard for him find peers. He may be the only AA male in the most difficult AP or IB class. PP who thinks if you are AA middle class or wealthy, you are not truly "diverse," may not realize that these boys still face subtle racism in their day to day lives. They are often asked what sport they play rather than about where they would like to go to college. On the subway women look at them with fear, even if they are just listening to music on headphones. They are treated differently at Starbucks, accused of loitering, if all the want to do is have a snack and hang out. Teachers who do not know their abilities often question if they have signed up for the right level class. None of these things by themselves is a big deal, but it complicates a young person's job of developing his own identity. It helps if a school can provide a peer group. Normally these kids will have a diverse group of friends, so I am not implying the AA kids should hang out together all the time. Its just good to know your kid has some friends who are facing them same issues.

It sounds like you are saying there are no AA boys to provide peer groups in MoCo honors, consortium/lottery and magnet programs. I hope that's not what you're saying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We moved to Montgomery County for the schools and deeply regret it. We are now paying for private and have a longer commute. I never thought we would pay for private but MCPS is not a good school system. Other than the realtors, we haven't met anyone around here who does think its an excellent school system. Parents with younger and older kids say it used to be much different. Who knows, maybe it used to be better.

+1 what a huge bite out of our income we did not see before moving here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think some of the PP who are talking about diversity are not looking at it from the student's point of view. It really isn't about statistics. If your AA son is high achieving in academics it may be hard for him find peers. He may be the only AA male in the most difficult AP or IB class. PP who thinks if you are AA middle class or wealthy, you are not truly "diverse," may not realize that these boys still face subtle racism in their day to day lives. They are often asked what sport they play rather than about where they would like to go to college. On the subway women look at them with fear, even if they are just listening to music on headphones. They are treated differently at Starbucks, accused of loitering, if all the want to do is have a snack and hang out. Teachers who do not know their abilities often question if they have signed up for the right level class. None of these things by themselves is a big deal, but it complicates a young person's job of developing his own identity. It helps if a school can provide a peer group. Normally these kids will have a diverse group of friends, so I am not implying the AA kids should hang out together all the time. Its just good to know your kid has some friends who are facing them same issues.

It sounds like you are saying there are no AA boys to provide peer groups in MoCo honors, consortium/lottery and magnet programs. I hope that's not what you're saying.

Not the PP, but I get exactly what she is saying and agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Certain schools in montgomery county are great, but not all. So it depends where your kids would be going. If you can afford private schooling, then you might want to do it.

Translation: Schools with lots of affluent, white, and Asian parents have a good reputation. Schools with lots of poor, African-American, and Hispanic parents have a bad reputation.

I don't think that is what the PP meant but then again test scores, discipline at a glance, and farm/ESL records sure don't lie. But for some reason all the facts, you still have to be PC and say "all MC schools are great!" Yeah right. Most suck. Scores are down and enrollment has decreased in middle and upper middle class for years. Hispanic enrollment has tripled in 8yrs thanks to Obama's poor border control and MC welcome mat for illegals aliens. Sorry if the "poor" schools aren't as perfect and people actually (gasp) mention that. Get real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

say you live in Montgomery County, which has an excellent public school system

Montgomery County does not have an excellent school system. Its mediocre at best but getting worse each year. In the past few years it has gone down hill fast. Class sizes exploded a few years ago and 2.0 is the biggest disaster. The new Algebra 2.0 was such a disaster that MCPS inflated all test scores to bring everyone up to last year's failure rate. 32% of middle school kids and 82% of high school kids failed before the grade inflation. Several ES schools in Churchill and Wootton are seeing enrollment declines for the first time in years. It isn't because houses are not being sold to people with kids.

Montgomery County is becoming what NW DC used to be..a residential community with good houses but if you can afford it, you do private.

Lol, if you think MCPS is mediocre I hope you never leave the "DC Metro area" bubble...

Not the PP but I have come from 3 other school districts prior to MCPS and mediocre is a complement. If you want to compare it to public LA, Detroit or trailer park Kentucky schools sure. But there are many many other school districts that are run much better. MCPS is way to big. They need to reform into 2-3 districts and get better control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

say you live in Montgomery County, which has an excellent public school system

Montgomery County does not have an excellent school system. Its mediocre at best but getting worse each year. In the past few years it has gone down hill fast. Class sizes exploded a few years ago and 2.0 is the biggest disaster. The new Algebra 2.0 was such a disaster that MCPS inflated all test scores to bring everyone up to last year's failure rate. 32% of middle school kids and 82% of high school kids failed before the grade inflation. Several ES schools in Churchill and Wootton are seeing enrollment declines for the first time in years. It isn't because houses are not being sold to people with kids.

Montgomery County is becoming what NW DC used to be..a residential community with good houses but if you can afford it, you do private.

Lol, if you think MCPS is mediocre I hope you never leave the "DC Metro area" bubble...

Not the PP but I have come from 3 other school districts prior to MCPS and mediocre is a complement. If you want to compare it to public LA, Detroit or trailer park Kentucky schools sure. But there are many many other school districts that are run much better. MCPS is way to big. They need to reform into 2-3 districts and get better control.

Which three other school districts?

Also, which LARGE school districts are better? Because the fact is that MCPS is not going to get split up.

[Anonymous]

Well, think what you want, guys. But we left private for a downcounty public. Thought the instruction was comparable, and DC is now getting As at an Ivy so the preparation must have been at least half-way decent.

I know many of you will find our experience incredible (in the 2nd sense) but that's your issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, think what you want, guys. But we left private for a downcounty public. Thought the instruction was comparable, and DC is now getting As at an Ivy so the preparation must have been at least half-way decent.

I know many of you will find our experience incredible (in the 2nd sense) but that's your issue.

+1 we did the same also. Found the science and math curriculum much better. Yes you do trade small classes for larger but we have found the teachers very approacable and more that willing to work with our child.

DC is in the band for MS and the teacher is extremely dedicated. Kids are really talented.

Plenty of bad teachers in private as well as public. We had more than our fair share.

You need to be more willign to seek out extra curriculars but they are there.

[Anonymous]

A lot of this is school-specific. One way to frame the question is to look at a particular private school and ask how many students leave the private school each year for public. And then ask how many public school students arrive as new transfers each year at the private school.

At my own kids' school, over a combined 9 years of experience, one child has left for public school. Without looking at class lists, I'm not sure the exact count on how many have transferred in from public schools, but I'd guess it's something like 6-10 (the rest having transferred in from other private schools).

I'm not saying all those people are correct in choosing to leave public school for private; maybe some are making a foolish choice. But I'd generally give them the benefit of the doubt that after having experienced their public schools, and having met with a variety of private school options, they choose private school.

Also, I recognize that just as each private school is different (some better, some not), there is variety among public schools. So maybe a more rigorous examination would be to look at the general quality of the public schools the students transfer from.