If you were going to choose a private school for only a few years -- which years?

[Anonymous]

My son has been in public since Kindergarten, and we're looking at switching to private at 6th. If we do make this switch, I think I might be quite happy to move him back to public for high school. Right now, however, I think he needs small class sizes, highly accessible teachers, and some extra attention as he learns how to study (our elementary school pretty much spoon fed him what they wanted him to know) and to organize his time and materials. I also think he'd benefit from a wide range of "extras" such as sports and arts so he can discover his interests, and figure out where his interests lie.

On the other hand, at the high school level, I think that exposure to diversity is key, and that he should have the confidence and skills to manage an environment with much less handholding and individualized attention. In addition, although it would be nice to have all his sports and arts at school, I also assume that he'll be independent enough to seek them out on his own in other settings. Finally, it seems like there are a number of magnet programs that could be a good fit for the right kid at the high school level.

Of course this might be me justifying what I can afford. Based on the assumption that one can afford 4 years of private school. Should I wait and pay for high school? Or did I miss the boat, and should have gotten him off to the "best" possible start with K through 3rd grade?

[Anonymous]

I think your plan as you stated is pretty good. No point looking back. A right fit for the middle grades can firm up confidence and study skills. Might be in the minority here, but I'm with you on the advantages of a decent public HS program. Also, I want my kid to have the skills to navigate bureaucracy, and not have to rely on being coddled through real world bumps. If you see good public HS possibilities, go for the private middle years.

[Anonymous]

This is a very good question and I am curious to hear what others have to say. We are struggling with the same question/decision - although our child is currently in preschool. Trying to figure out whether to go private from K-3 or from 6-9. Cost is a factor for us as well.

[Anonymous]

If I had to choose, I would say 6-9

[Anonymous]

The most important years are those through second grade.

[Anonymous]

I would go private for Middle School.

[Anonymous]

Most important, K-2 (basic skill mastery).
Next most important 6-8 (high school readiness).
Seems like grades 3-5 are maintenance and development of math and reading, with parental supervision. Grades 9+ matter, but students hold the key.

[Anonymous]

I would choose a school that ends in 8th grade so he won't have to leave all his friends behind. Everyone will be leaving at the same time. Just my 2 cents.

[Anonymous]

The most important yrs are the first few yrs IMO. That's what the love of learning comes from. The kids in my area go to our local public and all of them hate school by mid first grade. The school sucks the love of learning right out of them. Then they just have to put up w/ it the rest of the yrs.

[Anonymous]

Hmmm I think the most important years as far as finessing the fit vary from child to child but that collectively middle school is the critical juncture for many children. It's not just high school readiness but finding an environment that can handle the social variances associated with Middle School. We did public for pre-K to Sixth and are doing private for Grades 6, 7 and 9 and then we're going to consider our options, including possibly switching back to public.

[Anonymous]

If I had to pick, 6 - 8. My child is in MS now. But you know what? It's almost impossible to plan your child's education in advance. You really need to take it year by year because you never know what will happen and how your child will develop. They will often make astounding leaps and bounds from year to year. You need to find the right school for the right time.

We were in a wonderful K-8 school and fully intending to graduate from there. Daughter started MS and felt completely unchallenged and bored. Changing schools had never entered our mind. Now at a larger K-12 school which suits her perfectly.

I don't think parents trust their instincts enough. You really will know when it is appropriate to move if you stay tuned in to your child and his/her needs.

[Anonymous]

Can't build a house on a shaky foundation - I'm all about giving them the best start you can then let the chips fall.

[Anonymous]

I think 6-8 are the best 3 years for private school if you can only do 3 and I would look for a k-8 school. k-8's with a good middle school program can really offer some benefits in terms of building confidence but maintaining innocence, in addition to the academics. I think the middle school years are the most challenging so the personal attention offered in a private school is very important. I have a child finishing at a k-8 now and we are seriously considering public high school. I think a kid who is well prepared can do well in a good public HS.

[Anonymous]

Not the OP, but posted in this thread earlier. Enjoying everyone's honest, straightforward answers.

[Anonymous]

We switched our DS from public (good MCPS elementary) to private (K-12 school) at 7th grade, after a very disappointing year at our public middle school. Although he complained that he wasn't learning anything as a 6th-grader, DS didn't want to leave his friends, so we promised him he could go back to our MoCo public HS after 2 years. To our great surprise, he grew to love his new school and decided to stay.

Based on our experience, I'd suggest that you save your money for high school; here's my reasoning:

First, I'd be concerned about moving your son with the intention that he stay for middle school only, unless, as some PPs have suggested, he goes to a K-8 school where everyone will move on;

Second, the differential between public and private seems greatest in high school. Our son's school really encourages kids to think, whereas even the best public high schools seem to be moving more and more to a memorize and spew curriculum. This seems to be the case even in AP classes, where, increasingly, it's all about teaching to the test. (The exception in MoCo would be the IB program at Richard Montgomery.);

Third, as kids go into the home stretch before college, they need to learn to connect with adults other than their parents and to advocate for themselves as learners. The small class sizes in private schools provide the perfect opportunity for kids to develop these skills because they get to know their teachers very well.

Fourth, high school kids are more welcoming of newcomers than middle-schoolers who often lack the social skills to reach out beyond their cliques.