MCPS to Private?

[Anonymous]

I have become increasingly concerned about my 4th grader getting what she need from MCPS. Would like to consider private for middle and/or high school. Test scores are below Average - Average but a hard worker. Anyone have similar concerns or suggestions on where to start? We are in lower Montgomery county.

[Anonymous]

Mive your post to private school forum.

[Anonymous]

If she’s average, her scores will likely only go down in private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she’s average, her scores will likely only go down in private.

You say that based on what? It's a pretty sweeping generalization. I would rule out any learning issues first - or if your child needs extra learning support, make sure you choose a private that has those supports. There is a tremendous range in schools, so go visit. Here is a list of some to consider:

St. Andrews
Lowell
Norwood
Bullis
McLean

[Anonymous]

Oh, good grief. Your kid is below average and it's MCPS's fault. Doesn't your nanny supplement?

[Anonymous]

You should move to private and also get some support at home through tutoring etc for a few years. MCPS is not a great place to be in right now. I would move back to a MCPS at HS level after getting a good foundation at an academic rigorous private.

- long time MCPS parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, good grief. Your kid is below average and it's MCPS's fault. Doesn't your nanny supplement?

OP here. Just an average hardworking parent concerned about her kids development. I did not realize there would be such resentment toward that. No nannies here and we have done multiple supplemental things like mcps summer programs and tutoring. Please only post if you can offer constructive advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, good grief. Your kid is below average and it's MCPS's fault. Doesn't your nanny supplement?

OP here. Just an average hardworking parent concerned about her kids development. I did not realize there would be such resentment toward that. No nannies here and we have done multiple supplemental things like mcps summer programs and tutoring. Please only post if you can offer constructive advice.

While most people here spend lots of time bashing MCPS, they will bash moving to private more. Post in the private forum to find people who have been in your situation. I agree that some kids just need a bit more than public can provide.

[Anonymous]

Are you sure your daughter doesn’t have a learning disability? I would request that the school test her for such. Be aware that some privates don’t provide as nearly as many rescources in private as the publics. Many privates are concerned about image and will counsel you to pay heavy tutoring fees and/or counsel you out of their school so that you don’t lower their academic numbers.

[Anonymous]

I know it is hard for some people to believe but there are plenty of average kids who do not have learning disabilities.

[Anonymous]

Move them to private. They will flourish. My daughter had between 12-15 kids max per teacher and they truly worked on every student. My 2 other didn’t need private, but if I could have afford it, I would have.

[Anonymous]

Just switched to private MS from MCPS. Could not be happier with the decision, even though tuition is painful. DC is thriving. Didn't realize how oppressive MCPS culture (standardized testing, class discipline techniques) was to DC.

[Anonymous]

Wow. To keep the conversation productive I would suggest you cross post on the private forum. Give some thought like interests in art or sports or whatever which would help people narrow it down. As well as parochial or single sex or whatever. Go tour a school or two without your daughter. There are some like Washington Episcopal that have open houses on Veterans Day. The time to start looking is now. But just you visiting a school or two on your own might give you some sense of what direction to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just switched to private MS from MCPS. Could not be happier with the decision, even though tuition is painful. DC is thriving. Didn't realize how oppressive MCPS culture (standardized testing, class discipline techniques) was to DC.

And we just did the opposite. Private to MCPS. Because our particular private is failing. Massive teacher turnover, lackluster academics, and completely inappropriate discipline.

Which is just my way of underscoring that not every school is right for every kid. OP I mentioned Sandy spring Friends on your thread in the private school forum. I feel that’s one of the best all around private schools for kids of differing abilities. And it’s nurturing. Take a look at several. Get a feel, because they are different. Best wishes on finding a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know it is hard for some people to believe but there are plenty of average kids who do not have learning disabilities.

Exactly my thought and I have been teaching for almost 2 decades.
Public schools have a guide to follow. Teachers make their own worksheets/ activities. Direct teaching is minimal, and emphasis is on Independent work which does not work for every kid. There is also a lot of pressure on teachers to prepare students for the frequent tests which is not necessarily an exact measure of competency.
OP, find a school that uses good textbooks and transfer your kid there. This way you can know that things are being done in a certain logical way.