Why do so many folks pay for private school in this area?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The short version is I used to be a public school teacher. If I thought I weren’t getting my money’s worth, I wouldn’t do it.

This. Some of the best teachers at my kids’ private left public school for private to focus on things that have been sacrificed by public..such as essay writing and tests with open ended questions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The short version is I used to be a public school teacher. If I thought I weren’t getting my money’s worth, I wouldn’t do it.

This. Some of the best teachers at my kids’ private left public school for private to focus on things that have been sacrificed by public..such as essay writing and tests with open ended questions

My child’s private school does no writing instruction whatsoever or critical thinking exercises. Just dated grammar lessons in English class that has not and does not help with writing. I would say it actually hurts advancing in writing because it excludes all writing instruction. But boy, do we know many types of pronouns. I’m not against grammar instruction, but not at the exclusion of writing instruction. Essays are done (again with no lessons leading up to it) but they are also done at what would be our public home school as well. I suppose the private thinks it’s just learned through osmosis. Did our due diligence and met with school, talked about curicullum, read the curicullum which does state what to expect each year to be taught, but at least for this class it has not happen and isn’t being taught now. It’s been disappointing and brought up, but brushed under the rug. Told that essays are done. Yes, but where’s the instruction to progress-that’s what school is set up for-to teach. Actually, had a mom whose child already went through our grade warn us that this class for this grade was underwhelming and hyper focused on grammar and a weak spot in the school. She was not wrong.
I’m not saying private is not worth it for those who value it, but for what we pay, it has not been head and shoulders over public. Not even close. Feels like a bait and switch in a way. Some things are good but for what we pay and how they portray themselves-its been a disappointment. This is a school with a great reputation. Couldn’t find any negatives before committing but should’ve listened to the small part of me that felt it seemed too good to be true. It’s turned out to be just that.
If you want private, go for it, I think it’s anyone’s choice. However, for those who think private is inherently superior, I wouldn’t count on it as a sure thing. I was suckered.

[Anonymous]

There are public high schools in this area with less economic and racial diversity than private high schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's just another symptom of the competitiveness of the area and the guilt and insecurity of the parents. It's sad, really.

Ok and obviously no, so either 1) thanks for trolling or 2) search is your friend for why people make the switch.

Signed, someone who left a highly competitive public school because of the parents scrapping over resources.

Who said anything about "switching?" I'm referring to the parents who don't even consider public schools from the get-go, which is the majority of them.

I planned on sending mine to public but largely didn't because our highly-regarded elementary had 30+ kids per class. I concluded that my kids wouldn't thrive in that situation. Truthfully, I think that they would have received a better foundation in science and math in the publics but I think that reading/writing skill would have been weaker, based on feedback from friends and sheer numbers of teacher:student ratios at the public school. I'll never experience a sliding door situation so won't know for sure. Most of my friends with means though moved their kids out to private for upper elementary and middle school years.

Another benefit that I have valued is the really strong foundation in sports and arts/music. Kids are able to play a competitive sport year-round starting in 7th and my reasonably athletic- but not elite -kids have loved that. They also have a lot of confidence in performing and speaking in public because they've done so extensively since K. I'm not sure it was worth the money, but those experiences have been positive and confidence-building. And I don't have a sticker on my car, FWIW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the richest and most privileged kids start attending what are now second tier schools, those same schools will become the ones with the most well connected and successful alum networks. Just watch. Nothing will substantially changed. The top tier in our society will just change the game. It’s how it has always worked and you are dreaming if you think those with power and money won’t figure out how the beat this new system. As the Ivies become the stomping grounds of the poor, first gen and unconnected, and the powerful will chose new colleges and move their privileged offspring elsewhere. It will then take the 99% at least a decade to figure out what failed in the plan to create more equality.

Yes. Tulane will be the new Harvard by 2030.

In all seriousness, the lengths that sub-Ivy tier go through to promote their alumni networks shocked me when I first moved to DC. I really had no idea that this was going on. It’s it’s not just schools like Duke that are very famous for this, it surprises me how much and the lengths that schools like Davidson, Elon, etc grads help each other land jobs.

If you combine these aggressive networks with much more affluent alumni, I think we all can imagine the result.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reduce tuition? Our school made lots of modifications, upgrades and structural improvements due to covid. Even the high tech cameras in every room come at a price. No, tuition was not reduced. But anyone was free to enroll in public school and then have zero instruction.

You mean public education is free. You paid for cameras.

And for the first 18 months you got what you paid for at public school. Nothing. I’ll take seamless transition to zoom and in school everyday or hybrid option over many many months of public school zilch. This should not be a hard point for pro-public schoolers to concede.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So curious, as this area is recognized as a top 10 public school system in the nation. In this climate of social change, where as diversity / inclusion / anti-privilege is more driving change, why subject yourself to the perception (whether right or wrong) of privilege, especially when AOs are now pivoting towards more socially well-rounded experiences and stories of struggle / perseverance. Is it worth the price, stress, dealing with the Jones, etc?

1) Recognized by whom as "top 10 public schools in the nation?" Very school dependent. In many, many cases, the public schools in this area are a disaster.

2) I could not care less if someone else has a "perception of privilege" of me. They are right. So what?

3) Yes, it's worth the price. Many times over. And I love the Joneses; many of them have become close friends.

Any other questions?

NP - didn’t look hard but here is something:
WalletHub ranked each state's public schools for "Quality" and "Safety" using 33 relevant metrics. Metrics included high school graduation rate among low-income students, math and reading scores, median SAT and ACT scores, pupil-teach ratio, the share of armed students, number of school shootings between 2000 and June 2020 bullying incidence rate, and more.

Based on these metrics, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey have the best public schools in the United States. Virginia 4th, Maryland 10th. MCPS is largest in MD with lots of publics amongst the nations top 100 in another study. 2010 Malcolm Baldrdge.

The fact that "share of armed students" and "number of school shootings between 2000 and June 2020" are even a criterion for your measurement tells me all I need to know about public schools.

Public schools are just a reflection of the values and problems of the greater society of which they are a part of. So American schools MUST include an ‘armed student/ shooting’ metric because that violence is a part of American society.

If you don’t like it then leave the US and move to a county with less fire arms murders/ assaults! There are plenty of countries to pick from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reduce tuition? Our school made lots of modifications, upgrades and structural improvements due to covid. Even the high tech cameras in every room come at a price. No, tuition was not reduced. But anyone was free to enroll in public school and then have zero instruction.

You mean public education is free. You paid for cameras.

And for the first 18 months you got what you paid for at public school. Nothing. I’ll take seamless transition to zoom and in school everyday or hybrid option over many many months of public school zilch. This should not be a hard point for pro-public schoolers to concede.

Valid, but once pandemic is over that will be a moot point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reduce tuition? Our school made lots of modifications, upgrades and structural improvements due to covid. Even the high tech cameras in every room come at a price. No, tuition was not reduced. But anyone was free to enroll in public school and then have zero instruction.

You mean public education is free. You paid for cameras.

And for the first 18 months you got what you paid for at public school. Nothing. I’ll take seamless transition to zoom and in school everyday or hybrid option over many many months of public school zilch. This should not be a hard point for pro-public schoolers to concede.

Valid, but once pandemic is over that will be a moot point.

It's going to take a while for leaders to guide the transition from pandemic to endemic. Wish that weren't true, but our country doesn't have the will to use the tools we have to control/manage the virus.

Our country's foundational cookie-cutter and tiered education model is outdated. We are slipping in critical thinking, fostering innovation, and preparing our kids for current and future jobs. Our private isn't cutting edge by any means - should be much better for what we pay IMO- but I do value the whole child approach. In a world where jobs are increasingly linked to developing a personal brand/freelancing/differentiating in one's career path, I value the EQ skills that our school has helped foster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The short version is I used to be a public school teacher. If I thought I weren’t getting my money’s worth, I wouldn’t do it.

This. Some of the best teachers at my kids’ private left public school for private to focus on things that have been sacrificed by public..such as essay writing and tests with open ended questions

lol sure...
private schools pay less than public schools. I don't buy it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The short version is I used to be a public school teacher. If I thought I weren’t getting my money’s worth, I wouldn’t do it.

This. Some of the best teachers at my kids’ private left public school for private to focus on things that have been sacrificed by public..such as essay writing and tests with open ended questions

lol sure...
private schools pay less than public schools. I don't buy it.

They offer one very lucrative benefit that public cannot match, tuition remission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reduce tuition? Our school made lots of modifications, upgrades and structural improvements due to covid. Even the high tech cameras in every room come at a price. No, tuition was not reduced. But anyone was free to enroll in public school and then have zero instruction.

You mean public education is free. You paid for cameras.

And for the first 18 months you got what you paid for at public school. Nothing. I’ll take seamless transition to zoom and in school everyday or hybrid option over many many months of public school zilch. This should not be a hard point for pro-public schoolers to concede.

Valid, but once pandemic is over that will be a moot point.

But education is cumulative. 18 months of potentially lower quality education could have lasting effects that make the premise of this entire thread moot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are public high schools in this area with less economic and racial diversity than private high schools.

There is not a single public school in this area that skews as high on the family income scale as the top privates, where the average family is a millionaire. None.

[Anonymous]

“Folks” aren’t the people paying for private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reduce tuition? Our school made lots of modifications, upgrades and structural improvements due to covid. Even the high tech cameras in every room come at a price. No, tuition was not reduced. But anyone was free to enroll in public school and then have zero instruction.

You mean public education is free. You paid for cameras.

And for the first 18 months you got what you paid for at public school. Nothing. I’ll take seamless transition to zoom and in school everyday or hybrid option over many many months of public school zilch. This should not be a hard point for pro-public schoolers to concede.

Valid, but once pandemic is over that will be a moot point.

It's going to take a while for leaders to guide the transition from pandemic to endemic. Wish that weren't true, but our country doesn't have the will to use the tools we have to control/manage the virus.

Our country's foundational cookie-cutter and tiered education model is outdated. We are slipping in critical thinking, fostering innovation, and preparing our kids for current and future jobs. Our private isn't cutting edge by any means - should be much better for what we pay IMO- but I do value the whole child approach. In a world where jobs are increasingly linked to developing a personal brand/freelancing/differentiating in one's career path, I value the EQ skills that our school has helped foster. [/quote

Being able to hear the instruction at my child’s private school during virtual was a big eye opener for me. I was not impressed and actually displeased with some teachers and realized that they promise much more than they teach. Had it not been for the virtual experience, I might not have been aware of this. At least not as quickly. Other poster mentioned writing is better at private, my experience has been its worse. And no, I don’t think public has good writing instruction, I am merely saying, don’t assume it’s going to better at private. I mentioned earlier that it’s a very respected school and based some of my decision of sending my child there in that. I was duped. Some things better at private, but some things worse and with the cost-it should all be better. Do what you promise to do to those who are paying and not cheaply. That’s all I ask.