If you can afford it why wouldn’t you switch your kids to private with all the terrible things going on

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We can afford private but our kids are very happy with public and doing well. Regardless, we 1000% believe in investing in our community and local public schools. We don’t jump ship and we recognize our privilege.

+1 and will add that we want to minimize focus on wealth and status as much as possible. I want my kids to work hard, be good people, think for themselves, respect everyone regardless of station, give back, etc. When I am around private school parents and their children, it’s obvious that many of them don’t share the same priorities.

It sounds like you and I would be friends in real life 😃

[Anonymous]

I don't know how to say it without it sounding weird, but some kids don't need private school or anything else special or more expensive.
I have those chill kids. I have no idea what they do at school and one missed at least 30 days as school was boring.
Both are doing very well in life. Older one is working while in college.
I don't need them to do better than well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because we're in a position to make up for MCPS's deficiencies. MCPS fails all students, but those failures don't fall evenly. If you're an educated, UMC family you can fill in the gaps. Maybe you luck into the advanced options that still exist, and if you don't you supplement that at home. If you've got a gifted kid but you're not in a position to supplement or if you have a special needs kid that MCPS is really fighting giving services, you're probably out of luck, but that's not us.

That’s the ticket. If you ask nothing of MCPS except what they are currently offering then yes you probably feel it is excellent. For anyone that has a neurodivergent or special-needs child public education in Montgomery County is hell.

I have a 2e child with special needs and an IEP and MCPS has been excellent for us with services, accomodation, and acceleration/enrichment. So YMMV.

Do you want a cookie? Not many have your experience. Empathy goes a long way - but then again - you got yours! So who cares about all the other special needs children who are NOT being served.

No, I don't want a cookie, and I have plenty of empathy, thanks. I am offering an alternative perspective, shared by others I know as well. I think it's valuable to those who may engage with this thread when thinking about MCPS versus private to know that the PP's shared experience is not universal. I'm sorry you (and others) had a tough time but that has not been our experience or those of many others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because we're in a position to make up for MCPS's deficiencies. MCPS fails all students, but those failures don't fall evenly. If you're an educated, UMC family you can fill in the gaps. Maybe you luck into the advanced options that still exist, and if you don't you supplement that at home. If you've got a gifted kid but you're not in a position to supplement or if you have a special needs kid that MCPS is really fighting giving services, you're probably out of luck, but that's not us.

That’s the ticket. If you ask nothing of MCPS except what they are currently offering then yes you probably feel it is excellent. For anyone that has a neurodivergent or special-needs child public education in Montgomery County is hell.

I have a 2e child with special needs and an IEP and MCPS has been excellent for us with services, accomodation, and acceleration/enrichment. So YMMV.

Do you want a cookie? Not many have your experience. Empathy goes a long way - but then again - you got yours! So who cares about all the other special needs children who are NOT being served.

No, I don't want a cookie, and I have plenty of empathy, thanks. I am offering an alternative perspective, shared by others I know as well. I think it's valuable to those who may engage with this thread when thinking about MCPS versus private to know that the PP's shared experience is not universal. I'm sorry you (and others) had a tough time but that has not been our experience or those of many others.

Please don’t speak for anyone else. Many others do not exist. Unless you just have low expectations. There is a reason the legal department fees for special education services are as high as they are. And that’s just for the people who can afford to fight MCPS. You are very very privileged. Very.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because we're in a position to make up for MCPS's deficiencies. MCPS fails all students, but those failures don't fall evenly. If you're an educated, UMC family you can fill in the gaps. Maybe you luck into the advanced options that still exist, and if you don't you supplement that at home. If you've got a gifted kid but you're not in a position to supplement or if you have a special needs kid that MCPS is really fighting giving services, you're probably out of luck, but that's not us.

That’s the ticket. If you ask nothing of MCPS except what they are currently offering then yes you probably feel it is excellent. For anyone that has a neurodivergent or special-needs child public education in Montgomery County is hell.

I have a 2e child with special needs and an IEP and MCPS has been excellent for us with services, accomodation, and acceleration/enrichment. So YMMV.

Do you want a cookie? Not many have your experience. Empathy goes a long way - but then again - you got yours! So who cares about all the other special needs children who are NOT being served.

No, I don't want a cookie, and I have plenty of empathy, thanks. I am offering an alternative perspective, shared by others I know as well. I think it's valuable to those who may engage with this thread when thinking about MCPS versus private to know that the PP's shared experience is not universal. I'm sorry you (and others) had a tough time but that has not been our experience or those of many others.

Please don’t speak for anyone else. Many others do not exist. Unless you just have low expectations. There is a reason the legal department fees for special education services are as high as they are. And that’s just for the people who can afford to fight MCPS. You are very very privileged. Very.

I am speaking for those who I know personally. Again, I'm sorry to hear that you have had a very different experience with MCPS. It is not universal. None of those I know hired an advocate. I would of course support, including through raised taxes if necessary, additional and expanded special education services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because we're in a position to make up for MCPS's deficiencies. MCPS fails all students, but those failures don't fall evenly. If you're an educated, UMC family you can fill in the gaps. Maybe you luck into the advanced options that still exist, and if you don't you supplement that at home. If you've got a gifted kid but you're not in a position to supplement or if you have a special needs kid that MCPS is really fighting giving services, you're probably out of luck, but that's not us.

That’s the ticket. If you ask nothing of MCPS except what they are currently offering then yes you probably feel it is excellent. For anyone that has a neurodivergent or special-needs child public education in Montgomery County is hell.

I have a 2e child with special needs and an IEP and MCPS has been excellent for us with services, accomodation, and acceleration/enrichment. So YMMV.

Do you want a cookie? Not many have your experience. Empathy goes a long way - but then again - you got yours! So who cares about all the other special needs children who are NOT being served.

No, I don't want a cookie, and I have plenty of empathy, thanks. I am offering an alternative perspective, shared by others I know as well. I think it's valuable to those who may engage with this thread when thinking about MCPS versus private to know that the PP's shared experience is not universal. I'm sorry you (and others) had a tough time but that has not been our experience or those of many others.

Please don’t speak for anyone else. Many others do not exist. Unless you just have low expectations. There is a reason the legal department fees for special education services are as high as they are. And that’s just for the people who can afford to fight MCPS. You are very very privileged. Very.

I am speaking for those who I know personally. Again, I'm sorry to hear that you have had a very different experience with MCPS. It is not universal. None of those I know hired an advocate. I would of course support, including through raised taxes if necessary, additional and expanded special education services.

DP. No you wouldn't. You'd be back lecturing the parents who are struggling to wring any kind of education out of MCPS about how great your experience is. You're trash.

Why are you so angry at me for sharing my experience? I'm not lecturing, I'm not saying it's your fault, I'm not saying it's fair if you have been denied services that you are due. I'm trash? For telling the truth about my experience? How does that make sense? And yes, I've done a lot of voting in support of the school system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because we're in a position to make up for MCPS's deficiencies. MCPS fails all students, but those failures don't fall evenly. If you're an educated, UMC family you can fill in the gaps. Maybe you luck into the advanced options that still exist, and if you don't you supplement that at home. If you've got a gifted kid but you're not in a position to supplement or if you have a special needs kid that MCPS is really fighting giving services, you're probably out of luck, but that's not us.

That’s the ticket. If you ask nothing of MCPS except what they are currently offering then yes you probably feel it is excellent. For anyone that has a neurodivergent or special-needs child public education in Montgomery County is hell.

I have a 2e child with special needs and an IEP and MCPS has been excellent for us with services, accomodation, and acceleration/enrichment. So YMMV.

Do you want a cookie? Not many have your experience. Empathy goes a long way - but then again - you got yours! So who cares about all the other special needs children who are NOT being served.

No, I don't want a cookie, and I have plenty of empathy, thanks. I am offering an alternative perspective, shared by others I know as well. I think it's valuable to those who may engage with this thread when thinking about MCPS versus private to know that the PP's shared experience is not universal. I'm sorry you (and others) had a tough time but that has not been our experience or those of many others.

Please don’t speak for anyone else. Many others do not exist. Unless you just have low expectations. There is a reason the legal department fees for special education services are as high as they are. And that’s just for the people who can afford to fight MCPS. You are very very privileged. Very.

I am speaking for those who I know personally. Again, I'm sorry to hear that you have had a very different experience with MCPS. It is not universal. None of those I know hired an advocate. I would of course support, including through raised taxes if necessary, additional and expanded special education services.

DP. No you wouldn't. You'd be back lecturing the parents who are struggling to wring any kind of education out of MCPS about how great your experience is. You're trash.

DP, but you sound unhinged

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because we're in a position to make up for MCPS's deficiencies. MCPS fails all students, but those failures don't fall evenly. If you're an educated, UMC family you can fill in the gaps. Maybe you luck into the advanced options that still exist, and if you don't you supplement that at home. If you've got a gifted kid but you're not in a position to supplement or if you have a special needs kid that MCPS is really fighting giving services, you're probably out of luck, but that's not us.

That’s the ticket. If you ask nothing of MCPS except what they are currently offering then yes you probably feel it is excellent. For anyone that has a neurodivergent or special-needs child public education in Montgomery County is hell.

I have a 2e child with special needs and an IEP and MCPS has been excellent for us with services, accomodation, and acceleration/enrichment. So YMMV.

Do you want a cookie? Not many have your experience. Empathy goes a long way - but then again - you got yours! So who cares about all the other special needs children who are NOT being served.

No, I don't want a cookie, and I have plenty of empathy, thanks. I am offering an alternative perspective, shared by others I know as well. I think it's valuable to those who may engage with this thread when thinking about MCPS versus private to know that the PP's shared experience is not universal. I'm sorry you (and others) had a tough time but that has not been our experience or those of many others.

Please don’t speak for anyone else. Many others do not exist. Unless you just have low expectations. There is a reason the legal department fees for special education services are as high as they are. And that’s just for the people who can afford to fight MCPS. You are very very privileged. Very.

I am speaking for those who I know personally. Again, I'm sorry to hear that you have had a very different experience with MCPS. It is not universal. None of those I know hired an advocate. I would of course support, including through raised taxes if necessary, additional and expanded special education services.

DP. No you wouldn't. You'd be back lecturing the parents who are struggling to wring any kind of education out of MCPS about how great your experience is. You're trash.

DP, but you sound unhinged

+1

- another DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s no perfect school and some of the problems discussed here are overblown or not applicable

+1

Fearmongering is out of control

A school shooting is my greatest fear right now for my kids.

My kid in private school is the one who experienced a school shooting (not perpetrated by a student or anyone affiliated with the school) so…

It's unfortunate that it can happen anywhere. Statistically, it is still more likely to happen at a public school, though.

You're only looking at a single data point, though. Statistically, school shootings are also much more likely to happen in the south. Also, "Suburban and rural, wealthier, and low minority schools had more suicides and school-targeted shootings, which had the highest fatalities per incident." Here's a deep dive if you are truly concerned with using school shooting data to decide on placement:

https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-20-455

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because we're in a position to make up for MCPS's deficiencies. MCPS fails all students, but those failures don't fall evenly. If you're an educated, UMC family you can fill in the gaps. Maybe you luck into the advanced options that still exist, and if you don't you supplement that at home. If you've got a gifted kid but you're not in a position to supplement or if you have a special needs kid that MCPS is really fighting giving services, you're probably out of luck, but that's not us.

That’s the ticket. If you ask nothing of MCPS except what they are currently offering then yes you probably feel it is excellent. For anyone that has a neurodivergent or special-needs child public education in Montgomery County is hell.

I disagree. My neurodivergent 2E child is thriving in his magnet program. We looked into privates for him and quickly realized that he would never get the acceleration he needed outside of public school. He also had a robust IEP that served him very well.

Yes - every family's experience is different, but my dyslexic kid is doing pretty well in public school with an IEP and 504. We considered private, but in that case would probably have to go the special school route (e.g., Lab/Siena) which would not have been a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Because I pay for this in taxes as do my neighbors. I want my kids and all the county kids to get a good education and will fight for it. Social aspect is also critical to my anxious kid who needs neighborhood friends and connections.

[Anonymous]

I had no issue with our middle school experience but I would consider private for high school if it were $12K. I have never seen tuition remotely close to that in Montgomery County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s no perfect school and some of the problems discussed here are overblown or not applicable

+1

Fearmongering is out of control

A school shooting is my greatest fear right now for my kids.

My kid in private school is the one who experienced a school shooting (not perpetrated by a student or anyone affiliated with the school) so…

It's unfortunate that it can happen anywhere. Statistically, it is still more likely to happen at a public school, though.

You're only looking at a single data point, though. Statistically, school shootings are also much more likely to happen in the south. Also, "Suburban and rural, wealthier, and low minority schools had more suicides and school-targeted shootings, which had the highest fatalities per incident." Here's a deep dive if you are truly concerned with using school shooting data to decide on placement:

https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-20-455

These are national statistics. The relevant numbers are local. It’s pretty hard to argue in good faith that MCPS and local private schools have similar problems with guns and gun violence. All you need to do is compare the number of guns found in MCPS schools and shootings in MCPS schools over the past year or two and the statistics of local private schools (none).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because we're in a position to make up for MCPS's deficiencies. MCPS fails all students, but those failures don't fall evenly. If you're an educated, UMC family you can fill in the gaps. Maybe you luck into the advanced options that still exist, and if you don't you supplement that at home. If you've got a gifted kid but you're not in a position to supplement or if you have a special needs kid that MCPS is really fighting giving services, you're probably out of luck, but that's not us.

That’s the ticket. If you ask nothing of MCPS except what they are currently offering then yes you probably feel it is excellent. For anyone that has a neurodivergent or special-needs child public education in Montgomery County is hell.

I disagree. My neurodivergent 2E child is thriving in his magnet program. We looked into privates for him and quickly realized that he would never get the acceleration he needed outside of public school. He also had a robust IEP that served him very well.

Yes - every family's experience is different, but my dyslexic kid is doing pretty well in public school with an IEP and 504. We considered private, but in that case would probably have to go the special school route (e.g., Lab/Siena) which would not have been a good fit.

+1, my dyslexic kid who struggled mightily 2-3 years ago is on grade level now due only to specialized education at school. I feel bad when folks have a terrible experience, ours has been so excellent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m generally curious why anyone would stay at MCPS for middle or high school with the budget cuts that are coming, along with the safety concerns in public and how they are handling things in general. The grade inflation is crazy and many kids can’t even pass their AP classes. I understand there are families who can’t afford it, but if you can, why wouldn’t you leave? I’m genuinely curious, not trying to be rude. Also if you are religious at all why wouldn’t you chose a parochial or Jewish school that are not that out of reach. I get paying 60k by why not 12k?

Easy public school is the best education especially math and science.

Plus college admissions

I am the 1 percent of this county public school for sure