Is starting a small private school in Alexandria a good idea?

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: We don't want them learning things from children who come from homes with no rules, where children aren't supervised, where they weren't taught right from wrong and learn things at an early age. I am not trying to be judgemental about kids who come from low SES families, but there are differences. Jefferson Houston is predominantly low SES.


OP- unless you homeschool in a complete bubble with no extracurriculars, no trips to museums/parks/playgrounds/theaters, etc. your children will encounter and "learn things" from children who come from homes with no rules, supervision levels that you wouldn't approve of, and different values than you teach. This is not a low SES "difference" though. There are plenty of wealthy families with very lax rules and inadequate supervision. The right and wrong distinction stems from personal values and beliefs and that will vary from family to family. I think you're also failing to consider that a big part of elementary education is learning to socialize and function with other people. If you remove the chances to associate with anyone whose background or values differ from your family, your kids are going to have a tough time when they get out of that bubble (high school? college?) and are thrown back into society at large.

You, of course, are entitled to educate your children in whatever way you see fit, but I have to say making categorical statements about low SES children being fundamentally different in negative ways makes me wonder about your value system. Money doesn't make people good parents. Lack of money doesn't make people bad parents. I think it is great that you want your kids to have a good educational environment, but whichever route you go here please try to come up with a better way to frame your desires/choices than "I don't want my kids around those horrible poor kids." It's unkind and offensive and simultaneously incredibly naive about what exactly money can buy.
Anonymous
If OP is still reading (doubtful), here's advice from BTDT start up school parent. Assume 1/3 at most of your "friends" will actually do 1/2 the volunteering they think they can do. It's not personal, it's just life. It's like trying to run a hospital with one GP and a lot of candy stripers. Nobody's motive is in question. But there are skills that can't be addressed by good intentions.

Maybe you could set up a secular branch of an existing parochial school that needs funds? Or maybe a school-within-a-school Montessori type program for youngest kids at JH. Bottom line: you can't screen kids for behavior in advance. And you can't force parents to be involved. No matter how much money is involved. (BTDT) Coop homeschool sounds about right for you. Good luck!
Anonymous
I think OP is gone.
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