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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]For those in Montgomery County, a not so well understood benefit of private lower school education is diversity. The public lower schools are pretty homogeneous whereas the leading private schools strive for diversity by offering financial aid to a significant number of students.  I personally think exposure to a diverse environment is more important at a young age than at any other time.[/quote]

As a Moco parent who switched DC to private in third grade, I can say that diversity was NOT a benefit of private school. Far from it. Our private school was maybe 1/3 racial minorities, but almost all the families were well off, and some of the minority families were much richer than we were. There was much more diversity in the public ES we left (and DCs are now back in a very diverse MoCo high school).

For the poster who is sure to chime in about how Chevy Chase schools are not diverse, let me remind you that we had this argument recently. About 8-9% of ES kids in Chevy Chase are on FARMS, which basically means below the poverty line of about $13,000. To equal this, a private school would need to offer FULL scholarships to more than 8-9% of its students, which doesn't happen. You're welcome.[/quote]

Most private schools provide financial aid (not always a full ride) to 1 in 6 students (more than 15%).  What is the % of underrepresented minorities in elementary schools in Potomac?[/quote]

The FULL rides in private schools are much less than 8-9% of the class, you know that's true. In fact, the FARMS figure only identifies families with HHI below about $13,000 K (the poverty line). But we know that families with HHI <$50,000 would all need full rides too if they were to switch from MoCo to private. I can't believe you think you have an argument--either you're not very bright, or you're deliberately obtuse.[/quote]

I think the point you are trying to make is one of “economic diversity” – not exposure to underrepresented minorities.  It is fair to say that a student in an elite private school will not have exposure to many lower middle class students.  They will, however, typically be in class with lower class students commuting from DC or PG County.  In the public schools, the only place you’ll find economic diversity of any kind is at the schools in urbanized areas.  BUT, again, parentsin the Caderrock, Wyngate, Bradley Hills (as examples) districts don’t have access to those schools.[/quote]

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