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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think most posters are just trying to counteract the false stereotypes that are rampant on these boards, and I for one am happy to see that. You see it a lot when people list their reasons for a decision in a manner that suggests those items do not exist at another school or in another system. People post some pretty obnoxious falsehoods on all of these boards about a lot of schools.

It seems pretty much everyone is comfortable with "you do what is best for you, and I'll do what is best for me." But no one is happy to see stereotypes and outright falsehoods posted as a justification or as an "fact" that others should seriously consider when making their own decisions. I'm glad people visit on all kinds of boards and point out these errors.[/quote]
You're saying people "counteract" by making claims such as "it's all a sales job, and you fell for it" about private school parents?  That doesn't seem very constructive to me.[/quote]
No, that's a totally different kind of argument.[/quote]
So can I assume you'd tell that other public school poster to pipe down?

Maybe you can advance the flow of ideas here by giving examples of the "stereotypes and outright falsehoods" you see among the reasons parents cite for choosing private schools.  Here are links to two recent threads my quick search pulled up, where that question got lots of answers.  I've even copied a bunch of the reasons people listed below to make it easy for you.

Just to be clear, I'm not asking whether you agree or disagree with any of the reasons other people gave.  I don't agree with all of the comments other have made either, but again, I assume neither of us needs to respond to everything we might disagree with.  I'm asking you to identify the "outright falsehoods" that require public school posters to "counteract."  If you do that, then maybe the private school parents here will understand better what public school parents consider to be "fighting words" we should avoid using.

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/455037.page
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/432505.page

1. smaller class sizes 
2. wanting to foster a love of learning early 
3. reduced focus on standardized testing 
4. frequent (daily/multiple times a week) PE, music, art, language class 
5. positive environment with an emphasis on kindness 
6. ability to differentiate academically, because the teachers get to know each kid's strengths and weaknesses
Needed a strong educational setting with performing arts, visual arts and sports.
Because I barely trust DC to pick up my trash much less educate my child (and I grew up here)
Cons: Does not meet as many local kids for friendships and playmates. 
Pros (for us): Single sex education centered on boys 
More physical activity 
More arts and culture (who knew at a boy's school) 
Great young motivated teachers who are also fantastic role models 
Better supervision than the public school (smaller school, teachers know all the kids) so less bullying 
More laid back feel than our local public 
Great curriculum (no Common Core -- especially Math) 
Sentence Diagramming and so much more...
Cons: Cost, distance 
Pros: Small classes, individualized instruction, exceptional teachers, trustworthy peer group, physical and emotional safety, lovely physical environment, many performing arts opportunities, great curriculum
Con: 
cost 
distance from friends 
DC's now warped perception that being middle class is somehow "poor" because we don't winter in Vail, summer in Paris or drive a Range Rover 
Pro: 
no standardized testing 
no teaching "down" 
more and better quality reading and writing 
more thinking, analyzing and discussion 
more gym class - and real phys ed like weight lifting and sports skills, no Chicken Dance! 
being surrounded by kids who are all highly motivated brings out the best in our DC and we found a school that selected ambitious, hard working kids 
better quality lunches - real food cooked in a kitchen 
an environment where manners are expected and enforced 
teachers who approach their job as college professors do and are also available before and after school 
no projects that are done 100% at home 
teachers have more freedom to choose material from a variety of sources 
the school can dismiss students with chronic behavior problems 
biannual drug testing and breathalizers at dance exits 
flexible aftercare (drop in) 
uniforms 
teaching study skills - how to study, how to take notes, how to "close read" 
teaching responsibility and consequences - our public allowed late work all the time consequence free, our private accepts it under some circumstances but only with reduced credit 
overall environment - a studious atmosphere and little things like having copies of famous works of art instead of "don't join gangs" posters on the wall 
recess every day (vs. once a week) 
music and art part of the curriculum
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