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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We are a long term (10+ year) public school family that sends our kids to private high schools.

People get very, very weird about it (which makes sense).  It eats at their own parenting insecurities---clearly our action of spending $50K for school implies that we (people they like and respect) thought public was not good enough for our kids. 
Funny thing is that the insecurity definitely goes both ways (I sometimes regret not staying in public and there are many things about public that I miss).

So we don't talk about it.  At all.  Or only in the most generic ways.  I never, ever say anything that could be conceived as bragging.  I stick to all other kid issues: extracurriculars, sports, behavior challenges, friend issues, etc.  
There is lots to talk about with ever delving into the school topic. 
It works and we've maintained strong friendships. 
[/quote]

We are a public school family and just went through this whole application process and ultimately decided to stay in public. DH and I wanted to send the kids to private but they were so tied to the community and friends that the kids did not want to switch.

The kids who switched stayed in touch for a few years but eventually stopped hanging out. If we see them around, of course we talk and are friendly but it wasn’t the same as hanging out in groups right after school, eating lunch at school, doing activities, etc. We promised our kids they can still be friends but they weren’t convinced.

The people who switched were often vocal about their dissatisfaction and that is why they switched. The ones we know are definitely vocal about it, more because they want us to switch with them. We can easily afford to switch.[/quote]

We are one of the families who made the switch. I had been quite vocal about my dissatisfaction with our public school even before we decided to make the switch. My being vocal does not come from wanting others to switch, but is is genuine frustration at various policies. It kind of makes sense that the ones who switch are more vocal about it because they probably had a worse fit. They left because they were hoping that public school would work but for whatever reason it was a bad experience for their family.

[b]However, now that we have switched, I'm trying to be sensitive to other families who used to be vocal complainers right along with me. I listen to their complaining and try not to pile on or say how much better the private school experience as been for us. They either cannot afford to switch or have other priorities, which I can respect.[/b][/quote]

This is how I handle things with my neighborhood friends. We are one of the only families sending kids to independent schools, most send their kids the local public or magnet. Middle of the road MCPS schools. Here's the thing - if your neighbor is driving a beat up 1999 Corolla, would you consider it rude to roll up in your brand new 2023 Corolla and brag about all the bells and whistles? Both cars will get us to work in one piece, but clearly one is a better ride. There is no need to say anything about it.

I do also support all the fundraising activity that the local public school does because even though I don't send my child to their school, it is a neighborhood school and I support the community. [/quote]

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