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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]There is SO much teeth-gnashing on this board about if it’s “worth it.” It’s honestly only worth it if it isn’t a major sacrifice for you. If you’re entering the application process already stressed about what you’re going to get for the money, and especially if what you want to “get” is anything more than a solid education for your child, you’re going to end up disappointed. [/quote]

I agree with this. The unspoken truth is that a lot of kids in these schools have private tutors to get an edge, have legacy to depend on for college admissions, etc. It's only worth it for truly wealthy families and scholarship kids who go on a full ride.

My personal advice for upper-middle class families that struggle for the tuition, is just to send your kid to public and pay for tutors in every subject. It will be much cheaper per year, and your kid will likely learn more from 1-on-1 tutoring vs private School. Bloom's two-sigma study shows that 1-on-1 tutoring is extremely effective.

Instead of paying $50k in tuition, you could spend half of that for an elite college admissions private consultant. They would make your kid 10x better applicant than anyone coming from a public school, and give you the inside track to a top college.[/quote]

We have a seven figure income and can afford private. We just switched one kid to private and there are definite positives but I am not sure if it is worth the extra commute and all the complaining from my son about wearing a tie everyday. Tuition is a non factor for us.

We live in a well regarded public. I don’t think private would give my kid a college admissions boost.[b] He isn’t ivy material and he should be able to get into the same colleges from public[/b].[/quote]

You are unusually self-aware for this forum!  I have 3 in private.  They are all straight A students and I actively discourage ivy schools for them.  They can achieve their goals with a solid public state school.  I think the pressure in the Ivies will do more harm than good for them.  They are naturally tightly wound and a bit anxious.  I'm definitely in the minority at Big 3..[/quote]

I find this attitude puzzling.  Large state schools have many of the same issues as the public schools you avoided.  Massive class sizes, taught mainly by adjuncts, etc.  Also, your private HS has many of the problems you are trying to avoid at an Ivy such as all the pressure and stress.

I mean…what am I missing here?[/quote]

You are missing why we chose private in the first place - for very young developing children - the nurturing environment.  When they leave in 12th grade, they are adults.  They define themselves and need less parental intervention, nurturing, etc.  We worked with the school to get them to this point. Public schools work to provide the education not develop a child.  Large public universities are also providing an education - for adults.  I'm sending them as adults and they are ready for the large class sizes, work load, distractions, etc.

I do believe public schools plus parenting could produce the same result.  (I came from public school).  I also believe that for me it's easier to parent with a robust community and the school was part of that.[/quote]

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