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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

I am not talking about kicking someone out because they are naughty.  geesh!  if someone is not a good fit for the school then they would probably just leave.  Th[b]e group of us talking about this school are all friends and not interested in kicking out each other's children.  We just want to provide a good learning environment for our kids.  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. [/b] 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.

We are just looking for a less expensive alternative to educate our children and everyone wants to be really involved.  As many people have mentioned, maybe a homeschool co-op would be a good idea.  ( as i have said several times now)

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Well not yet but I am guessing that your kids are all infants and toddlers and maybe a few young preschoolers thrown in. So right now, you really have no idea what these kids or their parents will be like when they are school age or how their parenting ideas and ideals will evolve and change because they will.

You also don't know if your kid OP will end up being one of those "trouble maker" kids because my experience has been that there are certainly very white (be honest, there is no discussion of low SES in Alex City w/o race entering the conversation), very high SES children who have real challenges in the classroom and their very well off, educated parents choose to not get them  help, pretend the problems don't exist, say their child is "bored" bc they are gifted or do seek all the help they can, yet their child is still a challenge.  A parent's values and morals can not rid a child of ADD/ADHD, OCD, ODD, dyslexia, learning disabilities, speech delays, motor delays, etc.  Many of these issues aren't fully known and diagnosed until a child is school age. So are you willing to remove your child from the school for the good of the school and students yet still be a big supporter of the school and involved?

I have found that the vast majority of parents want to be involved in the very early  years right up until preschool and are delighted to drill their kids and impart all kinds of wisdom. You will also see lots of participation in school. But you will also see that participation fall off sharply once 1st grade hits.  Many moms will return to work - and yes, moms will be the bulk of those who volunteer - and not have the time or energy to devote, then the realization that kids learn at different rates, that learning is up to the kid no matter how much you want drill them, and that some kids simply are not as "gifted" once the reality of tests and real measurements of achievement start being used.  Then parents no longer have the desire to do the boring, routine work and practice that kids may need and they begin to realize that "education" is actually going to take real effort and that homework isn't always as fun or productive as they envisioned.

Also, the school would have to be approved by the City Council which is and historically has been very liberal. Any attempt to set up a school to expressly ensure low SES children do not attend would fall flat from the get go.

If you are really that scared of the elementary schools, look for the lower cost privates in the area (they exist in both Alexandria and Arlington but many are religiously affiliated) or plan to move to Arlington Co (you already said you are not interested in moving down the Parkway to Fairfax).  I think its very likely that as the time to send your kids to school many of your friends will begin to feel that the private schools are not that bad - maybe even the public school - and will abandon the quest in favor of an established school with a track record.
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