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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]As a public school parent, I agree. It is similar to people who turn themselves in knots over paying for a nanny or sending their kid to part day preschool. The parents who can barely afford it or for whom it’s a sacrifice and inconvenience have reasons they love to share about how the choice they are sacrificing for is better. They have to convince themselves that it’s worth it. I have a friend like this who immigrated to the US for grad school. She has a very specific status-based view of what is “the best” and will accept nothing less.

For the vast majority of kids at the vast majority of schools, if you are the type of family who contemplates private school, your kid will probably be fine. It’s like the old Slate article about preschool philosophy- “if you are debating Reggio vs Montessori, your kid will likely be fine anywhere that is safe and loving.” The scenario where this doesn’t apply is the schools where people report such massive behavior issues that it is unsafe and disruptive - you can’t tutor and enrich your way out of that.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to throw money at problems. If I can pay money to save time and eliminate inconvenience, I will. My kids walk to public elementary and middle school. They are in activities with people in our neighborhood. Private school would make the logistics of my life worse because currently I benefit from no school commute and plentiful carpool opportunities. If private school would eliminate the need for enrichment, tutors, or a college admissions consultant, I’d be first in line. But I have learned from DCUM that at private school I’ll have to do all the extra stuff I do now - Plus have a long commute and kids’ friends all over the DMV. I could probably better spend money on a public school concierge. If such a service existed, I would pay someone 20-30 hours a month to read emails from schools and coaches, check my kids’ homework, research and book activities and camps, and alert us to educational opportunities in the area.

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Yes, but most of us want better than fine for our kids. My would be fine anywhere… they are thriving at our private.[/quote]

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