Anonymous
Post 02/14/2026 18:06     Subject: Got into ATS and private, which is better?
Anonymous wrote:ATS. Private you are considering is much too small


Also, you don't know what the future holds. We had to pay $75K for middle b/c of disabilities APS couldn't manage. (first child) That said, ATS was fantastic in identifying our second as special needs; we didn't have to advocate at all. They did it all.
Anonymous
Post 02/14/2026 16:51     Subject: Got into ATS and private, which is better?
Depends on your family and child. We would be ecstatic and pick ATS if we were in that luck. .
Anonymous
Post 02/14/2026 16:42     Subject: Got into ATS and private, which is better?
ATS. Private you are considering is much too small
Anonymous
Post 02/14/2026 16:33     Subject: Got into ATS and private, which is better?
What will you do when Pinecrest ends? Switching from a very small school to a large public school seems like a rough transition. are you prepared to pay for private school through 12th grade? where do Pinecrest students usually go for high school?
Anonymous
Post 02/14/2026 16:23     Subject: Got into ATS and private, which is better?
Anonymous wrote:Pinecrest and it goes up to 6th grade. Class sizes are 10-12 students and I was told it was low tech


I’ve never heard of pinecrest. I’m sure it’s lovely, but I wouldn’t send my children there (nor would I sent them to ATS, however).

If it were a slot at Little Langley or Potomac or a Big 3 then maybe I’d say consider it, but you asked.
Anonymous
Post 02/14/2026 13:07     Subject: Got into ATS and private, which is better?
Anonymous wrote:Pinecrest and it goes up to 6th grade. Class sizes are 10-12 students and I was told it was low tech

The flute is important to you and money is not an issue I would take the private school.
Anonymous
Post 02/14/2026 12:54     Subject: Got into ATS and private, which is better?
Pinecrest and it goes up to 6th grade. Class sizes are 10-12 students and I was told it was low tech
Anonymous
Post 02/14/2026 05:23     Subject: Got into ATS and private, which is better?
Anonymous wrote:Just did the ATS lottery thinking we wouldn’t get into private school. We got in to both. Would you send to private school that has 12 students per classroom or would you send to ATS with 20 students for free? Thanks in advance for input.


Which private? I wouldn’t send my child to just any old private. For example, we aren’t catholic and I don’t think catholic schools are a fit for our family. There are lots of mid to low tier privates around here. 90% of them are not schools I would consider. So I guess it depends.
Anonymous
Post 02/14/2026 02:59     Subject: Got into ATS and private, which is better?
ATS is a no brainer.
Anonymous
Post 02/14/2026 00:46     Subject: Got into ATS and private, which is better?
Depends. Does they private go all the way to middle and/or high school and do you want to continue to the grades? Otherwise save the money.
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2026 23:43     Subject: Got into ATS and private, which is better?
Is private a stretch for you, financially? Will the commute be singificant? To me, those are the big questions here.
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2026 19:18     Subject: Got into ATS and private, which is better?
ATS is a no brainer here.
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2026 19:10     Subject: Got into ATS and private, which is better?
Community, sure. Everything else, no. Got in for Kindergarten. Private HS is always appealing.
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2026 18:55     Subject: Got into ATS and private, which is better?
I think it depends. Do you want a community? Are you a social climber? which private school? Do you belong to a country club? What grade? Do you want to go to private for HS?
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2026 18:48     Subject: Got into ATS and private, which is better?
Just did the ATS lottery thinking we wouldn’t get into private school. We got in to both. Would you send to private school that has 12 students per classroom or would you send to ATS with 20 students for free? Thanks in advance for input.