Because MCPS, at least the two elementaries, two middle schools, and two high schools that we experienced, is actually excellent.

We're in a circle that's half private, half public. The privates include Sidwell, Landon, GDS, a couple of special needs privates, and the publics include MCPS, FCPS and DCPS charter schools.

Honestly, education begins and ends at home.
I have supplemented math, science reading and writing, taught cursive, discussed classics and current events, with my children.

My twice exceptional kid (gifted with special needs) received supports and accommodations in MCPS that he would never have received in top privates, and he was also able to take advanced courses that he would never have been offered in SN privates. He graduated with 12 AP courses and high test scores.

My merely gifted child bypassed the conventional acceleration tracks in MCPS to do her own thing in high school, which is not possible to do at Sidwell and other rigorous privates.

So frankly for all of MCPS' problems, I have found ways to make it work for my children. And that's the secret, OP. Whatever you choose for your kids, you need to figure out how to make collective education work for your kids. Otherwise you can homeschool - that can be a great option too. I know a military family whose kids were excellently taught by their mother at home.

Cost you dumba$$. You really have to ask this?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s no perfect school and some of the problems discussed here are overblown or not applicable

+1

Fearmongering is out of control

A school shooting is my greatest fear right now for my kids.

It's not "budget cuts", it's only getting $143 million more than last year, instead of the full amount they demand. Meanwhile, enrollment is down.

They're cutting visible positions in the hopes of getting Council members to budge on the budget. As a taxpayer, I think they should not cave to MCPS any further.

Anonymous wrote:There’s no perfect school and some of the problems discussed here are overblown or not applicable

+1

Fearmongering is out of control

Anonymous wrote:We moved from an elite private school to MoCo schools. Personally, my child wanted (and we supported) a less 100% privileged environment. We appreciated the coddling when they were little, but have no interest in our kids going into their adulthood literally never having been friends with someone who needed free lunches or came from a non college educated family. No judgement to those who do private the whole way - great people and families. We just wanted different exposure a little younger than they did. These are people’s formative years and I wanted them broader experiences for my kids. We have never regretted the choice.

We did the reverse. Title I DC public schools through 5th grade followed by expensive private from 6th grade onward, more so because (unlike MCPS) the high school path was completely non-viable.

I hate the fact MCPS took away final exams. And the grade inflation is terrible

There’s no perfect school and some of the problems discussed here are overblown or not applicable

DH and I both went to public schools, then private college and professional school, and we believe in public education. We donate to our education foundation rather than pay for private school.

Also, I've found that a gifted or magnet school is better than most private schools for a truly gifted kid (with top 1-2% scores) who needs gifted services.

Finally, the AP programs are quite good in many public schools. In my public high school, the AP kids basically attended a school within the school. We had several National Merit finalists and sent several to the Ivies each year.

The safety risks are real - I think that is the most likely reason why we would consider switching.

Anonymous wrote:I’m generally curious why anyone would stay at MCPS for middle or high school with the budget cuts that are coming, along with the safety concerns in public and how they are handling things in general. The grade inflation is crazy and many kids can’t even pass their AP classes. I understand there are families who can’t afford it, but if you can, why wouldn’t you leave? I’m genuinely curious, not trying to be rude. Also if you are religious at all why wouldn’t you chose a parochial or Jewish school that are not that out of reach. I get paying 60k by why not 12k?

Can’t afford it.

Anonymous wrote:Sure, I would go to one of the Big 3 if a rich relative gifted us a big trust fund to pay $60k/year per kid.

But what I have seen of some of the parochials (we have neighbors with their kids in Catholic schools), the STEM education is well behind what MCPS has to offer. So, no, it's not worth $12k/year of our money to do that.

+1 MCPS isn't perfect, and is increasingly mismanaged under Taylor, but some of the Maryland parochials are far worse.

Sure, I would go to one of the Big 3 if a rich relative gifted us a big trust fund to pay $60k/year per kid.

But what I have seen of some of the parochials (we have neighbors with their kids in Catholic schools), the STEM education is well behind what MCPS has to offer. So, no, it's not worth $12k/year of our money to do that.

We moved from an elite private school to MoCo schools. Personally, my child wanted (and we supported) a less 100% privileged environment. We appreciated the coddling when they were little, but have no interest in our kids going into their adulthood literally never having been friends with someone who needed free lunches or came from a non college educated family. No judgement to those who do private the whole way - great people and families. We just wanted different exposure a little younger than they did. These are people’s formative years and I wanted them broader experiences for my kids. We have never regretted the choice.

Because there are still a lot of good programs in MCPS. If your kid is really advanced in math and science, it's your best option to keep that going.

Because MCPS offers more special ed services and support for kids with learning differences than most privates and religious schools.

Because lots of kids can thrive in larger, more diverse environments. And if you care about diversity you're going get to get far less in the private school system (especially economic diversity) than in public.

Because some people believe tuition money is better saved/invested/spent on college than K-12.

Of course there are problems in public schools (news flash: privates have their own issues too), and yeah, I think we're all upset about the chaos that's being introduced by all the changes happening next year. But the fact is, something like 90% of kids will be educated in public schools. That's worth supporting (and pushing for better) for the good of society, even if you put your kids on a different path.

I’m generally curious why anyone would stay at MCPS for middle or high school with the budget cuts that are coming, along with the safety concerns in public and how they are handling things in general. The grade inflation is crazy and many kids can’t even pass their AP classes. I understand there are families who can’t afford it, but if you can, why wouldn’t you leave? I’m genuinely curious, not trying to be rude. Also if you are religious at all why wouldn’t you chose a parochial or Jewish school that are not that out of reach. I get paying 60k by why not 12k?