19:42 Sounds like cult mentality to me.

I can honestly say that I do not know of one parent that left private for their own reasons and regretted the decision. Do your homework and trust your instincts.

kool-aid. apparently none of you have ever actually had it?

+1

Independent schools function more than just a place where you drop your kid off in the am and pick them up in the pm. There is an expectation that when you enroll your child, you are joining a community, and that you, as a parent, participate in that community. If all you are looking for is a school, then by all means, leave and head to your local public. Privates rely on parent participation and volunteerism to raise funds (yes - a big part of the reality of private school life - and much of that goes towards FA btw), build a cohesive community with school spirit and school loyalty, and help provide a venue for parents to get to know other parents, teachers and administrators.

I think that's why parents need to think carefully when looking at schools and seriously consider if the school is a good fit for the whole family. Because it is much more than just writing the tuition check and dropping off your child.

Personally, I love it. We have three at three different schools, which presents its own challenges, but we are active in all three schools as much as we can be. We can't give much financially, but we give our time, enthusiasm, and positive attitude. (and tuition of course) What we receive in return is a great relationship with our children's teachers, their friend's parents, and access to three fun, supportive, social communities. We know what's happening with our kids, how they are doing, and if we need to recalibrate study habits, extra curriculars, etc. It's definitely not for everyone, and I can understand why you would feel like it's a burden on your personal time and space, but it works for us. We've been in independent schools for 10 years, and wouldn't trade it for anything.

Just another point of view.

Ah yes, I felt this way a month into the school year at dc preschool. I have decided DCUM is all hype. The preschool is meh. The constant shake down for money is too much. I question their budgeting now. Just charge me more and leave me alone!

But kids groove on traditions and routines, and "the way we've always done it." By the time they've been there a couple of of years they will look forward to these things (at least the things that are kid-related). By the time they are getting ready to leave, these things will be some of their best memories.

another viewpoint.

It is my DC's first year as well and I feel exactly the same way. So tired of hearing about the "traditions" and "this is the way we have always done it".

Anonymous wrote:i'm in my first year and i'm not into it now. i just don't really participate (except community service type activities). my dc is happy so i'm trying not to let my aversion to the school thing influence my decision of what's best for my kid.

i don't like the fundraising, the sense that our school is better than anywhere else, the over the top volunteer and activity stuff that just seems like a waste of time.

i was very involved at my church basement preschool because none of this rubbed me the wrong way the way it does at our current school.

OP here, and this is exactly what I was trying to say. 14:35, I may be unhappy (at the moment) but my kids love it and they are getting what I believe is a good education, so no, I will not be pulling them out.

I'm just expressing frustration with the private school mantras. After so many years, it starts to get old.

i'm in my first year and i'm not into it now. i just don't really participate (except community service type activities). my dc is happy so i'm trying not to let my aversion to the school thing influence my decision of what's best for my kid.

i don't like the fundraising, the sense that our school is better than anywhere else, the over the top volunteer and activity stuff that just seems like a waste of time.

i was very involved at my church basement preschool because none of this rubbed me the wrong way the way it does at our current school.

Don't let the door knob hit you.

OP, if you're unhappy, you should pull your child out of school and head over to your local public instead. I'm sure you will have no complaints at all there.

Yes. I stopped drinking it along time ago.

Five years in my DC's schools and I am realizing that I am just... over it.

I'm tired of all the feigned excitement for "new ideas" in the PA, only to come to the realization that they don't want new ideas at all -- at least from parents. What they want is people who will do the drudge work, the way that it has "always been done," because of course everything is a "tradition."

I'm tired of rationalizations for tuition increases every year, only to be followed by the gap speech in the fall, about how none of us is REALLY paying our share anyway.

I'm tired of the rah rah about how sweet, special, smart, lovely our children are. Please.

I'm tired of the subtle competition between parents, as to who is the most involved, biggest givers, hardest workers for the school, etc.

Know what I mean?