Disagree. Options in the country are what makes things so innovative. I'm glad there are all types of schools out there and everyone isn't a cookie cutter replica of each other. I hate the elitism of some privates, but in a way are glad I don't have to deal with a lot of elitist families. In a way I think the segregation goes both ways.

Anonymous wrote:
I think they are mainly a way for rich parents to show off. Which means they will never go away, because there will always be people with money who have to set themselves apart.


So true!

How do you account for the middle class parents scrimping to pay the tuition. For most people (regardless of economic circumstances), it isn't a matter of "showing off". It is trying to do what they think is best for their kids. That is what any good parent does---and that doesn't only relate to academics. Put your sour grapes aside and stop judging other people.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think they are mainly a way for rich parents to show off. Which means they will never go away, because there will always be people with money who have to set themselves apart.

So true!

Exactly all the parents with the kids in Lab, Ivymount, Siena... Bad... Bad... Bad .... Rich.... Show offs.....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think they are mainly a way for rich parents to show off. Which means they will never go away, because there will always be people with money who have to set themselves apart.

So true!

I couldn't disagree with you more. There are many differences between the educational experience at a good private school and even the best public school. I really wish there was a way for them to get the same experience in public, but there isn't. Thus, we sweat the tuition bill and remind ourselves why it's worth it.

Anonymous wrote:Why do you think people move to the suburbs? Does that make them bad?

Hello city girl we move to the suburbs because we hate the city not because of the schools.

I don't think anything is ever going to be good if you are forced to do it regardless whether it is good or bad. It is called monopoly. Many are not old enough to remember when Bell was the only phone company. How about when everybody has to use Pepco.

It does not work.

I would go to public if they let me choose which school my kids went to regardless of my neighborhood.

My kids don't go to a prestigious school. They just go to one that I like, one they like, they are not going to Harvard or taking AP classes to prove they are awesome.

They go to a school that they enjoy.

When public stops acting like a monopoly take us or leave us ... I will leave them.

Why do you think people move to the suburbs? Does that make them bad?

Anonymous wrote:I think they are mainly a way for rich parents to show off. Which means they will never go away, because there will always be people with money who have to set themselves apart.

So true!

Depends entirely on where you live and what options you have. In the suburbs, public is generally pretty good. In the inner city, I'm sure there are some that are good, but are you willing to let you child be the one to improve things?

That's why I hate Obama . He's a bad person.

If you send your kid to a private school you are just stupid.

I think they are mainly a way for rich parents to show off. Which means they will never go away, because there will always be people with money who have to set themselves apart.

I agree somewhat, however, I send my kids to a private school. Life would indeed be simpler if there weren't any private options, if we all went to public school and all pooled our resources to making those schools great.

I am the OP and I will go first unless someone else beats me to it.

I agree for the most part.

I went to a ritzy, highly-regarded private for 6-12, and I abhor the elitism and inequitable division of resources it stands for. I am sometimes embarrassed by it, I won't give them money because they don't need it, and I won't send my child there or anywhere like it.

I think, objectively, that I would have gotten into a better college had I gone to a local public because it would have been much easier for me to be on the top of the heap, but that doesn't mean much to me because I've done quite alright and live quite an average and ok life.

I understand my parents were trying their best with my education options, and I realize there were challenges with my neighborhood school. I don't begrudge them that. But as an adult, I have the right to say I would do it differently if given the same scenario.

I have a young child in DCPS and send her to my not-so-good local school. Am I trying to improve it? Yes, I am. Will I be successful? Probably not significantly. Will I move her in a year or two? Probably. Is that any better than what the article says is bad? Probably not.

Tough situation. Interested in everyone's thoughts.

"You are a bad person if you send your children to private school. Not bad like murderer bad—but bad like ruining-one-of-our-nation’s-most-essential-institutions-in-order-to-get-what’s-best-for-your-kid bad. So, pretty bad."

Opinion article, via Slate: http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/08/private_school_vs_public_school_only_bad_people_send_their_kids_to_private.html?wpisrc=most_viral

Discuss.