Anonymous wrote:I went to public dcps and switched to private big three at seventh grade. I was a white, smart, well behaved girl from well off, educated parents. It took me about a semester to adjust at private school. I was fine.

My parents sent to public elementary primarily for social reasons. They wanted me to be in a socioeconomically diverse environment. I went to school with kids from all over the city and the world. It was a great experience. I'm glad I didn't spend my entire schooling surrounded by kids who were just like me.

Exposing our kids to diversity is very important to my husband and I. We want our kids to have exposure to people if different backgrounds and this is hard to get at a private. Can you comment a bit on what the differences were between you public versus private education?

I went to public dcps and switched to private big three at seventh grade. I was a white, smart, well behaved girl from well off, educated parents. It took me about a semester to adjust at private school. I was fine.

My parents sent to public elementary primarily for social reasons. They wanted me to be in a socioeconomically diverse environment. I went to school with kids from all over the city and the world. It was a great experience. I'm glad I didn't spend my entire schooling surrounded by kids who were just like me.

I think its crazy to not at least try public school, at least for the elem years.

Our family can afford private nut we chose public immersion school to get language exposure.

Anonymous wrote:We are not wealthy, but are comfortable and could afford private if needed. We got into a great charter school and go there. It's outstanding. That said, we make sizable donations to the school to help (since we are getting free education).

This is my situation also. The charter is a much better for for my family than any of the privates in this area. My relatives' children are spread amongst the elite DC privates, and I feel that the education that our children is getting is about equivalent, although the focus is on different areas. I supplement differently than I would at a private. If we were at a private, I would feel the need to push for exposure to socio-economic diversity, but that comes naturally between the school and our lifestyle. On the other hand, i am pleased that my children have at least a little exposure to more formal events and places so that they will know the proper behaviors for those settings. It is all a balance, and for me, I much prefer the norm to be more open and welcoming.

Our DC public school is full of parents like that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your public school is decent, just do it.

Ha, you should read the real estate forum. Most people give up a bigger/nice house or to get to better schools.

I guess if you put your kids on a "decent" school v. a great school because you wanted a better house you are selfish. But if you but your kid on a decent school v. a great private school because you want to do the common good, you are just a great citizen.

In my opinion a lot of upper middle class parents are overly concerned with school quality. Good parenting is what's most important. I'd never give up a great house with decent schools to move to a more expensive one with great schools, or even worse pay for private. I believe no matter what as long as the schools they attend are pretty good my kids will be more than OK. Besides I'd rather pass down all the money I saved not moving to a more expensive place or paying for privates to my kids.

We are not wealthy, but are comfortable and could afford private if needed. We got into a great charter school and go there. It's outstanding. That said, we make sizable donations to the school to help (since we are getting free education).

are you in dc? because i expect to face this issue in a couple years when my daughter is older. well, not this exact issue; i couldn't possibly afford DC's finest private schools.

Anonymous wrote:If your public school is decent, just do it.

Ha, you should read the real estate forum. Most people give up a bigger/nice house or to get to better schools.

I guess if you put your kids on a "decent" school v. a great school because you wanted a better house you are selfish. But if you but your kid on a decent school v. a great private school because you want to do the common good, you are just a great citizen.

If your public school is decent, just do it.

I am not looking for approval, just wanted to here from others in a similar situation. I was curious as to their experiences and reasons behind their decision.

Anonymous wrote:Hello. My kid is not yet school age but is about to be and we go bak and forth on whether to send them to a public or private. We are blessed to be able to afford private, but think it's important to utilize and help strengthen public institutions when possible. Are there any other wealthy parents out there that are currently or considering in the future sending their kids to city public schools?

Your obligation is to your child, not to society. If the public schools are good send your child there by all means. If they are crappy, you are doing your child a disservice and I doubt would make any change to the system.

Why not do what you think is best and not what the herd approves?

Hello. My kid is not yet school age but is about to be and we go bak and forth on whether to send them to a public or private. We are blessed to be able to afford private, but think it's important to utilize and help strengthen public institutions when possible. Are there any other wealthy parents out there that are currently or considering in the future sending their kids to city public schools?