Anonymous wrote:Applications for admissions to most private schools in the DMV area area keep getting more competitive every year. One school we are applying to for 9th ( from our K-8) told us that applications have been up 70% this year.
I can understand why applications were up during the pandemic , but why are people still increasingly applying to privates five years later ?
Has the quality of education gone down at the public schools? Did people do well in the stock market over the past few years?
Just asking a genuine question.

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Anonymous wrote:Because public school class sizes are huge, there's a range of abilities that is impossible for even the most seasoned teacher to accommodate, and well behaved kids who are on or above grade level are ignored. The established private schools aren't stupid and have done a good job advertising to UMC families of solid students who are increasingly fed up. Throw in a modest merit scholarship for the ones with top grades and test scores and it's not a hard sell.

There are not merit scholarships for top grades at local independent schools

Huh? There are definitely merit scholarships for local private high schools.

Below the high school level, it's not called a merit scholarship but the FA decision is often not *solely* about need, which makes a segment of DCUM crazy but is true nonetheless. Schools use FA to keep students they want to keep, including those who boost test scores or fill out the advanced track classes.

PP. Only the Catholic schools. Which is not what most of us think of when we say the words “private school”.

You cannot name an independent school in DC/MD that hands out true merit money to smart applicants as an enticement. It’s flat out not allowed in AISGW.

Really?

Why is that?

Because most of the public would label these “catholic schools” or “parochial schools.” In the DMV. “Going private” in actual parlance with your DMV neighbor does not include “going to St. Bernadette parish school k-8.”

They have an entirely different mission than independent private schools. A different funding structure aided in most cases by a diocese.

But yes, technically catholic schools are a subset of “private” schools in that there is no by-right attendance like a public school. Technically. But the not-religious crowd doesn’t think of them that way.

So is a Quaker school with Quaker values/mission a private school? An Episcopal school situated on the grounds of a cathedral? How about a Catholic school that does not receive diocesan support?

If there’s a distinguishing factor, it’s the question of how independent a given school is from a central authority that can call the shots and assign revenue.

Stone Ridge and GP and I think Visi have been argued on DCUM to be independent. Blessed Sacrament is parochial.

The PP’s distinguishing factor is that a school is Catholic, and if it is, it isn’t private. Because…?

I am the PP. i have already said that a Catholic school in the DMV is technically “private.” Of course it is, you pay money and a gatekeeper decides if you are admitted or not.

But. Catholic schools in the DMV are not what the general public thinks of when they say “Joe sends his kids to private schools.” They just aren’t. They’d say “joe sends his kids to Catholic school” or “to Gonzaga.”

Why? I don’t know but I suspect the distinction has something to do with the amount of religious education and mandatory religious observance one finds inside the various schools. It’s not “bigoted” to point out that these features are more prominent in a Catholic school than a Quaker school. Or STA.

Some, many, parents dont view these schools as interchangeable.

You are ridiculous. Truly.

New poster. It’s isn’t ridiculous. The commentary that many don’t consider Catholic schools to be what is generally meant by private school is true with the exceptions noted - it’s about independence from a central authority and the mission of the school. Non-independent Catholic schools are a subset of private schools, as their mission is to teach the tenets and values of Catholicism alongside typical academics which can means some subjects are taught in line with what the Catholic Church proselytizes rather than with a pure scientific/academic approach. Quaker and Episcopal schools do not do this and that’s typically clear in their mission statements. Most other “religious schools” are more like Catholic schools as they have a double mission and aren’t independent from religious authority and instruction.

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Anonymous wrote:Because public school class sizes are huge, there's a range of abilities that is impossible for even the most seasoned teacher to accommodate, and well behaved kids who are on or above grade level are ignored. The established private schools aren't stupid and have done a good job advertising to UMC families of solid students who are increasingly fed up. Throw in a modest merit scholarship for the ones with top grades and test scores and it's not a hard sell.

There are not merit scholarships for top grades at local independent schools

Huh? There are definitely merit scholarships for local private high schools.

Below the high school level, it's not called a merit scholarship but the FA decision is often not *solely* about need, which makes a segment of DCUM crazy but is true nonetheless. Schools use FA to keep students they want to keep, including those who boost test scores or fill out the advanced track classes.

PP. Only the Catholic schools. Which is not what most of us think of when we say the words “private school”.

You cannot name an independent school in DC/MD that hands out true merit money to smart applicants as an enticement. It’s flat out not allowed in AISGW.

Really?

Why is that?

Because most of the public would label these “catholic schools” or “parochial schools.” In the DMV. “Going private” in actual parlance with your DMV neighbor does not include “going to St. Bernadette parish school k-8.”

They have an entirely different mission than independent private schools. A different funding structure aided in most cases by a diocese.

But yes, technically catholic schools are a subset of “private” schools in that there is no by-right attendance like a public school. Technically. But the not-religious crowd doesn’t think of them that way.

So is a Quaker school with Quaker values/mission a private school? An Episcopal school situated on the grounds of a cathedral? How about a Catholic school that does not receive diocesan support?

If there’s a distinguishing factor, it’s the question of how independent a given school is from a central authority that can call the shots and assign revenue.

Stone Ridge and GP and I think Visi have been argued on DCUM to be independent. Blessed Sacrament is parochial.

The PP’s distinguishing factor is that a school is Catholic, and if it is, it isn’t private. Because…?

I am the PP. i have already said that a Catholic school in the DMV is technically “private.” Of course it is, you pay money and a gatekeeper decides if you are admitted or not.

But. Catholic schools in the DMV are not what the general public thinks of when they say “Joe sends his kids to private schools.” They just aren’t. They’d say “joe sends his kids to Catholic school” or “to Gonzaga.”

Why? I don’t know but I suspect the distinction has something to do with the amount of religious education and mandatory religious observance one finds inside the various schools. It’s not “bigoted” to point out that these features are more prominent in a Catholic school than a Quaker school. Or STA.

Some, many, parents dont view these schools as interchangeable.

You are ridiculous. Truly.

New poster. It’s isn’t ridiculous. The commentary that many don’t consider Catholic schools to be what is generally meant by private school is true with the exceptions noted - it’s about independence from a central authority and the mission of the school. Non-independent Catholic schools are a subset of private schools, as their mission is to teach the tenets and values of Catholicism alongside typical academics which can means some subjects are taught in line with what the Catholic Church proselytizes rather than with a pure scientific/academic approach. Quaker and Episcopal schools do not do this and that’s typically clear in their mission statements. Most other “religious schools” are more like Catholic schools as they have a double mission and aren’t independent from religious authority and instruction.

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Anonymous wrote:Because public school class sizes are huge, there's a range of abilities that is impossible for even the most seasoned teacher to accommodate, and well behaved kids who are on or above grade level are ignored. The established private schools aren't stupid and have done a good job advertising to UMC families of solid students who are increasingly fed up. Throw in a modest merit scholarship for the ones with top grades and test scores and it's not a hard sell.

There are not merit scholarships for top grades at local independent schools

Huh? There are definitely merit scholarships for local private high schools.

Below the high school level, it's not called a merit scholarship but the FA decision is often not *solely* about need, which makes a segment of DCUM crazy but is true nonetheless. Schools use FA to keep students they want to keep, including those who boost test scores or fill out the advanced track classes.

PP. Only the Catholic schools. Which is not what most of us think of when we say the words “private school”.

You cannot name an independent school in DC/MD that hands out true merit money to smart applicants as an enticement. It’s flat out not allowed in AISGW.

Really?

Why is that?

Because most of the public would label these “catholic schools” or “parochial schools.” In the DMV. “Going private” in actual parlance with your DMV neighbor does not include “going to St. Bernadette parish school k-8.”

They have an entirely different mission than independent private schools. A different funding structure aided in most cases by a diocese.

But yes, technically catholic schools are a subset of “private” schools in that there is no by-right attendance like a public school. Technically. But the not-religious crowd doesn’t think of them that way.

So is a Quaker school with Quaker values/mission a private school? An Episcopal school situated on the grounds of a cathedral? How about a Catholic school that does not receive diocesan support?

If there’s a distinguishing factor, it’s the question of how independent a given school is from a central authority that can call the shots and assign revenue.

Stone Ridge and GP and I think Visi have been argued on DCUM to be independent. Blessed Sacrament is parochial.

The PP’s distinguishing factor is that a school is Catholic, and if it is, it isn’t private. Because…?

I am the PP. i have already said that a Catholic school in the DMV is technically “private.” Of course it is, you pay money and a gatekeeper decides if you are admitted or not.

But. Catholic schools in the DMV are not what the general public thinks of when they say “Joe sends his kids to private schools.” They just aren’t. They’d say “joe sends his kids to Catholic school” or “to Gonzaga.”

Why? I don’t know but I suspect the distinction has something to do with the amount of religious education and mandatory religious observance one finds inside the various schools. It’s not “bigoted” to point out that these features are more prominent in a Catholic school than a Quaker school. Or STA.

Some, many, parents dont view these schools as interchangeable.

You are ridiculous. Truly.

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Anonymous wrote:I just read an article that staff at Alice Deal in DC chose to eliminate reading full novels from the 8th grade curriculum.

last year's 8th grade at Maret did not read a full book or write a full essay until the end of year.

Wow! At our ‘mediocre (to those on this forum)’ TX private school they read 6 novels in class and 2 out class. Perhaps we aren’t as provincial in TX as the snobs in DC think.

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Anonymous wrote:Because public school class sizes are huge, there's a range of abilities that is impossible for even the most seasoned teacher to accommodate, and well behaved kids who are on or above grade level are ignored. The established private schools aren't stupid and have done a good job advertising to UMC families of solid students who are increasingly fed up. Throw in a modest merit scholarship for the ones with top grades and test scores and it's not a hard sell.

There are not merit scholarships for top grades at local independent schools

Huh? There are definitely merit scholarships for local private high schools.

Below the high school level, it's not called a merit scholarship but the FA decision is often not *solely* about need, which makes a segment of DCUM crazy but is true nonetheless. Schools use FA to keep students they want to keep, including those who boost test scores or fill out the advanced track classes.

PP. Only the Catholic schools. Which is not what most of us think of when we say the words “private school”.

You cannot name an independent school in DC/MD that hands out true merit money to smart applicants as an enticement. It’s flat out not allowed in AISGW.

Really?

Why is that?

Because most of the public would label these “catholic schools” or “parochial schools.” In the DMV. “Going private” in actual parlance with your DMV neighbor does not include “going to St. Bernadette parish school k-8.”

They have an entirely different mission than independent private schools. A different funding structure aided in most cases by a diocese.

But yes, technically catholic schools are a subset of “private” schools in that there is no by-right attendance like a public school. Technically. But the not-religious crowd doesn’t think of them that way.

So is a Quaker school with Quaker values/mission a private school? An Episcopal school situated on the grounds of a cathedral? How about a Catholic school that does not receive diocesan support?

If there’s a distinguishing factor, it’s the question of how independent a given school is from a central authority that can call the shots and assign revenue.

Stone Ridge and GP and I think Visi have been argued on DCUM to be independent. Blessed Sacrament is parochial.

The PP’s distinguishing factor is that a school is Catholic, and if it is, it isn’t private. Because…?

I am the PP. i have already said that a Catholic school in the DMV is technically “private.” Of course it is, you pay money and a gatekeeper decides if you are admitted or not.

But. Catholic schools in the DMV are not what the general public thinks of when they say “Joe sends his kids to private schools.” They just aren’t. They’d say “joe sends his kids to Catholic school” or “to Gonzaga.”

Why? I don’t know but I suspect the distinction has something to do with the amount of religious education and mandatory religious observance one finds inside the various schools. It’s not “bigoted” to point out that these features are more prominent in a Catholic school than a Quaker school. Or STA.

Some, many, parents dont view these schools as interchangeable.

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Anonymous wrote:Public school parent here - sorry to intrude. I just saw this under "recent topics."

I beg your indulgence. FWIW, I can definitely afford private school for my kids! For better or worse, I choose not to.

If OP's facts are correct, I find the increasing demand for privates school curious, too. I'm not certain the college outcomes are that much better when you account for family wealth and education. In fact, private school outcomes might be worse when you make those accounts.

It's true that class sizes are too big in public school. There are also some unpleasant and weird kids. But tough situations teach resilience that can be useful later in life.

Just saying I'm surprised we're not at an equilibrium, and instead we are in an era of dramatically increasing demand for private school. I guess I would chalk it up to the wealthy getting wealthier.

It is all very interesting and as someone said it’s all anecdotal - but my anecdote is a good friend of mine is a teacher at a top private and said she would never send her kids there because it’s such a bubble that when they get out into the real world they don’t know how to deal with anything. To your point about the benefit of exposing your kids to tougher situations or situations where they have to navigate them and figure them out without too much hand holding.

What a crazy claim to make. I can assure you that kids that go to private schools do just fine in life. There are thousands of adults in the DMV who went to private school who are successful in the “real world.”

Let me help you with this, your teacher friend would "never send her kid to private" because your friend could never afford it. Those who can, do, send their kids to private.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because public school class sizes are huge, there's a range of abilities that is impossible for even the most seasoned teacher to accommodate, and well behaved kids who are on or above grade level are ignored. The established private schools aren't stupid and have done a good job advertising to UMC families of solid students who are increasingly fed up. Throw in a modest merit scholarship for the ones with top grades and test scores and it's not a hard sell.

There are not merit scholarships for top grades at local independent schools

Huh? There are definitely merit scholarships for local private high schools.

Below the high school level, it's not called a merit scholarship but the FA decision is often not *solely* about need, which makes a segment of DCUM crazy but is true nonetheless. Schools use FA to keep students they want to keep, including those who boost test scores or fill out the advanced track classes.

PP. Only the Catholic schools. Which is not what most of us think of when we say the words “private school”.

You cannot name an independent school in DC/MD that hands out true merit money to smart applicants as an enticement. It’s flat out not allowed in AISGW.

Really?

Why is that?

Because most of the public would label these “catholic schools” or “parochial schools.” In the DMV. “Going private” in actual parlance with your DMV neighbor does not include “going to St. Bernadette parish school k-8.”

They have an entirely different mission than independent private schools. A different funding structure aided in most cases by a diocese.

But yes, technically catholic schools are a subset of “private” schools in that there is no by-right attendance like a public school. Technically. But the not-religious crowd doesn’t think of them that way.

So is a Quaker school with Quaker values/mission a private school? An Episcopal school situated on the grounds of a cathedral? How about a Catholic school that does not receive diocesan support?

If there’s a distinguishing factor, it’s the question of how independent a given school is from a central authority that can call the shots and assign revenue.

Stone Ridge and GP and I think Visi have been argued on DCUM to be independent. Blessed Sacrament is parochial.

The PP’s distinguishing factor is that a school is Catholic, and if it is, it isn’t private. Because…?

I am the PP. i have already said that a Catholic school in the DMV is technically “private.” Of course it is, you pay money and a gatekeeper decides if you are admitted or not.

But. Catholic schools in the DMV are not what the general public thinks of when they say “Joe sends his kids to private schools.” They just aren’t. They’d say “joe sends his kids to Catholic school” or “to Gonzaga.”

Why? I don’t know but I suspect the distinction has something to do with the amount of religious education and mandatory religious observance one finds inside the various schools. It’s not “bigoted” to point out that these features are more prominent in a Catholic school than a Quaker school. Or STA.

Some, many, parents dont view these schools as interchangeable.

Anonymous wrote:When I think public vs. private, Catholic schools are in the private bucket. Then I might subdivide into religious and secular, then further divide the religious into different religions or denominations, such as Episcopal, Quaker, Catholic. And I am the general public.

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Anonymous wrote:Public school parent here - sorry to intrude. I just saw this under "recent topics."

I beg your indulgence. FWIW, I can definitely afford private school for my kids! For better or worse, I choose not to.

If OP's facts are correct, I find the increasing demand for privates school curious, too. I'm not certain the college outcomes are that much better when you account for family wealth and education. In fact, private school outcomes might be worse when you make those accounts.

It's true that class sizes are too big in public school. There are also some unpleasant and weird kids. But tough situations teach resilience that can be useful later in life.

Just saying I'm surprised we're not at an equilibrium, and instead we are in an era of dramatically increasing demand for private school. I guess I would chalk it up to the wealthy getting wealthier.

It is all very interesting and as someone said it’s all anecdotal - but my anecdote is a good friend of mine is a teacher at a top private and said she would never send her kids there because it’s such a bubble that when they get out into the real world they don’t know how to deal with anything. To your point about the benefit of exposing your kids to tougher situations or situations where they have to navigate them and figure them out without too much hand holding.

What a crazy claim to make. I can assure you that kids that go to private schools do just fine in life. There are thousands of adults in the DMV who went to private school who are successful in the “real world.”

Let me help you with this, your teacher friend would "never send her kid to private" because your friend could never afford it. Those who can, do, send their kids to private.

Huh? You really think all of the families at Churchill Langley etc just can’t afford private and that’s why the kids are there..laughable

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because public school class sizes are huge, there's a range of abilities that is impossible for even the most seasoned teacher to accommodate, and well behaved kids who are on or above grade level are ignored. The established private schools aren't stupid and have done a good job advertising to UMC families of solid students who are increasingly fed up. Throw in a modest merit scholarship for the ones with top grades and test scores and it's not a hard sell.

There are not merit scholarships for top grades at local independent schools

Huh? There are definitely merit scholarships for local private high schools.

Below the high school level, it's not called a merit scholarship but the FA decision is often not *solely* about need, which makes a segment of DCUM crazy but is true nonetheless. Schools use FA to keep students they want to keep, including those who boost test scores or fill out the advanced track classes.

PP. Only the Catholic schools. Which is not what most of us think of when we say the words “private school”.

You cannot name an independent school in DC/MD that hands out true merit money to smart applicants as an enticement. It’s flat out not allowed in AISGW.

Really?

Why is that?

Because most of the public would label these “catholic schools” or “parochial schools.” In the DMV. “Going private” in actual parlance with your DMV neighbor does not include “going to St. Bernadette parish school k-8.”

They have an entirely different mission than independent private schools. A different funding structure aided in most cases by a diocese.

But yes, technically catholic schools are a subset of “private” schools in that there is no by-right attendance like a public school. Technically. But the not-religious crowd doesn’t think of them that way.

So is a Quaker school with Quaker values/mission a private school? An Episcopal school situated on the grounds of a cathedral? How about a Catholic school that does not receive diocesan support?

If there’s a distinguishing factor, it’s the question of how independent a given school is from a central authority that can call the shots and assign revenue.

Stone Ridge and GP and I think Visi have been argued on DCUM to be independent. Blessed Sacrament is parochial.

The PP’s distinguishing factor is that a school is Catholic, and if it is, it isn’t private. Because…?