Anonymous
01/31/2026 21:33
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I love how these people argue that:
1. Private school parents seek status.
2. Private schools do WORSE in college admissions than public schools.
If these parents seek status, why would they send their kid somewhere that makes it HARDER for their kid to get into an elite college?
That would work against the very thing you argue these parents want.
It is because private schools are "perceived" as easier to get into Ivies, but in fact, only the top 20% students. So these parents want status and want to send their kid to Ivies. Aspiration versus reality? It is not at all contradictory.
If the top 20% of students at a private school go to an Ivy, that’s better than virtually any public school. How do you not see that?
That is still an aspiration, not all private (not all Big 5) have the stats (maybe only Sidwell, maybe). The problem is that the bottom 50% sometimes fare worse than the rest of the public, but the parents still pay all the money. But the parents at the private, all of them, aim for Ivies.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 21:32
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If public schools were significantly better, there would be more competition and it would be harder to keep increasing the tuition above inflation. But that is not the case, so an annual increase of 4 to 6 percent will continue to be the norm in the years to come.
Some case studies: The best school in the DMV is a public school. The best schools in NYC are public schools. But if you have the cash and your kid can’t get in or if you are afraid of minorities, then off to private school to buy some nice diplomas.
Holton may be better than some MD publics. But is it $1 mil better? Almost certainly not. Especially since there is a good argument that the same kid does better in college admissions coming from a public vs a non-elite private like Holton.
This is a massive fallacy. Something like 30-40% of Ivy League students come from private schools.
Being rich, not necessarily smart, gets you into top colleges over others.
True. And whether you’re a rich kid at a public school or a private school, you’re probably going to be fine.
All of this is besides the point of this conversation, which was purely about college admissions prospects from private vs public school.
Private school kids are over represented in the Ivy League.
What that means, why, etc is not the point.
I think you might be confused. OP was this: “Tuition increase email came out. Holton next year will be $60,535 for all grades. Any other schools cross the $60k threshold?? Woof”
Discussions do change and wander though, so don’t get upset.
Read the exchange I was responding to. Someone argued public school kids do better in college admissions than kids from schools like Holton.
Similarly situated kids do just as well or better out of publics. And that is the truth.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 21:32
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I love how these people argue that:
1. Private school parents seek status.
2. Private schools do WORSE in college admissions than public schools.
If these parents seek status, why would they send their kid somewhere that makes it HARDER for their kid to get into an elite college?
That would work against the very thing you argue these parents want.
It is because private schools are "perceived" as easier to get into Ivies, but in fact, only the top 20% students. So these parents want status and want to send their kid to Ivies. Aspiration versus reality? It is not at all contradictory.
If the top 20% of students at a private school go to an Ivy, that’s better than virtually any public school. How do you not see that?
Anonymous
01/31/2026 21:32
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If public schools were significantly better, there would be more competition and it would be harder to keep increasing the tuition above inflation. But that is not the case, so an annual increase of 4 to 6 percent will continue to be the norm in the years to come.
Some case studies: The best school in the DMV is a public school. The best schools in NYC are public schools. But if you have the cash and your kid can’t get in or if you are afraid of minorities, then off to private school to buy some nice diplomas.
Holton may be better than some MD publics. But is it $1 mil better? Almost certainly not. Especially since there is a good argument that the same kid does better in college admissions coming from a public vs a non-elite private like Holton.
This is a massive fallacy. Something like 30-40% of Ivy League students come from private schools.
Being rich, not necessarily smart, gets you into top colleges over others.
True. And whether you’re a rich kid at a public school or a private school, you’re probably going to be fine.
All of this is besides the point of this conversation, which was purely about college admissions prospects from private vs public school.
Private school kids are over represented in the Ivy League.
What that means, why, etc is not the point.
That doesn’t dispute what I said. In college admissions too public school kids with weighted GPAs and a broader range of extracurriculars have an advantage over similarly situated private school kids.
Where private excels (that nobody wants to talk about) is getting the troubled or low achieving kids through HS and into some mid-tier SLAC or random state flagship. If that is your kid then private may be worth the money. However at some point you will stop being able to buy achievements for your kid.
Who the hell would pay for a private school then?
You are so completely just factually false.
Yes, who would ever make a bad financial decision???
Anonymous
01/31/2026 21:30
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:I love how these people argue that:
1. Private school parents seek status.
2. Private schools do WORSE in college admissions than public schools.
If these parents seek status, why would they send their kid somewhere that makes it HARDER for their kid to get into an elite college?
That would work against the very thing you argue these parents want.
It is because private schools are "perceived" as easier to get into Ivies, but in fact, only the top 20% students. So these parents want status and want to send their kid to Ivies. Aspiration versus reality? It is not at all contradictory.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 21:21
Subject: $60k
I love how these people argue that:
1. Private school parents seek status.
2. Private schools do WORSE in college admissions than public schools.
If these parents seek status, why would they send their kid somewhere that makes it HARDER for their kid to get into an elite college?
That would work against the very thing you argue these parents want.
1. Private school parents seek status.
2. Private schools do WORSE in college admissions than public schools.
If these parents seek status, why would they send their kid somewhere that makes it HARDER for their kid to get into an elite college?
That would work against the very thing you argue these parents want.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 21:16
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If public schools were significantly better, there would be more competition and it would be harder to keep increasing the tuition above inflation. But that is not the case, so an annual increase of 4 to 6 percent will continue to be the norm in the years to come.
Some case studies: The best school in the DMV is a public school. The best schools in NYC are public schools. But if you have the cash and your kid can’t get in or if you are afraid of minorities, then off to private school to buy some nice diplomas.
Holton may be better than some MD publics. But is it $1 mil better? Almost certainly not. Especially since there is a good argument that the same kid does better in college admissions coming from a public vs a non-elite private like Holton.
This is a massive fallacy. Something like 30-40% of Ivy League students come from private schools.
Being rich, not necessarily smart, gets you into top colleges over others.
True. And whether you’re a rich kid at a public school or a private school, you’re probably going to be fine.
All of this is besides the point of this conversation, which was purely about college admissions prospects from private vs public school.
Private school kids are over represented in the Ivy League.
What that means, why, etc is not the point.
I think you might be confused. OP was this: “Tuition increase email came out. Holton next year will be $60,535 for all grades. Any other schools cross the $60k threshold?? Woof”
Discussions do change and wander though, so don’t get upset.
Read the exchange I was responding to. Someone argued public school kids do better in college admissions than kids from schools like Holton.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 21:15
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If public schools were significantly better, there would be more competition and it would be harder to keep increasing the tuition above inflation. But that is not the case, so an annual increase of 4 to 6 percent will continue to be the norm in the years to come.
Some case studies: The best school in the DMV is a public school. The best schools in NYC are public schools. But if you have the cash and your kid can’t get in or if you are afraid of minorities, then off to private school to buy some nice diplomas.
Holton may be better than some MD publics. But is it $1 mil better? Almost certainly not. Especially since there is a good argument that the same kid does better in college admissions coming from a public vs a non-elite private like Holton.
This is a massive fallacy. Something like 30-40% of Ivy League students come from private schools.
Being rich, not necessarily smart, gets you into top colleges over others.
True. And whether you’re a rich kid at a public school or a private school, you’re probably going to be fine.
All of this is besides the point of this conversation, which was purely about college admissions prospects from private vs public school.
Private school kids are over represented in the Ivy League.
What that means, why, etc is not the point.
That doesn’t dispute what I said. In college admissions too public school kids with weighted GPAs and a broader range of extracurriculars have an advantage over similarly situated private school kids.
Where private excels (that nobody wants to talk about) is getting the troubled or low achieving kids through HS and into some mid-tier SLAC or random state flagship. If that is your kid then private may be worth the money. However at some point you will stop being able to buy achievements for your kid.
Who the hell would pay for a private school then?
You are so completely just factually false.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 20:13
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:What's interesting about private schools is that at all reputable ones, despite tuition rising more than inflation, % on FA remains 20-30% of the student body. Colleges, which are also have had tuition increases higher than inflation, have a growing percent of students on FA. Vanderbilt, which is considered a school with a wealthy student body, has 2/3rds students getting aid.
I attended private school starting in 6th grade and I don't think I can swing it for my kid until high school. I did the math and assuming it goes up 5% a year, tuition will be 85k for Holton by the time a 6th grader graduates. Secular privates are truly for the wealthy, the lucky few who get FA for institutional priorities, and those with grandparents who pay.
Well said. I also wonder if the social consequences of this are healthy for the upper-middle-class kid (oh well, those who own houses in NW, Chevy Chase). Do they still have empahty of those who have less?
Anonymous
01/31/2026 19:26
Subject: $60k
What's interesting about private schools is that at all reputable ones, despite tuition rising more than inflation, % on FA remains 20-30% of the student body. Colleges, which are also have had tuition increases higher than inflation, have a growing percent of students on FA. Vanderbilt, which is considered a school with a wealthy student body, has 2/3rds students getting aid.
I attended private school starting in 6th grade and I don't think I can swing it for my kid until high school. I did the math and assuming it goes up 5% a year, tuition will be 85k for Holton by the time a 6th grader graduates. Secular privates are truly for the wealthy, the lucky few who get FA for institutional priorities, and those with grandparents who pay.
I attended private school starting in 6th grade and I don't think I can swing it for my kid until high school. I did the math and assuming it goes up 5% a year, tuition will be 85k for Holton by the time a 6th grader graduates. Secular privates are truly for the wealthy, the lucky few who get FA for institutional priorities, and those with grandparents who pay.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 17:55
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If public schools were significantly better, there would be more competition and it would be harder to keep increasing the tuition above inflation. But that is not the case, so an annual increase of 4 to 6 percent will continue to be the norm in the years to come.
Some case studies: The best school in the DMV is a public school. The best schools in NYC are public schools. But if you have the cash and your kid can’t get in or if you are afraid of minorities, then off to private school to buy some nice diplomas.
Holton may be better than some MD publics. But is it $1 mil better? Almost certainly not. Especially since there is a good argument that the same kid does better in college admissions coming from a public vs a non-elite private like Holton.
This is a massive fallacy. Something like 30-40% of Ivy League students come from private schools.
Being rich, not necessarily smart, gets you into top colleges over others.
True. And whether you’re a rich kid at a public school or a private school, you’re probably going to be fine.
All of this is besides the point of this conversation, which was purely about college admissions prospects from private vs public school.
Private school kids are over represented in the Ivy League.
What that means, why, etc is not the point.
I think you might be confused. OP was this: “Tuition increase email came out. Holton next year will be $60,535 for all grades. Any other schools cross the $60k threshold?? Woof”
Discussions do change and wander though, so don’t get upset.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 17:24
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If public schools were significantly better, there would be more competition and it would be harder to keep increasing the tuition above inflation. But that is not the case, so an annual increase of 4 to 6 percent will continue to be the norm in the years to come.
Some case studies: The best school in the DMV is a public school. The best schools in NYC are public schools. But if you have the cash and your kid can’t get in or if you are afraid of minorities, then off to private school to buy some nice diplomas.
Holton may be better than some MD publics. But is it $1 mil better? Almost certainly not. Especially since there is a good argument that the same kid does better in college admissions coming from a public vs a non-elite private like Holton.
This is a massive fallacy. Something like 30-40% of Ivy League students come from private schools.
Being rich, not necessarily smart, gets you into top colleges over others.
True. And whether you’re a rich kid at a public school or a private school, you’re probably going to be fine.
All of this is besides the point of this conversation, which was purely about college admissions prospects from private vs public school.
Private school kids are over represented in the Ivy League.
What that means, why, etc is not the point.
That doesn’t dispute what I said. In college admissions too public school kids with weighted GPAs and a broader range of extracurriculars have an advantage over similarly situated private school kids.
Where private excels (that nobody wants to talk about) is getting the troubled or low achieving kids through HS and into some mid-tier SLAC or random state flagship. If that is your kid then private may be worth the money. However at some point you will stop being able to buy achievements for your kid.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 17:20
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If public schools were significantly better, there would be more competition and it would be harder to keep increasing the tuition above inflation. But that is not the case, so an annual increase of 4 to 6 percent will continue to be the norm in the years to come.
Some case studies: The best school in the DMV is a public school. The best schools in NYC are public schools. But if you have the cash and your kid can’t get in or if you are afraid of minorities, then off to private school to buy some nice diplomas.
Holton may be better than some MD publics. But is it $1 mil better? Almost certainly not. Especially since there is a good argument that the same kid does better in college admissions coming from a public vs a non-elite private like Holton.
This is a massive fallacy. Something like 30-40% of Ivy League students come from private schools.
Boy talk about a fallacy!!!
Anonymous
01/31/2026 17:19
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If public schools were significantly better, there would be more competition and it would be harder to keep increasing the tuition above inflation. But that is not the case, so an annual increase of 4 to 6 percent will continue to be the norm in the years to come.
Some case studies: The best school in the DMV is a public school. The best schools in NYC are public schools. But if you have the cash and your kid can’t get in or if you are afraid of minorities, then off to private school to buy some nice diplomas.
Holton may be better than some MD publics. But is it $1 mil better? Almost certainly not. Especially since there is a good argument that the same kid does better in college admissions coming from a public vs a non-elite private like Holton.
This is a massive fallacy. Something like 30-40% of Ivy League students come from private schools.
Being rich, not necessarily smart, gets you into top colleges over others.
True. And whether you’re a rich kid at a public school or a private school, you’re probably going to be fine.
All of this is besides the point of this conversation, which was purely about college admissions prospects from private vs public school.
Private school kids are over represented in the Ivy League.
What that means, why, etc is not the point.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 17:14
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If public schools were significantly better, there would be more competition and it would be harder to keep increasing the tuition above inflation. But that is not the case, so an annual increase of 4 to 6 percent will continue to be the norm in the years to come.
Some case studies: The best school in the DMV is a public school. The best schools in NYC are public schools. But if you have the cash and your kid can’t get in or if you are afraid of minorities, then off to private school to buy some nice diplomas.
Holton may be better than some MD publics. But is it $1 mil better? Almost certainly not. Especially since there is a good argument that the same kid does better in college admissions coming from a public vs a non-elite private like Holton.
This is a massive fallacy. Something like 30-40% of Ivy League students come from private schools.
Being rich, not necessarily smart, gets you into top colleges over others.
True. And whether you’re a rich kid at a public school or a private school, you’re probably going to be fine.