Anonymous wrote:No! I do not think they care at all!

Then why do you stay? How is that good for your child or your family?

My DC has been at St. Albans for four years now, and I feel they know and care about him there.

Our child's teachers definitely know and care for him. (N-8 school in Bethesda). His teacher recognized subtle signs that he was upset about something before I did last year, and called me to ask if there was something going on at home. The matter was easily resolved, but it made me so thankful that my son is spending his days in such a supportive environment. If your child isn't getting that kind of attention at his school, you should talk to the school administrators about it.

yes, I feel the school cares about my child as a person (emotionally, academically, and physically). The principal is in the foyer every morning greeting every child by name (I drop off so I see this). There is good communication overall regarding academics, emotional and social areas. My child also has medical needs which the school has been very caring and supportive of. The staff treat the students very well and are very interactive with them.

No! I do not think they care at all!

10:39 is right I have a DC in private and one in public and of course, not every single teacher in each school cares about my kids -- but they both have a core group of teachers, going back years now, who do care about them. How do I know? I correspond with these people regularly. I consider many of them friends now. I care about their kids. Sure you could be replaced at a private school - but that doesn't mean the people aren't caring. Sad for those of you who think that way.

Anonymous wrote:Face the facts folks. None of these schools "really care" about your kids. They are a business. They care about your check. If your child wasn't there, another child would take his/her place. Don't delude yourselves.

20:59 here. I won't try to argue with a categorical statement, but I can say that it doesn't square with our experience. Maybe the size of the school matters. But even friends with kids at public schools say they think the schools (i.e., the teachers and administrators) care about their kids. Given a choice, surely no one sends their kid to a school where they don't feel their child is cared for.

The school is not there to provide a social outlet and a warm caring situation for the parents, but to educate and develop the child. So the question is do the teachers and administrative do a great job with those functions? Does your child look forward to school most every day? Is he/she engaged with the teachers? Do the teachers provide useful suggestions and insights in conferences, or in response to any problems or concerns? Is your child mastering skills? Preschools are very small and much of the focus is on the interactions between the parents, but this (appropriately) changes more and more as the children get older, they learn more and more to advocate for themselves, have their own relationships with teachers and administrators. So PP, there may be some disconnect in your own expectations with what a school is supposed to be providing for your child (not you). It is great when personality and interests of parents mesh with other parents at the school or even the faculty and administrators as people (not as educators) but this is not a requirement for your child to have a great experience at a school. One of our children moved (at her own request) from one school to another, we never warmed up to the administration or the other parents in the way we had at the old school, but I eventually figured out that was not the point, and that my daughter was thriving, her teachers were extraordinary, and the move was the right thing for her.

Anonymous wrote:Face the facts folks. None of these schools "really care" about your kids. They are a business. They care about your check. If your child wasn't there, another child would take his/her place. Don't delude yourselves.

Totally agree with you. Both my children have attended "big 3s" one's an alum the other is now in upper school and they were both fully aware that the majority of their teachers/admin didn't give a shit about them personally. If you apply out believe me no one will be prostrated with grief...uh, Billy who?

Just a means to college admissions.

Anonymous wrote:Face the facts folks. None of these schools "really care" about your kids. They are a business. They care about your check. If your child wasn't there, another child would take his/her place. Don't delude yourselves.

I disagree with this too. Yes, if my child wasn't there, another one would take his place (maybe) but then they would have to care about that child. These schools are/ should be in caring overdrive.

We just had parent/ teacher conferences and I came away amazed at how much two of the teachers I met with knew about my son. But then, that's what we're paying for.

Our kids are at Beauvoir and I feel that they are both known and cared for. Their teachers are proactive about touching base with us if they have any concerns, or just to let us know a funny story about the kids. Even more important, our kids believe their teachers care about them. I doubt it's faked by the teachers but if it is, they do a really good job at it and I appreciate the effort.

Anonymous wrote:Face the facts folks. None of these schools "really care" about your kids. They are a business. They care about your check. If your child wasn't there, another child would take his/her place. Don't delude yourselves.

Wow, I totally disagree with this. I think most teachers care deeply about their students. I think most educators/admins care deeply about their mission to educate. People don't go into education to make a fabulous living, or to climb up some ladder. There are much easier ways to make a moderate income. There is intrinsic motivation in that profession and usually a real sense of mission, caring & purpose.

OP, our experience at our K-8 school has been very warm & nurturing. In fact, those are the very first words I would use to describe the school (St Patrick's). I'd be really worried about a K-8 that felt like a factory! Does your child feel this way? Is he/she having trouble bonding with his/her teachers? Or is it mostly you? And if it is you - are you sure it isn't just a natural change over from a small social group that you were very comfortable in & where everyone knew you, into a bigger group where you have to make friends again?

Face the facts folks. None of these schools "really care" about your kids. They are a business. They care about your check. If your child wasn't there, another child would take his/her place. Don't delude yourselves.

Anonymous wrote:Holton-Arms - absolutely - they know my DD and care about her. Personally, intellectually, and physically (when sick or sad).

She's ba-ack.

Yes, very much. My DS is at a K-8 and I do feel his is very cared about.