Anonymous
Post 03/11/2015 16:00     Subject: Why did you choose a private school?
I never wore anything tailored to parent meetings at Beauvoir and I didn't explode and nothing bad happened to me. The parents who care about such things tend to be the tense, unhappy ones. be free.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2015 15:42     Subject: Re:Why did you choose a private school?
Because kids spend so much of their lives in school, I wanted those hours, days, and years to be of the highest quality possible.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2015 15:03     Subject: Re:Why did you choose a private school?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:To avoid the ultra competitiveness at the public high school. I wanted a challenging education for my kids with less stress.


This is one I haven't heard before.


I have, but then I'm from Southern California. Might be pretty common/.explicit in parts of NoVA where publics attract a greater percentage of high-performing kids than privates do. Not going to hear it in DC even though you'll see it if you look. (Sheridan, Lowell, Burke, and Field can represent these kinds of choices for some upper NW families). It's less fraught to say diversity or small class size than to have a discussion with neighbors about why you're willing to spend lots of money not to send your kid to Janney-Deal-Wilson when your choice isn't a highly prestigious private or a parochial school.

One moral of the story: privates aren't always and everywhere considered superior to public schools. It really depends on the specific schools and the values of the people judging them.


Such a thoughtful response, thanks. You pegged me at JDW, though I'm from Northern California.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2015 13:06     Subject: Why did you choose a private school?
Anonymous wrote:So many reasons, including (but not limited to):

1. smaller class sizes
2. wanting to foster a love of learning early
3. reduced focus on standardized testing
4. frequent (daily/multiple times a week) PE, music, art, language class
5. positive environment with an emphasis on kindness
6. ability to differentiate academically, because the teachers get to know each kid's strengths and weaknesses


NP here. My husband was adamant that our child go to private. So he's in private. The above list, though, outlines all the reasons I've fallen in love with private school. At least at the elementary level.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2015 09:04     Subject: Why did you choose a private school?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So many reasons, including (but not limited to):

1. smaller class sizes
2. wanting to foster a love of learning early
3. reduced focus on standardized testing
4. frequent (daily/multiple times a week) PE, music, art, language class
5. positive environment with an emphasis on kindness
6. ability to differentiate academically, because the teachers get to know each kid's strengths and weaknesses


These reasons are very close to ours. Started in public and had some good experiences, but (very experienced and lovely) teacher had to devote a lot of time to the kids who were below grade level and/or discipline problems (or both), parents refused to admit their kids had issues, and there was no time to address my kids needs (advanced in reading and math but not willing to show how work -- needed to be pulled out of his shell a bit). I am paying for time. His teachers really know him, care about him, and challenge him every day.

Also not just kindness but character. It is the expectation.


Just have to say, I highly doubt that. In the public environment, these kids' parents requests to address these issues are often completely ignored or mismanaged. It's not ideal for anyone when you are trying to meet such a broad range of needs. At least when kids are young. As they get older, I think it can be beneficial to be exposed to a range of needs, as that is how the world works.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2015 08:29     Subject: Why did you choose a private school?
Anonymous wrote:Because I barely trust DC to pick up my trash much less educate my child (and I grew up here)


DC public and charter schools have improved tremendously in the last decade. You should revisit your position based on the current state of affairs.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2015 06:53     Subject: Re:Why did you choose a private school?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:To avoid the ultra competitiveness at the public high school. I wanted a challenging education for my kids with less stress.


This is one I haven't heard before.


I have, but then I'm from Southern California. Might be pretty common/.explicit in parts of NoVA where publics attract a greater percentage of high-performing kids than privates do. Not going to hear it in DC even though you'll see it if you look. (Sheridan, Lowell, Burke, and Field can represent these kinds of choices for some upper NW families). It's less fraught to say diversity or small class size than to have a discussion with neighbors about why you're willing to spend lots of money not to send your kid to Janney-Deal-Wilson when your choice isn't a highly prestigious private or a parochial school.

One moral of the story: privates aren't always and everywhere considered superior to public schools. It really depends on the specific schools and the values of the people judging them.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2015 06:35     Subject: Why did you choose a private school?
Because our zoned school stinks, and I don't want to have all our money locked up in a house in a better district - I want the freedom to move DC to a different school if he's not happy in the one he's in. I had a miserable, soul-killing experience in a highly rated public school and I won't let that happen to my child!
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2015 06:05     Subject: Why did you choose a private school?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So many reasons, including (but not limited to):

1. smaller class sizes
2. wanting to foster a love of learning early
3. reduced focus on standardized testing
4. frequent (daily/multiple times a week) PE, music, art, language class
5. positive environment with an emphasis on kindness
6. ability to differentiate academically, because the teachers get to know each kid's strengths and weaknesses


This, exactly. Also a MoCo family, in a very highly regarding elementary school area.


Same here. Church Hill district.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2015 22:08     Subject: Why did you choose a private school?
Anonymous wrote:So many reasons, including (but not limited to):

1. smaller class sizes
2. wanting to foster a love of learning early
3. reduced focus on standardized testing
4. frequent (daily/multiple times a week) PE, music, art, language class
5. positive environment with an emphasis on kindness
6. ability to differentiate academically, because the teachers get to know each kid's strengths and weaknesses


These are many of the reasons we went private as well. Smaller community too, which we enjoy, and the relationship between the teachers and children is more "family-like" at our school. Two teachers per class in the lower grades is great too. Also, the school nurse is amazing and very on top of any issue my children have, would not have been the case with the health aid at the neighborhood public. I always drive away smiling after they are dropped off because I know they are safe, happy and learning there.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2015 22:02     Subject: Why did you choose a private school?
Needed a strong educational setting with performing arts, visual arts and sports. Accepted at STA in 7th grade/Form I a few years ago.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2015 21:51     Subject: Re:Why did you choose a private school?
We both work FT demanding jobs and I wanted to get as much visibility into the school as possible, given that I don't have a lot of time to get involved. Also, I really was trying to find an environment that would be most accountable to the families as possible (again, bc I don't have a lot of time to get involved in the daytime events). We figured that we needed to pay for this.... So far, it's meeting our expectations and more!
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2015 21:31     Subject: Re:Why did you choose a private school?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:To avoid the ultra competitiveness at the public high school. I wanted a challenging education for my kids with less stress.


This is one I haven't heard before.


In our experience, the privates are even worse with the ultra competitiveness. Anywhere in this area, unfortunately, brings out the people who see life as a competition.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2015 21:07     Subject: Re:Why did you choose a private school?
Anonymous wrote:To avoid the ultra competitiveness at the public high school. I wanted a challenging education for my kids with less stress.


This is one I haven't heard before.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2015 21:03     Subject: Why did you choose a private school?
Anonymous wrote:So many reasons, including (but not limited to):

1. smaller class sizes
2. wanting to foster a love of learning early
3. reduced focus on standardized testing
4. frequent (daily/multiple times a week) PE, music, art, language class
5. positive environment with an emphasis on kindness
6. ability to differentiate academically, because the teachers get to know each kid's strengths and weaknesses


These reasons are very close to ours. Started in public and had some good experiences, but (very experienced and lovely) teacher had to devote a lot of time to the kids who were below grade level and/or discipline problems (or both), parents refused to admit their kids had issues, and there was no time to address my kids needs (advanced in reading and math but not willing to show how work -- needed to be pulled out of his shell a bit). I am paying for time. His teachers really know him, care about him, and challenge him every day.

Also not just kindness but character. It is the expectation.