The area where we live has far better high school options than elementary and middle school options. We are doing private elementary, probably middle, and maybe high school, depending on the lay of the land at that point.

My kid's kindergarten has 17 children and two full time, full teachers (not aides), not counting all the specials teachers. There's also PE every day and two recesses every single day. I think it's very important at this age that the academics be mixed with plenty of play; by the time the kid is in high school or middle school, that won't be such an issue

K-8 in private then to public for reasons addressed by PPs.

Anonymous wrote:It seems like the most common sentiment on DCUM is "Private ES and MS may not be worth it, but switching for HS is." I'm not sure I agree with the premise that private provides a better education, even if money is no object. But in any case, I think the scientific literature on learning actually suggests that your best investment would be in early childhood education.

The one thing private school offers is smaller class size. All the evidence suggests that this is the most important for the K-2 years.

It seems like the most common sentiment on DCUM is "Private ES and MS may not be worth it, but switching for HS is." I'm not sure I agree with the premise that private provides a better education, even if money is no object. But in any case, I think the scientific literature on learning actually suggests that your best investment would be in early childhood education.

Elementary for certain. On the fence about MS, but might stay private since DD will be the youngest in her grade most likely (started K before 5th bday in late Fall). Strongly prefer public HS at this time, but we have a long time before that's a concern.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Invest?

Whenever liberals want to spend money, they call it an "investment".

This is especially true when they want to spend your money, as they so often do.

OP here. Um, this makes no sense; what are you talking about? Yes, I wrote "invest" -- as in, investing in my child's education. Not to secure anything in particular (like college admissions), but do provide them with a wonderful and enriching educational experience. And, last time I checked, yes, its my money (not "yours"). Oh, and what makes you think I am liberal? (I am not!)

Middle school-High school

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Invest?

Whenever liberals want to spend money, they call it an "investment".

This is especially true when they want to spend your money, as they so often do.

Do you troll forums waiting to make something political? Get a fucking life already!!

Anonymous wrote:Invest?

Whenever liberals want to spend money, they call it an "investment".

This is especially true when they want to spend your money, as they so often do.

Anonymous wrote:K-8. I felt those were the most formative years where's all class size truly matters (early k-2 grades).

The magnitude of funding for public high schools provides so many more diverse opportunities, as well. So I think my child would get a better education at a public.

However, if he somehow needs to stay private, for social reasons, etc. we could do a Catholic high school like Good Counsel.

+1. In terms of classes that are offered, our local high school has more opportunities. I like the k-8 model at a small school. I feel during that rough adolescence age having the teachers know what you are capable of accomplishing and giving the push and encouragement, having the younger kids that look up to you and the older kids that you look up to being willing to spend time with you etc all help during a time when you are trying to figure out who you are and navigating peer relationships.

When you talk about invest, I don't see it as getting my child into a certain college. I see it about teaching the skills my child needs to be an independent, self-supporting, well-adjusted adult. It's more than just the academics. I also think there are kids that get both the academics and social-emotional met at public school K-12 and there are some that along the way do better elsewhere.