Depends on which schools. If the 35k private is a big three like Sidwell and you got into Shepherd? (does that feed into Hardy?) I would choose Sidwell. Really depends on what schools you are talking about.

I'm still in shock parents pay $35k for Kindergarten. I must be the poors.

I really think it depends on the public school for sure. $35k is a ton of money although I don't think DCPS will care if you tell them and it's not fair to ask them to hold the spot.
Kindergarten would be the time to move as most kids are new at that time so that would likely be the easiest transition year for your child I would think. This is a tough one, I am not sure what I would do. Are you ok with the larger classes of DCPS? Are you ok with Common Core vs private school? The 2 educations would be very different and if finances are a concern, public is clearly the way to go. Good luck and please let us know what you decide to do!

What's the public school?

I would just see if you can enroll at DCPS and start attending after a couple weeks. Explain the situation. $35k is a lot of money.

Anonymous wrote:If you are the sort of family who can't afford private school tuition over the long term, then my guess is that you're also not the sort of family that can set fire to a pile of cash amounting to $34,000 and kiss it goodbye. Right? No shame there -- that describes me and most people.

So just attend the private school and reapply for a higher grade at a DCPS or charter. It'll be easier to get in for an older kid.

But the $34k is a sunk cost; the public school is free; and she might at least be able to get a tax write-off from the tuition she paid if they will count it as a donation. With all that, she should take the spot at the public.

If you are the sort of family who can't afford private school tuition over the long term, then my guess is that you're also not the sort of family that can set fire to a pile of cash amounting to $34,000 and kiss it goodbye. Right? No shame there -- that describes me and most people.

So just attend the private school and reapply for a higher grade at a DCPS or charter. It'll be easier to get in for an older kid.

Rationally, you should leave (I guess) but I don't think I could bring myself to do it. What if you had to move out of the area a year from now? You would have spent all that money for a year at a "decent" public elementary. Ugh. I think it makes sense, but you're paying a lot for something far in the future...

OP, if you can't afford it, then you should face that reality now and jump ship now.

It's nearly impossible for privates to fill a spot at this point in the year, even with a wait list. Most of those other families have signed contracts elsewhere, and very few would be willing to pay two tuitions in one year in order to make the jump.

Stick with Private. DCPS is a mess.

The problem here is that it looks like OP will "lose" 35K no matter what. The question is what they want to get in return for it: the spot that goes with the 35K (likely years of more tuition to come) or the spot that will save future costs. You can look at the future costs as your "loss" and then say "oh, I just bought myself out of a 5*35K loss". Psychologically not quite what it is but economically it is.

I'd say it's legit to do whatever you can to shave off some from those 35K, talking frankly to people on both ends (don't mention the insurance!) as well as to your accountant. Look at it from the school's perspective: If they're smart, knowing that you really want to leave, they should rather want to fill your seat right now with a parent who actually wants to be there for years to come. That will ensure them a bigger revenue stream than you paying 35K now and likely splitting next year (because your chances to get into that school may be better next year, they're always better in upper grades). So use that as your leverage to strike a deal with them. Again, don't mention the insurance and most certainly don't mention that you might walk. It's you staying to make those 35K worth it that would be "costing" them in the long run. So that's gotta be your line.

I bet there's someone on the wait list at the private school that will gladly take the spot. i would talk to the school and see if you can work something out. I would take the public route but would not want to lose 35K- ouch!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Show up at the private for a couple days, then the public, go back and forth and at the end of the 15 day period, withdraw from private.

LOL, might actually work!

OP said it has to be 15 consecutive days of attendance.

Anonymous wrote:Show up at the private for a couple days, then the public, go back and forth and at the end of the 15 day period, withdraw from private.

LOL, might actually work!