Anonymous wrote:Another yes. There's much more to an educationa experience than just the outcome. I want my kids to develop a love of learning, be in a warm and supportive environment that stresses the importance of thinking vs the importance of passing a test. I don't think they would get these things at public.

Totally agree. I don't care much where DC go to college, as long as DC go (ok, I want more for DC than MC has to offer, but you get the picture). DH and I both had terrible school experiences and we want a good experience for DC. I care far more about them being well rounded and happy than I do about exmissions.

What makes you enjoy life when you are a teenager is probably different than what motivates and excites you about life when you are in your 30s and 40s. What if as an adult you are not well prepared to compete in the global market place? Would that not put a damper on your life enjoyment? With the exponential growth of world population and an ever increasing global competition, aren't we owe it to our kids to get them ready properly for anticipated, and unanticipated, challenges that they will face and have to solve in 20 or 30 years? I fail to see how you can get here without proper planning.

PP: that is wonderful. I guess it's the parents who start in K or Pre-K that dont know what kind of kid they will have who really have to try and project into the future.

I agree with the PP who said it's about the journey. Sure I hope my kid gets into a good college, and, for a host of factors, he probably will. But more importantly, he's a quiet kid who was kind of overlooked in public elementary because he did his work and didn't cause any trouble. I think it would have been more of the same in public MS and HS, especially here in DC. In private, he has had small classes and teachers who have really worked with him and helped him to develop talents he didn't even know he had. He has grown in confidence academically and socially. Will these results help him when it's time for college? Maybe. But will they help him develop and grow as a person? Definitely. That's why it's been worth it so far.

Anonymous wrote:life is a journey. i want my children to enjoy the ride not just the destination.

What if the enjoyment in the first leg of the trip could result in less than satisfactory life experience in the second or third leg of the trip?

Anonymous wrote:Is it maybe that if there is a problem with your kid-- or maybe a smart kid who isn't doing as well as they should, there is more spring to action at a private.. All hands on deck. Some kids would just do well anywhere-- but if you can afford it, why chance it? Thoughts?

We will probably choose a private over a magnet mainly for this reason.