Anonymous wrote:My kids have done public in a high SES neighborhood and private. The parents are more or less the same when comparing those two groups. Lots of highy educated, motivated people who want their kids to get a good education. Some amazing, nice, warm people in both groups, and some irritating ones in both groups. The worst offenders are generally those who use their jobs/high-level positions to define themselves. But, some of my favorites also have been those who could be arrogant based on their success but are actually down-to-earth. I think that what also brings out the worst in parents is the sense that their kids are in competition with their classmates. Based on my observations and the comments on this board, I would imagine relations among parents might be worst at the so-called feeder preschools, where parents are concerned about exmissions. The public equivalent would be in third grade when a large group might be competing for GT spots. I have met only one parent in real life who I could imagine posting nasty, inflammatory things here. And this person is such an obvious caricature that no one really pays any attention to her rants. People really want to have friendly relationships with parents in their community, even if they are not confidants or best buddies. By this point in life, you probably have good friends. Keep those, but be open to new friendships. Take them as they come. Good luck with the decision.

I trusted you and you abused my trust over the year for your job. I asked for your advice when I was very ill and this is the way I find out your true feelings about me and my DC? I always respected you. Please don't text me anymore. God bless you.

Anonymous wrote:Have you read the PUBLIC school forums? Seriously, I have a kid in private and a kid in public (Big 3, DCPS) and am shocked at some of the posts presumably written by parents at the public school.

Don't rely on anything posted anonymously.

Why yes, I have read the public school forums. There is some nastiness there, but it's very different in nature. Maybe because income and race are less important, even for magnet acceptances, and those two issues are poisonous.

Viz,


Public schools: schools with high FARMS rates suck (only 1-2 posters though) Private schools: affirmative action is the reason my kid was rejected
Public schools: teachers unions suck (why hello, tea bagger! again, 1-2 obsessive posters) Private schools: how do you pay tuition with HHI less than $250K?
Public schools: magnets! magnets! magnets! Private schools: Top 3! Big 3! Top 3!
Public schools: can my kid prep for the magnet tests Private schools: Where can I buy WPPSI test prep materials, which testers give better results?
Public schools: NCLB testing is a big time suck and pointless Private schools: ERBs are a big time suck and my school doesn't release useful info
Public schools: Green zone vs. red zone (mainly socio-economic) Private schools: Big 3 vs. so-called second tier schools
Public schools: Some posters who are probably certifiable Private schools: Posters just seem crazy after going through the application process

Frankly, as another parent with kids in both public and private, I find the private forum gets a lot nastier. I find the debates about income and affirmative action much more poisonous on the private school threads. When I'm really bored, I even come here to watch the train wrecks, which is harder to on the public school forum. The responses to the teenager who came to the private poster to say "stop slamming my school because kids read this" made me cringe.

Anonymous wrote:I have a 2 preschoolers. We can afford private school but if we have to deal with parents like on this forum, I'd rather send our kids to public. We are attracted to the curriculum, small class sizes, individualized attention and the extras but I wonder what the student population would be like. We just want nice down to earth kids.

The parents on this forum seem downright awful. I would hate for my kids to attend school with their children.

We are 6 years into DC's private school experience and I find the parents to be like people anywhere with the possible exception that, like NW DC in general, there is perhaps a bigger group of uber achievers ( not just all lawyers, but all Harvard Law, not just run of the mill finance people, but Fed Reserve members, not just state gov't employees, but President's cabinet members) DC is a magnet for these people and, given that the city is relatively small, you have a fish bowl effect when you get to private school.

That being said, our experience is that , to a man, these people are very nice, and approachable with well polished manners.

I think this forum distorts a lot because many people who post are actually trolls, or simply the rare disgruntled person who posts a lot. There is a lot of sharing of free flowing anxiety , but mostly in relation to admissions process and exmissions. My experience is that parents do not act this way or say these things in person.

I would not be dissuaded by the negativity on this forum. The actual experience is very different.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 2 preschoolers. We can afford private school but if we have to deal with parents like on this forum, I'd rather send our kids to public. We are attracted to the curriculum, small class sizes, individualized attention and the extras but I wonder what the student population would be like. We just want nice down to earth kids.

The parents on this forum seem downright awful. I would hate for my kids to attend school with their children.

Just based on the tact and empathy displayed this post, I'd guess you'd fit right it.

Wait, you think the behavior on this board is acceptable, or at least excusable if we have a little empathy for the nastier posters? Wow.

Impressive. Most impressive. Obi-Wan has taught you well. You have controlled your fear. Now, release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy me.

Depends on the parents in your child's grade. I've met several lovely families and than there are the assholes that I avoid like the plague. I'm forming friendships with parents in lower and higher grades than DC based upon common interests after encountering them at school wide events.

Anonymous wrote:I have a 2 preschoolers. We can afford private school but if we have to deal with parents like on this forum, I'd rather send our kids to public. We are attracted to the curriculum, small class sizes, individualized attention and the extras but I wonder what the student population would be like. We just want nice down to earth kids.

The parents on this forum seem downright awful. I would hate for my kids to attend school with their children.

Just based on the tact and empathy displayed this post, I'd guess you'd fit right it.

After sending three kids through private schools my impression is that this board are better for entertainment than for advice. Schools are never as awful or as excellent as they are described here. Neither are the parents.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know plenty of horrid public school parents, downright horrid

You sound like a peach yourself

Those tacky public school moms with their naugahyde purses and frizzy hair -- downright horrid!

Anonymous wrote:I know plenty of horrid public school parents, downright horrid

You sound like a peach yourself

its only a few bad LOUD apples that people notice and reflect on the whole institutions. ignore them and appreciate the majority of good around you.

there are nasty people everywhere. that said, there are also nice people everywhere.

I know plenty of horrid public school parents, downright horrid

We don't attend but have applied to and visited two of the schools considered to be Big 3. The kind parents who stopped to speak to us at each school convinced us to apply, actually. I have to believe that there are good people everywhere and you take that good and leave the bad.

Have you read the PUBLIC school forums? Seriously, I have a kid in private and a kid in public (Big 3, DCPS) and am shocked at some of the posts presumably written by parents at the public school.

Don't rely on anything posted anonymously.