Back on topic:

This would be the equivalent to

Being accepted to Sidwell ( I guess never been to that school)
It’s free for your family ( for any number of reasons)
And 20 min from your house.

I’m not sure I agree that it’s for the best. I’m hearing people with experience with these kinds of schools, at least tangentially, not want that for their kids.
Is it too much?
It has a robotics loft. Wall of 3D printers, multiple laser cutters, a mill...
A leadership ropes course on the 300+ acres of the upper school...
It’s crazy town.

All that is gold does not glitter, OP.

Just because some schools are drab and structurally unimproved, it does not mean that the education there isn't excellent.

I went to the best (private) high school in France. It was less than half the price of the very expensive British and American schools, and it looked like a complete dump. They had invested all they had in paying for the best teachers, a demanding curriculum, appealing textbooks, and delicious food in the cafeteria.

As regards music education, knowing a bit about that too, I can guarantee that the only one worth having is outside of school in a reputable studio or music school.

It's really sad that parents are dazzled by the externals. Those won't help your kid when he goes from a luxurious atmosphere to a really stimulating yet comparatively gritty college and beyond.

I am all for private schools, but I don't judge them on their outward appearance. I want the best teachers, the sensible curriculum, the beautiful textbooks. Unfortunately, the bad fish is too often hidden in the sauce!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The free public school is not as nice as the pricey private school? Shocker.

It’s like driving an Audi when you can only afford a Ford Fit.

If you're only talking about buildings, your analogy might work. It's much deeper than that, though. There's the difference in cohort (SES and diversity), hand-holding, clout from parents, etc.

A school isn't made by the building. It's nice if the building is clean, hasn't working electricity and water. Beyond that, it's the students and teachers. And administration.

Haha. Have you read about the handholding that people demand from public schools?? Personal scribes, private busses, OT, PT, ESL etc. All on my dime. The handholding that people demand of public schools is nauseating.

You are referring to accommodations that are required by federal law.

And yet all of things wouldn’t given for "free’ at a private school. You would be paying for them. Hence, extreme handholding.

Actually, they are available to your child through the public school system, per federal law. If you choose not to take it vantage of that benefit of your tax dollars at work, then that is on you.

You are ignorant.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The free public school is not as nice as the pricey private school? Shocker.

It’s like driving an Audi when you can only afford a Ford Fit.

If you're only talking about buildings, your analogy might work. It's much deeper than that, though. There's the difference in cohort (SES and diversity), hand-holding, clout from parents, etc.

A school isn't made by the building. It's nice if the building is clean, hasn't working electricity and water. Beyond that, it's the students and teachers. And administration.

Haha. Have you read about the handholding that people demand from public schools?? Personal scribes, private busses, OT, PT, ESL etc. All on my dime. The handholding that people demand of public schools is nauseating.

I guess you would prefer my dyslexic child just fail and live on welfare..

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The free public school is not as nice as the pricey private school? Shocker.

It’s like driving an Audi when you can only afford a Ford Fit.

If you're only talking about buildings, your analogy might work. It's much deeper than that, though. There's the difference in cohort (SES and diversity), hand-holding, clout from parents, etc.

A school isn't made by the building. It's nice if the building is clean, hasn't working electricity and water. Beyond that, it's the students and teachers. And administration.

Haha. Have you read about the handholding that people demand from public schools?? Personal scribes, private busses, OT, PT, ESL etc. All on my dime. The handholding that people demand of public schools is nauseating.

You are referring to accommodations that are required by federal law.

And yet all of things wouldn’t given for "free’ at a private school. You would be paying for them. Hence, extreme handholding.

Anonymous wrote:OP, if you are in the South, private schools in the South were founded to avoid desegregation. I would be uncomfortable with that. Where are you?

This is only partially true. There are many private schools in the South that were founded long before schools were desegregated. FWIW, I did not attend a private school. However, I had a relative that did. The most exclusive private school in the city I am from was founded long before desegregation. It is probably still the most exclusive--and, FWIW, it is quite diverse now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The free public school is not as nice as the pricey private school? Shocker.

It’s like driving an Audi when you can only afford a Ford Fit.

If you're only talking about buildings, your analogy might work. It's much deeper than that, though. There's the difference in cohort (SES and diversity), hand-holding, clout from parents, etc.

A school isn't made by the building. It's nice if the building is clean, hasn't working electricity and water. Beyond that, it's the students and teachers. And administration.

Haha. Have you read about the handholding that people demand from public schools?? Personal scribes, private busses, OT, PT, ESL etc. All on my dime. The handholding that people demand of public schools is nauseating.

You are nauseating. And a jerk.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The free public school is not as nice as the pricey private school? Shocker.

It’s like driving an Audi when you can only afford a Ford Fit.

If you're only talking about buildings, your analogy might work. It's much deeper than that, though. There's the difference in cohort (SES and diversity), hand-holding, clout from parents, etc.

A school isn't made by the building. It's nice if the building is clean, hasn't working electricity and water. Beyond that, it's the students and teachers. And administration.

Haha. Have you read about the handholding that people demand from public schools?? Personal scribes, private busses, OT, PT, ESL etc. All on my dime. The handholding that people demand of public schools is nauseating.

You are referring to accommodations that are required by federal law.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yeah that's why I refuse to go on any fancy tours. My property taxes are high and the public schools are fine. By ignoring the private options for at least K-5 I will have a decent shot at paying the full cost of two college degrees.

Ok, but take money out of the equation.
Do you still feel the same way?

DP. I went to public but ride horses, so knew plenty of private school kids. They didn't get a better education than I did. My kids go to public school and I know some kids at private. It's not what I want for my kids, even if we had lots of disposable income.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yeah that's why I refuse to go on any fancy tours. My property taxes are high and the public schools are fine. By ignoring the private options for at least K-5 I will have a decent shot at paying the full cost of two college degrees.

Ok, but take money out of the equation.
Do you still feel the same way?

It depends on the specifics. I am pretty sure that no private school can offer what my child has at the Blair math and science magnet. It is such a perfect fit for him. No private school would be a better fit, or offer a curriculum that meets his needs better.

Beyond that, almost no one can leave money out of the equation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The free public school is not as nice as the pricey private school? Shocker.

It’s like driving an Audi when you can only afford a Ford Fit.

If you're only talking about buildings, your analogy might work. It's much deeper than that, though. There's the difference in cohort (SES and diversity), hand-holding, clout from parents, etc.

A school isn't made by the building. It's nice if the building is clean, hasn't working electricity and water. Beyond that, it's the students and teachers. And administration.

Haha. Have you read about the handholding that people demand from public schools?? Personal scribes, private busses, OT, PT, ESL etc. All on my dime. The handholding that people demand of public schools is nauseating.

Anonymous wrote:yeah that's why I refuse to go on any fancy tours. My property taxes are high and the public schools are fine. By ignoring the private options for at least K-5 I will have a decent shot at paying the full cost of two college degrees.

Ok, but take money out of the equation.
Do you still feel the same way?

yeah that's why I refuse to go on any fancy tours. My property taxes are high and the public schools are fine. By ignoring the private options for at least K-5 I will have a decent shot at paying the full cost of two college degrees.

Anonymous wrote:Is it hard to get in? Are you in New England?

Not New England
I’m not sure how hard it is to get in. My kid was evaluated, and is in. My child is a normal nice kid.

I went to a public school in NY that pretty much had all these things. When schools are town-based, in wealthy areas, and funded by local property taxes, the local community can do this. The small number of disadvantaged kids in the zone get the benefits, too.

None of the VA “good” districts are all that because of the county funding models.