Anonymous
Post 12/07/2024 18:39     Subject: Re:People with $1.2M+ homes and getting significant financial aid
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
We are at a Title I DCPS school applying to private middle school. There are wonderful students at our school, from working-class families, who would be so uplifted by a chance at a strong private school. My DC has an outstanding classmate and we've sought to support this child's parent in their applications.

But as I'm going through this, I see that the process itself is such a barrier to low-income families. The essays alone are insane. How is a parent without a college degree supposed to write these? The process feels like an intentional screen for professional-class families. Once the admissions office gets to FA decisions, the families who made it all the way through and who have the greatest "need" are still professional-class families with six-figure HHI.



This is 100% it. The schools, donors, and families want only as much diversity as possible to say they are diverse but not disrupt their bubble. The full pay families consider the lower 6 figure HHI to be poor so that’s the socioeconomic diversity


I think most people would much rather FA go to families who truly deserve it and bring diversity (or some other benefit to the school) than to our neighbors gaming the system. And the grifters know this otherwise they would be upfront about receiving FA. Instead they keep it a secret like the family I just heard about getting FA at multiple schools for their multiple just regular white kids while living in some of the nicest neighborhoods around. No one would ever guess.

Why do you think a family’s finances are your business that they should be “upfront” with you about their FA status? “Oh, hi, I’m Larlo’s mom, nice to meet you. We make $80k a year and get aid, what about you?” Give me a break.


Yes, that way they can be looked down upon and made to feel inferior at regular intervals, and the FA donors can have their egos stroked. Actually, the ideal would be if everyone who got FA had to wear signs with their household income on it while at school events so everyone else could judge their worthiness. /s





Only if the signs included pictures of their fancy house and expensive cars and screenshots of the grandparent's assets and gifts to the children.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2024 18:35     Subject: Re:People with $1.2M+ homes and getting significant financial aid
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
We are at a Title I DCPS school applying to private middle school. There are wonderful students at our school, from working-class families, who would be so uplifted by a chance at a strong private school. My DC has an outstanding classmate and we've sought to support this child's parent in their applications.

But as I'm going through this, I see that the process itself is such a barrier to low-income families. The essays alone are insane. How is a parent without a college degree supposed to write these? The process feels like an intentional screen for professional-class families. Once the admissions office gets to FA decisions, the families who made it all the way through and who have the greatest "need" are still professional-class families with six-figure HHI.



This is 100% it. The schools, donors, and families want only as much diversity as possible to say they are diverse but not disrupt their bubble. The full pay families consider the lower 6 figure HHI to be poor so that’s the socioeconomic diversity


I think most people would much rather FA go to families who truly deserve it and bring diversity (or some other benefit to the school) than to our neighbors gaming the system. And the grifters know this otherwise they would be upfront about receiving FA. Instead they keep it a secret like the family I just heard about getting FA at multiple schools for their multiple just regular white kids while living in some of the nicest neighborhoods around. No one would ever guess.

Why do you think a family’s finances are your business that they should be “upfront” with you about their FA status? “Oh, hi, I’m Larlo’s mom, nice to meet you. We make $80k a year and get aid, what about you?” Give me a break.


Yes, that way they can be looked down upon and made to feel inferior at regular intervals, and the FA donors can have their egos stroked. Actually, the ideal would be if everyone who got FA had to wear signs with their household income on it while at school events so everyone else could judge their worthiness. /s
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2024 14:47     Subject: People with $1.2M+ homes and getting significant financial aid
It’s not anyone’s business but most of the people who I know are on FA are open about it - as in we wouldn’t be able to do this without FA. I think that the people who know it’s absurd that they get it - as in living in really nice houses, driving nice cars, going to Nantucket for two weeks every summer etc are much more secretive about it.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2024 14:28     Subject: Re:People with $1.2M+ homes and getting significant financial aid
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
We are at a Title I DCPS school applying to private middle school. There are wonderful students at our school, from working-class families, who would be so uplifted by a chance at a strong private school. My DC has an outstanding classmate and we've sought to support this child's parent in their applications.

But as I'm going through this, I see that the process itself is such a barrier to low-income families. The essays alone are insane. How is a parent without a college degree supposed to write these? The process feels like an intentional screen for professional-class families. Once the admissions office gets to FA decisions, the families who made it all the way through and who have the greatest "need" are still professional-class families with six-figure HHI.



This is 100% it. The schools, donors, and families want only as much diversity as possible to say they are diverse but not disrupt their bubble. The full pay families consider the lower 6 figure HHI to be poor so that’s the socioeconomic diversity


I think most people would much rather FA go to families who truly deserve it and bring diversity (or some other benefit to the school) than to our neighbors gaming the system. And the grifters know this otherwise they would be upfront about receiving FA. Instead they keep it a secret like the family I just heard about getting FA at multiple schools for their multiple just regular white kids while living in some of the nicest neighborhoods around. No one would ever guess.

Why do you think a family’s finances are your business that they should be “upfront” with you about their FA status? “Oh, hi, I’m Larlo’s mom, nice to meet you. We make $80k a year and get aid, what about you?” Give me a break.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2024 13:50     Subject: Re:People with $1.2M+ homes and getting significant financial aid
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
We are at a Title I DCPS school applying to private middle school. There are wonderful students at our school, from working-class families, who would be so uplifted by a chance at a strong private school. My DC has an outstanding classmate and we've sought to support this child's parent in their applications.

But as I'm going through this, I see that the process itself is such a barrier to low-income families. The essays alone are insane. How is a parent without a college degree supposed to write these? The process feels like an intentional screen for professional-class families. Once the admissions office gets to FA decisions, the families who made it all the way through and who have the greatest "need" are still professional-class families with six-figure HHI.



This is 100% it. The schools, donors, and families want only as much diversity as possible to say they are diverse but not disrupt their bubble. The full pay families consider the lower 6 figure HHI to be poor so that’s the socioeconomic diversity


I think most people would much rather FA go to families who truly deserve it and bring diversity (or some other benefit to the school) than to our neighbors gaming the system. And the grifters know this otherwise they would be upfront about receiving FA. Instead they keep it a secret like the family I just heard about getting FA at multiple schools for their multiple just regular white kids while living in some of the nicest neighborhoods around. No one would ever guess.


People aren’t upfront about receiving FA or how much, because it’s personal and sends signals about a family’s financial situation, not because they are grifters. And given the amount of judgement on this thread, I don’t blame them.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2024 09:20     Subject: People with $1.2M+ homes and getting significant financial aid
Once you VOLUNTARILY give money to the school in the form of tuition, the school can do whatever it wants to REGARDLESS whatever you think what it should or should not do. If you don't like it, do not go to that school. Why is it so hard to understand?
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2024 08:26     Subject: Re:People with $1.2M+ homes and getting significant financial aid
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
We are at a Title I DCPS school applying to private middle school. There are wonderful students at our school, from working-class families, who would be so uplifted by a chance at a strong private school. My DC has an outstanding classmate and we've sought to support this child's parent in their applications.

But as I'm going through this, I see that the process itself is such a barrier to low-income families. The essays alone are insane. How is a parent without a college degree supposed to write these? The process feels like an intentional screen for professional-class families. Once the admissions office gets to FA decisions, the families who made it all the way through and who have the greatest "need" are still professional-class families with six-figure HHI.



This is 100% it. The schools, donors, and families want only as much diversity as possible to say they are diverse but not disrupt their bubble. The full pay families consider the lower 6 figure HHI to be poor so that’s the socioeconomic diversity


I think most people would much rather FA go to families who truly deserve it and bring diversity (or some other benefit to the school) than to our neighbors gaming the system. And the grifters know this otherwise they would be upfront about receiving FA. Instead they keep it a secret like the family I just heard about getting FA at multiple schools for their multiple just regular white kids while living in some of the nicest neighborhoods around. No one would ever guess.
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2024 20:55     Subject: People with $1.2M+ homes and getting significant financial aid
Anonymous wrote:


O my goodness, no. I know kids who travel back and forth across the city every day for school and are not in remedial classes or have SNs. They would do just as well or better than the bottom 20% of the kids at your school who are there because their families can pay and not because they are particularly good students. But you keep rationalizing giving FA to folks making $350-400k rather than people for whom FA would be life-changing.


“Most truly low income kids”. I also have a hard time believing the kids you know who travel like this are truly low income and not just DCUM poor. I don’t think $350k-400k families should get aid. I am checked into reality enough to know that a full ride to an elite private only takes away 1 of many hurdles.


Because you don’t know any of these kids and families. Because you live in a bubble of wealth. Good lord. Yes, my kids went to school with truly low income kids. How do you think you can even comment on this when you are so ignorant?
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2024 20:42     Subject: Re:People with $1.2M+ homes and getting significant financial aid
Anonymous wrote:
We are at a Title I DCPS school applying to private middle school. There are wonderful students at our school, from working-class families, who would be so uplifted by a chance at a strong private school. My DC has an outstanding classmate and we've sought to support this child's parent in their applications.

But as I'm going through this, I see that the process itself is such a barrier to low-income families. The essays alone are insane. How is a parent without a college degree supposed to write these? The process feels like an intentional screen for professional-class families. Once the admissions office gets to FA decisions, the families who made it all the way through and who have the greatest "need" are still professional-class families with six-figure HHI.



This is 100% it. The schools, donors, and families want only as much diversity as possible to say they are diverse but not disrupt their bubble. The full pay families consider the lower 6 figure HHI to be poor so that’s the socioeconomic diversity
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2024 19:25     Subject: Re:People with $1.2M+ homes and getting significant financial aid

We are at a Title I DCPS school applying to private middle school. There are wonderful students at our school, from working-class families, who would be so uplifted by a chance at a strong private school. My DC has an outstanding classmate and we've sought to support this child's parent in their applications.

But as I'm going through this, I see that the process itself is such a barrier to low-income families. The essays alone are insane. How is a parent without a college degree supposed to write these? The process feels like an intentional screen for professional-class families. Once the admissions office gets to FA decisions, the families who made it all the way through and who have the greatest "need" are still professional-class families with six-figure HHI.
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2024 18:56     Subject: People with $1.2M+ homes and getting significant financial aid


O my goodness, no. I know kids who travel back and forth across the city every day for school and are not in remedial classes or have SNs. They would do just as well or better than the bottom 20% of the kids at your school who are there because their families can pay and not because they are particularly good students. But you keep rationalizing giving FA to folks making $350-400k rather than people for whom FA would be life-changing.


“Most truly low income kids”. I also have a hard time believing the kids you know who travel like this are truly low income and not just DCUM poor. I don’t think $350k-400k families should get aid. I am checked into reality enough to know that a full ride to an elite private only takes away 1 of many hurdles.
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2024 17:46     Subject: People with $1.2M+ homes and getting significant financial aid
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The question in my mind is who is really here FA? Who is the wealth being redistributed to. I think that if it’s a moral question of whether you believe that a schools student body should be made up if (1) the very best academic students regardless family income, (2) the very best athletes regardless of income, (3) a mix of students from different economic backgrounds. I have a problem with 3. I support 1 and 2.

FA isn’t really being used for those purposes however and plays a different role. It’s bragging rights here in DC about amount of aid, #of families on aid, diversity of student population. So there isn’t really an incentive to insure that FA is being appropriately awarded only for purposed (1) and (2).


Why is #2 more important to you than #3? Why are athletics more important than any other activity?

For me, it’s a blend of 1 and 3. FA should be for kids who are good academically and could otherwise not afford the tuition.


Because schools take pride in athletics and rich kids are not winning basketball titles
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2024 17:45     Subject: People with $1.2M+ homes and getting significant financial aid
Anonymous wrote:Most truly low income kids could not attend a private school in this area because of the costs beyond tuition. Even if those families got 100% off tuition and a stipend for other expenses like transportation, uniforms, extracurriculars, and school trips there are still other barriers in place. The commute time cutting into hours they need to be working or helping watch younger family members. Then you have to factor in the different needs those students have. Low income students disproportionately need ELL services and accommodations for special needs. Even if there aren’t diagnosed disabilities or delays these students are typically in remedial classes so low that they aren’t offered at area privates. This is not because the students aren’t capable but they do not have the same support and resources at home. The wonder stories you hear about a homeless child graduating at an elite private school and going on to an Ivy are rare outliers. Students need familial support and guidance to succeed at these types of schools. DCUM is so disconnected from reality that saying “truly poor kids” means kids who have hhi of 150-250k who can afford to be at the k-8 with their kids but can’t swing the 40-50k for a private high school. Kids who are in the periphery of the upper class lifestyle through sports and extracurriculars but not at the country clubs or expensive international trips. Kids who blend in easily and don’t disrupt thw environment too much.


O my goodness, no. I know kids who travel back and forth across the city every day for school and are not in remedial classes or have SNs. They would do just as well or better than the bottom 20% of the kids at your school who are there because their families can pay and not because they are particularly good students. But you keep rationalizing giving FA to folks making $350-400k rather than people for whom FA would be life-changing.
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2024 17:35     Subject: People with $1.2M+ homes and getting significant financial aid
Anonymous wrote:The question in my mind is who is really here FA? Who is the wealth being redistributed to. I think that if it’s a moral question of whether you believe that a schools student body should be made up if (1) the very best academic students regardless family income, (2) the very best athletes regardless of income, (3) a mix of students from different economic backgrounds. I have a problem with 3. I support 1 and 2.

FA isn’t really being used for those purposes however and plays a different role. It’s bragging rights here in DC about amount of aid, #of families on aid, diversity of student population. So there isn’t really an incentive to insure that FA is being appropriately awarded only for purposed (1) and (2).


Why is #2 more important to you than #3? Why are athletics more important than any other activity?

For me, it’s a blend of 1 and 3. FA should be for kids who are good academically and could otherwise not afford the tuition.
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2024 17:06     Subject: People with $1.2M+ homes and getting significant financial aid
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know of multiple kids who get 50% off and they live it 1.5M homes and higher in McLean and Bethesda and are receiving significant financial aid for their kid in a top school. Also worthy of note- these are not top athletes, students, etc.

Anyone else seeing this?


Should be obvious that having some people not pay their fair share means that some people are paying more than theirs.

This will continue driving tuition up and up and up until parents stand up to the insanity.


Well, based on this thread they will never stand up to the insanity because their being full pay shows that they are “moral” and “did the right things” and “made smart financial decisions.” So they’ll continue to shell out and other savvier parents will get the discounts.