Do we know where the $175M came from specifically? The in-house poster made reference to resources but what is the form of those resources? Debt? Equity? Chinese government money? Institutional money? This isn't an endowment of some sort. I'm not quite sure why that isn't discussed in greater depth.

Are these investors looking for a return like all investors? How? Through dividends and distributions? When are they projected to be profitable? Anyone seen pro formas?

Or is it investment in the form of a cash infusion from a foreign government with a very clear agenda that differs from the general educational philosophy of most parents that would send their kids to other DC independent schools? Will Tianaman Square be taught? Belt and Road? Resource stripping investments in Africa? Support of brutal regimes that are otherwise financially beneficial to the investor? The Great Firewall?

I just think it's bizarre for parents to consider sending their kids to a school without a clear understanding of its motivation, backers, philosophy, financial objectives and backstory.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not a matter of being down on the school, but at the moment, it is 1990's style vaporware. Anyone can promise the moon, but why would anyone want to risk their kids education to be the first ones in, and at a steep financial cost?

PP here, and I haven't read the whole thread, but this is again why I think business/MBA types might be interested in the school. Huge risk, but they get to be on the ground floor of a whole new school movement that may shake things up in the private school world. They liked the pitch and the players, and decided to go for it.

And let's be real, their kids' educations won't be ruined by one year at this school. And if they have 50K to use in this way, I doubt it's a steep financial cost to them.

But unlike getting in on the ground floor of an investment, you can already equal returns elsewhere at other schools. There's no benefit to being the first.

The benefit is saying you were there. Perhaps I'm overestimating the likelihood of people going for this. Of course, people who are more risk-averse are going to stay away. But I'm thinking of people who might approach this like a venture capitalist, but not for the financial return--people who like the model and are intrigued enough to enroll their kids. If you're legit rich, your kids will be fine, so what's the down side?

Also, is there one already open in NYC, I think I read? It seems there'd be more Wall St. types etc. willing to go for this type of school there than in DC.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not a matter of being down on the school, but at the moment, it is 1990's style vaporware. Anyone can promise the moon, but why would anyone want to risk their kids education to be the first ones in, and at a steep financial cost?

PP here, and I haven't read the whole thread, but this is again why I think business/MBA types might be interested in the school. Huge risk, but they get to be on the ground floor of a whole new school movement that may shake things up in the private school world. They liked the pitch and the players, and decided to go for it.

And let's be real, their kids' educations won't be ruined by one year at this school. And if they have 50K to use in this way, I doubt it's a steep financial cost to them.

But unlike getting in on the ground floor of an investment, you can already equal returns elsewhere at other schools. There's no benefit to being the first.

The benefit is saying you were there. Perhaps I'm overestimating the likelihood of people going for this. Of course, people who are more risk-averse are going to stay away. But I'm thinking of people who might approach this like a venture capitalist, but not for the financial return--people who like the model and are intrigued enough to enroll their kids. If you're legit rich, your kids will be fine, so what's the down side?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure it's the perfect school for the Gwyneth Paltrows of DC. Expensive, light, fluffy, unsubstantiated, faddish.

If this is what "light fluffy and unsubstantiated" looks like, then I would take it if I could afford it.....very heavy hitters there from the most established educational institutions of our day... ( I am not affiliated with any school!..am a concerned parent trying to get informed so please stop with the bashing.. )

https://www.whittleschool.org/en/team/education-design/

Wow, first time clicking on any Whittle links. Definitely heavy hitters, and an ambitious curriculum. I could see some people being interested in this, especially business types (given Chinese language). It does say, however, that future schools may open that offer Spanish and additional languages.

Not sure why everyone is so down on the school, but I wish them luck.

Sure, Jan.

PP here. I never get this Jan joke, but whatever. I actually have no interest in this school myself, as I'm not interested in Chinese language immersion. I have a child enrolled in another language immersion school. This was my first comment on this thread.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure it's the perfect school for the Gwyneth Paltrows of DC. Expensive, light, fluffy, unsubstantiated, faddish.

If this is what "light fluffy and unsubstantiated" looks like, then I would take it if I could afford it.....very heavy hitters there from the most established educational institutions of our day... ( I am not affiliated with any school!..am a concerned parent trying to get informed so please stop with the bashing.. )

https://www.whittleschool.org/en/team/education-design/

Wow, first time clicking on any Whittle links. Definitely heavy hitters, and an ambitious curriculum. I could see some people being interested in this, especially business types (given Chinese language). It does say, however, that future schools may open that offer Spanish and additional languages.

Not sure why everyone is so down on the school, but I wish them luck.

Sure, Jan.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure it's the perfect school for the Gwyneth Paltrows of DC. Expensive, light, fluffy, unsubstantiated, faddish.

If this is what "light fluffy and unsubstantiated" looks like, then I would take it if I could afford it.....very heavy hitters there from the most established educational institutions of our day... ( I am not affiliated with any school!..am a concerned parent trying to get informed so please stop with the bashing.. )

https://www.whittleschool.org/en/team/education-design/

Why would I want my kid to go to a school with a "product development" staff???

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not a matter of being down on the school, but at the moment, it is 1990's style vaporware. Anyone can promise the moon, but why would anyone want to risk their kids education to be the first ones in, and at a steep financial cost?

PP here, and I haven't read the whole thread, but this is again why I think business/MBA types might be interested in the school. Huge risk, but they get to be on the ground floor of a whole new school movement that may shake things up in the private school world. They liked the pitch and the players, and decided to go for it.

And let's be real, their kids' educations won't be ruined by one year at this school. And if they have 50K to use in this way, I doubt it's a steep financial cost to them.

But unlike getting in on the ground floor of an investment, you can already equal returns elsewhere at other schools. There's no benefit to being the first.

Is the school inviting everyone to apply now? They say they are still accepting applications.

Anonymous wrote:It's not a matter of being down on the school, but at the moment, it is 1990's style vaporware. Anyone can promise the moon, but why would anyone want to risk their kids education to be the first ones in, and at a steep financial cost?

PP here, and I haven't read the whole thread, but this is again why I think business/MBA types might be interested in the school. Huge risk, but they get to be on the ground floor of a whole new school movement that may shake things up in the private school world. They liked the pitch and the players, and decided to go for it.

And let's be real, their kids' educations won't be ruined by one year at this school. And if they have 50K to use in this way, I doubt it's a steep financial cost to them.

It's not a matter of being down on the school, but at the moment, it is 1990's style vaporware. Anyone can promise the moon, but why would anyone want to risk their kids education to be the first ones in, and at a steep financial cost?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure it's the perfect school for the Gwyneth Paltrows of DC. Expensive, light, fluffy, unsubstantiated, faddish.

If this is what "light fluffy and unsubstantiated" looks like, then I would take it if I could afford it.....very heavy hitters there from the most established educational institutions of our day... ( I am not affiliated with any school!..am a concerned parent trying to get informed so please stop with the bashing.. )

https://www.whittleschool.org/en/team/education-design/

Wow, first time clicking on any Whittle links. Definitely heavy hitters, and an ambitious curriculum. I could see some people being interested in this, especially business types (given Chinese language). It does say, however, that future schools may open that offer Spanish and additional languages.

Not sure why everyone is so down on the school, but I wish them luck.

I can't believe there is 26 pages on this "school". So tired of seeing it at the top of the topic lists.

Pay $51k for an unaccredited school that is overpromising what it can provide to its students.

Go for it.

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure it's the perfect school for the Gwyneth Paltrows of DC. Expensive, light, fluffy, unsubstantiated, faddish.

If this is what "light fluffy and unsubstantiated" looks like, then I would take it if I could afford it.....very heavy hitters there from the most established educational institutions of our day... ( I am not affiliated with any school!..am a concerned parent trying to get informed so please stop with the bashing.. )

https://www.whittleschool.org/en/team/education-design/

I'm sure it's the perfect school for the Gwyneth Paltrows of DC. Expensive, light, fluffy, unsubstantiated, faddish.