Anonymous wrote:Op, we left our “excellent” MCPS elementary (Whitman feeder district) after K for our oldest to go to our preK-8. We will never go back to public school.

We have three kids so the tuition is a significant portion of our income, and absolutely will reduce how much we will leave as an inheritance. But it doesn’t affect our college savings or retirement.

There differences in curriculum are significant, especially as they relate to reading. Our school teaches using phonics, which is not how MCPS teaches. My oldest didn’t learn to read in MCPS kindergarten, but their first grade teacher taught them and now they love reading.

There is also a significant difference in having PE almost daily and time to run around during snack time and recess daily. My kids also love having science, art, and music multiple times a week. You get those once a week in public.

There are other benefits to private school, but there are significant curriculum and structural differences other than the nice facilities and small class sizes.

Socially, give yourself time - have you had a chance to meet other parents at birthday parties? Hosted play dates? At young ages (private or public), friendships are facilitated by the parents. It took me a year or two to find “my people” at our private, although my kids found friends sooner.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, we left our “excellent” MCPS elementary (Whitman feeder district) after K for our oldest to go to our preK-8. We will never go back to public school.

We have three kids so the tuition is a significant portion of our income, and absolutely will reduce how much we will leave as an inheritance. But it doesn’t affect our college savings or retirement.

There differences in curriculum are significant, especially as they relate to reading. Our school teaches using phonics, which is not how MCPS teaches. My oldest didn’t learn to read in MCPS kindergarten, but their first grade teacher taught them and now they love reading.

There is also a significant difference in having PE almost daily and time to run around during snack time and recess daily. My kids also love having science, art, and music multiple times a week. You get those once a week in public.

There are other benefits to private school, but there are significant curriculum and structural differences other than the nice facilities and small class sizes.

Socially, give yourself time - have you had a chance to meet other parents at birthday parties? Hosted play dates? At young ages (private or public), friendships are facilitated by the parents. It took me a year or two to find “my people” at our private, although my kids found friends sooner.

MCPS has entirely revamped how they teach reading since your child was in K, and they do now teach phonics. Students in MCPS do also have PE daily in 6-8. Your one year of K in MCPS with a struggling learner below grade level is a relevant perspective for sure, and it’s great that your kids’ needs are now met. But I just wanted to correct a few of your points because there have been more recent curricular changes you may not be aware of.

How recent was this revamp? Our DD did MCPS K just two years ago and no phonics.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We opted to keep DS in an independent school K-12 although we had to make some financial (investment) sacrifices to do it.

He emerged with an amazing education, which directly fed him into a top college, where he's doing really, really well. In a couple of years he'll have multiple job offers around the $100,000 mark ... and then he can buy his own property and take his own vacations, if he wants.

We gave him the "present" of an education that was superior to that in the public schools in our affluent, high achieving zip code. We thought that was a better lifelong gift than a couple of safaris.

yea, no public school student around here went to ivies, got six figure offers out of college, etc..

I guess a public school student who is able to achieve the same as a private school student is actually a lot smarter and harder working since public schools suck so much.

It's not like Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google went to a public school...oh wait. He did. He went to Eleanor Roosevelt HS in Greenbelt in that dreadful, awful PG County School System that is the death knell of any student with ambition (so say the MCPS boosters). I also know private school students who went to college and got useless degrees and ended up working middle class jobs.

Where you go to school is only one potential indicator of financial success. A huge amount is also opportunity and what you choose to do with your education.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, we left our “excellent” MCPS elementary (Whitman feeder district) after K for our oldest to go to our preK-8. We will never go back to public school.

We have three kids so the tuition is a significant portion of our income, and absolutely will reduce how much we will leave as an inheritance. But it doesn’t affect our college savings or retirement.

There differences in curriculum are significant, especially as they relate to reading. Our school teaches using phonics, which is not how MCPS teaches. My oldest didn’t learn to read in MCPS kindergarten, but their first grade teacher taught them and now they love reading.

There is also a significant difference in having PE almost daily and time to run around during snack time and recess daily. My kids also love having science, art, and music multiple times a week. You get those once a week in public.

There are other benefits to private school, but there are significant curriculum and structural differences other than the nice facilities and small class sizes.

Socially, give yourself time - have you had a chance to meet other parents at birthday parties? Hosted play dates? At young ages (private or public), friendships are facilitated by the parents. It took me a year or two to find “my people” at our private, although my kids found friends sooner.

MCPS has entirely revamped how they teach reading since your child was in K, and they do now teach phonics. Students in MCPS do also have PE daily in 6-8. Your one year of K in MCPS with a struggling learner below grade level is a relevant perspective for sure, and it’s great that your kids’ needs are now met. But I just wanted to correct a few of your points because there have been more recent curricular changes you may not be aware of.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We opted to keep DS in an independent school K-12 although we had to make some financial (investment) sacrifices to do it.

He emerged with an amazing education, which directly fed him into a top college, where he's doing really, really well. In a couple of years he'll have multiple job offers around the $100,000 mark ... and then he can buy his own property and take his own vacations, if he wants.

We gave him the "present" of an education that was superior to that in the public schools in our affluent, high achieving zip code. We thought that was a better lifelong gift than a couple of safaris.

yea, no public school student around here went to ivies, got six figure offers out of college, etc..

I guess a public school student who is able to achieve the same as a private school student is actually a lot smarter and harder working since public schools suck so much.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who kids become as people largely depends on their experiences growing up. It depends on the type of family they have, but also on the teachers and friends. If I think my children will become more confident, able to stand up for themselves, comfortable around intelligent and educated people, feel valued as people, aim higher because of what they are exposed to, etc. then yes, it is worth it for me.

For us private school for 3 kids is a stretch, but we feel it’s totally worth it. We are at top private schools and that is all I know (and public). I don’t know if I would feel the same at other schools

I had to laugh at this post. As a public school family, my kids absolutely have all of those things. Come on. Comfortable around intelligent and educated people? My kids’ great great grandmothers are all college educated and everyone has advanced degrees. Two of my child’s public school teachers have PhDs this year. My kids are super confident and aim very high. MCPS, like any school or school system, certainly has flaws. But all the values PP listed can absolutely be emphasized for FREE at public.

We have been to both MCPS and Big 3…. Sorry, but you are wrong. The difference is huge in what the kids actually get (especially from the teachers and the smaller class size). But keep telling yourself whatever makes you feel better.

+1

Agree that those who "laugh at" the other post just do not know better.

I am the poster that laughed. If you read my post (and the post I was responding to), you would see that I did not say anything about “what the kids actually get” or “small class sizes.” I find it frankly offensive and condescending that you think I “just do not know better.” I think there are absolutely advantages and aspects private schools offer that make the investment worth it for some students or families. I just don’t think any of the things the person I was responding to are those things. That poster basically said private schools provide confidence, external motivation, comfort around intelligent people, and the ability to self-advocate. My point was that those things are easily and commonly provided at public schools and in the homes of public school families. Had the poster said she invests in private schools because she values small class sizes, single sex education (if applicable), student body where certain behaviors are screened or counseled out, etc. I’d say that yes, those are not things the public can or will offer.

Anonymous wrote:I tend to think kids should be in private if: their family has a load of money and easily pay tuition while also saving money/building wealth or if the kid has a special need that is not met in public school. Or you try public school and it's a disaster --kid gets lost in the crowd, is bored by everything going at the same place, behavior problems in the classroom, etc. Then private makes sense, only if you can afford it without a lot of sacrifice and can still keep your finances in good shape.

Anonymous wrote:Op, we left our “excellent” MCPS elementary (Whitman feeder district) after K for our oldest to go to our preK-8. We will never go back to public school.

We have three kids so the tuition is a significant portion of our income, and absolutely will reduce how much we will leave as an inheritance. But it doesn’t affect our college savings or retirement.

There differences in curriculum are significant, especially as they relate to reading. Our school teaches using phonics, which is not how MCPS teaches. My oldest didn’t learn to read in MCPS kindergarten, but their first grade teacher taught them and now they love reading.

There is also a significant difference in having PE almost daily and time to run around during snack time and recess daily. My kids also love having science, art, and music multiple times a week. You get those once a week in public.

There are other benefits to private school, but there are significant curriculum and structural differences other than the nice facilities and small class sizes.

Socially, give yourself time - have you had a chance to meet other parents at birthday parties? Hosted play dates? At young ages (private or public), friendships are facilitated by the parents. It took me a year or two to find “my people” at our private, although my kids found friends sooner.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We opted to keep DS in an independent school K-12 although we had to make some financial (investment) sacrifices to do it.

He emerged with an amazing education, which directly fed him into a top college, where he's doing really, really well. In a couple of years he'll have multiple job offers around the $100,000 mark ... and then he can buy his own property and take his own vacations, if he wants.

We gave him the "present" of an education that was superior to that in the public schools in our affluent, high achieving zip code. We thought that was a better lifelong gift than a couple of safaris.

Our kids make that money and they went to public schools and state colleges. You’re drawing a connection between one and the other where there very likely isn’t one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who kids become as people largely depends on their experiences growing up. It depends on the type of family they have, but also on the teachers and friends. If I think my children will become more confident, able to stand up for themselves, comfortable around intelligent and educated people, feel valued as people, aim higher because of what they are exposed to, etc. then yes, it is worth it for me.

For us private school for 3 kids is a stretch, but we feel it’s totally worth it. We are at top private schools and that is all I know (and public). I don’t know if I would feel the same at other schools

I had to laugh at this post. As a public school family, my kids absolutely have all of those things. Come on. Comfortable around intelligent and educated people? My kids’ great great grandmothers are all college educated and everyone has advanced degrees. Two of my child’s public school teachers have PhDs this year. My kids are super confident and aim very high. MCPS, like any school or school system, certainly has flaws. But all the values PP listed can absolutely be emphasized for FREE at public.

We have been to both MCPS and Big 3…. Sorry, but you are wrong. The difference is huge in what the kids actually get (especially from the teachers and the smaller class size). But keep telling yourself whatever makes you feel better.

+1

Agree that those who "laugh at" the other post just do not know better.

Anonymous wrote:We opted to keep DS in an independent school K-12 although we had to make some financial (investment) sacrifices to do it.

He emerged with an amazing education, which directly fed him into a top college, where he's doing really, really well. In a couple of years he'll have multiple job offers around the $100,000 mark ... and then he can buy his own property and take his own vacations, if he wants.

We gave him the "present" of an education that was superior to that in the public schools in our affluent, high achieving zip code. We thought that was a better lifelong gift than a couple of safaris.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who kids become as people largely depends on their experiences growing up. It depends on the type of family they have, but also on the teachers and friends. If I think my children will become more confident, able to stand up for themselves, comfortable around intelligent and educated people, feel valued as people, aim higher because of what they are exposed to, etc. then yes, it is worth it for me.

For us private school for 3 kids is a stretch, but we feel it’s totally worth it. We are at top private schools and that is all I know (and public). I don’t know if I would feel the same at other schools

I had to laugh at this post. As a public school family, my kids absolutely have all of those things. Come on. Comfortable around intelligent and educated people? My kids’ great great grandmothers are all college educated and everyone has advanced degrees. Two of my child’s public school teachers have PhDs this year. My kids are super confident and aim very high. MCPS, like any school or school system, certainly has flaws. But all the values PP listed can absolutely be emphasized for FREE at public.

We have been to both MCPS and Big 3…. Sorry, but you are wrong. The difference is huge in what the kids actually get (especially from the teachers and the smaller class size). But keep telling yourself whatever makes you feel better.

NP:
The OP's child isn't at a Big 3... your comment is irrelevant. No pk-8 in DMV is like a Big 3. (and the Cathedral schools only start in 4th, so no way to compare K there either!)
You are not comparing what the discussion is about: excellent MCPS elem vs k-8.

We have children who went k-8 and then Big 3 for HS. Having observed the Big 3 for many years now and speaking with "lifer" families or families that joined in middle school - I MUCH prefer our k-8 school, its programs, its culture, its community over the Big 3 for those grades. If your kid is strong enough to get into a Big 3 for HS admissions - then the k-8 plus Big 3 is the superior route. K-8 does a much better job at early and middle grade education and social/emotional development.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who kids become as people largely depends on their experiences growing up. It depends on the type of family they have, but also on the teachers and friends. If I think my children will become more confident, able to stand up for themselves, comfortable around intelligent and educated people, feel valued as people, aim higher because of what they are exposed to, etc. then yes, it is worth it for me.

For us private school for 3 kids is a stretch, but we feel it’s totally worth it. We are at top private schools and that is all I know (and public). I don’t know if I would feel the same at other schools

I had to laugh at this post. As a public school family, my kids absolutely have all of those things. Come on. Comfortable around intelligent and educated people? My kids’ great great grandmothers are all college educated and everyone has advanced degrees. Two of my child’s public school teachers have PhDs this year. My kids are super confident and aim very high. MCPS, like any school or school system, certainly has flaws. But all the values PP listed can absolutely be emphasized for FREE at public.

We have been to both MCPS and Big 3…. Sorry, but you are wrong. The difference is huge in what the kids actually get (especially from the teachers and the smaller class size). But keep telling yourself whatever makes you feel better.

NP:
The OP's child isn't at a Big 3... your comment is irrelevant. No pk-8 in DMV is like a Big 3. (and the Cathedral schools only start in 4th, so no way to compare K there either!)
You are not comparing what the discussion is about: excellent MCPS elem vs k-8.

There are a very small handful of K-8s in DC and Va. that are actually better than what is currently on offer at MCPS. No one in the BCC / Ws residential neighborhoods want to believe this, and they'll tell you that the younger grades are just about coloring, or something. And my g0d did you SEE HOW ACCELERATED our math tracks can get????? Did I mention MATH???

There's more to those 9 years than how fast you can blow through Algebra a mile wide and an inch deep. The 2-3 K/8s that I know well do it better

This doesn’t need to be a war where you put down other schools. The W schools and BCC are great but not a fit for all students. There are also great privates, but not all are a fit for all students. There are also some privates that are not super impressive academically but have other great aspects that certain students/families prioritize. All of you should be so thankful you have so many good options to choose from when some people have no good options and no choices.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who kids become as people largely depends on their experiences growing up. It depends on the type of family they have, but also on the teachers and friends. If I think my children will become more confident, able to stand up for themselves, comfortable around intelligent and educated people, feel valued as people, aim higher because of what they are exposed to, etc. then yes, it is worth it for me.

For us private school for 3 kids is a stretch, but we feel it’s totally worth it. We are at top private schools and that is all I know (and public). I don’t know if I would feel the same at other schools

I had to laugh at this post. As a public school family, my kids absolutely have all of those things. Come on. Comfortable around intelligent and educated people? My kids’ great great grandmothers are all college educated and everyone has advanced degrees. Two of my child’s public school teachers have PhDs this year. My kids are super confident and aim very high. MCPS, like any school or school system, certainly has flaws. But all the values PP listed can absolutely be emphasized for FREE at public.

We have been to both MCPS and Big 3…. Sorry, but you are wrong. The difference is huge in what the kids actually get (especially from the teachers and the smaller class size). But keep telling yourself whatever makes you feel better.