Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand your "outrage." What difference does it make to your child if there is one other kindergarten class or 10? I would actually think it could be a benefit b/c that school's administrators are tuned into the needs of that age group.

How is that - they still have 300 1st graders and 300 2nd graders and 300 3rd graders. It was like a little city.

Even if they were "tuned into the needs of the age group" are they "tuned into the needs of the child" - I doubt it.

My child goes to a school with 30 kids per grade, 15 per class and he has no chance of flying under the radar (like I did).

One out of 300+ kids - the administration can't even put a name to the face.

My administration knows their name, parents, siblings, hobbies, personality.

That is what we needed for our child - I bet some kids would hate that - and one in a sea of 300 would be a relief to them.

The point is I had a choice in education because I did not buy a really expensive house.

Sometimes small classes/grades are not all they're cracked up to be. Yes, the teachers and admin will know your kids name. It also means that whoever they "decide or assess" you child to be is the identity he/she will be stuck with for the remainder of school. Sometimes flying under the radar a bit, assimilating into a larger community, and, generally learning to figure out who he/she is without being pigeon-holed at a young age can be a great gift for a child.

I like to think of a larger school as something akin to moving to a big city (more people, differences, opportunities, etc.) and small private schools akin to staying in a small town (can be comforting, but a bit provincial and coddling). Everyone needs to do what they think is best, but some of the things a good public school has to offer can be extraordinarily beneficial to a child.

I guess for some kids it might be ok. Personally for me and my child it's too much like a mill. Lots of faces blurred together trying to get out in the end. School is not just for academics. You're there for the majority of the day so I feel it should be as pleasant and fun as it can be. Being 1 of 300 little kids sounds scary. I

So sorry that your DC requires such a level of hand-holding and coddling! You sound a bit hysterical about the size of one school -- maybe that's why your DC has trouble adjusting. Hope by the time he gets to college he'll be better able to handle the realities of life (especially if he wants to go to a university).

Anonymous wrote:I have to say I'm baffled by the apparently robust market for mediocre private schools in this area. Make me wonder what people think they are buying. Social cachet? Small class sizes? Segregation from the rabble? A community of shared beliefs? Relief from chronic concerns about budget cuts, standardized testing, etc.? Because it's hard to make the case that the answer "a better education."

Well, it really depends on how you define a better education. My kids are at a non-Big 3, and I imagine some call it mediocre, in that it doesn't send huge numbers of kids to the Ivies every year. But I disagree. (And I think it is strange that parents look at that so much -- a very small percentage of kids are going to go Ivy, so shouldn't we all be more interested in how they are educating the rest of the class, rather than the top few? because odds are, your kid is in the REST of the class.) So to answer your question o what I am buying: very small class sizes, lots of "extras" like great art, music and science programs, an emphasis on character and kindness, teachers who know my child very well and who I feel are true partners, and a community of parents who prioritize these things. MANY of us sacrifice things like nice cars, nice vacations, bigger homes, etc, to afford this school, and I think surrounding ourselves with a community of people who value the school over those things has been a blessing.
And yes, there are filthy rich kids at the school too. But thank goodness for them, because the rest of us can't really donate much after we are done paying tuition!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand your "outrage." What difference does it make to your child if there is one other kindergarten class or 10? I would actually think it could be a benefit b/c that school's administrators are tuned into the needs of that age group.

How is that - they still have 300 1st graders and 300 2nd graders and 300 3rd graders. It was like a little city.

Even if they were "tuned into the needs of the age group" are they "tuned into the needs of the child" - I doubt it.

My child goes to a school with 30 kids per grade, 15 per class and he has no chance of flying under the radar (like I did).

One out of 300+ kids - the administration can't even put a name to the face.

My administration knows their name, parents, siblings, hobbies, personality.

That is what we needed for our child - I bet some kids would hate that - and one in a sea of 300 would be a relief to them.

The point is I had a choice in education because I did not buy a really expensive house.

Sometimes small classes/grades are not all they're cracked up to be. Yes, the teachers and admin will know your kids name. It also means that whoever they "decide or assess" you child to be is the identity he/she will be stuck with for the remainder of school. Sometimes flying under the radar a bit, assimilating into a larger community, and, generally learning to figure out who he/she is without being pigeon-holed at a young age can be a great gift for a child.

I like to think of a larger school as something akin to moving to a big city (more people, differences, opportunities, etc.) and small private schools akin to staying in a small town (can be comforting, but a bit provincial and coddling). Everyone needs to do what they think is best, but some of the things a good public school has to offer can be extraordinarily beneficial to a child.

I guess for some kids it might be ok. Personally for me and my child it's too much like a mill. Lots of faces blurred together trying to get out in the end. School is not just for academics. You're there for the majority of the day so I feel it should be as pleasant and fun as it can be. Being 1 of 300 little kids sounds scary. I

yep to afford the private school for 1 kid, we opted for a small home that is nearly paid for...only owe about 1 tuition's worth on it. yes, we are not as rich as the other kids, but we have enough to be happy.

Anonymous wrote:


Please please tell us what school this was. It cannot be in Montgomery County because the largest elementary in the county is Spark Matsunaga that about half of the size you quote. I wonder whether you are exaggerating.

Not that poster but Rosemary Hills has about 220 per grade, K-2. Obviously 220 is not 300 but it's still a lot.

sorry for the typos, moving too fast.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand your "outrage." What difference does it make to your child if there is one other kindergarten class or 10? I would actually think it could be a benefit b/c that school's administrators are tuned into the needs of that age group.

How is that - they still have 300 1st graders and 300 2nd graders and 300 3rd graders. It was like a little city.

Even if they were "tuned into the needs of the age group" are they "tuned into the needs of the child" - I doubt it.

My child goes to a school with 30 kids per grade, 15 per class and he has no chance of flying under the radar (like I did).

One out of 300+ kids - the administration can't even put a name to the face.

My administration knows their name, parents, siblings, hobbies, personality.

That is what we needed for our child - I bet some kids would hate that - and one in a sea of 300 would be a relief to them.

The point is I had a choice in education because I did not buy a really expensive house.

Sometimes small classes/grades are not all they're cracked up to be. Yes, the teachers and admin will know your kids name. It also means that whoever they "decide or assess" you child to be is the identity he/she will be stuck with for the remainder of school. Sometimes flying under the radar a bit, assimilating into a larger community, and, generally learning to figure out who he/she is without being pigeon-holed at a young age can be a great gift for a child.

I like to think of a larger school as something akin to moving to a big city (more people, differences, opportunities, etc.) and small private schools akin to staying in a small town (can be comforting, but a bit provincial and coddling). Everyone needs to do what they think is best, but some of the things a good public school has to offer can be extraordinarily beneficial to a child.

Anonymous wrote:
How is that - they still have 300 1st graders and 300 2nd graders and 300 3rd graders. It was like a little city.

Even if they were "tuned into the needs of the age group" are they "tuned into the needs of the child" - I doubt it.

My child goes to a school with 30 kids per grade, 15 per class and he has no chance of flying under the radar (like I did).

One out of 300+ kids - the administration can't even put a name to the face.

My administration knows their name, parents, siblings, hobbies, personality.

That is what we needed for our child - I bet some kids would hate that - and one in a sea of 300 would be a relief to them.

The point is I had a choice in education because I did not buy a really expensive house.

Please please tell us what school this was. It cannot be in Montgomery County because the largest elementary in the county is Spark Matsunaga that about half of the size you quote. I wonder whether you are exaggerating.

Anonymous wrote:Buy a house 15 years ago. No debt other than small mortgage. Both spouses with well paid jobs.

And only one child. That is how we do it.

Buy a house 15 years ago. No debt other than small mortgage. Both spouses with well paid jobs.

Anonymous wrote:

Seems like a really unfair characterization of public school teachers.

I can only base my opinion on my own experience (12 years worth) in pubic school. If other people have had different/better experiences, that's great. I also base my opinion on the fact that it simply isn't possible for one teacher/administrator keep up with the lives and goings on of more than a discrete number of children.

I went to public and private schools, and my kids have done the same. We've had great teachers, and bad teachers, in both public and private.

Question: why should the head of school be involved in your kid's life? I agree that teachers should be involved in your kid's education and maybe other needs to. And I can see getting the head involved if there's a bullying issue, or some other big issue -- but not otherwise. Do kids really need for every single adult in their lives to treat them like snowflakes?

USA=us

Anonymous wrote:I have to say I'm baffled by the apparently robust market for mediocre private schools in this area. Make me wonder what people think they are buying. Social cachet? Small class sizes? Segregation from the rabble? A community of shared beliefs? Relief from chronic concerns about budget cuts, standardized testing, etc.? Because it's hard to make the case that the answer "a better education."

Depends on the school and the alternative. No doubt, for example, that schools like Sidwell, GDS, NCS/St. Albans, are superior to the vast majority of schools private or public in the country. However, if you are choosing between, say TJ or Blair and one of these schools for your math/science loving child, then I agree that it would be hard to justify the price tag. However, if you are like USA and live in bounds for a poorly performing DCPS, and have a child at a Big 3/5, then for academic purposes alone, the price tag is worth it.

Seems like a really unfair characterization of public school teachers.

I can only base my opinion on my own experience (12 years worth) in pubic school. If other people have had different/better experiences, that's great. I also base my opinion on the fact that it simply isn't possible for one teacher/administrator keep up with the lives and goings on of more than a discrete number of children.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Make me wonder what people think they are buying. Social cachet? Small class sizes? Segregation from the rabble? A community of shared beliefs? Relief from chronic concerns about budget cuts, standardized testing, etc.?

Small class sizes, teachers and administrators who care about, notice, and keep up with the lives of the students.

Seems like a really unfair characterization of public school teachers.

NP responding: Maybe so, but the original comment ("... Social cachet? ... Segregation from the rabble? ...") seems like an equally unfair characterization of private school parents.