Anonymous
04/23/2026 10:46
Subject: Any benefit of private elementary school?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Today I visited a good public elementary school in DC. While I understand that kids in public high schools may have some behavioral issues, what I saw at the elementary level was that this public school is much better than my current private school.
To begin with, it has four different teachers specialized in math, science, social studies, and English. At our current private school, which is considered “elite,” the homeroom teacher teaches all of those subjects, and not especially well to begin with.
Yes, class sizes are slightly bigger in the public school, but are there really any meaningful benefits to a private elementary school? At least compared with our current private school, I could not see any major advantage.
The science class in public school meets 45 mins a week and is a joke at least in the one we went. Never heard math was taught by a different teacher. Which grade!
I also want to know which school has different subject teachers. Although if the kids aren't grouped by ability, I don't know if that would make much difference in elementary. All elementary teachers learn how to teach all the basic subjects.
Anonymous
04/23/2026 10:43
Subject: Any benefit of private elementary school?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Today I visited a good public elementary school in DC. While I understand that kids in public high schools may have some behavioral issues, what I saw at the elementary level was that this public school is much better than my current private school.
To begin with, it has four different teachers specialized in math, science, social studies, and English. At our current private school, which is considered “elite,” the homeroom teacher teaches all of those subjects, and not especially well to begin with.
Yes, class sizes are slightly bigger in the public school, but are there really any meaningful benefits to a private elementary school? At least compared with our current private school, I could not see any major advantage.
The science class in public school meets 45 mins a week and is a joke at least in the one we went. Never heard math was taught by a different teacher. Which grade!
In our public elementary they just focused on reading and math as core subjects. Very little social studies or science. I did think they did a good job with library, music, and PE. Transferred to private where they are now learning grammar, spelling, science, social studies/ geography. It did result in less PE time, but nothing is perfect.
Anonymous
04/23/2026 07:49
Subject: Any benefit of private elementary school?
Anonymous wrote:Today I visited a good public elementary school in DC. While I understand that kids in public high schools may have some behavioral issues, what I saw at the elementary level was that this public school is much better than my current private school.
To begin with, it has four different teachers specialized in math, science, social studies, and English. At our current private school, which is considered “elite,” the homeroom teacher teaches all of those subjects, and not especially well to begin with.
Yes, class sizes are slightly bigger in the public school, but are there really any meaningful benefits to a private elementary school? At least compared with our current private school, I could not see any major advantage.
The science class in public school meets 45 mins a week and is a joke at least in the one we went. Never heard math was taught by a different teacher. Which grade!
Anonymous
04/22/2026 14:21
Subject: Any benefit of private elementary school?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Slightly bigger class sizes?
I feel like you are just stirring the private/public debate once again
In public there are 20 kids per classroom, and in our private 12. Yes, slightly bigger.
What public only has 20 kids per classroom in elementary school?
Mann
+1. We had 21 kids one time at Mann, but the other years (7 total between two kids) have had between 18-20. Always two full-time teachers per class.
Anonymous
04/22/2026 11:21
Subject: Any benefit of private elementary school?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Today I visited a good public elementary school in DC. While I understand that kids in public high schools may have some behavioral issues, what I saw at the elementary level was that this public school is much better than my current private school.
To begin with, it has four different teachers specialized in math, science, social studies, and English. At our current private school, which is considered “elite,” the homeroom teacher teaches all of those subjects, and not especially well to begin with.
Yes, class sizes are slightly bigger in the public school, but are there really any meaningful benefits to a private elementary school? At least compared with our current private school, I could not see any major advantage.
So... why did you opt for private school in the first place?
Well, there is not always the perfect match for a private school. So in this case it was not a good match.
Why do people get divorced? Why did you change jobs? Same thing.
Right, but I want to know what drew OP to her private school in the first place? Maybe those things are also valuable, despite what she's saying about specialized teaching at the public. I'd also want to know why she was visiting the public. Was it for a special event or day? Because you can't really know how well a given school is walking the talk based on one 2 hour visit that the school admin/staff was prepped for.
Anonymous
04/22/2026 11:19
Subject: Any benefit of private elementary school?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Today I visited a good public elementary school in DC. While I understand that kids in public high schools may have some behavioral issues, what I saw at the elementary level was that this public school is much better than my current private school.
To begin with, it has four different teachers specialized in math, science, social studies, and English. At our current private school, which is considered “elite,” the homeroom teacher teaches all of those subjects, and not especially well to begin with.
Yes, class sizes are slightly bigger in the public school, but are there really any meaningful benefits to a private elementary school? At least compared with our current private school, I could not see any major advantage.
So... why did you opt for private school in the first place?
Well, there is not always the perfect match for a private school. So in this case it was not a good match.
Why do people get divorced? Why did you change jobs? Same thing.
So it sounds like you know your answer and are either thinking out loud or looking for validation.
The "right school" isn't one universal answer. Different schools work for different people making private "worth it" for some and not for others. You started out thinking you were someone for whom it is worth it and are realizing that it may not be and a more economically efficient option fits you better. Remove the financial aspect from the equation and it sounds like you found the "right school" for your child and now you are just a little surprised that it was public.
Anonymous
04/22/2026 11:11
Subject: Any benefit of private elementary school?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Today I visited a good public elementary school in DC. While I understand that kids in public high schools may have some behavioral issues, what I saw at the elementary level was that this public school is much better than my current private school.
To begin with, it has four different teachers specialized in math, science, social studies, and English. At our current private school, which is considered “elite,” the homeroom teacher teaches all of those subjects, and not especially well to begin with.
Yes, class sizes are slightly bigger in the public school, but are there really any meaningful benefits to a private elementary school? At least compared with our current private school, I could not see any major advantage.
So... why did you opt for private school in the first place?
Well, there is not always the perfect match for a private school. So in this case it was not a good match.
Why do people get divorced? Why did you change jobs? Same thing.
Anonymous
04/22/2026 11:11
Subject: Any benefit of private elementary school?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Today I visited a good public elementary school in DC. While I understand that kids in public high schools may have some behavioral issues, what I saw at the elementary level was that this public school is much better than my current private school.
To begin with, it has four different teachers specialized in math, science, social studies, and English. At our current private school, which is considered “elite,” the homeroom teacher teaches all of those subjects, and not especially well to begin with.
Yes, class sizes are slightly bigger in the public school, but are there really any meaningful benefits to a private elementary school? Compared with our current private school, I don't see any major advantage.
You should know that the school environment is only one factor. Even elite private schools, like Sidwell and GDS, cater to the mean. For example, world language and math are not tracked at all. Yes, they pay close attention, kids are happier, and students with issues receive counseling. Yes, we pay $60 a year for maybe an improvement in their education. But as an immigrant, I realized much of learning happened outside school. Want to have solid Math? Join RSM. Want to master a second language? Join weekend school. Want to learn an instrument? go to Levine.
The only things private schools really excel at are writing instructions and PE every day. And yes, your kid might meet some VIP/fancy kids early on.
I think this is less about public vs private and more about fit. Some schools intentionally don’t front-load tracking or acceleration in elementary, which can feel underwhelming if you’re looking for that early push.
When we were looking, we considered both public and private options and focused on what aligned with our educational goals, rather than assuming one category would automatically be stronger.
That said, I’m not sure most families are aiming to outsource core subjects to multiple outside programs either — part of the value of a strong school is that it integrates those things rather than fragmenting them across after-school options.
Anonymous
04/22/2026 11:06
Subject: Any benefit of private elementary school?
Anonymous wrote:Today I visited a good public elementary school in DC. While I understand that kids in public high schools may have some behavioral issues, what I saw at the elementary level was that this public school is much better than my current private school.
To begin with, it has four different teachers specialized in math, science, social studies, and English. At our current private school, which is considered “elite,” the homeroom teacher teaches all of those subjects, and not especially well to begin with.
Yes, class sizes are slightly bigger in the public school, but are there really any meaningful benefits to a private elementary school? At least compared with our current private school, I could not see any major advantage.
So... why did you opt for private school in the first place?
Anonymous
04/22/2026 11:04
Subject: Any benefit of private elementary school?
Anonymous wrote:Today I visited a good public elementary school in DC. While I understand that kids in public high schools may have some behavioral issues, what I saw at the elementary level was that this public school is much better than my current private school.
To begin with, it has four different teachers specialized in math, science, social studies, and English. At our current private school, which is considered “elite,” the homeroom teacher teaches all of those subjects, and not especially well to begin with.
Yes, class sizes are slightly bigger in the public school, but are there really any meaningful benefits to a private elementary school? At least compared with our current private school, I could not see any major advantage.
Sounds like public school is a better fit for your expectations.
Keep us posted on how it all works out for you.
Anonymous
04/22/2026 11:00
Subject: Any benefit of private elementary school?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Today I visited a good public elementary school in DC. While I understand that kids in public high schools may have some behavioral issues, what I saw at the elementary level was that this public school is much better than my current private school.
To begin with, it has four different teachers specialized in math, science, social studies, and English. At our current private school, which is considered “elite,” the homeroom teacher teaches all of those subjects, and not especially well to begin with.
Yes, class sizes are slightly bigger in the public school, but are there really any meaningful benefits to a private elementary school? Compared with our current private school, I don't see any major advantage.
You should know that the school environment is only one factor. Even elite private schools, like Sidwell and GDS, cater to the mean. For example, world language and math are not tracked at all. Yes, they pay close attention, kids are happier, and students with issues receive counseling. Yes, we pay $60 a year for maybe an improvement in their education. But as an immigrant, I realized much of learning happened outside school. Want to have solid Math? Join RSM. Want to master a second language? Join weekend school. Want to learn an instrument? go to Levine.
The only things private schools really excel at are writing instructions and PE every day. And yes, your kid might meet some VIP/fancy kids early on.
This is correct. We opted for a "cheap" religious private for that reason. I have public parent friends asking me if the classes are accelerated or if they are working a grade above in math, or if there's school orchestra, and that's not really what I think private school is for us. We just want a normal, back-to-basics, low tech + levels/tracking + behavior standards elementary experience for young kids. Publics (at least in our neighborhood) have gone way off the deep end in terms of going socially/politically radically left and prioritizing events, celebrations, inclusion and SEL over everything else.
Anonymous
04/22/2026 10:55
Subject: Any benefit of private elementary school?
Anonymous wrote:We send our children to a parochial school, so not an expensive private school. Aside from the religious instruction, the school's decision not to use any EdTech is a huge draw. We get a full 9 years to build their attention spans and ability to read difficult texts without the distraction of a laptop or tablet before they get to high school. The very high behavioral standards are also great.
The kids don't use Chromebooks or iPads at all during K-8, except maybe computer lab for typing? That is great. Our parochial uses tech much much less than the local public, but they still allow iPads occasionally even in grade 3. DD reports getting to do MathFactsLab for 10 minutes a couple of times after finishing her classwork. We began looking at non-religious privates and I was shocked that many of them proudly report having lots of tech use starting in lower elementary. I guess parents paying 40-50K per year want that money to go toward something flashy or expensive, or at least admin seems to think so.
Anonymous
04/22/2026 10:52
Subject: Any benefit of private elementary school?
Anonymous wrote:Today I visited a good public elementary school in DC. While I understand that kids in public high schools may have some behavioral issues, what I saw at the elementary level was that this public school is much better than my current private school.
To begin with, it has four different teachers specialized in math, science, social studies, and English. At our current private school, which is considered “elite,” the homeroom teacher teaches all of those subjects, and not especially well to begin with.
Yes, class sizes are slightly bigger in the public school, but are there really any meaningful benefits to a private elementary school? Compared with our current private school, I don't see any major advantage.
You should know that the school environment is only one factor. Even elite private schools, like Sidwell and GDS, cater to the mean. For example, world language and math are not tracked at all. Yes, they pay close attention, kids are happier, and students with issues receive counseling. Yes, we pay $60 a year for maybe an improvement in their education. But as an immigrant, I realized much of learning happened outside school. Want to have solid Math? Join RSM. Want to master a second language? Join weekend school. Want to learn an instrument? go to Levine.
The only things private schools really excel at are writing instructions and PE every day. And yes, your kid might meet some VIP/fancy kids early on.
Anonymous
04/22/2026 10:24
Subject: Any benefit of private elementary school?
We send our children to a parochial school, so not an expensive private school. Aside from the religious instruction, the school's decision not to use any EdTech is a huge draw. We get a full 9 years to build their attention spans and ability to read difficult texts without the distraction of a laptop or tablet before they get to high school. The very high behavioral standards are also great.
Anonymous
04/22/2026 09:27
Subject: Any benefit of private elementary school?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Slightly bigger class sizes?
I feel like you are just stirring the private/public debate once again
In public there are 20 kids per classroom, and in our private 12. Yes, slightly bigger.
What public only has 20 kids per classroom in elementary school?
Mann
But the teacher is always busy managing the class. The teacher has little time to pay attention to individual students.
Our public has 19 and an aide half time. Still not enough to overcome the crappy curriculum.