We sent three to private for many years. Our youngest started private in PreK. If I had it to do over again I'd probably wait until middle school to start private. IMO up until grades 5 or 6 there just isn't that much difference between public and private in terms of education. Yes, the smaller classes are a benefit, as are the wider opportunities for art, music, etc. But it isn't enough of a difference to merit the huge cost unless you're so wealthy that you won't really miss the money.

If we had done this we could have saved a huge amount. Instead we stuck it out in private and ran up a lot of debt. We are slowly digging out but I'd do it differently knowing what I know now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get parents who won't at least try public schools in their area if they are supposed to be good. We moved to MCPS from another state where we were in a small private. I have learned that one of my kids absolutely thrives in a large public school environment. The other we're not sure about but so far so good. We are open to private for her but how can you not give it a try.

You forget that private school admission around here is a bit of a gamble. Many kids vying for not that many spots, so I don't blame parents for choosing not to miss the big entry years (PK or K, usually) instead of trying public first (especially in DC proper, where many families believe they will "need" to move to private to avoid the middle and high schools).

This is exactly why we moved from public to private for K. Figured we would try and if not, stick with charter but our EOTP HS is not an option. One kid, love where we live, can afford it. Concern that we might get stuck for middle/high school and force an unwanted move was a big factor.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The private school as terrific investment argument just is not solid for many kids/ families. Many public schools are very good, and a private school is no ticket to a top college or even a happy experience (depends on child and school). So for many families, an investment in a kitchen is a better long-term financial decision for a family as kitchens are major for resale value. Heck, a new kitchen could help down the road with college tuition payments if you sold. In terms of things like cleaning and even eating out, these services can buy busy families family time and less stress, which are also forms of investment in a child's overall family experience. So I think it is very wrong to judge others for choosing public with "luxuries" over private school.

--Parent who has child in both public and very $$ private

Yes- I wrote the original statement. I agree if the schools are equal, then by all means go public. I disagree on your other point though, I think there are a tremendous number of selfish parents that are more interested in impressing others then doing what is best for their kids.

No doubt you'd count any parent who didn't choose to live in a tiny house with an awful commute "selfish." Many of us, however, thinks the 1st PP has a more balanced view of the tradeoffs the vast majority of families are thoughtfully and conscientiously making.

--Parent with two kids, both of whom have been in private and public schools

I agree that if the alternative is a bad public, definitely go with the smaller house. Longer commute however is detrimental to the family in my opinion.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The private school as terrific investment argument just is not solid for many kids/ families. Many public schools are very good, and a private school is no ticket to a top college or even a happy experience (depends on child and school). So for many families, an investment in a kitchen is a better long-term financial decision for a family as kitchens are major for resale value. Heck, a new kitchen could help down the road with college tuition payments if you sold. In terms of things like cleaning and even eating out, these services can buy busy families family time and less stress, which are also forms of investment in a child's overall family experience. So I think it is very wrong to judge others for choosing public with "luxuries" over private school.

--Parent who has child in both public and very $$ private

Yes- I wrote the original statement. I agree if the schools are equal, then by all means go public. I disagree on your other point though, I think there are a tremendous number of selfish parents that are more interested in impressing others then doing what is best for their kids.

No doubt you'd count any parent who didn't choose to live in a tiny house with an awful commute "selfish." Many of us, however, thinks the 1st PP has a more balanced view of the tradeoffs the vast majority of families are thoughtfully and conscientiously making.

--Parent with two kids, both of whom have been in private and public schools

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think kids generally at elementary age are so impressionable that you really want them in the best environment. I'd rather choose to teach my kids how to avoid "snobs" than hooligans.

I've also found that my peers who have kids in private schools are more involved in their kids education than my friends with kids in public school. This behavior filters down to the kids too generally speaking.

As a PP mentioned though sending kids to private school involves trade-offs. I wouldn't trade sending my kids to private school if we would be broke all of the time. However we would definitely choose private school over most luxuries (redone kitchen, luxury cars, eating out, cleaning services, mcmansion etc).

Amen. I think it is sad that others do not see the long-term value in investing in a child's education.

The private school as terrific investment argument just is not solid for many kids/ families. Many public schools are very good, and a private school is no ticket to a top college or even a happy experience (depends on child and school). So for many families, an investment in a kitchen is a better long-term financial decision for a family as kitchens are major for resale value. Heck, a new kitchen could help down the road with college tuition payments if you sold. In terms of things like cleaning and even eating out, these services can buy busy families family time and less stress, which are also forms of investment in a child's overall family experience. So I think it is very wrong to judge others for choosing public with "luxuries" over private school.

--Parent who has child in both public and very $$ private

Yes- I wrote the original statement. I agree if the schools are equal, then by all means go public. I disagree on your other point though, I think there are a tremendous number of selfish parents that are more interested in impressing others then doing what is best for their kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think kids generally at elementary age are so impressionable that you really want them in the best environment. I'd rather choose to teach my kids how to avoid "snobs" than hooligans.

I've also found that my peers who have kids in private schools are more involved in their kids education than my friends with kids in public school. This behavior filters down to the kids too generally speaking.

As a PP mentioned though sending kids to private school involves trade-offs. I wouldn't trade sending my kids to private school if we would be broke all of the time. However we would definitely choose private school over most luxuries (redone kitchen, luxury cars, eating out, cleaning services, mcmansion etc).

Amen. I think it is sad that others do not see the long-term value in investing in a child's education.

The private school as terrific investment argument just is not solid for many kids/ families. Many public schools are very good, and a private school is no ticket to a top college or even a happy experience (depends on child and school). So for many families, an investment in a kitchen is a better long-term financial decision for a family as kitchens are major for resale value. Heck, a new kitchen could help down the road with college tuition payments if you sold. In terms of things like cleaning and even eating out, these services can buy busy families family time and less stress, which are also forms of investment in a child's overall family experience. So I think it is very wrong to judge others for choosing public with "luxuries" over private school.

--Parent who has child in both public and very $$ private

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think kids generally at elementary age are so impressionable that you really want them in the best environment. I'd rather choose to teach my kids how to avoid "snobs" than hooligans.

I've also found that my peers who have kids in private schools are more involved in their kids education than my friends with kids in public school. This behavior filters down to the kids too generally speaking.

As a PP mentioned though sending kids to private school involves trade-offs. I wouldn't trade sending my kids to private school if we would be broke all of the time. However we would definitely choose private school over most luxuries (redone kitchen, luxury cars, eating out, cleaning services, mcmansion etc).

Amen. I think it is sad that others do not see the long-term value in investing in a child's education.

12:24 again. I don't think this is really fair - or perhaps it is only half the story. If someone truly, truly believes her local public is as good as her private school alternative, I have no problem with saving money and using the public school. heck, that's exactly what I would do if I considered them equal! However, for better or worse, I don't consider them equal in my situation, so I choose private school. Others might disagree with me on the relative value of the schools, and that is their choice which I do not begrudge. It would be unfortunate for a parent to choose a school she knows is inferior just so she can drive a nicer car ... but I doubt that applies to many people.

I just don't think it is fair to suggest anyone who chooses a different school than I do is hurting her children. But that's probably not what you were suggesting. I just don't want there to be any miscommunication.

Anonymous wrote:I think kids generally at elementary age are so impressionable that you really want them in the best environment. I'd rather choose to teach my kids how to avoid "snobs" than hooligans.

I've also found that my peers who have kids in private schools are more involved in their kids education than my friends with kids in public school. This behavior filters down to the kids too generally speaking.

As a PP mentioned though sending kids to private school involves trade-offs. I wouldn't trade sending my kids to private school if we would be broke all of the time. However we would definitely choose private school over most luxuries (redone kitchen, luxury cars, eating out, cleaning services, mcmansion etc).

Amen. I think it is sad that others do not see the long-term value in investing in a child's education.

I am torn on this issue. I live in Arlington County - some people say that all of the schools are great - but my neighborhood is zoned to the lower-to-mediocre performing schools (if judging by test scores) with a higher percentage of low-SES and ESL kids compared to the rest of the County. I am worried that with our public school options, each of which has an interesting program - STEM, Expeditionary Learning, etc, teachers need to tailor their lessons towards kids who need additional learning support. I know some people say that as long as the parents support their child's learning at home, that the school doesn't matter as much. I'm not sure that is true. I feel that the teacher and peer effect are critical factors in a child's success in the classroom. So, DH and I are leaning towards putting DC in private school. We can afford it but it would be a bit of a sacrifice that we are willing to make. We are also strongly considering our public Spanish immersion option, which is done well in Arlington, if we can get in.

I think kids generally at elementary age are so impressionable that you really want them in the best environment. I'd rather choose to teach my kids how to avoid "snobs" than hooligans.

I've also found that my peers who have kids in private schools are more involved in their kids education than my friends with kids in public school. This behavior filters down to the kids too generally speaking.

As a PP mentioned though sending kids to private school involves trade-offs. I wouldn't trade sending my kids to private school if we would be broke all of the time. However we would definitely choose private school over most luxuries (redone kitchen, luxury cars, eating out, cleaning services, mcmansion etc).

Anonymous wrote:We have three in private, and are paying full tuition. It's a huge strain on finances, and we talk every year about whether we should switch to public and save money. However, we both regularly talk to various friends and neighbors [b]with children at our local public schools (which are viewed as quite good in MoCo). We hear enough stories and complaints that we have so far felt our investment in private school is worthwhile. A lot depends on the private school you're at, and whether it's a good fit for your kids.[/b] We have friends at other private schools where the situation sounds (at least from afar) not so much better than the local public school.

A good question to ask at each private school you might consider is how many kids leave the school each year, and where do they go. At our kids' school, only one child in all the combined grade years has left for a local public school. Any others who have left have been moving out of the area. So I consider that a pretty good barometer of how our kids' school is viewed by the families there. I know other private schools where lots more kids leave each year for local public schools, so those might have issues.

Indeed, I guess you could ask that same question the other way: How many kids leave your local public schools each year to attend one of the local private schools? I gather it's a healthy number switching from public to private each years, but I don't know how it varies by school.

+1 from another MoCo parent. Not a knock on MCPS. Just noting that others think the same way as this poster.

We have three in private, and are paying full tuition. It's a huge strain on finances, and we talk every year about whether we should switch to public and save money. However, we both regularly talk to various friends and neighbors with children at our local public schools (which are viewed as quite good in MoCo). We hear enough stories and complaints that we have so far felt our investment in private school is worthwhile. A lot depends on the private school you're at, and whether it's a good fit for your kids. We have friends at other private schools where the situation sounds (at least from afar) not so much better than the local public school.

A good question to ask at each private school you might consider is how many kids leave the school each year, and where do they go. At our kids' school, only one child in all the combined grade years has left for a local public school. Any others who have left have been moving out of the area. So I consider that a pretty good barometer of how our kids' school is viewed by the families there. I know other private schools where lots more kids leave each year for local public schools, so those might have issues.

Indeed, I guess you could ask that same question the other way: How many kids leave your local public schools each year to attend one of the local private schools? I gather it's a healthy number switching from public to private each years, but I don't know how it varies by school.

Anonymous wrote:My daughter started public school in 4th grade in fcps. She always had 30 minimum since 4th grade, this year in 6th there are 32.

One teacher or two during those 4th-6th years?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No doubt that the schools in McLean are good. My only concern was the large class sizes and my children not having one on one attention in their early years. I strongly believe it is important for a child to be in a nurturing environment and I never saw that in public schools. I am also a strong believer in having a solid foundation in the early elementary years. With 30+ kids in public schools this makes it impossible. These were my reasons for sending my kinds to private schools from k-3. Now that they are in public schools. I look back and I have no regrets at all. It was worth every penny.

If you can afford to send your kids to private in the early years, do it. It is a wonderful investment in your child's education. With that said, if you can not afford it, the public schools here in fairfax county is a good alternative. Just give them at home what they may not be getting at the public school.

I have never seen a public elementary school in NOVA with over 30 or even 30 students in the classroom.

My daughter started public school in 4th grade in fcps. She always had 30 minimum since 4th grade, this year in 6th there are 32.

Anonymous wrote:I don't get parents who won't at least try public schools in their area if they are supposed to be good. We moved to MCPS from another state where we were in a small private. I have learned that one of my kids absolutely thrives in a large public school environment. The other we're not sure about but so far so good. We are open to private for her but how can you not give it a try.

You forget that private school admission around here is a bit of a gamble. Many kids vying for not that many spots, so I don't blame parents for choosing not to miss the big entry years (PK or K, usually) instead of trying public first (especially in DC proper, where many families believe they will "need" to move to private to avoid the middle and high schools).