OP-Just wanted to mention that there is no way I'm giving up a good European vacation just to eat at the Palm. It isn't that good. I think your analogy is a little off.

Are you new to the private/independent school world? If so, I think someone forgot to do her/his homework about how the financial situation works there. Oddly enough, financial aid is usually mentioned in the admissions materials.

If you are unhappy with the financial aid system, go back to public so you don't have to spend time thinking up weird analogies.

I know you'll probably find this idea unbelievable, but there are parents who pay full price AND give money to financial aid, capital campaign, and so on. And families who get financial aid often give back what they can.

Don't choke on your lobster.

Anonymous wrote:Do you really want to live in a society where only people of wealth and privilege have access to elite educations, the best jobs, and other pathways to success and prosperity? Try moving to India. Or 19th century Europe. Or any number of oil states in the Middle East. The word that comes to mind is "unsustainable."

That's not what America is all about...thank God. Signed, proud full-tuition parent who doesn't care what anyone else is paying.

Well said!

I went 12 years to private school, full price. We can afford it for our child, but I'm afraid of parents like the OP.

We are at public PK now, this makes me less likely to want to go private. Ugh.

Do you really want to live in a society where only people of wealth and privilege have access to elite educations, the best jobs, and other pathways to success and prosperity? Try moving to India. Or 19th century Europe. Or any number of oil states in the Middle East. The word that comes to mind is "unsustainable."

That's not what America is all about...thank God. Signed, proud full-tuition parent who doesn't care what anyone else is paying.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's suppose I run a restaurant. I choose to charge most people the full menu price, but I choose to give other people discounts for various reasons. Then some jerk comes in and argues that I have to give him the cheapest price I'm charging any one else. Does he get to tell me how to run my restaurant, or is this still free market America?

And bonus points for the apostrophe.

LOL, yes!

Anonymous wrote:@ The Palm, Prime Rib etc.

I save money leading up to it, cut back on vacations, Christmas presents, Birthdays, whatever.

I get to said place, and discover that other patrons there are eating free. Same food, same service, but no cost to them.

Should I accept this? Oh, and my bill is larger than I thought, because I had the privelige of dining in the same room as a Diverse room.

This is reality. Enough of this PC bullshit

I get the same feeling when I buy an airline ticket, but with far more justification. If you cannot see the rationale for financial aid to families of qualified students who have limited means, then private school really is not for you.

There are always people who are going to get better breaks and worse deals OP. You just have to live with it so you don't drive yourself crazy with envy or angst. I hear what you're saying and it did make me a little nuts sometime too.

Wow, OP, you're really a douchebag.

So if your private school sent this to the parents, what would be the reply?

"We are considering reducing tuition by 16% next year (Sidwell's published FA rate of their budget) and removing our financial aid office. The decision will be based on a majority vote of the families attending."

Would a roll call vote be different than an anonymous ballot box?

Happens to me all the time. I save my money, go to the place where I buy food (it's called the grocery store), and see signs asking people to donate so that other people can eat the SAME FOOD for free. Not only am I not horrified, sometimes I donate and sometimes I volunteer to help them pack the boxes.

Should I be less excited about my tuna noodle casserole or my rice and beans because poor people eat them too?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a disconnect here. Private schools remove themselves and their students from the larger community intentionally, for any number of philosophical or political reasons. As is their right. I have no doubt that there is a sense of community and generosity amongst some of you in the private school environment, but the entire reason you exist is to separate yourself from the greater community. Don't then turn around and use inclusive verbiage, if you truly believed in inclusive, community spirited education, you wouldn't have pulled your kid out of the local public to search for greener pastures.

I don't agree with that. We're moving from public to private solely because of class sizes. Has nothing to do with community or diversity. We are actually more comfortable with the community at our public.

Same here.

Anonymous wrote:@ The Palm, Prime Rib etc.

I save money leading up to it, cut back on vacations, Christmas presents, Birthdays, whatever.

I get to said place, and discover that other patrons there are eating free. Same food, same service, but no cost to them.

Should I accept this? Oh, and my bill is larger than I thought, because I had the privelige of dining in the same room as a Diverse room.

This is reality. Enough of this PC bullshit

Wow. You sound awful. I pray your kids do not attend my kids school. You are disgusting. Signed full-pay parent who donates heavily to my schools' annual fund, tuition assistance and ton to charity. I'm fortunate. What is wrong with giving a little back, you selfish ahole?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:@ The Palm, Prime Rib etc.

I save money leading up to it, cut back on vacations, Christmas presents, Birthdays, whatever.

I get to said place, and discover that other patrons there are eating free. Same food, same service, but no cost to them.

Should I accept this? Oh, and my bill is larger than I thought, because I had the privelige of dining in the same room as a Diverse room.

This is reality. Enough of this PC bullshit

If the restaurant owner decides that they want to do it - so be it. You can leave and eat elsewhere.
Read: MOVE

Yep. The weirdest thing about this kind of person is that they feel that they're entitled to certain restaurants, and that it's unfair if the restaurant owner's policies don't match their preferences.

1. Find out what the restaurant charges, and if you're happy to pay that.
2. If eating next to a poor person would ruin your meal, find out if they allow poor people in. I encourage you to ask this during the admissions interview.
3. Make your own decision.

Don't whine because the restaurant isn't run the way you'd like it to be, when that's something you could have found out before you went there. Either do your homework beforehand or shut up.

Anonymous wrote:@ The Palm, Prime Rib etc.

I save money leading up to it, cut back on vacations, Christmas presents, Birthdays, whatever.

I get to said place, and discover that other patrons there are eating free. Same food, same service, but no cost to them.

Should I accept this? Oh, and my bill is larger than I thought, because I had the privelige of dining in the same room as a Diverse room.

This is reality. Enough of this PC bullshit

If the restaurant owner decides that they want to do it - so be it. You can leave and eat elsewhere.
Read: MOVE

Anonymous wrote:There is a disconnect here. Private schools remove themselves and their students from the larger community intentionally, for any number of philosophical or political reasons. As is their right. I have no doubt that there is a sense of community and generosity amongst some of you in the private school environment, but the entire reason you exist is to separate yourself from the greater community. Don't then turn around and use inclusive verbiage, if you truly believed in inclusive, community spirited education, you wouldn't have pulled your kid out of the local public to search for greener pastures.

I don't agree with that. We're moving from public to private solely because of class sizes. Has nothing to do with community or diversity. We are actually more comfortable with the community at our public.