We live in MCPS territory. Our local school is highly regarded, but we are dealing with seriously overcrowded classrooms/school overcrowding, and no good solutions in sight. We opted for private because DC#1 had some fine motor issues and was ahead in some areas and need help with fine motor and I felt the large class sizes would pose a challenge to getting the help we needed. We had met with the school/principal before Kindergarten, and were extremely unhappy with the lack of support we were getting during the IEP process. We were headed for years of fighting with the school before we even got started. DC#2 goes to the same private so both of my children could be in the same place and on the same schedule. We have small class sizes (15-16 children/2 teachers). The children have a lot more hands-on/interactive learning (progressive curriculum), more play time, a lot of individualized time and attention. For my older child, we had much better interaction and communication with the school, and were able to work with the teachers to help my child really grow. 3 years later, I feel strongly I made the right choice for both of my children. The extra attention has been amazing, and the ability to have a relationship with the teachers has been a huge plus. They have both been thriving, and I think the gains my older child has made are because of the environment we have been in, and I've been thrilled to see how well my younger child has really blossomed in this environment as well. I'm not sure that we will stay in private permanently. I think MCPS has great options in middle and high school, and I definitely think the diversity of class options and instruction improve in middle and high school, and I think class size/overcrowding become less of a concern for me at that point. I am hoping that the foundation skills my children are learning now will serve them well as they grow older, and the special needs issues will lessen as they become better able to advocate for themselves, but I also intend to keep reassessing each year, and for each child. I am certain that we are committed to at least another 2 school years in private, and then we will explore the county options again at that time.

I think for those that say don't waste your time when they are young, they may not see great high school options available - that is often true for DCPS parents. For those who say the money is better spent on the younger years, those are often the parents who are focused on the notion that matching a developmentally appropriate curriculum to the child is the highest concern (avoiding the need to do too many worksheets, sit still and be quiet, etc.) to minimize behavior problems and promote a love of learning. Neither viewpoint is more right or wrong - they are just different priorities. I opted for the latter because I felt my child's needs were better met through that philosophy. I also feel that the MCPS framework in our current school was just not ideal in the younger grades.

Public school is no greenhouse: kids have to learn to advocate for themselves with teachers and admin. They have to learn to work in groups with kids from all backgrounds and countries. After private elementary, I think public HSnwas good for my kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
One more thing, and you'll call me old-fashioned for this one. I see kids waiting for the public school bus as I drive my DS to his private. They're dressed like slobs, hair is overgrown, they look a mess. Kids at our school are presented nicely, they learn how to speak in front of groups that include classmates, parents and teachers. Appearances and verbal presentations matter. Private schools teach it, public doesn't.

As a parent whose kids have both attended public and private schools, I need to point out that both schools taught character. For example, both had anti-bullying curricula and public speaking (if you want to include public speaking as "character", but it sounds like you're driving at a different sort of issue here). Yet there were bullies and bad speakers at both places, which isn't really surprising. Ultimately it's the parents' responsibility to teach character. I would never rely on a school to do it for me.

As the kids get older (middle school), one thing that I find is that at larger public schools, dealing with the fallout of sext-ing and online bullying is much, much more difficult to control because you can't expel students. Although you will definitely find both sexting and online bullying in both public and private schools, in my observation with friends who have children at both, private schools are much more likely to come down hard on students who are caught abusing online privileges. There are multiple parent meetings, class assemblies, time taken out of classes to talk about this, and even (in a couple of cases) expulsion for repeat offenders. The parents with kids at Deal, OTOH, are really struggling with this mostly on their own. The school does acknowledge it, but really on a level that is not even remotely close to what I have seen at private schools. I'm not saying that private schools are dealing with this growing problem perfectly, but I definitely get the sense that they are trying a lot harder to send the message to students that such behavior is not to be tolerated.

i am a parent to one child in private school and one child in public (DC charter) school.

every parent likes to think that their child would NEVER be the one initiating bullying or sexting. but let me ask you this, PP - if you were in a private school, and your child was the initiator or a bullying or sexting incident, how would you like it if your child was expelled from school? do you think that will "teach" your child a lesson? the real question is, what would YOU do about it?

running to expulsion is a cop-out, and i think that this is what is scary about private schools.

Of course, as a parent of two children in a private school, I would feel terrible if my child were expelled. But, if you read my PP, I stated that the explusions that I was aware of (two of them) the offenders were *repeat* offenders who had already received extremely stern reprimands about the consequences of their behavior. And, yes, I do think that expulsion will teach the child a lesson. I don't think that expulsion is a cop-out, especially if the child (and family) have been in discussions with the school about formerly unacceptable behavior.

I believe that attending a private school is a privilege, and that if one abuses that privilege, that it can be rightfully taken away.

you opened your post with this:

As the kids get older (middle school), one thing that I find is that at larger public schools, dealing with the fallout of sext-ing and online bullying is much, much more difficult to control because you can't expel students.

so, you opened by saying that this is the key that a school must have to manage adequately sexting and bullying.

also, for the record, public schools CAN expel students.

And your point is what? I have never heard of a public school that expelled a student--have you? So, even if in theory it is possible, I have never heard of it first or second hand actually done in practice. I believe that the threat of expulsion is a fair means of a school asserting its right to ensure that students do not become repeated victims of sexting and online bullying.

Different PP, one who also has had kids in both public and private. Yes, my kid's public has expelled a few kids. Like the kid who brought a canister of laughing gas to school (not making that up).

Anonymous wrote:MCPS has a very strong curriculum and is doing well. In terms of academics private school is the same, teachers are the same. The only difference really is in all the "fluff". The arts has much more focus, PE and althetics has more focus and perhaps the amenities is much nicer.

It really depends on how much money you are looking to spend and if it's really worth it to you.

Personally, I didn't think it was worth the money. I took my kids out of private and they are doing just fine in public.

Any educator will tell you that in the younger grades, PE and physical activity are not fluff. Only Americans think that. Americans with abysmal test scores and rising childhood obesity.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids switched from public to private this year and all I can say is the first couple of weeks in private are nothing like DCPS. They had 23 kids with a teacher plus aide in public, including a few kids who needed a lot of special help, they now have 12 kids and 2 full time teachers. They have PE plus recess every day now. They have several other fun specials that they tell us about every day as soon as we pick them up. But mostly they already feel special there, the teachers are so welcoming and warm which means a lot for young elementary kids. It's a huge financial commitment but I'm thrilled with the change.

Other than the class size, everything you describe is happening in my kindergartners public school.

This is such a dumb observation. "Other than class size?!" That's the whole point, the class size is what is driving the joy and warmth in a private K. It's like saying other than missing an engine and being rusty, this 20 year old Toyota is the same as a 2016 bmw.

Disagree. I think the below, as you wrote so you clearly agree, are also very important. There are 20 kids in my K'ers class - joy and warmth are about the teacher and the combo of kids, not size alone.

They have PE plus recess every day now. They have several other fun specials that they tell us about every day as soon as we pick them up. But mostly they already feel special there, the teachers are so welcoming and warm which means a lot for young elementary kids.

Sorry, but it is impossible mathematically to try to rationalize that a teacher with a smaller class can spend the same amount of individual attention as one with a larger class.
Also, which public school has PE every day???

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
One more thing, and you'll call me old-fashioned for this one. I see kids waiting for the public school bus as I drive my DS to his private. They're dressed like slobs, hair is overgrown, they look a mess. Kids at our school are presented nicely, they learn how to speak in front of groups that include classmates, parents and teachers. Appearances and verbal presentations matter. Private schools teach it, public doesn't.

As a parent whose kids have both attended public and private schools, I need to point out that both schools taught character. For example, both had anti-bullying curricula and public speaking (if you want to include public speaking as "character", but it sounds like you're driving at a different sort of issue here). Yet there were bullies and bad speakers at both places, which isn't really surprising. Ultimately it's the parents' responsibility to teach character. I would never rely on a school to do it for me.

As the kids get older (middle school), one thing that I find is that at larger public schools, dealing with the fallout of sext-ing and online bullying is much, much more difficult to control because you can't expel students. Although you will definitely find both sexting and online bullying in both public and private schools, in my observation with friends who have children at both, private schools are much more likely to come down hard on students who are caught abusing online privileges. There are multiple parent meetings, class assemblies, time taken out of classes to talk about this, and even (in a couple of cases) expulsion for repeat offenders. The parents with kids at Deal, OTOH, are really struggling with this mostly on their own. The school does acknowledge it, but really on a level that is not even remotely close to what I have seen at private schools. I'm not saying that private schools are dealing with this growing problem perfectly, but I definitely get the sense that they are trying a lot harder to send the message to students that such behavior is not to be tolerated.

i am a parent to one child in private school and one child in public (DC charter) school.

every parent likes to think that their child would NEVER be the one initiating bullying or sexting. but let me ask you this, PP - if you were in a private school, and your child was the initiator or a bullying or sexting incident, how would you like it if your child was expelled from school? do you think that will "teach" your child a lesson? the real question is, what would YOU do about it?

running to expulsion is a cop-out, and i think that this is what is scary about private schools.

Of course, as a parent of two children in a private school, I would feel terrible if my child were expelled. But, if you read my PP, I stated that the explusions that I was aware of (two of them) the offenders were *repeat* offenders who had already received extremely stern reprimands about the consequences of their behavior. And, yes, I do think that expulsion will teach the child a lesson. I don't think that expulsion is a cop-out, especially if the child (and family) have been in discussions with the school about formerly unacceptable behavior.

I believe that attending a private school is a privilege, and that if one abuses that privilege, that it can be rightfully taken away.

you opened your post with this:

As the kids get older (middle school), one thing that I find is that at larger public schools, dealing with the fallout of sext-ing and online bullying is much, much more difficult to control because you can't expel students.

so, you opened by saying that this is the key that a school must have to manage adequately sexting and bullying.

also, for the record, public schools CAN expel students.

And your point is what? I have never heard of a public school that expelled a student--have you? So, even if in theory it is possible, I have never heard of it first or second hand actually done in practice. I believe that the threat of expulsion is a fair means of a school asserting its right to ensure that students do not become repeated victims of sexting and online bullying.

The DC public schools expulsion rate is .13%

0 at Deal.

MCPS has a very strong curriculum and is doing well. In terms of academics private school is the same, teachers are the same. The only difference really is in all the "fluff". The arts has much more focus, PE and althetics has more focus and perhaps the amenities is much nicer.

It really depends on how much money you are looking to spend and if it's really worth it to you.

Personally, I didn't think it was worth the money. I took my kids out of private and they are doing just fine in public.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids switched from public to private this year and all I can say is the first couple of weeks in private are nothing like DCPS. They had 23 kids with a teacher plus aide in public, including a few kids who needed a lot of special help, they now have 12 kids and 2 full time teachers. They have PE plus recess every day now. They have several other fun specials that they tell us about every day as soon as we pick them up. But mostly they already feel special there, the teachers are so welcoming and warm which means a lot for young elementary kids. It's a huge financial commitment but I'm thrilled with the change.

Other than the class size, everything you describe is happening in my kindergartners public school.

This is such a dumb observation. "Other than class size?!" That's the whole point, the class size is what is driving the joy and warmth in a private K. It's like saying other than missing an engine and being rusty, this 20 year old Toyota is the same as a 2016 bmw.

Disagree. I think the below, as you wrote so you clearly agree, are also very important. There are 20 kids in my K'ers class - joy and warmth are about the teacher and the combo of kids, not size alone.

They have PE plus recess every day now. They have several other fun specials that they tell us about every day as soon as we pick them up. But mostly they already feel special there, the teachers are so welcoming and warm which means a lot for young elementary kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
One more thing, and you'll call me old-fashioned for this one. I see kids waiting for the public school bus as I drive my DS to his private. They're dressed like slobs, hair is overgrown, they look a mess. Kids at our school are presented nicely, they learn how to speak in front of groups that include classmates, parents and teachers. Appearances and verbal presentations matter. Private schools teach it, public doesn't.

As a parent whose kids have both attended public and private schools, I need to point out that both schools taught character. For example, both had anti-bullying curricula and public speaking (if you want to include public speaking as "character", but it sounds like you're driving at a different sort of issue here). Yet there were bullies and bad speakers at both places, which isn't really surprising. Ultimately it's the parents' responsibility to teach character. I would never rely on a school to do it for me.

As the kids get older (middle school), one thing that I find is that at larger public schools, dealing with the fallout of sext-ing and online bullying is much, much more difficult to control because you can't expel students. Although you will definitely find both sexting and online bullying in both public and private schools, in my observation with friends who have children at both, private schools are much more likely to come down hard on students who are caught abusing online privileges. There are multiple parent meetings, class assemblies, time taken out of classes to talk about this, and even (in a couple of cases) expulsion for repeat offenders. The parents with kids at Deal, OTOH, are really struggling with this mostly on their own. The school does acknowledge it, but really on a level that is not even remotely close to what I have seen at private schools. I'm not saying that private schools are dealing with this growing problem perfectly, but I definitely get the sense that they are trying a lot harder to send the message to students that such behavior is not to be tolerated.

i am a parent to one child in private school and one child in public (DC charter) school.

every parent likes to think that their child would NEVER be the one initiating bullying or sexting. but let me ask you this, PP - if you were in a private school, and your child was the initiator or a bullying or sexting incident, how would you like it if your child was expelled from school? do you think that will "teach" your child a lesson? the real question is, what would YOU do about it?

running to expulsion is a cop-out, and i think that this is what is scary about private schools.

Of course, as a parent of two children in a private school, I would feel terrible if my child were expelled. But, if you read my PP, I stated that the explusions that I was aware of (two of them) the offenders were *repeat* offenders who had already received extremely stern reprimands about the consequences of their behavior. And, yes, I do think that expulsion will teach the child a lesson. I don't think that expulsion is a cop-out, especially if the child (and family) have been in discussions with the school about formerly unacceptable behavior.

I believe that attending a private school is a privilege, and that if one abuses that privilege, that it can be rightfully taken away.

you opened your post with this:

As the kids get older (middle school), one thing that I find is that at larger public schools, dealing with the fallout of sext-ing and online bullying is much, much more difficult to control because you can't expel students.

so, you opened by saying that this is the key that a school must have to manage adequately sexting and bullying.

also, for the record, public schools CAN expel students.

And your point is what? I have never heard of a public school that expelled a student--have you? So, even if in theory it is possible, I have never heard of it first or second hand actually done in practice. I believe that the threat of expulsion is a fair means of a school asserting its right to ensure that students do not become repeated victims of sexting and online bullying.

The DC public schools expulsion rate is .13%

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids switched from public to private this year and all I can say is the first couple of weeks in private are nothing like DCPS. They had 23 kids with a teacher plus aide in public, including a few kids who needed a lot of special help, they now have 12 kids and 2 full time teachers. They have PE plus recess every day now. They have several other fun specials that they tell us about every day as soon as we pick them up. But mostly they already feel special there, the teachers are so welcoming and warm which means a lot for young elementary kids. It's a huge financial commitment but I'm thrilled with the change.

Other than the class size, everything you describe is happening in my kindergartners public school.

This is such a dumb observation. "Other than class size?!" That's the whole point, the class size is what is driving the joy and warmth in a private K. It's like saying other than missing an engine and being rusty, this 20 year old Toyota is the same as a 2016 bmw.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
One more thing, and you'll call me old-fashioned for this one. I see kids waiting for the public school bus as I drive my DS to his private. They're dressed like slobs, hair is overgrown, they look a mess. Kids at our school are presented nicely, they learn how to speak in front of groups that include classmates, parents and teachers. Appearances and verbal presentations matter. Private schools teach it, public doesn't.

As a parent whose kids have both attended public and private schools, I need to point out that both schools taught character. For example, both had anti-bullying curricula and public speaking (if you want to include public speaking as "character", but it sounds like you're driving at a different sort of issue here). Yet there were bullies and bad speakers at both places, which isn't really surprising. Ultimately it's the parents' responsibility to teach character. I would never rely on a school to do it for me.

As the kids get older (middle school), one thing that I find is that at larger public schools, dealing with the fallout of sext-ing and online bullying is much, much more difficult to control because you can't expel students. Although you will definitely find both sexting and online bullying in both public and private schools, in my observation with friends who have children at both, private schools are much more likely to come down hard on students who are caught abusing online privileges. There are multiple parent meetings, class assemblies, time taken out of classes to talk about this, and even (in a couple of cases) expulsion for repeat offenders. The parents with kids at Deal, OTOH, are really struggling with this mostly on their own. The school does acknowledge it, but really on a level that is not even remotely close to what I have seen at private schools. I'm not saying that private schools are dealing with this growing problem perfectly, but I definitely get the sense that they are trying a lot harder to send the message to students that such behavior is not to be tolerated.

i am a parent to one child in private school and one child in public (DC charter) school.

every parent likes to think that their child would NEVER be the one initiating bullying or sexting. but let me ask you this, PP - if you were in a private school, and your child was the initiator or a bullying or sexting incident, how would you like it if your child was expelled from school? do you think that will "teach" your child a lesson? the real question is, what would YOU do about it?

running to expulsion is a cop-out, and i think that this is what is scary about private schools.

Of course, as a parent of two children in a private school, I would feel terrible if my child were expelled. But, if you read my PP, I stated that the explusions that I was aware of (two of them) the offenders were *repeat* offenders who had already received extremely stern reprimands about the consequences of their behavior. And, yes, I do think that expulsion will teach the child a lesson. I don't think that expulsion is a cop-out, especially if the child (and family) have been in discussions with the school about formerly unacceptable behavior.

I believe that attending a private school is a privilege, and that if one abuses that privilege, that it can be rightfully taken away.

you opened your post with this:

As the kids get older (middle school), one thing that I find is that at larger public schools, dealing with the fallout of sext-ing and online bullying is much, much more difficult to control because you can't expel students.

so, you opened by saying that this is the key that a school must have to manage adequately sexting and bullying.

also, for the record, public schools CAN expel students.

And your point is what? I have never heard of a public school that expelled a student--have you? So, even if in theory it is possible, I have never heard of it first or second hand actually done in practice. I believe that the threat of expulsion is a fair means of a school asserting its right to ensure that students do not become repeated victims of sexting and online bullying.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
One more thing, and you'll call me old-fashioned for this one. I see kids waiting for the public school bus as I drive my DS to his private. They're dressed like slobs, hair is overgrown, they look a mess. Kids at our school are presented nicely, they learn how to speak in front of groups that include classmates, parents and teachers. Appearances and verbal presentations matter. Private schools teach it, public doesn't.

As a parent whose kids have both attended public and private schools, I need to point out that both schools taught character. For example, both had anti-bullying curricula and public speaking (if you want to include public speaking as "character", but it sounds like you're driving at a different sort of issue here). Yet there were bullies and bad speakers at both places, which isn't really surprising. Ultimately it's the parents' responsibility to teach character. I would never rely on a school to do it for me.

As the kids get older (middle school), one thing that I find is that at larger public schools, dealing with the fallout of sext-ing and online bullying is much, much more difficult to control because you can't expel students. Although you will definitely find both sexting and online bullying in both public and private schools, in my observation with friends who have children at both, private schools are much more likely to come down hard on students who are caught abusing online privileges. There are multiple parent meetings, class assemblies, time taken out of classes to talk about this, and even (in a couple of cases) expulsion for repeat offenders. The parents with kids at Deal, OTOH, are really struggling with this mostly on their own. The school does acknowledge it, but really on a level that is not even remotely close to what I have seen at private schools. I'm not saying that private schools are dealing with this growing problem perfectly, but I definitely get the sense that they are trying a lot harder to send the message to students that such behavior is not to be tolerated.

i am a parent to one child in private school and one child in public (DC charter) school.

every parent likes to think that their child would NEVER be the one initiating bullying or sexting. but let me ask you this, PP - if you were in a private school, and your child was the initiator or a bullying or sexting incident, how would you like it if your child was expelled from school? do you think that will "teach" your child a lesson? the real question is, what would YOU do about it?

running to expulsion is a cop-out, and i think that this is what is scary about private schools.

Of course, as a parent of two children in a private school, I would feel terrible if my child were expelled. But, if you read my PP, I stated that the explusions that I was aware of (two of them) the offenders were *repeat* offenders who had already received extremely stern reprimands about the consequences of their behavior. And, yes, I do think that expulsion will teach the child a lesson. I don't think that expulsion is a cop-out, especially if the child (and family) have been in discussions with the school about formerly unacceptable behavior.

I believe that attending a private school is a privilege, and that if one abuses that privilege, that it can be rightfully taken away.

you opened your post with this:

As the kids get older (middle school), one thing that I find is that at larger public schools, dealing with the fallout of sext-ing and online bullying is much, much more difficult to control because you can't expel students.

so, you opened by saying that this is the key that a school must have to manage adequately sexting and bullying.

also, for the record, public schools CAN expel students.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
One more thing, and you'll call me old-fashioned for this one. I see kids waiting for the public school bus as I drive my DS to his private. They're dressed like slobs, hair is overgrown, they look a mess. Kids at our school are presented nicely, they learn how to speak in front of groups that include classmates, parents and teachers. Appearances and verbal presentations matter. Private schools teach it, public doesn't.

As a parent whose kids have both attended public and private schools, I need to point out that both schools taught character. For example, both had anti-bullying curricula and public speaking (if you want to include public speaking as "character", but it sounds like you're driving at a different sort of issue here). Yet there were bullies and bad speakers at both places, which isn't really surprising. Ultimately it's the parents' responsibility to teach character. I would never rely on a school to do it for me.

As the kids get older (middle school), one thing that I find is that at larger public schools, dealing with the fallout of sext-ing and online bullying is much, much more difficult to control because you can't expel students. Although you will definitely find both sexting and online bullying in both public and private schools, in my observation with friends who have children at both, private schools are much more likely to come down hard on students who are caught abusing online privileges. There are multiple parent meetings, class assemblies, time taken out of classes to talk about this, and even (in a couple of cases) expulsion for repeat offenders. The parents with kids at Deal, OTOH, are really struggling with this mostly on their own. The school does acknowledge it, but really on a level that is not even remotely close to what I have seen at private schools. I'm not saying that private schools are dealing with this growing problem perfectly, but I definitely get the sense that they are trying a lot harder to send the message to students that such behavior is not to be tolerated.

i am a parent to one child in private school and one child in public (DC charter) school.

every parent likes to think that their child would NEVER be the one initiating bullying or sexting. but let me ask you this, PP - if you were in a private school, and your child was the initiator or a bullying or sexting incident, how would you like it if your child was expelled from school? do you think that will "teach" your child a lesson? the real question is, what would YOU do about it?

running to expulsion is a cop-out, and i think that this is what is scary about private schools.

Of course, as a parent of two children in a private school, I would feel terrible if my child were expelled. But, if you read my PP, I stated that the explusions that I was aware of (two of them) the offenders were *repeat* offenders who had already received extremely stern reprimands about the consequences of their behavior. And, yes, I do think that expulsion will teach the child a lesson. I don't think that expulsion is a cop-out, especially if the child (and family) have been in discussions with the school about formerly unacceptable behavior.

I believe that attending a private school is a privilege, and that if one abuses that privilege, that it can be rightfully taken away.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
One more thing, and you'll call me old-fashioned for this one. I see kids waiting for the public school bus as I drive my DS to his private. They're dressed like slobs, hair is overgrown, they look a mess. Kids at our school are presented nicely, they learn how to speak in front of groups that include classmates, parents and teachers. Appearances and verbal presentations matter. Private schools teach it, public doesn't.

As a parent whose kids have both attended public and private schools, I need to point out that both schools taught character. For example, both had anti-bullying curricula and public speaking (if you want to include public speaking as "character", but it sounds like you're driving at a different sort of issue here). Yet there were bullies and bad speakers at both places, which isn't really surprising. Ultimately it's the parents' responsibility to teach character. I would never rely on a school to do it for me.

As the kids get older (middle school), one thing that I find is that at larger public schools, dealing with the fallout of sext-ing and online bullying is much, much more difficult to control because you can't expel students. Although you will definitely find both sexting and online bullying in both public and private schools, in my observation with friends who have children at both, private schools are much more likely to come down hard on students who are caught abusing online privileges. There are multiple parent meetings, class assemblies, time taken out of classes to talk about this, and even (in a couple of cases) expulsion for repeat offenders. The parents with kids at Deal, OTOH, are really struggling with this mostly on their own. The school does acknowledge it, but really on a level that is not even remotely close to what I have seen at private schools. I'm not saying that private schools are dealing with this growing problem perfectly, but I definitely get the sense that they are trying a lot harder to send the message to students that such behavior is not to be tolerated.

i am a parent to one child in private school and one child in public (DC charter) school.

every parent likes to think that their child would NEVER be the one initiating bullying or sexting. but let me ask you this, PP - if you were in a private school, and your child was the initiator or a bullying or sexting incident, how would you like it if your child was expelled from school? do you think that will "teach" your child a lesson? the real question is, what would YOU do about it?

running to expulsion is a cop-out, and i think that this is what is scary about private schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
One more thing, and you'll call me old-fashioned for this one. I see kids waiting for the public school bus as I drive my DS to his private. They're dressed like slobs, hair is overgrown, they look a mess. Kids at our school are presented nicely, they learn how to speak in front of groups that include classmates, parents and teachers. Appearances and verbal presentations matter. Private schools teach it, public doesn't.

As a parent whose kids have both attended public and private schools, I need to point out that both schools taught character. For example, both had anti-bullying curricula and public speaking (if you want to include public speaking as "character", but it sounds like you're driving at a different sort of issue here). Yet there were bullies and bad speakers at both places, which isn't really surprising. Ultimately it's the parents' responsibility to teach character. I would never rely on a school to do it for me.

As the kids get older (middle school), one thing that I find is that at larger public schools, dealing with the fallout of sext-ing and online bullying is much, much more difficult to control because you can't expel students. Although you will definitely find both sexting and online bullying in both public and private schools, in my observation with friends who have children at both, private schools are much more likely to come down hard on students who are caught abusing online privileges. There are multiple parent meetings, class assemblies, time taken out of classes to talk about this, and even (in a couple of cases) expulsion for repeat offenders. The parents with kids at Deal, OTOH, are really struggling with this mostly on their own. The school does acknowledge it, but really on a level that is not even remotely close to what I have seen at private schools. I'm not saying that private schools are dealing with this growing problem perfectly, but I definitely get the sense that they are trying a lot harder to send the message to students that such behavior is not to be tolerated.