ND: Private School

[HacksawDawg]

I'm careful not to speak in absolutes, but it's funny how involved parents have kids who thrive in their school, be it public or private. IMO, a lot of parents "feel" like they're doing something better for their kids by writing a massive check. And if you're spending a fortune, you damn well better convince yourself it's "better." Has anyone ever met a private school parent who confessed it hasn't been worth the money? They're all very eager to convince you it is.

The irony I've found going through the UGA application/admission process is most of the well-known private schools in Atlanta cap the number of AP classes students can take. Westminster as an example caps AP classes at 6. My oldest at Buford HS took 12 AP classes and got a 5 on 10/12 of AP exams (4 on other two). He's not some outlier, either - this is very common. He went through a significantly more rigorous HS curriculum...for free.

There are certainly some pros to private schools, but they also shelter kids, IMO. It's not the world they will be sent off to for college. Private schools tend to have smaller enrollments, too. With smaller numbers, they just aren't exposed to competition as much, with athletics probably being the most glaring example.

I prefer to be very involved in my kids' academic success so as to expose them to the real world, learning to work with a variety of demographics, and having to compete against a larger sample size. IMO, that's what prepares them for life. Manufacturing an environment just stunts that preparation.

Values are developed at home. If you're worried about that, you better not send them off to college.

 

[Coach sUGAr]

Something to consider per your personal family mission. If all the Christians go to Christian schools, how will we be salt and light in a world that needs it? We wanted our boys in public schools because we wanted them to be difference makers in their schools and learn how to live their faith in the real world. Their spiritual development was up to us and our church.

 

[rednblack4life]

I would never trust the government with my children. This isn’t 1994.

Your children would be the type we wouldn’t want to have to teach anyway. Win win.

 

[rednblack4life]

I'm careful not to speak in absolutes, but it's funny how involved parents have kids who thrive in their school, be it public or private. IMO, a lot of parents "feel" like they're doing something better for their kids by writing a massive check. And if you're spending a fortune, you damn well better convince yourself it's "better."

The irony I've found through going through the UGA application/admission process is most of the well-known private schools in Atlanta cap the number of AP classes students can take. Westminster as an example caps AP classes at 6. My oldest at Buford HS took 12 AP classes and got a 5 on 10/12 of AP exams (4 on other two). He went through a significantly more rigorous HS curriculum...for free.

There are certainly some pros to private schools, but they also shelter kids, IMO. It's not the world they will be sent off to for college.

I prefer to be very involved in my kids' academic success and expose them to the real world and learning to work with a variety of demographics. IMO, that's what prepares them for life. Manufacturing an environment just stunts that preparation.

Values are developed at home.

This is very well said.

 

[MiddleTennDawg]

All depends on the level of public schools in your area. In Mandeville, LA, the public schools were some of the best in the country. We had them in public. When we moved to Galveston, the public schools are some of the worst, they are in private. For two kids its $4K per month, but its your kids. Worth every penny.

Educationally speaking, its a clear advantage. The kids from Trinity dominate the awards and academic scholarships at Ball High. For clarity, our private school ends at 8th grade so they go to the public high school. The kids from Trinity (the private school) basically have their own floor in the school because they are so far ahead of the other students.

 

[UpDawg?]

Well worth it…….I never had any regrets. They provide a sound foundation for life.

Same experience here

 

[UGA2019]

I'm careful not to speak in absolutes, but it's funny how involved parents have kids who thrive in their school, be it public or private. IMO, a lot of parents "feel" like they're doing something better for their kids by writing a massive check. And if you're spending a fortune, you damn well better convince yourself it's "better." Has anyone ever met a private school parent who confessed it hasn't been worth the money? They're all very eager to convince you it is.

The irony I've found going through the UGA application/admission process is most of the well-known private schools in Atlanta cap the number of AP classes students can take. Westminster as an example caps AP classes at 6. My oldest at Buford HS took 12 AP classes and got a 5 on 10/12 of AP exams (4 on other two). He went through a significantly more rigorous HS curriculum...for free.

There are certainly some pros to private schools, but they also shelter kids, IMO. It's not the world they will be sent off to for college. Private schools tend to have smaller enrollments, too. With smaller numbers, they just aren't exposed to competition as much, with athletics probably being the most glaring example.

I prefer to be very involved in my kids' academic success and expose them to the real world and learning to work with a variety of demographics and having to compete against a larger sample size. IMO, that's what prepares them for life. Manufacturing an environment just stunts that preparation.

Values are developed at home. If you're worried about that, you better not send them off to college.

i also edited mine to say the same about invested parents.

 

[abpilgrim]

For those of you with experience, is private school worth it? My boys are in elementary school, and my wife really wants to put them in a private Christian school next year. The elementary school they are at now is great, and we have no issues with it. She just thinks the Christian school route would be better. For context, she went to this school and loved it, and she also works there. I just don’t want to drop a couple grand a month on school.

I’m not going to sit here and speak in absolutes like some above but I will give you personal experience. I will lead with my wife is a 4th grade teacher in the public school system and busts her @$$ at her job, as do most of the teachers in her school. They care about their kids, do everything they can to make the learning environment as interesting, exciting and fruitful and she works a ton more hours than she should based on the educational pay system. It ultimately comes down to the parents and how invested they are in their child’s education.

With that being said, I have a 17 year old senior and a 14 year old freshman and we decided this year to move my oldest to a private, Christian school. Full disclosure, it was sports related as some of the kids on his team and parents encouraged him to come play and we allowed him to make the decision on he thought would be best for him. We could not be happier with the decision. He was in a public school system thats one of the top in the state but there is so much extracurricular activities that go on during the weekends that he never really found a group of friends he connected with and really despised school. Now, he has plugged in, has a great core group of friends and it has been a great move for us. He wishes he had made the change 3 years ago. I’m not saying the same type of things don’t go on outside of this school but he’s been able to find a group of friends with similar morals and ideals and it’s been great. They have small group at school, chapel, a bible study class and other ways to grow in his faith. Whether the sports stuff works out or not it’s been the best move for us. However, at this time, we don’t have any plans to move my daughter because she a group of friends and small group at church that provide her what he was missing and the high school she attends is great!

Regarding the money, this was my biggest concern as well. If you are self employed or know someone who has a small business and despises paying taxes to the govt (as does everyone) there is a program that allows small businesses to redirect part of their state tax obligations toward a private school scholarship fund that can help with the cost. I highly recommend checking out https://www.georgiasso.com/about.

Sorry for the long post but for me it’s not as black and white as some folks on this board.

 

[dawgman034]

I'm careful not to speak in absolutes, but it's funny how involved parents have kids who thrive in their school, be it public or private. IMO, a lot of parents "feel" like they're doing something better for their kids by writing a massive check. And if you're spending a fortune, you damn well better convince yourself it's "better."

The irony I've found going through the UGA application/admission process is most of the well-known private schools in Atlanta cap the number of AP classes students can take. Westminster as an example caps AP classes at 6. My oldest at Buford HS took 12 AP classes and got a 5 on 10/12 of AP exams (4 on other two). He went through a significantly more rigorous HS curriculum...for free.

There are certainly some pros to private schools, but they also shelter kids, IMO. It's not the world they will be sent off to for college.

I prefer to be very involved in my kids' academic success and expose them to the real world and learning to work with a variety of demographics. IMO, that's what prepares them for life. Manufacturing an environment just stunts that preparation.

Values are developed at home.

AP classes are not the same at every school and AP does not equate to rigor.

For instance, a lot of my public school friends at UGA talked about how many APs they took, but wrote some of the worst essays I had ever peer reviewed. Why? Because their AP English classes were 100% structured around the AP exam. Westminster spent about a week prepping for the English AP exam as a sidebar to the normal curriculum.

Not saying one experience is better than the other, but I think your kids would have found Westminster non-AP classes to be plenty rigorous. I had people in my grade leave Westminster for nearby public schools because their teachers wouldn’t recommend them for AP classes based on their performance. One of them wound up at Vanderbilt.

 

[Red_Red_Whine]

For those of you with experience, is private school worth it? My boys are in elementary school, and my wife really wants to put them in a private Christian school next year. The elementary school they are at now is great, and we have no issues with it. She just thinks the Christian school route would be better. For context, she went to this school and loved it, and she also works there. I just don’t want to drop a couple grand a month on school.

We did public elementary school(which was great) and started public middle school. We pulled her out and moved to private Christian school after one semester. She’s a freshman now and completely thriving in that environment. It may be different because she’s a girl, but it is 1000% worth every penny we’re paying.

 

[untouchableobu]

I’m not going to sit here and speak in absolutes like some above but I will give you personal experience. I will lead with my wife is a 4th grade teacher in the public school system and busts her @$$ at her job, as do most of the teachers in her school. They care about their kids, do everything they can to make the learning environment as interesting, exciting and fruitful and she works a ton more hours than she should based on the educational pay system. It ultimately comes down to the parents and how invested they are in their child’s education.

With that being said, I have a 17 year old senior and a 14 year old freshman and we decided this year to move my oldest to a private, Christian school. Full disclosure, it was sports related as some of the kids on his team and parents encouraged him to come play and we allowed him to make the decision on he thought would be best for him. We could not be happier with the decision. He was in a public school system thats one of the top in the state but there is so much extracurricular activities that go on during the weekends that he never really found a group of friends he connected with and really despised school. Now, he has plugged in, has a great core group of friends and it has been a great move for us. He wishes he had made the change 3 years ago. I’m not saying the same type of things don’t go on outside of this school but he’s been able to find a group of friends with similar morals and ideals and it’s been great. They have small group at school, chapel, a bible study class and other ways to grow in his faith. Whether the sports stuff works out or not it’s been the best move for us. However, at this time, we don’t have any plans to move my daughter because she a group of friends and small group at church that provide her what he was missing and the high school she attends is great!

Regarding the money, this was my biggest concern as well. If you are self employed or know someone who has a small business and despises paying taxes to the govt (as does everyone) there is a program that allows small businesses to redirect part of their state tax obligations toward a private school scholarship fund that can help with the cost. I highly recommend checking out https://www.georgiasso.com/about.

Sorry for the long post but for me it’s not as black and white as some folks on this board.

I do own a small business and I had no idea about that program. I live in Texas though, so I’m not sure if they have that program. I’ll definitely research that. Thanks!

 

[DawgInWinder]

Obviously there are a lot of factors (ability to pay for it, type and size of the Christian school, etc), but they wouldn’t likely change my answer: it is worth it.

It’s hard enough in today’s society to not have your kids overly influenced by things they shoudn’t be, so if you can reinforce what I assume are your household’s values, and surround them with friends and families that are least in the same realm, I think you help set them up for success later on and make MS/HS much easier for them (in a good way, as it’s hard enough as is).

Parental involvement is obviously the most important whether in private or public, but you always want to set it up so what you are teaching is reinforced. Wouldn’t worry about them being “too sheltered” in private school - that seems a common sentiment from people who have not been in the private setting. Are there things they won’t be around that they would in Public? Absolutely, and that’s a good thing. Parents try to monitor/have control what their kids do when at their own house… but then often say being exposed to certain things in a different environment (school) so they’re not ‘sheltered’ is better. I don’t think that makes sense if given a choice.

 

[maitlanddawg]

My oldest is a freshman at a catholic private school in Augusta. She had an easy transition ( was only one from her previous school to go there) and is being challenged academically. Compared to the public schools here it is a night and day difference.

Yep, If I lived there as an adult mine would have gone to Aquinas or Prep most likely. Richmond county school system is garbage. Although I’ve been told the ARC IB program is solid, but still not sure I’d do it. Columbia county schools were great when I was a kid and I assume they still are. I went to Evans and at the time it was one of the best academic HS in the state. Had kids get accepted to some damn fine colleges back then.

 

[emorydog]

There is no way in Hell that I would consider letting my kids, all now GGGs (Grown, Gone and Gainfully employed) go to a public school!

I frankly think it borders on child neglect if you let your kid go to a public school in today’s environment. Indoctrination centers, no accountability, discipline issues. Outstanding teacher friends have called it quits. If you think this is extreme, then you don’t know what is going on in your child’s school. And this includes the so called “ highly ranked” public schools.
There are alternatives to the costly private schools. Home school clusters, etc. So many options today.

 

[tvsullivan2377]

For those of you with experience, is private school worth it? My boys are in elementary school, and my wife really wants to put them in a private Christian school next year. The elementary school they are at now is great, and we have no issues with it. She just thinks the Christian school route would be better. For context, she went to this school and loved it, and she also works there. I just don’t want to drop a couple grand a month on school.

Depends on where you live. If you live in Atlanta proper--then absolutely, it's damn near a must.

 

[lakechatugedawg]

Mine went to a private Christian from K-12. Middle school age was definitely worth it seeing what their friends at public dealt with. I gave mine the option for highschool as we were in a good district with a lot of friends at the public. They chose to stay at the private and I am glad they did. They were much better prepared and grounded when they went to college. They were used to homework every day. I didn't study 20 hours during my 4 years of highschool and didn't know what to do when I went to college. Worth it to me but I think either would have been fine (except middle school). I don't know your district but maybe go in with the plan of trying the private for middle and giving them the option for high school. JMO

Very good points

 

[UGDawwg]

For those of you with experience, is private school worth it? My boys are in elementary school, and my wife really wants to put them in a private Christian school next year. The elementary school they are at now is great, and we have no issues with it. She just thinks the Christian school route would be better. For context, she went to this school and loved it, and she also works there. I just don’t want to drop a couple grand a month on school.

Well, where do you live? Is it because your local public schools suck or are you trying to insulate your kids? 23yr public school teacher & parent here btw

 

[DirtyDawg69]

I frankly think it borders on child neglect if you let your kid go to a public school in today’s environment. Indoctrination centers, no accountability, discipline issues. Outstanding teacher friends have called it quits. If you think this is extreme, then you don’t know what is going on in your child’s school. And this includes the so called “ highly ranked” public schools.
There are alternatives to the costly private schools. Home school clusters, etc. So many options today.

This is an absurd opinion. I went to Woodward Academy and I don't feel like I got anything special from it except a controlled environment. Mind you it didn't control drugs because rich kids can afford them.
Both my kids went to public school in Fayetteville which is a good school system. My son graduated from the University of Chicago and is a very good Christian young man. And my daughter is fixing to have 2 degrees from UGA.
You do realize 90 percent of America goes to public school, right?

 

[shoppedawg]

I’ll try to answer a little more simply. I’ve had a child in public school and private. We went private in 2020 and never looked back. I will starve before I put them back in public school.

 

[Captain]

I live in the Dallas, TX area.

Dallas City system?

 

[untouchableobu]

Dallas City system?

No, there would be zero question if I were in DISD. We’re in Richardson ISD and currently in a Magnet school.

 

[jtruhedges]

My wife and I are both products of the public school system and we were firm believers in what public schools had to offer going into it.

We live in one of the best public school systems in Georgia. Our oldest went to public school from 1st-5th in a relatively conservativeish area and I was displeased with the wokeness aspect of public school.

We had to review the books she was checking out from the library bc some had woke or inappropriate content for our family’s values. There was also a guidance counselor who pumped Biden and especially Kamala BS down students throats. Not to mention children were identifying as this, that or the other. A big factor for us though are cell phones and social media. Some of her classmates started getting cell phones in 3rd grade. She was one of few who didn’t have a cell phone in 4th grade and the only one in her class without one in 5th.

We decided on private Christian for middle and it’s been the best decision for OUR family. Night and day difference in approach, values, family support, etc. I don’t think anyone in her class has a cell phone in 6th grade. Not to mention she gets out 2 hours earlier than the public middle school which is huge bc of her soccer schedule.

It depends on so much though obviously.

 

[CalienteDawg]

I'm careful not to speak in absolutes, but it's funny how involved parents have kids who thrive in their school, be it public or private. IMO, a lot of parents "feel" like they're doing something better for their kids by writing a massive check. And if you're spending a fortune, you damn well better convince yourself it's "better." Has anyone ever met a private school parent who confessed it hasn't been worth the money? They're all very eager to convince you it is.

The irony I've found going through the UGA application/admission process is most of the well-known private schools in Atlanta cap the number of AP classes students can take. Westminster as an example caps AP classes at 6. My oldest at Buford HS took 12 AP classes and got a 5 on 10/12 of AP exams (4 on other two). He's not some outlier, either - this is very common. He went through a significantly more rigorous HS curriculum...for free.

There are certainly some pros to private schools, but they also shelter kids, IMO. It's not the world they will be sent off to for college. Private schools tend to have smaller enrollments, too. With smaller numbers, they just aren't exposed to competition as much, with athletics probably being the most glaring example.

I prefer to be very involved in my kids' academic success so as to expose them to the real world, learning to work with a variety of demographics, and having to compete against a larger sample size. IMO, that's what prepares them for life. Manufacturing an environment just stunts that preparation.

Values are developed at home. If you're worried about that, you better not send them off to college.

Some Good points but the cap on AP classes has some very solid arguments. Once you get beyond the major AP classes like the calcs, physics, lit/langs, USH, and biology you’re entering into areas of diminished returns. You’re consuming electives that are better taken at college, you are reducing electives that could be of value at your HS and you aren’t really increasing rigor. If we’re being honest, 3YearLetterman is right that an hour in weightlifting is more academically rigorous than AP Comp Science.

I recently had the opportunity to have a long lunch with a couple of UGA Deans and admissions officers and when I got my chance at some Q&A this is the topic I used most of my questions. My daughter graduated with ten APs but passed on four additional ones for a drama/theater elective each year. She knew it would cost her valedictorian/salutatorian but we wondered how it would impact her admissions. Based on her results, it looked like she made the correct decision and then after that conversation they confirmed it. It’s important to know that these private schools are in frequent contact with UGA, tech and other schools admissions and aren’t putting their students at disadvantages to get accepted or to compete once they get on campus.

I feel confident this message of “hey we don’t need to see superfluous AP classes” will only get more frequent and louder.

When is Enough Enough? - UGA Undergraduate Admissions

I am going to tell you secret about me – I love movie theater popcorn. It is my kryptonite. If I go to the movies, I need to have a large bucket of popcorn with the butter layered throughout. For me, half of the enjoyment of going to a movie is the popcorn. But, like […]

www.admissions.uga.edu

 

[acndog]

My oldest went to Mt Bethel Christian Academy K-8, Westminster for High School, and Notre Dame for college. Just keep in mind that there are Christian schools and Christian in name only. Mt Bethel and schools like Wesleyan are truly Christ-centered schools. Westminster, Lovett, Holy Innocents … as the head of admissions for Westminster told me … “God lives at Westminster and Lovett; but, your child will have to work hard to find Him.” Westminster , Lovett, and Holy Innocents left their Christian moorings many many years ago. Those schools “pretend” to be Christian. Was extremely happy with Mt Bethel Christian Academy.

 

[HacksawDawg]

Some Good points but the cap on AP classes has some very solid arguments. Once you get beyond the major AP classes like the calcs, physics, lit/langs, USH, and biology you’re entering into areas of diminished returns. You’re consuming electives that are better taken at college, you are reducing electives that could be of value at your HS and you aren’t really increasing rigor. If we’re being honest, 3YearLetterman is right that an hour in weightlifting is more academically rigorous than AP Comp Science.

I recently had the opportunity to have a long lunch with a couple of UGA Deans and admissions officers and when I got my chance at some Q&A this is the topic I used most of my questions. My daughter graduated with ten APs but passed on four additional ones for a drama/theater elective each year. She knew it would cost her valedictorian/salutatorian but we wondered how it would impact her admissions. Based on her results, it looked like she made the correct decision and then after that conversation they confirmed it. It’s important to know that these private schools are in frequent contact with UGA, tech and other schools admissions and aren’t putting their students at disadvantages to get accepted or to compete once they get on campus.

I feel confident this message of “hey we don’t need to see superfluous AP classes” will only get more frequent and louder.

When is Enough Enough? - UGA Undergraduate Admissions

I am going to tell you secret about me – I love movie theater popcorn. It is my kryptonite. If I go to the movies, I need to have a large bucket of popcorn with the butter layered throughout. For me, half of the enjoyment of going to a movie is the popcorn. But, like […]

www.admissions.uga.edu

Excellent points and I agree completely on the AP stuff. The cap is ultimately a good policy, IMO. Wish it was a state-wide cap to take some pressure off HS students. It's just a race to misery.

My next one is currently a HS sophomore and lives and breathes dance both at BHS with her ballet studio outside of school. Straight-A student already with 4 AP classes, but she's said she's passionate about dance and not interested in taking 10+ AP classes and I'm fully supportive of that. More and more it seems UGA is recognizing the well-rounded resumés in early action.

 

[acndog]

Excellent points and I agree completely on the AP stuff. The cap is ultimately a good policy, IMO. Wish it was a state-wide cap to take some pressure off HS students. It's just a race to misery.

My next one is currently a HS sophomore and lives and breathes dance both at BHS with her ballet studio outside of school. Straight-A student already with 4 AP classes, but she's said she's passionate about dance and not interested in taking 10+ AP classes and I'm fully supportive of that. More and more it seems UGA is recognizing the well-rounded resumés in early action.

I may be wrong, but, for early action, UGA only looks at ACT/SAT scores and GPA (recalculated by UGA - which is substantially lower than what the high school says it is). Extracurriculars aren’t looked at by UGA for early action.

 

[HacksawDawg]

E

I may be wrong, but, for early action, UGA only looks at ACT/SAT scores and GPA (recalculated by UGA - which is substantially lower than what the high school says it is). Extracurriculars aren’t looked at by UGA for early action.

That's what you'll hear most people say, but I don't believe that for a second given the variance in academic stats of those admitted during early action. I know far too many examples of what would be considered lower tiers of academic stats, but exceptional extracurricular resumes being admitted through Early action.

 

[rectomo]

Thank you for posting this thread. It has been a pleasure reading the diversity of opinions from our group, proving once and for all that despite our differences we are all united in our love for the Dawgs.

As a resident secular humanist, I have very defined opinions on this subject, but you would likely not find them useful.

Only you and your family can be the judge of your family circumstances, both social and financial, and only you will make the final choice. If it helps, write up a list of pluses and minuses and see where that takes you. In the end, I am confident you will make the best decision for your family.

 

[claydawg99]

For those of you with experience, is private school worth it? My boys are in elementary school, and my wife really wants to put them in a private Christian school next year. The elementary school they are at now is great, and we have no issues with it. She just thinks the Christian school route would be better. For context, she went to this school and loved it, and she also works there. I just don’t want to drop a couple grand a month on school.

Depends on the public schools around you and their rating.

My daughter attended one of the best Private Schools in America but we pulled her to send her to and beer better Public School top 100 in America.

My son will obviously stay in private because he’s not the brainiac my daughter is

 

[jason79]

No, there would be zero question if I were in DISD. We’re in Richardson ISD and currently in a Magnet school.

My wife went to Hockaday and then transferred to Highland Park HS. Said she was like 2 grades ahead when she transferred in in 9th grade.

 

[acndog]

E

That's what you'll hear most people say, but I don't believe that for a second given the variance in academic stats of those admitted during early action. I know far too many examples of what would be considered lower tiers of academic stats, but exceptional extracurricular resumes being admitted through Early action.

Could be; but, I have heard it from the top. I do know this, my youngest son, who is a senior Engineering major at UGA was deferred early admission despite having a UGA recalculated perfect 4.0 GPA and a perfect 36 ACT (didn’t miss a question). The off the record reason was because he was a metro Atlanta kid who is more likely to go to Duke, Vandy, UVa, or Ivy League. The truth is that he only applied to UGA and was heartbroken (the head of the UGA Honors Program in high school discouraged him from applying to those other schools 😳 and was a candidate for Foundation Fellow - but, UGA Admissions is monolithic, political, and has a very specific “agenda” - and there is very little coordination at UGA with admissions). He was accepted regular admissions into the Honors Program. I was told, off the record, that, going to a metro Atlanta school is a huge disadvantage. But, was told they do not look at extracurriculars.

 

[jason79]

My oldest went to Mt Bethel Christian Academy K-8, Westminster for High School, and Notre Dame for college. Just keep in mind that there are Christian schools and Christian in name only. Mt Bethel and schools like Wesleyan are truly Christ-centered schools. Westminster, Lovett, Holy Innocents … as the head of admissions for Westminster told me … “God lives at Westminster and Lovett; but, your child will have to work hard to find Him.” Westminster , Lovett, and Holy Innocents left their Christian moorings many many years ago. Those schools “pretend” to be Christian. Was extremely happy with Mt Bethel Christian Academy.

Yeah, agreed. I have kids at Westminster. I know it’s a “Christian” school, but have no idea what denomination! My daughter goes to Bible study because they bring in CFA for breakfast!!!

 

[HacksawDawg]

Could be; but, I have heard it from the top. I do know this, my youngest son, who is a senior Engineering major at UGA was deferred early admission despite having a UGA recalculated perfect 4.0 GPA and a perfect 36 ACT (didn’t miss a question). The off the record reason was because he was a metro Atlanta kid who is more likely to go to Duke, Vandy, UVa, or Ivy League. The truth is that he only applied to UGA and was heartbroken (the head of the UGA Honors Program in high school discouraged him from applying to those other schools 😳 and was a candidate for Foundation Fellow - but, UGA Admissions is monolithic, political, and has an agenda - and there is very little coordination at UGA with admissions). He was accepted regular admissions into the Honors Program. I was told, off the record, that, going to a metro Atlanta school is a huge disadvantage. But, was told they do not look at extracurriculars.

There absolutely is such a thing as having stats that are too good, your son's perfect ACT being a prime example. It's as if UGA concedes these students to Ivys and doesn't admit them EA to preserve their acceptance figures. I've definitely heard of plenty of examples like your son. There's a "sweet spot" for EA.

 

[dayneyoung]

I see students at UGA from public schools who are awesome. I see students at UGA from private schools who are awesome.

I went to a 2A public high school in super-rural Georgia. Most of my teachers cared and invested in my future even though most folks would tell you it isn’t a “great school.”

As a parent now, we chose to overspend (for our budget at the time) on a home in a public school district with a great reputation and resources. We’ve been thrilled so far and have full confidence that our kids will have chances to succeed. We also have a home that is appreciating in value and will make money for us after our youngest is finished with school.

TLDR: public school has always been the answer for me, but your variables might dictate different decisions. Good luck!

 

[DVD-Dawg]

Largely depends on the location/city. There are good public schools, and bad public schools. Same for private schools, but most private schools are pretty good because writing the tuition check usually means that the parents collectively are more involved and demand a certain quality of education (aka, a ROI on their investment) for little Sally or Johnny.

I live in the Chattanooga area, and private schools are the way to go, especially after 5th grade or so. My ex-wife and I have no regrets putting our son through a local, Christian private school.

The sad truth about local public schools is that they have to cater to the lowest common denominator, of both student and parent. That situation (i.e, student doesn't care, and their deadbeat parents don't care) can create a difficult learning environment for all students and does not attract the best talent for teachers or administrators who have to put up with it. I say this having two older sisters who were both middle and high school teachers in the local public school system, one of which went on to become a high school principal before retiring.

 

[acndog]

There absolutely is such a thing as having stats that are too good, your son's perfect ACT being a prime example. It's as if UGA concedes these students to Ivys and doesn't admit them EA to preserve their acceptance figures. I've definitely heard of plenty of examples like your son. There's a "sweet spot" for EA.

He literally was deferred and I quote “because superior students like your son choose higher ranked schools than UGA and they typically don’t come to UGA.” Translation - UGA doesn’t want to hurt their acceptance %. UGA admissions is a joke. It is only through my connections that I had an audience. I received a number of apologies.

 

[HacksawDawg]

He literally was deferred and I quote “because superior students like your son choose higher ranked schools than UGA and they typically don’t come to UGA.” Translation - UGA doesn’t want to hurt their acceptance %. UGA admissions is a joke. It is only through my connections that I had an audience. I received a number of apologies.

Yeah, that's beyond frustrating. Congrats, though, on raising an exceptional student!

 

[acndog]

Yeah, that's beyond frustrating. Congrats, though, on raising an exceptional student!

He is a great young man and is super smart. He could have gone anywhere in the country; but, he only wanted to be a Bulldog! Damn proud of him. His mother deserves 99% of the credit!

 

[roykemper]

Not sure of the rules in every state, but in South Carolina you can use $10,000 a year from your child's 529 plan to cover private school tuition. Obviously just means you have to have funded more to the 529 plan for college, but many states have a tax deduction for the contributions each year so you can make a contribution and then pull the money out to make the tuition payment.

 

[Russell2003]

AP classes are not the same at every school and AP does not equate to rigor.

For instance, a lot of my public school friends at UGA talked about how many APs they took, but wrote some of the worst essays I had ever peer reviewed. Why? Because their AP English classes were 100% structured around the AP exam. Westminster spent about a week prepping for the English AP exam as a sidebar to the normal curriculum.

Not saying one experience is better than the other, but I think your kids would have found Westminster non-AP classes to be plenty rigorous. I had people in my grade leave Westminster for nearby public schools because their teachers wouldn’t recommend them for AP classes based on their performance. One of them wound up at Vanderbilt.

Yeah, but they got into UGA. Thats kind of the point