schools all over my city.  They've often had long commutes.  We've made all kinds of choices because frankly, the schools that we are districted for just don't work for my kids.  I spent a long, long time trying to change this, and you know, in the end, my kids suffered for my efforts.  I'm not alone...most of the kids in my neighborhood don't attend the districted neighborhood schools.  While I might wish that these schools could get it together so they were more viable options, it didn't happen in time for my kids, so I did what responsible parents do, I made choices based on the best interest of my children.

Part of me is bothered, however, by having to pay tuition to attend a public school, whether its in your district or not.  DC is not a great example, because those families are not part of a state...however, I would put forward the idea that if your child wants to attend another school, in your state, and that school has room to accommodate him/her, then the state funds should follow your child.  This, ofcourse, wouldn't even work for my state as we are considered "unconstitutional" because students are funded in an inequitable manner.  

I was considering writing a diary about this because it's kind of a long story, but I'll try to give the abridged version.  Here in Colorado, we have a choice system like tjb22 mentioned.  If there is space a district has to take out-of district (OOD) kids.  The way school finance works here, most of the money for operating comes straight from the state following some complicated formula.  Anyway, a district gets a certain amount of $ per student whether they live in district or out.  The property tax money schools get from the district is used for capital improvements, new schools, etc.

We moved here because of the great reputation of the schools, but now our district is in a financial crisis.  The district is built out, no new construction, and all the aging people are staying - 78% of households have no school-aged children.  Young families have trouble affording houses here.  So, there are all kinds of cuts being made (eliminating the elementary spanish program, for one) and they will most likely be closing an elementary school, ours, of course  :(

Another thing they are considering doing is marketing to increase our OOD enrollment, as the reason we are in the red is declining enrollment.  The problem is that there is a subset of people here who think that the OOD kids will "dilute" the quality of education and that we have to be careful "what kinds of people we are bringing in." (the lovely words of one of our school board members).  Everyone I know is completely disgusted by that sentiment, but it is there, probably largely among the rich old taxpayers with no kids in school.  In my experience from the OOD people I know, the ones who make the effort to enroll here and drive their kids in from all over are just as involved and invested in their kids' education as people who live here.  Every time I go to a school board meeting and hear that guy I want to move.  I hate the idea that I live in a place where people think that way.

One of my best High School friends did this in the 80's and I've always known folks who made this choice.  I have to say, it always seemed kind of normal to me.  It never occurred to me that it was a provocative choice.  

Then again, in the Midwest (where I grew up) there just aren't many private high schools.  Maybe that lack of options played into it?

I live in Florida and I understand hazels position. The good schools are in the areas that cost the most to live and like CO.,we have a large number of senior residence that don't want to fund schools. However,I think it is morally wrong to pay tuition for public schools. Public schools are for everyone and should provide every child the same quality of education. Of course, we all know that we do not live in a perfect world and the reality is that children who live in poor neighborhoods have some of the worst schools in the country. Why should we allow anyone who is able to pay, go to the public school of their choice and those less fortunate, not have equal access to these schools? It's wrong and it's a sad commentary on our society and the state of our educational system.

When we lived in DC, my husband's then-boss told us one night at dinner that he and his wife "donated" about $2,000 to the local elementary school. As I understood it, all the parents (probably more like most) agreed to give this money to the school to increase resources. Compared to paying tuition at a private school, this was a pittance. All pooled together it was quite a nice sum of money for the school. Plus all the kids got to go to their neighborhood school together. I actually thought this was a pretty great idea. It would suck if you couldn't afford it and there was pressure to give a big chunk of money like that to the public school which of course, should be free. But this was a ritzy part of the city so I kind of doubt that people were struggling with the payment.

It seems like this family found a way to make their lives work around high school without changing jobs and moving, so bravo to them.

I questioned whether it was fair for these families to write off their local public schools because of NCLB.

I guess I'm not sure what "fair" is when it comes to educating our kids.  I think parents, to the best of their ability, should try to make sure their kids are educated.  If the local school is crappy, I don't see the parents looking elsewhere as unfair.  It seems more like due diligence to me.   As tjb22 has pointed out, the idea of staying and trying to make it better doesn't always work out, as parent input is not always welcomed.  

But it is cool that their dollars are benefiting public schools rather than stuffing the coffers of already endowed private or parochial schools.

I think many private schools, especially at the K-12 level, are living hand to mouth.  I suppose there are some that are endowed and have stuffed coffers, but I think they're in the minority.  I sure don't see many folks getting rich working in non-profit private schools.