Just checked the Lycee Francais website, I didn't know a school preparing for the french baccalaureate is among the most sought after in New York. Is that diploma worth anything in the US or is it just because of the school reputation ?
Not that I ever sent my kids anywhere else than to private schools, but what's wrong with public schools in Manhattan if the family is English speaking ? Public schools are supposed to be good in wealthy areas, also in the US. i wouldn't call private school a high necessity in your colleague's case, he might indeed be living above his means.
Taxes are outrageous, they really hurt one's disposable income in such a case.
The network connections, diploma is
worth a lot more abroad especially to one of the parents or both or grandparents that live abroad or had lived abroad in a French speaking country. Simply, they want to
use their language to maintain family/network connections.
If I lived in New York
during my kids school year...that school would be on my list of schools to send my kids too. For example, I have a casual buddy here in Québec and he's recently divorce. The mother of his kids is moving back to New York this summer and part of their divorce agreement she will enroll the kids at Lycée Français via request of the grandparents that are French speakers, living in France and will be paying for the education.
Its something a public English school can not offer. Thus, how important the school is really dependent upon the family situation (bilingual/trilingual) of students before enrollment.
I've seen some parents just about go broke just to enroll their kids in a private school that offers a
unique education that public schools can not afford to offer...an education that can be used elsewhere outside of North America if there's an opportunity for further education (e.g. university) or job offer.
Seriously, if you have the opportunity to start a career in different countries instead of in just one country because you're fluent in the language and understand the culture...something given to you since
birth...
Why not enroll at that private school if you can afford it ?
wrbtrader