3 comebacks to use when someone puts down that you went to Public school

-I’d say I turned out fine.

-Luckily, success isn’t limited to whether you go to public or private school.

-What makes you say that?

For a more in depth explanation, read below:

When responding to someone who puts down public schools, the goal is to be assertive, not defensive, or competitive. A strong response should:

-Own your experience with confidence. 

-Shut down unnecessary comparisons.

-Keep the tone neutral and unbothered.

-Avoid implying insecurity or inviting debate. 

Here are some responses you can use and when to use them: 

-I’d say I turned out fine.

This response is short, calm, and self-assured without over-explaining. It doesn’t argue about public vs. private school - it simply states confidence in your own outcome. It also avoids defensiveness while subtly dismissing their comment as unimportant. 

Works best for: Casual conversations with acquaintances, parents at social events, or coworkers. Situations where you wan tot shut down the conversation quickly without engaging further. When the person’s comment isn’t meant to be deeply critical, just mildly condescending. 

-Luckily, success isn’t limited to whether you go to public or private school. 

This response broadens the conversation beyond just your experience. It shuts down assumption that private school is automatically better. The tone remains neutral and confident, rather than defensive or confrontational. 

Works best for: When the conversation is turning into an unnecessary comparison, social settings where you want to remain polite but assertive, and when you want to shut down school elitism without making it personal. 

-What makes you say that? 

This response flips the script and instead of defending yourself, you make the other person explain their reasoning for putting down public schools. This shifts the responsibility onto them instead of making you justify your education. Most people making elitist or judgmental comments expect you to react - either by brushing it off or defending public schools. This interrupts their script and forces them to reflect. It exposes their bias and makes them realize that their belief isn’t necessarily fact-based. 

Works best for: Private school parents or competitive acquaintances who are implying superiority but haven’t outright insulted you, and is great for handling subtle elitism at networking events, mom groups, or workplace conversations where you want to keep the tone polite but assertive. 

Need more help being the Assertive You, book a 1:1 with me by heading to the book a session tab above or head to the community forum and ask for advice.