Why is River School so expensive?

[Anonymous]

Other pre-schools charge about $5-6000 for 3 half days, but River charges a whole lot more. Is it worth the money? It barely has any outdoor space.

[Anonymous]

With two kids there, I hear ya... It's breaking the bank. But I've never felt for one second it isn't 100% worth it. They spend almost all the tuition on staff salary. All the teachers- even the specials teachers- have masters degrees. One might question why this matters with, say, a 2-year-old, but believe me it does. I can manage socializing my kids and taking them to nice playgrounds, but I guarantee that I can't provide the foundation for learning that my kids are getting at the River School. It's not about the facilities, it's about the incredibly creative play-based curriculum, and the effort and energy that the administration puts into the system. In fact, the tuition only covers I think 75-80% of the operating costs, so yep, one can get ready to get hit up for annual fund on top of the tuition. Believe it or not, it just costs that much to educate kids in that way.

[Anonymous]

PP, can you gives us some examples of their curriculum? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

We toured River (though decided against applying) along with NCRC and Aidan, etc.... Our child attends one of the latter schools and, for the life of me, I don't understand why River charges any more than NCRC or Aidan. It is true for all of the schools that tuition does not cover all operating costs, etc.... Perhaps River raise less during their annual fund drive than do NCRC and Aidan, resulting in the need to increase tuition. Not sure.

[Anonymous]

I always assumed it was because the school runs through July

[Anonymous]

Do they specialize in hearing and communication issues? That would make sense for being more expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With two kids there, I hear ya... It's breaking the bank. But I've never felt for one second it isn't 100% worth it. They spend almost all the tuition on staff salary. All the teachers- even the specials teachers- have masters degrees. One might question why this matters with, say, a 2-year-old, but believe me it does. I can manage socializing my kids and taking them to nice playgrounds, but I guarantee that I can't provide the foundation for learning that my kids are getting at the River School. It's not about the facilities, it's about the incredibly creative play-based curriculum, and the effort and energy that the administration puts into the system. In fact, the tuition only covers I think 75-80% of the operating costs, so yep, one can get ready to get hit up for annual fund on top of the tuition. Believe it or not, it just costs that much to educate kids in that way.

I think you've been drinking too much of your own kool-aid. With all due respect, we toured River along with several other preschools, and declined River. The facilities are awful -- what is with the playground in a parking garage??? The indoor classrooms are also incredibly packed. I did like the gymnasium, but I like our children to be outside, where the sun shines! I agree that they did have lots of teachers, but they all seemed to be young, with no more than 2 or 3 post-college or graduate school experience. Plus, I saw no indication that graduates of the River School place better at local privates than any other preschool. So, I'm happy for you that you're thrilled, but I don't see any justification for the additional expenses.

[Anonymous]

My impression of the River School after a tour was that they put their money into the extra resources they have available. However, if your child doesn't need that extra attention, it may not be the place for you.....

[Anonymous]

Don't they have a low student/teacher ratio? That could be cause for the high tuition.

[Anonymous]

Very low student/teacher ratio -- two teachers in every class and class size is 12-14 in our last 5 years there.
About ten percent of the kids have hearing loss, but the school works to integrate them into the classroom (it is not a sign language school). About half the teachers are speech pathlogists and there is a real emphasis on language. All those professionals just aren't cheap.
The progress that I have seen in children with hearing loss is incredible and frankly there is something intangible and really heartwarming about begin part of that process. (stepping off soapbox now).
I don't disagree that the facilities are weak -- it is not the right place for everyone. But it has been great for our children (no hearing issues).

[Anonymous]

I just stumbled upon this post, about 3 weeks too late

I'm a current River School parent, and my son wears a Cochlear Implant. I just wanted to give my perspective on what I believe to be an absolutely fabulous school (whether your child has a hearing loss or not). I will say, that if it wasn't for my son's hearing loss, we would have never considered the school. We aren't "private school" type people, but after our experience these past two years, our hearing daughter will attend once she turns 2. We love it THAT much.

About 10% of the children at River have a hearing loss. They are completely included in the classrooms, which are staffed with one Master's Level educator and one Speech-Language Pathologist (which all children in the class have access to). My son's 2 year old class had 9 students in it, and his late 2's early 3s has 12. The school is equipped with a full audiology suite, has an onsite OT, psychologist, specials teachers (music, drama, art, science), and is a warm, nurturing, and engaging environment for my child.

From my experience, our family pays tuition PLUS a related services fee that other families who do not require the services pay.

River's tuition IS expensive, but you do get what you pay for. The teachers are bright, engaged, and creative. The parents are committed to the school. The curriculum (which does vary by class) is based on language and literacy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very low student/teacher ratio -- two teachers in every class and class size is 12-14 in our last 5 years there.
A

This is not an especially low ratio, IMO. Our dc go to a coop preschool in Fairfax (tuition is about $300/month depending on year) and the ratio for the 2 year old class is 2 teachers + 1 parent for 10 kids; 3 year olds is 2 teachers + parent for 12 kids, and 4 year old classes have 15 kids. And there is an amazing playground.