WWYD? Alexandria George Mason vs SSSAS. Is the money really worth it?

[Anonymous]

George Mason vs SSSAS. Is the money really worth it?

[Anonymous]

That's entirely an opinion question. Answer depends on the student and that student's family. There is no "one size fits all" answer. This is DCUM, so one will hear 2 or more different opinions.

[Anonymous]

No, not even remotely worth it at $420,000.

- a guy who went to Landon K-12, but sent two kids to Maury- GW- TC

[Anonymous]

Worth it? Depends on the family and the school, but that’s true for any private. What are you looking for and what else could you use the money for?

We know many families who are content at Mason and many who are not. The new building will be an improvement. We can afford a private without major sacrifice and it seems like the best fit for our kid. If we had to alter our lifestyle it would be a much harder decision.

[Anonymous]

I have a kid at SSSAS and I would say it completely depends on how much that money impacts your quality of life.

If it’s like a couple skipped lattes at Starbucks every week I might go with Saint Stephens. If it means 4 kids sharing one bedroom, no way I’d even consider it.

I think it’s really hard to leave though, so once you’re in, it feels like you’re locked in for all four years. And keep in mind that tuition will go up about 5% per year just as the cost of living increase on top of the increasing expense with each grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid at SSSAS and I would say it completely depends on how much that money impacts your quality of life.

If it’s like a couple skipped lattes at Starbucks every week I might go with Saint Stephens. If it means 4 kids sharing one bedroom, no way I’d even consider it.

I think it’s really hard to leave though, so once you’re in, it feels like you’re locked in for all four years. And keep in mind that tuition will go up about 5% per year just as the cost of living increase on top of the increasing expense with each grade.

This is asinine. Two lattes a week for a year is $892.

Current tuition at SSSAS is $56,000 a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid at SSSAS and I would say it completely depends on how much that money impacts your quality of life.

If it’s like a couple skipped lattes at Starbucks every week I might go with Saint Stephens. If it means 4 kids sharing one bedroom, no way I’d even consider it.

I think it’s really hard to leave though, so once you’re in, it feels like you’re locked in for all four years. And keep in mind that tuition will go up about 5% per year just as the cost of living increase on top of the increasing expense with each grade.

This is asinine. Two lattes a week for a year is $892.

Current tuition at SSSAS is $56,000 a year.

I'm not the PP you quoted, but he/she specifically said "if it’s like a couple skipped lattes at Starbucks every week", so what he/she meant is if OP is very wealthy and the impact of $56k/year tuition is as negligible as $892/year to an average person. There are plenty of people who make $50k/year and drink two lattes a week (think about all the bougie young folks from MC or UMC families with liberal arts degrees). So proportionally the SSSAS tuition would have the same impact on someone who makes ($56,000/$892)x$50,000=$3.1M/year, which is admittedly high but not rare in NoVA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid at SSSAS and I would say it completely depends on how much that money impacts your quality of life.

If it’s like a couple skipped lattes at Starbucks every week I might go with Saint Stephens. If it means 4 kids sharing one bedroom, no way I’d even consider it.

I think it’s really hard to leave though, so once you’re in, it feels like you’re locked in for all four years. And keep in mind that tuition will go up about 5% per year just as the cost of living increase on top of the increasing expense with each grade.

This is asinine. Two lattes a week for a year is $892.

Current tuition at SSSAS is $56,000 a year.

I'm not the PP you quoted, but he/she specifically said "if it’s like a couple skipped lattes at Starbucks every week", so what he/she meant is if OP is very wealthy and the impact of $56k/year tuition is as negligible as $892/year to an average person. There are plenty of people who make $50k/year and drink two lattes a week (think about all the bougie young folks from MC or UMC families with liberal arts degrees). So proportionally the SSSAS tuition would have the same impact on someone who makes ($56,000/$892)x$50,000=$3.1M/year, which is admittedly high but not rare in NoVA.

There are roughly 1400 students enrolled at SSSAS. There are nowhere near 1400 households in Alexandria making 3.1M. Even if you expand the catchment area to Arlington and the Alexandria portion of Fairfax County, there is still nowehere near that many multimillion dollar earners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid at SSSAS and I would say it completely depends on how much that money impacts your quality of life.

If it’s like a couple skipped lattes at Starbucks every week I might go with Saint Stephens. If it means 4 kids sharing one bedroom, no way I’d even consider it.

I think it’s really hard to leave though, so once you’re in, it feels like you’re locked in for all four years. And keep in mind that tuition will go up about 5% per year just as the cost of living increase on top of the increasing expense with each grade.

This is asinine. Two lattes a week for a year is $892.

Current tuition at SSSAS is $56,000 a year.

I'm not the PP you quoted, but he/she specifically said "if it’s like a couple skipped lattes at Starbucks every week", so what he/she meant is if OP is very wealthy and the impact of $56k/year tuition is as negligible as $892/year to an average person. There are plenty of people who make $50k/year and drink two lattes a week (think about all the bougie young folks from MC or UMC families with liberal arts degrees). So proportionally the SSSAS tuition would have the same impact on someone who makes ($56,000/$892)x$50,000=$3.1M/year, which is admittedly high but not rare in NoVA.

There are roughly 1400 students enrolled at SSSAS. There are nowhere near 1400 households in Alexandria making 3.1M. Even if you expand the catchment area to Arlington and the Alexandria portion of Fairfax County, there is still nowehere near that many multimillion dollar earners.

Stop being pedantic. The point stands. If paying tuition would not materially impact your life, pp thinks it would be worthwhile. If it would mean significant family sacrifices, then no, not worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid at SSSAS and I would say it completely depends on how much that money impacts your quality of life.

If it’s like a couple skipped lattes at Starbucks every week I might go with Saint Stephens. If it means 4 kids sharing one bedroom, no way I’d even consider it.

I think it’s really hard to leave though, so once you’re in, it feels like you’re locked in for all four years. And keep in mind that tuition will go up about 5% per year just as the cost of living increase on top of the increasing expense with each grade.

This is asinine. Two lattes a week for a year is $892.

Current tuition at SSSAS is $56,000 a year.

I'm not the PP you quoted, but he/she specifically said "if it’s like a couple skipped lattes at Starbucks every week", so what he/she meant is if OP is very wealthy and the impact of $56k/year tuition is as negligible as $892/year to an average person. There are plenty of people who make $50k/year and drink two lattes a week (think about all the bougie young folks from MC or UMC families with liberal arts degrees). So proportionally the SSSAS tuition would have the same impact on someone who makes ($56,000/$892)x$50,000=$3.1M/year, which is admittedly high but not rare in NoVA.

There are roughly 1400 students enrolled at SSSAS. There are nowhere near 1400 households in Alexandria making 3.1M. Even if you expand the catchment area to Arlington and the Alexandria portion of Fairfax County, there is still nowehere near that many multimillion dollar earners.

Lol, not all the 1400 households have to think the same way as PP and I do. Some of them might have money from grandparents; some of them might have to sacrifice in other large expenses to pay for the tuition. I know someone whose HHI is $500k and they have to postpone buying a primary residence because they choose to send their kids to private schools with $40k/year tuition. It's their freedom to do so. I personally wouldn't send my kids to private schools unless my HHI is $1M+ but that's my own choice. It's also PP's freedom to express the opinion that SSSAS is not worth it unless the tuition is as negligible as buying lattes. You don't have to agree and you can certainly choose to send your kids to SSSAS at a much lower HHI. But no need to attack people with different opinions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid at SSSAS and I would say it completely depends on how much that money impacts your quality of life.

If it’s like a couple skipped lattes at Starbucks every week I might go with Saint Stephens. If it means 4 kids sharing one bedroom, no way I’d even consider it.

I think it’s really hard to leave though, so once you’re in, it feels like you’re locked in for all four years. And keep in mind that tuition will go up about 5% per year just as the cost of living increase on top of the increasing expense with each grade.

This is asinine. Two lattes a week for a year is $892.

Current tuition at SSSAS is $56,000 a year.

I'm not the PP you quoted, but he/she specifically said "if it’s like a couple skipped lattes at Starbucks every week", so what he/she meant is if OP is very wealthy and the impact of $56k/year tuition is as negligible as $892/year to an average person. There are plenty of people who make $50k/year and drink two lattes a week (think about all the bougie young folks from MC or UMC families with liberal arts degrees). So proportionally the SSSAS tuition would have the same impact on someone who makes ($56,000/$892)x$50,000=$3.1M/year, which is admittedly high but not rare in NoVA.

There are roughly 1400 students enrolled at SSSAS. There are nowhere near 1400 households in Alexandria making 3.1M. Even if you expand the catchment area to Arlington and the Alexandria portion of Fairfax County, there is still nowehere near that many multimillion dollar earners.

Lol, not all the 1400 households have to think the same way as PP and I do. Some of them might have money from grandparents; some of them might have to sacrifice in other large expenses to pay for the tuition. I know someone whose HHI is $500k and they have to postpone buying a primary residence because they choose to send their kids to private schools with $40k/year tuition. It's their freedom to do so. I personally wouldn't send my kids to private schools unless my HHI is $1M+ but that's my own choice. It's also PP's freedom to express the opinion that SSSAS is not worth it unless the tuition is as negligible as buying lattes. You don't have to agree and you can certainly choose to send your kids to SSSAS at a much lower HHI. But no need to attack people with different opinions.

Pointing out blatant inaccuracies in hypotheticals ≠ an 'attack'. Lighten up, Francis.

Anyway- if you want to drop half a million dollars on SSSAS to have your son get waitlisted at JMU, be my guest!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid at SSSAS and I would say it completely depends on how much that money impacts your quality of life.

If it’s like a couple skipped lattes at Starbucks every week I might go with Saint Stephens. If it means 4 kids sharing one bedroom, no way I’d even consider it.

I think it’s really hard to leave though, so once you’re in, it feels like you’re locked in for all four years. And keep in mind that tuition will go up about 5% per year just as the cost of living increase on top of the increasing expense with each grade.

This is asinine. Two lattes a week for a year is $892.

Current tuition at SSSAS is $56,000 a year.

I'm not the PP you quoted, but he/she specifically said "if it’s like a couple skipped lattes at Starbucks every week", so what he/she meant is if OP is very wealthy and the impact of $56k/year tuition is as negligible as $892/year to an average person. There are plenty of people who make $50k/year and drink two lattes a week (think about all the bougie young folks from MC or UMC families with liberal arts degrees). So proportionally the SSSAS tuition would have the same impact on someone who makes ($56,000/$892)x$50,000=$3.1M/year, which is admittedly high but not rare in NoVA.

There are roughly 1400 students enrolled at SSSAS. There are nowhere near 1400 households in Alexandria making 3.1M. Even if you expand the catchment area to Arlington and the Alexandria portion of Fairfax County, there is still nowehere near that many multimillion dollar earners.

Lol, not all the 1400 households have to think the same way as PP and I do. Some of them might have money from grandparents; some of them might have to sacrifice in other large expenses to pay for the tuition. I know someone whose HHI is $500k and they have to postpone buying a primary residence because they choose to send their kids to private schools with $40k/year tuition. It's their freedom to do so. I personally wouldn't send my kids to private schools unless my HHI is $1M+ but that's my own choice. It's also PP's freedom to express the opinion that SSSAS is not worth it unless the tuition is as negligible as buying lattes. You don't have to agree and you can certainly choose to send your kids to SSSAS at a much lower HHI. But no need to attack people with different opinions.

Pointing out blatant inaccuracies in hypotheticals ≠ an 'attack'. Lighten up, Francis.

Anyway- if you want to drop half a million dollars on SSSAS to have your son get waitlisted at JMU, be my guest!

You used the word "asinine" towards the PP who made the latte analogy, so yes it is an attack.

Also my kids go to public schools, but thank you for your aggression that was uncalled for. I already said I personally won't consider private schools unless my HHI is $1M+. Not sure what made you think I want to drop half a million dollars on SSSAS. You really need to improve your reading comprehension skills regardless you got it from public schools or private schools.

[Anonymous]

Hi all - OP here. The tuition would obviously be a major sacrifice. And we have more than one child. Definitely not skipping a couple lattes I guess we could use the money to leave Alexandria altogether, sadly.

[Anonymous]

Or you could just go to the public school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid at SSSAS and I would say it completely depends on how much that money impacts your quality of life.

If it’s like a couple skipped lattes at Starbucks every week I might go with Saint Stephens. If it means 4 kids sharing one bedroom, no way I’d even consider it.

I think it’s really hard to leave though, so once you’re in, it feels like you’re locked in for all four years. And keep in mind that tuition will go up about 5% per year just as the cost of living increase on top of the increasing expense with each grade.

This is asinine. Two lattes a week for a year is $892.

Current tuition at SSSAS is $56,000 a year.

I'm not the PP you quoted, but he/she specifically said "if it’s like a couple skipped lattes at Starbucks every week", so what he/she meant is if OP is very wealthy and the impact of $56k/year tuition is as negligible as $892/year to an average person. There are plenty of people who make $50k/year and drink two lattes a week (think about all the bougie young folks from MC or UMC families with liberal arts degrees). So proportionally the SSSAS tuition would have the same impact on someone who makes ($56,000/$892)x$50,000=$3.1M/year, which is admittedly high but not rare in NoVA.

There are roughly 1400 students enrolled at SSSAS. There are nowhere near 1400 households in Alexandria making 3.1M. Even if you expand the catchment area to Arlington and the Alexandria portion of Fairfax County, there is still nowehere near that many multimillion dollar earners.

Lol, not all the 1400 households have to think the same way as PP and I do. Some of them might have money from grandparents; some of them might have to sacrifice in other large expenses to pay for the tuition. I know someone whose HHI is $500k and they have to postpone buying a primary residence because they choose to send their kids to private schools with $40k/year tuition. It's their freedom to do so. I personally wouldn't send my kids to private schools unless my HHI is $1M+ but that's my own choice. It's also PP's freedom to express the opinion that SSSAS is not worth it unless the tuition is as negligible as buying lattes. You don't have to agree and you can certainly choose to send your kids to SSSAS at a much lower HHI. But no need to attack people with different opinions.

Pointing out blatant inaccuracies in hypotheticals ≠ an 'attack'. Lighten up, Francis.

Anyway- if you want to drop half a million dollars on SSSAS to have your son get waitlisted at JMU, be my guest!

You used the word "asinine" towards the PP who made the latte analogy, so yes it is an attack.

Also my kids go to public schools, but thank you for your aggression that was uncalled for. I already said I personally won't consider private schools unless my HHI is $1M+. Not sure what made you think I want to drop half a million dollars on SSSAS. You really need to improve your reading comprehension skills regardless you got it from public schools or private schools.

Once again, the individual here lacking reading comprehension skills is you. Pointing out that factual inaccuracies exist in statements does not amount to an attack, no matter how delicate your sensibilities may be with certain words. You don't get to define the narrative here.