Percentage of Students on Financial Aid at Major Privates is Depressing

[Anonymous]

Way higher than I though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my opinion, donations would do more good elsewhere and financial aid at these schools should not exist.

Yes! Donating money to a school that provides FA to a family making over 200K a year is not a good use of money we want to donate. There are people with urgent immediate needs. People are hungry, sick, and homeless. The family earning over 200K can afford to move in bounds for many strong public schools. Private school is a luxury. Nothing more.

Here's the harsh reality: DCUM only wants aid to go to families who are "poor" or an HHI under $200K. They gripe about $200K, so really they're talking about limiting aid to families <$150K.
So basically you're talking about single income families (and DCUM has a problem with that unless it's a single parent family) OR blue collar families. Because as soon as you have a two income family
making white collar wages they're going to be very close to topping $200K.

If they are in that <150K bracket in the DMV they're most likely in a 1)crappy school district PK-8 (or whatever grade they transfer to private) and learning who the heck knows what
and 2)they likely don't have all the supports that make it possible for a kid to succeed at these pressure-cooker elite schools: educated parents (with free time to drive the kids all over time), tutors, extracurriculars, etc.
So realistically transferring this kid to an elite private isn't going to go to well.

The DCUM "ideal" financial aid family is really a unicorn in these parts: HHI income under $150K, really bright kid who can handle the work, super invested/educated parents who can support the kid.

I know of what I speak---RN, married to a fed, DCPS, went to a Big3.

If they truly value diversity, the schools would make it their business to help such students succeed.

But they don’t.

Nonsense that they should accept students who cannot perform on a regular academic track. Total nonsense.

The students who, acc to this board, are not given the support at home that the rich students get? Poor kids of single parents, perhaps? Do you really think there are no poor kids who wouldn’t do just as well with support as the rich kids? You think rich kids are just smarter?

Tell it to President Obama.

The schools should put their money where their mouths are. Or quit talking about DEI because it’s just lip service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to figure out there OP's complaint. Is the complaint that local DMV schools don't have bigger endowments to fund more aid? Or that they, specifically, did not receive the aid they hoped for?

OP here. There's dismay at the numbers generally. There's dismay at the lack of commitment to building an endowment for financial aid (as opposed to tons of other things). There's dismay at the perpetuation of wide economic inequality and the continued stratification of a wider range of kids to relate to people who are different from them. There's dismay at the relatively low numbers compared to schools that have made similar commitments. I don't deny the endowment effect, but where is the endowment going? Why are you building the endowment? There are some schools raising tens of millions so they can have bigger gyms. The priorities, imo, are off. Especially in light of some of the stated missions of the schools.

I find this sentiment intriguing. You're trying to turn your favorite private into the diversity fantasy of your imagination. Which, to me, doesn't reconcile with the concept of an expensive private school. The funny thing is that if it did become what you hope for, it wouldn't be the privates any more but something else entirely. At that point might as well just go to a good public.

As it is, 20-25% of student body on financial aid seems normal for day private schools to me. In many ways it's pretty impressive it's this high.

With the condition that public school are in, especially in DC, there aren't as many good options for many families for a safe and solid education. I don't agree with how public schools are being reduced to nothingness all over, and in what poor shape they are here in DC. And there's only so much one can do to support public schools while also looking out for their own children's education. I did not grow up with a lot of money, and as an educator who sees the benefits of socioeconomic diversity for all students, as well as for giving those with less a better chance at a good education, this is a value I wish private schools took more seriously. You don't have to understand my experience, nor do you have to agree with my values. I explained why it's dismaying. You disagree based on your own different values. It's fine to disagree about what is impressive and what is not, based on those values.

The post is a long winded way of saying you want rich people to pay for your kids' education. Is there something wrong with taxpayers paying for your kids' education like they do for most kids? If DC schools don't work for you, easy solution. Move to the burbs.

You are obtuse. Yes!! Yes!! DC schools don’t work for their kids. The same way they don’t work for everyone else in DC that chooses private school. Just because people COULD settle for sub-par, doesn’t mean they should. You wouldn’t! How dare you suggest that others do the same.

Careful, your absolute privilege is showing… easy solution… move to the burbs? You do know that everyone’s life is not set up this way right?

If you’re so upset about the use of your and other rich folks money… LEAVE YOUR SCHOOL! Simple. But you won’t… because the school system you suggest for others isn’t good enough for your own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my opinion, donations would do more good elsewhere and financial aid at these schools should not exist.

Yes! Donating money to a school that provides FA to a family making over 200K a year is not a good use of money we want to donate. There are people with urgent immediate needs. People are hungry, sick, and homeless. The family earning over 200K can afford to move in bounds for many strong public schools. Private school is a luxury. Nothing more.

Here's the harsh reality: DCUM only wants aid to go to families who are "poor" or an HHI under $200K. They gripe about $200K, so really they're talking about limiting aid to families <$150K.
So basically you're talking about single income families (and DCUM has a problem with that unless it's a single parent family) OR blue collar families. Because as soon as you have a two income family
making white collar wages they're going to be very close to topping $200K.

If they are in that <150K bracket in the DMV they're most likely in a 1)crappy school district PK-8 (or whatever grade they transfer to private) and learning who the heck knows what
and 2)they likely don't have all the supports that make it possible for a kid to succeed at these pressure-cooker elite schools: educated parents (with free time to drive the kids all over time), tutors, extracurriculars, etc.
So realistically transferring this kid to an elite private isn't going to go to well.

The DCUM "ideal" financial aid family is really a unicorn in these parts: HHI income under $150K, really bright kid who can handle the work, super invested/educated parents who can support the kid.

I know of what I speak---RN, married to a fed, DCPS, went to a Big3.

If they truly value diversity, the schools would make it their business to help such students succeed.

But they don’t.

Nonsense that they should accept students who cannot perform on a regular academic track. Total nonsense.

The students who, acc to this board, are not given the support at home that the rich students get? Poor kids of single parents, perhaps? Do you really think there are no poor kids who wouldn’t do just as well with support as the rich kids? You think rich kids are just smarter?

Tell it to President Obama.

The schools should put their money where their mouths are. Or quit talking about DEI because it’s just lip service.

Why are you using President Obama as an example? His mother was a sometime single mom during his childhood, but he was largely raised by his TWO grandparents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm terrified by the anti private school financial aid theme some posters are propagating.

What insecurity must you have to be frightened by the possibility of a vague stab at meritocracy.

I don’t know why people listen to these people. I hate to think about the number of people that don’t apply for financial aid because of the sentiments of strangers they don’t know.

Who are you trying to impress? These same people on their high horse pay as little money as possible in taxes, hide their money and don’t pay their fair share proportionally.

I personally have a HHI of 300K and get 80% in aid at a top NYC school for one child. GASP!! Lol Why? Because we actually can’t afford full tuition based upon our expenses and the school decided they want my family. Period. I didn’t beg anyone for money. I applied. We were fortunate enough to receive and here we are. End of story.

I would not go broke trying to pay much more than I’m paying and the value that my child and family give to the school would be lost to the other members of the school.

Admittedly what people say here is true and yes, it’s a little shocking. Very few truly poor kids go to private school. Even URM like myself that are black. The overwhelming number of my black friends pay full price.
I guess it’s a great place to be at given where this country is at this time in our history.

So how do we rectify this problem? It is indeed a problem in my opinion. So many deserve this type of education and could benefit. I outreach to those that think a private school education is unattainable. I support programs that help URM succeed and provide resources.

I am grateful for my blessings and give back in time and effort and will continue to do so.

We make $350K and get 80% aid for a second child here in DC. Why? We asked.
I am only kicking myself for not asking sooner because I had also read DCUM and thought that there was no way we'd qualify.
I finally did ask because our real-life friends applied for aid on a $350K income (here in DC) and receive about a 25% discount.
When in doubt, apply for aid. The worst the school can do is say no.
Also--every DC school's budget is not equal. Some schools may have an income cut-off of $200k. At some it's >$400K.
Schools are far more likely to give aid for years 9-12 than from PK-12. When they sign up a kid for aid at age 4 they are looking at subsidizing 14 years of that kid's education, without even knowing anything about the kid's contributions to the school.
For 9-12 they're only taking a gamble on 4 years.
Also, some calendar years they have more aid than others (they may have just graduated a class heavy on aid kids)
There are many different factors that go into this process.

Exactly. More people need to see posts like ours and stop listening to bitter irrational strangers on the internet.

[Anonymous]

If 50% of a private school's students are on financial aid- who pays the bills of running said private school? You assume that the remaining 50% of families can contribute above and beyond what they pay. I don't think that is an accurate assumption. Teachers need to get paid, facilities need to be kept up, supplies need to be ordered. . Private schools cost money to run--which is why they are not free like public schools who get all the tax dollars. I think its unreasonable to think that 50% of a school's current families can subsidize the other 50%. Perhaps in some schools there are a handful of very wealthy people who can make significant donations, but Warren Buffet is likely not on the Board of any of these schools so they are getting their FA budget from pawltry fundraisers, auctions and tuition paid by other families. The economics just don't add up to have half the population on aid. I think 25% is pretty reasonable when you consider they don't have too many places to source that funding from...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm terrified by the anti private school financial aid theme some posters are propagating.

What insecurity must you have to be frightened by the possibility of a vague stab at meritocracy.

I don’t know why people listen to these people. I hate to think about the number of people that don’t apply for financial aid because of the sentiments of strangers they don’t know.

Who are you trying to impress? These same people on their high horse pay as little money as possible in taxes, hide their money and don’t pay their fair share proportionally.

I personally have a HHI of 300K and get 80% in aid at a top NYC school for one child. GASP!! Lol Why? Because we actually can’t afford full tuition based upon our expenses and the school decided they want my family. Period. I didn’t beg anyone for money. I applied. We were fortunate enough to receive and here we are. End of story.

I would not go broke trying to pay much more than I’m paying and the value that my child and family give to the school would be lost to the other members of the school.

Admittedly what people say here is true and yes, it’s a little shocking. Very few truly poor kids go to private school. Even URM like myself that are black. The overwhelming number of my black friends pay full price.
I guess it’s a great place to be at given where this country is at this time in our history.

So how do we rectify this problem? It is indeed a problem in my opinion. So many deserve this type of education and could benefit. I outreach to those that think a private school education is unattainable. I support programs that help URM succeed and provide resources.

I am grateful for my blessings and give back in time and effort and will continue to do so.

We make $350K and get 80% aid for a second child here in DC. Why? We asked.
I am only kicking myself for not asking sooner because I had also read DCUM and thought that there was no way we'd qualify.
I finally did ask because our real-life friends applied for aid on a $350K income (here in DC) and receive about a 25% discount.
When in doubt, apply for aid. The worst the school can do is say no.
Also--every DC school's budget is not equal. Some schools may have an income cut-off of $200k. At some it's >$400K.
Schools are far more likely to give aid for years 9-12 than from PK-12. When they sign up a kid for aid at age 4 they are looking at subsidizing 14 years of that kid's education, without even knowing anything about the kid's contributions to the school.
For 9-12 they're only taking a gamble on 4 years.
Also, some calendar years they have more aid than others (they may have just graduated a class heavy on aid kids)
There are many different factors that go into this process.

Exactly. More people need to see posts like ours and stop listening to bitter irrational strangers on the internet.

+1. Another DC school with similar income and similar aid. No scenario is the same and all HHIs are not created equal. Agree, 9-12 a lot more likely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What other schools?

milton academy: nearly 60%
roxbury latin: 40%
philips andover: 45%
philips exeter: 50%

many could do better. but still, would like to see the DC schools step it up.

Terrific! How much have you donated, and which volunteer fundraising activities are you leading to make it happen?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If 50% of a private school's students are on financial aid- who pays the bills of running said private school? You assume that the remaining 50% of families can contribute above and beyond what they pay. I don't think that is an accurate assumption. Teachers need to get paid, facilities need to be kept up, supplies need to be ordered. . Private schools cost money to run--which is why they are not free like public schools who get all the tax dollars. I think its unreasonable to think that 50% of a school's current families can subsidize the other 50%. Perhaps in some schools there are a handful of very wealthy people who can make significant donations, but Warren Buffet is likely not on the Board of any of these schools so they are getting their FA budget from pawltry fundraisers, auctions and tuition paid by other families. The economics just don't add up to have half the population on aid. I think 25% is pretty reasonable when you consider they don't have too many places to source that funding from...

I doubt most schools are at 50%. Makes no sense. Most school sites place aid at 20-30%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to figure out there OP's complaint. Is the complaint that local DMV schools don't have bigger endowments to fund more aid? Or that they, specifically, did not receive the aid they hoped for?

OP here. There's dismay at the numbers generally. There's dismay at the lack of commitment to building an endowment for financial aid (as opposed to tons of other things). There's dismay at the perpetuation of wide economic inequality and the continued stratification of a wider range of kids to relate to people who are different from them. There's dismay at the relatively low numbers compared to schools that have made similar commitments. I don't deny the endowment effect, but where is the endowment going? Why are you building the endowment? There are some schools raising tens of millions so they can have bigger gyms. The priorities, imo, are off. Especially in light of some of the stated missions of the schools.

I find this sentiment intriguing. You're trying to turn your favorite private into the diversity fantasy of your imagination. Which, to me, doesn't reconcile with the concept of an expensive private school. The funny thing is that if it did become what you hope for, it wouldn't be the privates any more but something else entirely. At that point might as well just go to a good public.

As it is, 20-25% of student body on financial aid seems normal for day private schools to me. In many ways it's pretty impressive it's this high.

With the condition that public school are in, especially in DC, there aren't as many good options for many families for a safe and solid education. I don't agree with how public schools are being reduced to nothingness all over, and in what poor shape they are here in DC. And there's only so much one can do to support public schools while also looking out for their own children's education. I did not grow up with a lot of money, and as an educator who sees the benefits of socioeconomic diversity for all students, as well as for giving those with less a better chance at a good education, this is a value I wish private schools took more seriously. You don't have to understand my experience, nor do you have to agree with my values. I explained why it's dismaying. You disagree based on your own different values. It's fine to disagree about what is impressive and what is not, based on those values.

The post is a long winded way of saying you want rich people to pay for your kids' education. Is there something wrong with taxpayers paying for your kids' education like they do for most kids? If DC schools don't work for you, easy solution. Move to the burbs.

You are obtuse. Yes!! Yes!! DC schools don’t work for their kids. The same way they don’t work for everyone else in DC that chooses private school. Just because people COULD settle for sub-par, doesn’t mean they should. You wouldn’t! How dare you suggest that others do the same.

Careful, your absolute privilege is showing… easy solution… move to the burbs? You do know that everyone’s life is not set up this way right?

If you’re so upset about the use of your and other rich folks money… LEAVE YOUR SCHOOL! Simple. But you won’t… because the school system you suggest for others isn’t good enough for your own.

Ok? So you're just repeating what you keep saying. You want the school to be for you and in accordance to your wishes. There is a certain selfishness to your outlook that you're trying to hide behind notions of diversity and inclusion to make it seem better. At the same time you set up parameters to rule out the alternatives, such as moving to a different district, which is what people of all income levels, rich and poor, do all the time.

I find your posts reeking of a weird form of entitlement, demanding other people should spend their money on you in the name of diversity and inclusion because you can't afford the tuition. I'm just pragmatic about the realities of the high cost of private education. Realistically, they can't devote too much to financial aid as they need spaces for full pay students because otherwise the school wouldn't be able to exist. In a capitalist society, I tacitly admit it means the full pay students are more important to the school. A lot more important. And, you know, private schools were set up to educate rich kids, they always were and always have been. Just be thankful for the crumbs they allow for the hoi polloi.

And we do have a highly diverse alternative, which is called public school. Somehow most people manage to make it work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What other schools?

milton academy: nearly 60%
roxbury latin: 40%
philips andover: 45%
philips exeter: 50%

many could do better. but still, would like to see the DC schools step it up.

Terrific! How much have you donated, and which volunteer fundraising activities are you leading to make it happen?

https://www.milton.edu/about/quick-facts/ - says here 35% for Milton. Which is still pretty high. Don't go to the burbs. You should really just move to a socialist country.

[Anonymous]

Those numbers are much higher than I expected OP. You sound very entitled. When I was a kid...if you could not afford it, you did without. Plain and simple.

[Anonymous]

I have an idea. If you want to send your kids to private school, work hard and make a lot of money so that you can afford the schools. Stop asking for handouts. This is America, everyone has the opportunity to be wealthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an idea. If you want to send your kids to private school, work hard and make a lot of money so that you can afford the schools. Stop asking for handouts. This is America, everyone has the opportunity to be wealthy.

Some want equality (of opportunity)

Others, especially lately want equity (of outcomes).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an idea. If you want to send your kids to private school, work hard and make a lot of money so that you can afford the schools. Stop asking for handouts. This is America, everyone has the opportunity to be wealthy.

Some want equality (of opportunity)

Others, especially lately want equity (of outcomes).

Then go to China and see how you like that