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What ends up to be the REAL tuition$$ at these schools?
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Anonymous
| Went with my DS to Maret open house (MS) yesterday, and overheard one of the parent tour guides commenting on that her biggest surprise as a new parent were all of the "extras" on top of tuition. Do most schools expect extra donations and other monetary support for auctions, etc? In other words, how much more realistically should we expect to pay in the top DC schools? Thanks! |
Anonymous
| Sidwell has a "Fair Share" letter that goes out, and NCS puts a lot of pressure on parents. |
Anonymous
| We just figure we are in for an additional 15% a year. |
Anonymous
| Are there pressures on families who get FA to still contribute something extra? |
Anonymous
|
Get a backbone people! Pay your tuition, but when it comes to financial donations give what you can, but do not allow the school or school status pressure you to give more than you are able to.
We do make financial contributions to the school our DC attends. However, we have limited dollars when it comes to charitable donations and based on our values there are several more organizations that we feel need more of our money than our school. Especially in this economy. |
Anonymous
| Bravo! |
Anonymous
|
I really don't understand why they don't just adjust the tuition to avoid asking for additional money later...
Looks like for this year we'll shell out just under 20% (via various fund raising events) over the stated tuition amount. |
Anonymous
Because you can write the fundraising donations off! |
Anonymous
| PP 11:41, I think anyone putting their child thru one of the schools we are all talking about know - like it or not - there's a game that has to be played. The social status issue among peers and parents is not just perceived, it's real. At NCS they treat your kid different if your parents have made the named donor list/book. |
Anonymous
| It seems like OP may be asking about additional costs for school - not just about donations. For those that are adding 15%-20% - what were those costs for? |
Anonymous
Tacky. |
Anonymous
|
Some people play games - others focus on raising well rounded, educated, functioning children. For those who want to play games and get ahead for this or that...enjoy the fun that must bring...and the example you set for your kids to perpetuate the same.
Sometimes I have to laugh at what I see around this town (and others high profile ones). I don't doubt that this is true...it's just sad. Especially if a school actually treats the children of different means differently. |
Anonymous
|
Additional expneses I encountered:
* Transportation costs and after school costs * After school classes - my child wanted to go to a couple last year bc her friends did * A few fundraisers including the auction * A few charity projects that required contributions * Bday party for the whole class - class size @15 so all kids had to be invited - one at a school, one outside of school * Extra child care fees for days school is closed - often much more so than the public schools or not on the same calendar as public schools so not possible to take advantage of a lot of camps |
Anonymous
|
we get FA but here are our extras:
books and supplies (NOT CHEAP!!) dress code clothing athletic clothing (required purchase) school activities (stuff like haunted forest, bowling, ice skating, class dinners etc -- there is FA for this stuff but no one really asks for it) annual fund (100% participation is important to get other garnts so we always give something) auction donation bake sale teachers gifts |
Anonymous
aha - that is true! this is our first year and I hadn't thought of that... |