Sidwell - 2023-24 tuition for PK-2 will be $50k

[Anonymous]

only time ive felt like i dodged a bullet. f

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The annual announcement of outsize tuition increases at Sidwell just came out. For 2023-24

Grades PK-2: $49,680 (ages 4-8 LOL)
Grades 3-4: $52,110
Grades 5-8: $54,700
Grades 9-12: $55,140



Dear Parents and Guardians,

Each January, the Board of Trustees of Sidwell Friends School approves the preliminary budget for the following academic year. It is the culmination of a data-intensive process that assesses needs and priorities, considers economic trends, and benchmarks key financial indicators, including compensation, against other top independent day schools in the region and the country.

This is the second consecutive year we have engaged this work at a time of high inflation. By now, we are all aware of the impact inflation is having on our economy and on the budgets of so many households. And while there are some encouraging signs—inflation has been declining over the past six months—the future remains uncertain. What we do know is that the cost of food, energy, contracted services, and materials required for campus maintenance have risen significantly, and further increases are likely.

Tuition accounts for 86 percent of the School’s revenue, and because of that fact we devote the majority of our budget discussion to the amount of the annual increase. Last year, the School increased aggregate tuition by 6.7 percent, which was up from 3 percent the prior year, before inflation had set in. In both years, the increase trailed the rate of inflation.

For next year, the board has authorized a 6.5 percent aggregate increase. The percentage increase by grade level will vary as we continue the gradual shift to a tiered tuition model that better reflects the higher costs of educating students in the upper grades. Tuition rates for the 2023-24 academic year will be:

Grades PK-2: $49,680
Grades 3-4: $52,110
Grades 5-8: $54,700
Grades 9-12: $55,140

I know this tuition increase will be an unwelcome development for many. However, given today’s economic circumstances, it is our duty as a board to ensure that Sidwell Friends School continues to provide the finest educational experience it can while also ensuring the long-term financial health of the institution. To that end, I want to assure you of three things:

The board has committed to invest additional tuition revenue in faculty and staff. Faculty and staff compensation accounts for 60 percent of our operating expenses, and more than 85 percent of the tuition increase will go directly to faculty and staff benefits. We must recruit, reward, and retain outstanding staff in a competitive market to ensure we continue to deliver the highest quality education for our students. This is particularly true today, when many schools are vying for talented educators and some teachers are rethinking their careers after a very difficult three years.

Socio-economic diversity remains a core value at Sidwell Friends. We are increasing the financial aid budget at a rate at least equal to the tuition increase. Moreover, for the second year in row, we will have a financial aid contingency to assist families particularly challenged by this high inflationary environment. Families who wish to inquire about that support may contact Frankie Brown to discuss your specific situation.

Every dollar of the tuition increase will go toward current spending that supports the education of your child or children. None of the increase will be applied to long-term development plans, which are being financed through philanthropic giving.
In closing, and on behalf of the board, I want to thank you for the trust you have shown in Sidwell Friends this year and in years past. The board recognizes that families have choices and that economic pressures in our society are very real. We also acknowledge how much work faculty, staff, and administrators continue to put in to provide the finest educational experience possible to the 1,140 students who come to the School each day. We remain grateful for the contribution everyone makes to this community.

Pay attention to the annual budget presentation and you will see that they very carefully fold in financial aid to the expenses. I support financial aid but guess who’s paying for that? parents who pay full tuition. They should be getting financial aid from additional donations because middle class to upper middle class parents are getting squeezed. they make too much to get aid and not enough to be able to pay that kind of tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s a full $10K more than we pay for K and will pay for 1st grade next year at a well-regarded K-8. Does Sidwell truly provide $10K more in value?

It’s a full 50k more than we paid at a well-regarded k-2.

[Anonymous]

That's just gross and embarrassing. I mean, it's been gross and embarrassing for awhile, but keeps getting worse. What kind of perspective and values are you teaching your kids? Yuk.

[Anonymous]

Paying $50K for PreK-2 is just paying for a spot in line for high grades. No thanks! I have that kind of money to burn, the ROI is minimal. I pay 1/4 that tuition for my child and they get just as good of an education.

[Anonymous]

Pay attention to the annual budget presentation and you will see that they very carefully fold in financial aid to the expenses. I support financial aid but guess who’s paying for that? parents who pay full tuition. They should be getting financial aid from additional donations because middle class to upper middle class parents are getting squeezed. they make too much to get aid and not enough to be able to pay that kind of tuition.

So true. That annual presentation is always a muddying of the waters. By design, I have come to believe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Pay attention to the annual budget presentation and you will see that they very carefully fold in financial aid to the expenses. I support financial aid but guess who’s paying for that? parents who pay full tuition. They should be getting financial aid from additional donations because middle class to upper middle class parents are getting squeezed. they make too much to get aid and not enough to be able to pay that kind of tuition.

So true. That annual presentation is always a muddying of the waters. By design, I have come to believe.

umm, well it is an expense and not source of income. i dont think they're trying to hide it when its clearly labelled "financial aid"

[Anonymous]

It puts them the same as Bullis for middle and high. Nobody talks about Bullis’ tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It puts them the same as Bullis for middle and high. Nobody talks about Bullis’ tuition.

Bullis is a rich kid school. It's primary focus is country club not education

[Anonymous]

Sheesh some of my fellow parents suck. OP you wasted no time to copy/paste the internal communications huh? Why?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s a full $10K more than we pay for K and will pay for 1st grade next year at a well-regarded K-8. Does Sidwell truly provide $10K more in value?

It’s a full 50k more than we paid at a well-regarded k-2.

I have no doubt it does provide the value. I wish it were cheaper but I’ve never laid awake at night wondering if I’m wasting my $$$. I would do at -$10k in most schools that are not NCS, STA, SFS. Maybe GDS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sheesh some of my fellow parents suck. OP you wasted no time to copy/paste the internal communications huh? Why?!

It was going to get out eventually. Do you want to have this conversation now or in a couple months? If your children attend Sidwell, you should be acclimated by now to the fact that certain internal matters will become public and will be discussed and debated. If that bothers you, choose a lower profile school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s a full $10K more than we pay for K and will pay for 1st grade next year at a well-regarded K-8. Does Sidwell truly provide $10K more in value?

It’s a full 50k more than we paid at a well-regarded k-2.

I have no doubt it does provide the value. I wish it were cheaper but I’ve never laid awake at night wondering if I’m wasting my $$$. I would do at -$10k in most schools that are not NCS, STA, SFS. Maybe GDS

Can you tell me what the value is? Like can you quantify what makes Sidwell worth 10, 20, 30, 40, 50k more than other schools? I would be curious to know.

[Anonymous]

Others are nearly as expensive. I don't see the point in the thread. If you are a SFS parent and have a problem with this talk to those at the school directly or with other SFS parents in person. There will be an increase of 5 percent at our Big 3 and it is over 50k now but that isn't something to copy and paste and pick apart on this forum, nor am I surprised at this since I expect it to increase every year just as the majority of schools here do. No news here IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s a full $10K more than we pay for K and will pay for 1st grade next year at a well-regarded K-8. Does Sidwell truly provide $10K more in value?

Ahh but where do you go after your "well regarded" by who k-8? You dream of Sidwell!