Now that we're in, how are we going to pay for it?

[Anonymous]

In an attempt to get this topic back on track, I suspect that more parents are going to be asking themselves the OP's question of how to pay for it when the binding date comes along. Deposits are one thing, but in June, you're talking real money.

[Anonymous]

Yup. We were paying for just one child, but now we're paying for two. Theoreticaly we can pay for it, but we wonder if we're just kidding ourselves. Judgment day really will come when you have to write those checks in June. Anyone on the waitlist, there is hope. Tuition is so much higher than it was just a year or two ago.

[Anonymous]

Agreed. Another factor is that many schools have increased tuition so much. That article in the Post last month listed several schools that are about $30,000 a year now. I think the schools are also being a little deceptive here, too. They all know how much they're charging next year, but their web sites still list the tuition for the current year. And with the state of the economy, I think that could be a problem for some families.

[Anonymous]

The AD at Maret said to me that it was going to be interesting to see if there are more families that decline offers in June this year because of the economy.

[Anonymous]

I keep finding myself crunching the numbers in my head. I think, "let's see, two children in two years at private schools; how much tuition is that? How much pre-tax salary does that require? How are we going to do that?"

Only one child is at school so far; things are going to be tight, if not impossible for us to afford both.

At that point, it looks like I'll go back to work fulltime. No third baby for me if I want to put my first two in private school....

[Anonymous]

Also, bear in mind that tuition is just a part of the story. Their are books, athletics, field trips, summer camps and schools asking for donations. Heaven forbid should your child need outside tutoring.

Many on this post say that they will start in private and then transfer. I started in a good DC PS (lafayette) and will transfer child to private in the fall. I believe he got a good foundation but now is ready for the the extras afforded by private schools (arts, computer training, field work).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I keep finding myself crunching the numbers in my head. I think, "let's see, two children in two years at private schools; how much tuition is that? How much pre-tax salary does that require? How are we going to do that?"

Only one child is at school so far; things are going to be tight, if not impossible for us to afford both.

At that point, it looks like I'll go back to work fulltime. No third baby for me if I want to put my first two in private school....

OMG, what is so special about private school that you would forgo another child? I remember vaguely thinking about that when we went from one child to two, but there is no way I would trade number two for private school for number one. What is so compelling about private school?

[Anonymous]

If you have to ask "what is so compelling about private school?" then do not worry about it, clearly its not for you. I do not mean that in a nasty way, just honestly. If you don't get it, then its a non-issue for you and you dont need to worry about it. But you also don't need to worry about why others see it as important, because lots of people obviously do. Each parent/family has its own reason for why they choose to educate their children the way they do. Its is not for others to question unless it is illegal or abusive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you cannot afford the school without financial aid, then you are from the wrong class and should focus on public schools. My priviliged underachiever deserves your childs spot.

I hope you are kidding if not this is a very offensive post.

I had to read the quote twice. It sounds sarcastic.

[Anonymous]

I agree very nasty post Probably why their DC did not get admitted - NASTY ATTITUDE

[Anonymous]

Even more likely, someone who has zero interest in private schools to begin with and enjoys the suffering of those who dare to have a different opinion on the topic. "It serves those rich elitists right!" Talk about having no life!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you cannot afford the school without financial aid, then you are from the wrong class and should focus on public schools. My priviliged underachiever deserves your childs spot.

I hope you are kidding if not this is a very offensive post.

I had to read the quote twice. It sounds sarcastic.

I think the key here is "privileged underachiever." No doubt sarcastic. Or perhaps the writer him/herself is deadly serious, an underachiever (hence the spelling error in "priviliged"), albeit privileged.

For those who are not "privileged" (whatever on earth that means), I implore you to invade the private school arena! It would be a good thing for the school and its community (and have the added benefit of keeping the "priviliged (sic) underachievers" of the world in check.