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beauvoir - do we have to contribute in addition to tuition?
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Anonymous
| i have heard that beauvoir expects families to contribute to the school in addition to tuition. is this true? we are not in a position to do this, as making the tuition will be a stretch as it is. my question is will this cause our family or child to be looked down upon and will it affect our chances of being accepted in to ncs or st. albans in the future? |
Anonymous
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oh Beauvoir isn't the only school to, er, hope mightily that families will make cash gifts during the year. Sidwell and GDS hope this, too. And so does my child's preschool, which is in the same geographic area ...
I too am interested in hearing from someone in a position to actually know, how non-contributing families are viewed within the administration. |
Anonymous
| Generally, tuition alone does not cover the cost to educate a child in an independent school. Typically there is a gap between tuition income and operating expenses. Thus independent schools depend (in part) on the generosity of the families whose children attend. It's always a goal to have 100% participation. This doesn't mean that you must giving thousands or even hundreds. Obviously, the more you're able to give the better. But the $25 gifts are just as important as the larger gifts, because the closer the school gets to 100% participation the more likely it is to receive challenge gifts from major donors as well as gifts from foundations. |
Anonymous
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We did not want to take the risk and contributed the amount the school said was the difference between fees and the cost of each child. Lets just say the figure was between $4000 and $7000. It is a very awkward question to ask others. We tried with one family we know quite well but they did not reveal much so we just went with our gut and coughed up the figure the school quoted. As far as we can tell, from our friends who have kids in all of the private schools mentioned on this board, they all expect/hope parents contribute in addition to fees and in many schools these contributions are published with names. I find it extraordinary. Why not just charge fees that cover the costs then parents know exactly what expenses they are in for? After all we have to pay anyway. One of the parents said her parents (i.e. grand parents of the student) were approached for $$ and I have to say that made me squirm a little.
I was in private school in the UK and while the fees were very high, I do not remember a similar scenario though things may have changed. |
Anonymous
Two reasons: 1 - Families get a tax break from charitable contributions, not from paying tuition 2 - If independent schools charged the actual cost to educate each child, tuition would increase such that many families who currently can afford the cost of attendance would no longer be able to afford the tuition. Most (if not all) independent schools have such a gap. The gap (and the associated annual giving campaign) support economic diversity. |
Anonymous
Take what risk? Will the kick you out? |
Anonymous
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Take what risk? Will the kick you out? Absolutely not. However, as a PP mentioned many schools do publish (internally) the list of contributors. Thus, the administration/faculty and other families within the community are privy to who gave what. The recommendation form to independent schools does ask what the family's level of support has been, both financially and time-wise. Thus, annual giving contributions (definitely the fact that one gave or not...probably to a lesser extent the range/amount of the gifts) can factor into future admission decisions if you need to apply your child to another school. While any family in attendance is responsible for supporting the interest of the school, no one should feel obligated to give financially beyond one's means. Giving of any amount should truly be philanthropic and because it's the right thing to do if you can. It should not be because of fear of repercussion. |
Anonymous
| We were told on one tour/interview that the school would expect to be the major recipient of our charitable giving during our child's school years. Wow! |
Anonymous
| If I had any sense that a school would in any subtle way harm my child's future because of "giving", I would NEVER send my child there. This is NUTS. |
Anonymous
| They all expect contributions above tuition - to the auctions, annual giving funds, holiday dinners for staff, etc... |
Anonymous
| Expect is one thing, but if the family has no means, that is that. |
Anonymous
| how much are we talking about per year in addition to tuition, say for beauvoir or sidwell? |
wjm526
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Just a note on what is "expected" and the school's reaction. My understanding is that there is a gap (usually around 2K) and parents are expected to donate for the reasons stated above. However, the schools know that some people can afford $100 and others can afford a few thousand extra each year and they expect the ones that can afford more to make up for those who give less. My kids have attended private preschools and now elem. schools and we just give what we think is reasonable for us. It is a huge stretch to send them there in the first place, so I am not embarrassed or worried that we only donate a few hundred extra dollars each year.
Also, I donate a lot of time to the schools and I think that is also a fair trade! |