Do you have to spend a lot of money to get good academics in a private school?

[Anonymous]

My husband and I were wondering about this. Other than Montessori schools which inherently have low budgets, we have not found too many private schools with outstanding academics that are relatively inexpensive. It seems that below a certain point, you will inevitably run into staffing problems that can affect academic outcome. We were hoping that there would be a no frills, academically sound, inexpensive school. We found the British School to be one of the best (if not the best) primary schools, with lower tuition and no (fewer) frills. We live too far to consider that option. Other than that, it is 25k or more for "the best".

Can someone tell me if there might be a market for a school with best practices, good outcomes, no frills, for those of us who aren't wealthy?

[Anonymous]

I am not sure what you mean by "no frills". in order to get top teachers, and enrichment like music, arts, PE, languages, etc, it takes money.

[Anonymous]

My theory on privates. The more expensive the school, the more affluent and likely more educated the parents. So the student body is made up of generally very bright kids who inevitably do well. The school, of course, taking all the credit.

If you were to track kids from, say Burning Tree elementary, or Bethesday Elementary, I think you'll find future SAT scores and college placement matches (i.e., measures of "good academics") that of say Beauvoir or GDS. All have generally very bright kids from affluent families, the overwhelming majority of whom will do well in school, get placed at very good colleges, and thus have a roadmap for future success.

[Anonymous]

pp, your theory is close to reality. But there are superior in outcomes with "good" private schools when kids of similar socioeconomic backgrounds are compared. The problem is that with private school there is more buyer beware. There are "bad" private schools that serve wealthy kids that have bad outcomes.