Almost 40K in tuition but DC's school constantly fun raises!

[Anonymous]

Our child's tuition and fees are just about
$40K per year, yet the school but is constantly
having fund raisers, auctions and our kids are pushed to
Sell things like popcorn, candy & wrapping paper. Also, the
Akward fundraising calls come quarterly. There are several major
Fundraising events every year & parents are more than e couraged
To be generous.
Isn't $40K paid in full, on time, out of pocket enough? Just coming
Up with that much is a stretch for us and many other families we know.
Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

No.

There is a gap between what you pay and the actual cost of educating your child. Being part of a private school community is giving, even a token amount.

[Anonymous]

Your school is competing with the public sector for teachers, so while private school salaries are usually lower, they can't be so much lower that the teachers will jump ship. The class sizes are also smaller than they are in public schools, so that requires more teachers per pupil. Private schools also can't take advantage of bulk buying the way public schools can for everything from art supplies to health insurance, so per unit costs are higher for private schools. Then there are the organic meals, the ski trips (not quite sure what the educational value is there), the scholarship fund, the music program etc.

If your kid's school isn't affiliated with a religious institution, it's a regular non-profit that has to file a tax return. You could see it to get an idea of where your money is going.

[Anonymous]

Stop bitching and put your kids in public school.

[Anonymous]

Nice response. Classy. Typical low self-esteem troll who feels a sense of power in anonymous nastiness.

[Anonymous]

No, I just used to work with these parents, who can't be bothered to engage in a conversation with their school administration on these issues. Instead, they would rather bitch and complain and feel entitled. They suck. The first response is the right one, not that OP will understand or concede the point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No.

There is a gap between what you pay and the actual cost of educating your child. Being part of a private school community is giving, even a token amount.

I think folks are confused about the gap. It's not the gap between what you pay and the actual cost of educating your child. It's the gap between what everyone pays collectively and the cost of educating every child at the school, including those on FA. So those paying full tuition are subsidizing the FA budget, and those who contribute to the fundraising efforts be it annual giving or scholarship auction or whatever are subsidizing the FA budget.

[Anonymous]

OP, you really should add several thousand dollars onto whatever tuition is for most private schools. You're expected to contribute that money.

[Anonymous]

A lot of the fundraising is to go towards financial aid for students who could otherwise afford to go to that school. I think if you can afford to pay $40k out of pocket, you can certainly afford to contribute to the FA fund.

[Anonymous]

It is obscene what they charge. It is for a bloated administrative staff.



http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2013/2/21/harvard-tuition-lowest-league/

Even before tuition discounting Harvard is only 37, 500 per year.

[Anonymous]

I think that "fun" raising is a good thing...

[Anonymous]

Private school teacher here. Fundrsising does not go to teacher salaries as one person said. At least- not in my experience af a few schools I have worked at. It goes to things like a new playground and library books-etc.

[Anonymous]

Please excuse above typos!!!

[Anonymous]

The reason for the gap is that you are paying for those that can't. Just like healthcare costs... An aspirin does not really cost 10 dollars...but on your hospital bill it does. The gap is there because the school is choosing to have it there in hopes that people like you will bridge it. Do not for a moment feel bad,do what is right for you. Give what you want,but give something so they stop calling...this week.....believe me they love that you pay full freight....and for those of you that feel so entitled,why don't you do more? Oh, I guess it is because you expect others to do it....and pay your dc's tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of the fundraising is to go towards financial aid for students who could otherwise afford to go to that school. I think if you can afford to pay $40k out of pocket, you can certainly afford to contribute to the FA fund.

Not necessarily. Some families (those that are in the middle who don't qualify for aid or who are trying to make it work without asking for aid) are making significant sacrifices and are just barely able to afford the tuition. Folks do what they can. If that means paying the tuition and not contributing to FA, so be it. We're not in a position to know people's circumstances or judge what they can or cannot afford.