Has anyone succesfully negotiated their private school tuition?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:4 students from a known family is worth more than trying to fill those spots individually even amid strong demand. I personally think schools are going to be in for a very rude awakening if they don't redesign their tuition models. Maybe not in the next few years, but definitely in the next 5 to 10.

In less you can do something for the school such as bring in lots of donations, etc. why should a school offer you a discount. There will always be enough families who can afford this in this area so they don't need to redesign their tuition models. We don't have a ton of privates in this area and more kids who want to go than get in due to slots available (I'm surprised given how big some of the campuses are why they don't take more students) so why would they change when its working for them.

If you want to have a large house, nanny and housekeep like PP and drive fancy cars, you are just being selfish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:4 students from a known family is worth more than trying to fill those spots individually even amid strong demand. I personally think schools are going to be in for a very rude awakening if they don't redesign their tuition models. Maybe not in the next few years, but definitely in the next 5 to 10.

There are plenty of families with enough money to pay.

Of course. And plenty of those families get turned down. Money isn't everything. Having good quality students and a dedicated family is worth more. The schools aren't that craven yet.

Ok. You are a good family: your kid do well academically, are solid athletes, are just all around nice; you and your spouse attend/help at school functions, donate, and are just generally pleasant people.

But how is any of this unique? What differentiates you and your kids from most other families at the school who also have "good quality students and a dedicated family?" If there is nothing unique, I see two issues for your view that you should get a discount.

1. If you leave, why won't the school be able to fill your slot with another family that has the same attributes as yours? Sure, there is a chance at a clunker every now and then, but the school is likely pretty confident that it can get "good quality students and a dedicated family" from the waitlist.

2. If they agree to give you a discount because you have quality students and are a good family, what is to stop most other parents from expecting the same? Most families seem to have the same qualities that you describe for your family. Yes, you have 4 kids, but you can clearly afford the tuition despite the large family. If you didn't, you would qualify for aid through the ordinary course.

If there is something that separates your family from other families both at the school and on the waitlist, maybe you could negotiate something. But so far you have just describe general platitudes about having good kids and being a good family. I'm not discounting your characterization, but I am not understanding why you think that would entitle you to something not offered to other parents.