How can middle class families send their kids to good private school (middle and high)?

[Anonymous]

What's the best way for a middle class family to get their kid into and have their private school funded for either middle school and/or high school? I understand that this is a loaded question, but I need to start somewhere. Let's say a middle class family earning $200,000 a year in DC wants to send their kids to some of these private schools (WIS, Sidwell Friend, St Johns, etc). First of all, how are you admitted? Is it mostly based on tests? If so, how do you best prepare for these tests? Also, if admitted, how can you get tuition assistance at some of these schools?

[Anonymous]

Middle class is not $200k a year. We paid making under that. And unless there are some special circumstances, so will you be expected to pay full freight.

[Anonymous]

We make $150HHI and pay full freight for one kid. So you may not qualify.

[Anonymous]

Quick answer: admission to privates is based on a variety of factors including prior grades/report cards, teacher recommendations, entrance exam scores (depends on what grade, but generally for high school), and admissions interviews.

All the privates in the area offer varying levels of financial aid and there's a standard financial aid application. Schools take the info from that application, apply their own financial aid criteria and make decisions on an award of aid. A HHI of $200k might get you aid at some schools depending on how many kids you have, other debts, savings, etc, etc. Plenty of financial aid threads on DCUM.

If you're just at the beginning of this process, say with kids in elementary school or earlier, start saving, saving, saving.

[Anonymous]

It is not purely income-based. They ask you what you other expenses are and should work with you to see what you can afford and how far they can go to meet you. More importantly, much of it is subjective in terms of what the school sees in your child. If they want you, they will be more forthcoming with aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's the best way for a middle class family to get their kid into and have their private school funded for either middle school and/or high school? I understand that this is a loaded question, but I need to start somewhere. Let's say a middle class family earning $200,000 a year in DC wants to send their kids to some of these private schools (WIS, Sidwell Friend, St Johns, etc). First of all, how are you admitted? Is it mostly based on tests? If so, how do you best prepare for these tests? Also, if admitted, how can you get tuition assistance at some of these schools?

OP, you are hilarious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the best way for a middle class family to get their kid into and have their private school funded for either middle school and/or high school? I understand that this is a loaded question, but I need to start somewhere. Let's say a middle class family earning $200,000 a year in DC wants to send their kids to some of these private schools (WIS, Sidwell Friend, St Johns, etc). First of all, how are you admitted? Is it mostly based on tests? If so, how do you best prepare for these tests? Also, if admitted, how can you get tuition assistance at some of these schools?

OP, you are hilarious.

Agreed. DCUM never fails.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Middle Class varies depending on where you live in this country. A household income of $200,000 goes a lot further in Morgantown, WV than it does in Washington, DC, which also goes further than living in Manhattan. Also, a household income of $200,000 goes further with a family with one child as opposed to 5 children.

[Anonymous]

It is not middle class though pp. $200k is not middle class.

[Anonymous]

We have 4 kids. Our oldest is starting 9th at an Independent School- younger kids are in public school. Our HHI $180K and we will pay full freight.

We will use savings.

[Anonymous]

So maybe I shouldn't have used the term "middle class". It's just hard for me to fathom that we can pretty much afford to pay off a brand new Ford Explorer every year on $200,000, so I don't how we could afford year after year of private school for 2 children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So maybe I shouldn't have used the term "middle class". It's just hard for me to fathom that we can pretty much afford to pay off a brand new Ford Explorer every year on $200,000, so I don't how we could afford year after year of private school for 2 children.

You cannot. It's pretty straightforward. Private, not-Catholic school in DC is probably not for you, it seems.

In your situation, some parents would move to a different school district if they deem their public option(s) unacceptable.

[Anonymous]

Uh, isn't a Ford Explorer more than tuition for 1? That is a dumb example.

So you can afford one in private school, but two means you have to make some sacrifices? Come on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Uh, isn't a Ford Explorer more than tuition for 1? That is a dumb example.

So you can afford one in private school, but two means you have to make some sacrifices? Come on.

http://www.ford.com/suvs/explorer/


Ford Explorer starts at $31,000


WIS costs $37,000


Sidwell Friends costs $35,000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uh, isn't a Ford Explorer more than tuition for 1? That is a dumb example.

So you can afford one in private school, but two means you have to make some sacrifices? Come on.

http://www.ford.com/suvs/explorer/


Ford Explorer starts at $31,000


WIS costs $37,000


Sidwell Friends costs $35,000

Love it! My friend often comments that she could buy a new car every year and drive it off a cliff.