Private School Possible with Household Income <$80K

[Anonymous]

This OP is very confusing. Are you asking us about some other family where 1 parent does not work and has a HHI of 80k, or is this about your family?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is your husband able to make more than $80K? That is a pretty low salary. Can he job search or take a second job?

I'm a nurse and make $95K so I know your salary band well. However, I'm the second income. I've stayed at my job (none supervisory) for a long time because flexibility is worth more to me than pay. However, if I was the breadwinner, there are many jobs I could take that would pay more. I could also take a second/weekend job.

Is your husband in any position to make more? There are very few (any?) professions that max out at $80K. Even social work or teaching can make more (supervisory roles in the case of SW, principal/tutoring/etc in the case of the teacher (or working for the private school your kid attends and getting tuition remission).

I just find it really hard to believe that a man old enough to have a high- school aged kid (so mid career) can't find a position making more than $80K in the DMV.

$80K is a good income. Wow, just wow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, OP, remember-- you asked about a high school student. Who can fend for themselves after school, potentially take public transportation home or Lyft and be alone at home as needed. And a high school student is capable of earning a little bit of money too, in the summer at least. If you had asked about a Kindergartener that would be different.

Could it be that you don't understand the imputed income calculation? The schools are going to decide that you could earn $X per year, and then treat you like you have a family income of $80,000+X rather than just $80,000. That doesn't mean they're going to take your entire paycheck, but they're going to treat you like you're earning as much money as they think you could. If you can persuade them that you literally can't earn any money at all, then they won't impute anything. But that's an uphill climb.

You realize how much lyft costs? People making under $80K are not using it. You are really out of touch.

OP, go ahead and apply and see what happens. But, even if you get in, these are the kind of families your child is socializing with and is that really a good thing?

Oh please. I live right by Dunbar and see that kids do use it. Lots of low income people do if it enables them to get to a job.

Be real. No, they don't. If you are only earning $100-150 a day, you aren't spending $20 on transportation. Look, its great you live in a million or more dollar house, your housekeeper cleans it, your nanny cares for your kids and your gardner does the rest but that's not how most people like.

It's unclear to me why you think it costs that much. Mid-afternoon rates are much lower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also just think: how is your kid going to feel when Larlo jets off to an African Safari during Spring break? Lesser than. While I agree private schools are (generally) better for academics and behavior - and certainly prepare a child for a corporate life these Tony schools also give an average kid a major inferiority complex. I would keep researching - there are some really good cheaper private schools that give the bang without the ‘tude. (Religious)

Also poster is correct. We had to look at private for a special need and they only took off 7,000. (I made close to double what you make with stay at home spouse). They want that spouse working.

This isn’t as big of a deal as one might think. Many many many families are super down to earth and DC has definitely found their core group of friends who have similar vacations. One of the more wealthy families is the most down to earth (yeah I looked up their $5M house and know that dad is worth about $60M) but they do normal vacations, fly commercial, drive normal cars, etc. Some families do a lot of international travel, etc but I’ve found that the people displaying the most luxurious lifestyle aren’t actually as wealthy and DC doesn’t really roll with those kids anyway.

You are seriously comparing a family earning $80K to a family with $65 million and living in a $5milllion dollar house and pretending they are down to earth? Be real. Families with $80K aren't living in 5 million dollar hassles and doing international travel. They are lucky they aren't on food stamps and subsidized housing. Saying schools want diversity is a joke.

I am the PP. I earn $75K. DC’s bff is in the family that has the $65M net worth. The family is amazing - super down to earth, really nice and chill kids, they drive regular cars, have a vacation home in Bethany and the majority of their vacations are normal and tangible across socioeconomic levels. Sure they have a $5M house, and while it’s nice, it’s not pretentious. We have never ever felt unwelcomed, uncomfortable, or like we were out of place when hanging out with this family. They shop at normal stores and the mom and I talk bargain shopping all of the time. No, she doesn’t use coupons at the supermarket like I do, but she circles the deals in the weekly circular and uses her gas points just like a bunch of other people.

Meanwhile the families that are worth maybe $400K act like they are going to inherit the Taj Mahal.

Be real. They own multiple homes, and more from what you are writing. And, even a Honda can cost $60K+ so saying they drive regular cars means nothing. They aren't spending or shopping like you and she probably downplays a lot around you.

And, you earning $75, with a spouse is different than an HHI of that same income.

That IS my HHI as I am a single parent. Why is it so hard to believe that people are actually nice? That despite having a LOT of money, they choose not to flaunt it. You really don’t know what you’re talking about and that’s sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why cannot you just go to public school ????

What ever happened to diversity, inclusion and equity?

DEI doesn't mean every single person who wants to go to private school gets to go to private school for free. Free school is public school. Private schools and their aid budgets are funded by other parents paying full tuition plus contributing to the annual fund. Whether that's right or fair is beside the point. That's the reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why cannot you just go to public school ????

What ever happened to diversity, inclusion and equity?

DEI doesn't mean every single person who wants to go to private school gets to go to private school for free. Free school is public school. Private schools and their aid budgets are funded by other parents paying full tuition plus contributing to the annual fund. Whether that's right or fair is beside the point. That's the reality.

Diversity and inclusion means you have a huge range of students. Families making under $80K should be far more deserving of a family making $200-300K who claims poverty because of their housing and other lifestyle choices. Its funny how these schools and families preach what they don't practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why cannot you just go to public school ????

What ever happened to diversity, inclusion and equity?

DEI doesn't mean every single person who wants to go to private school gets to go to private school for free. Free school is public school. Private schools and their aid budgets are funded by other parents paying full tuition plus contributing to the annual fund. Whether that's right or fair is beside the point. That's the reality.

Diversity and inclusion means you have a huge range of students. Families making under $80K should be far more deserving of a family making $200-300K who claims poverty because of their housing and other lifestyle choices. Its funny how these schools and families preach what they don't practice.

Huh? Nobody is saying there wouldn't be FA. People are saying the OP's choice to SAHM might result in imputed income being part of the calculation. And that OP isn't necessarily going to be the neediest applicant in her income bracket.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why cannot you just go to public school ????

What ever happened to diversity, inclusion and equity?

DEI doesn't mean every single person who wants to go to private school gets to go to private school for free. Free school is public school. Private schools and their aid budgets are funded by other parents paying full tuition plus contributing to the annual fund. Whether that's right or fair is beside the point. That's the reality.

Diversity and inclusion means you have a huge range of students. Families making under $80K should be far more deserving of a family making $200-300K who claims poverty because of their housing and other lifestyle choices. Its funny how these schools and families preach what they don't practice.

SAHM and homeschooling usually *is* a lifestyle choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why cannot you just go to public school ????

What ever happened to diversity, inclusion and equity?

DEI doesn't mean every single person who wants to go to private school gets to go to private school for free. Free school is public school. Private schools and their aid budgets are funded by other parents paying full tuition plus contributing to the annual fund. Whether that's right or fair is beside the point. That's the reality.

Diversity and inclusion means you have a huge range of students. Families making under $80K should be far more deserving of a family making $200-300K who claims poverty because of their housing and other lifestyle choices. Its funny how these schools and families preach what they don't practice.

SAHM and homeschooling usually *is* a lifestyle choice.

I would definitely choose to quit my job and stay home if it meant we could get financial aid to send my kids to private for free! Suspect many others would also be interested in that sweet deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why cannot you just go to public school ????

What ever happened to diversity, inclusion and equity?

DEI doesn't mean every single person who wants to go to private school gets to go to private school for free. Free school is public school. Private schools and their aid budgets are funded by other parents paying full tuition plus contributing to the annual fund. Whether that's right or fair is beside the point. That's the reality.

Diversity and inclusion means you have a huge range of students. Families making under $80K should be far more deserving of a family making $200-300K who claims poverty because of their housing and other lifestyle choices. Its funny how these schools and families preach what they don't practice.

SAHM and homeschooling usually *is* a lifestyle choice.

I would definitely choose to quit my job and stay home if it meant we could get financial aid to send my kids to private for free! Suspect many others would also be interested in that sweet deal.

+1 The choice to not work is a luxury that the annual fund and financial aid dollars should not be supporting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why cannot you just go to public school ????

What ever happened to diversity, inclusion and equity?

DEI doesn't mean every single person who wants to go to private school gets to go to private school for free. Free school is public school. Private schools and their aid budgets are funded by other parents paying full tuition plus contributing to the annual fund. Whether that's right or fair is beside the point. That's the reality.

Diversity and inclusion means you have a huge range of students. Families making under $80K should be far more deserving of a family making $200-300K who claims poverty because of their housing and other lifestyle choices. Its funny how these schools and families preach what they don't practice.

Huh? Nobody is saying there wouldn't be FA. People are saying the OP's choice to SAHM might result in imputed income being part of the calculation. And that OP isn't necessarily going to be the neediest applicant in her income bracket.

This. OP, you will probably still get FA, you will just (appropriately) get less of it. This isn’t a punishment, or a value judgment. It simply reflects the fact that you are in a stronger financial position than a household with an 80K income that comes from two wage earners. It’s factual, not moral.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why cannot you just go to public school ????

What ever happened to diversity, inclusion and equity?

DEI doesn't mean every single person who wants to go to private school gets to go to private school for free. Free school is public school. Private schools and their aid budgets are funded by other parents paying full tuition plus contributing to the annual fund. Whether that's right or fair is beside the point. That's the reality.

Diversity and inclusion means you have a huge range of students. Families making under $80K should be far more deserving of a family making $200-300K who claims poverty because of their housing and other lifestyle choices. Its funny how these schools and families preach what they don't practice.

I think it depends. If the 80k family has only 1 income because mom chose to stay at home, while the 200 HHI is a two income family with parents that work long hours or multiple jobs, why is the 80k HHI family more deserving?

Each case is unique and choosing easy and flexible jobs or choosing ti stay at home should be accounted for in the FA equation

[Anonymous]

Yikes! OP here ... I guess as a newcomer to DCUM I didn't realize where this thread could wander.

While there have been some very helpful responses re: my original questions about what to expect for an imputed wage (as a low-earner) and ranges of awards possible, it's been surprising to see some of the suggestions (akin to "move" or "get paid more" presented as simple solutions). We do expect to contribute financially and live frugally (likely in an area many respondents have not ventured to visit yet) to do so. I appreciated the suggestion about making plans to contribute as possible to the school fund, for example.

Given how the conversation meandered, here are some things to consider:
-- No my husband who has spent his whole childhood / adulthood training for his field cannot just up and change to make more money ... and as a public servant, you wouldn't want him to either
-- Yes, homeschooling can be a choice. Sometimes it seems less of a choice given where you live, what your family needs, etc.
-- For those suggesting part-time work ... It would be great to see more options there for professionals (even those of us in low-paying fields). For those of you in position to hire, consider it. Think how amazing it would have been to share a job during the pandemic squeeze.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yikes! OP here ... I guess as a newcomer to DCUM I didn't realize where this thread could wander.

While there have been some very helpful responses re: my original questions about what to expect for an imputed wage (as a low-earner) and ranges of awards possible, it's been surprising to see some of the suggestions (akin to "move" or "get paid more" presented as simple solutions). We do expect to contribute financially and live frugally (likely in an area many respondents have not ventured to visit yet) to do so. I appreciated the suggestion about making plans to contribute as possible to the school fund, for example.

Given how the conversation meandered, here are some things to consider:
-- No my husband who has spent his whole childhood / adulthood training for his field cannot just up and change to make more money ... and as a public servant, you wouldn't want him to either
-- Yes, homeschooling can be a choice. Sometimes it seems less of a choice given where you live, what your family needs, etc.
-- For those suggesting part-time work ... It would be great to see more options there for professionals (even those of us in low-paying fields). For those of you in position to hire, consider it. Think how amazing it would have been to share a job during the pandemic squeeze.

Thank you!

Not sure if it’s been mentioned but if you get a job at a private school they often cover some or all tuition for dependents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why cannot you just go to public school ????

What ever happened to diversity, inclusion and equity?

DEI doesn't mean every single person who wants to go to private school gets to go to private school for free. Free school is public school. Private schools and their aid budgets are funded by other parents paying full tuition plus contributing to the annual fund. Whether that's right or fair is beside the point. That's the reality.

Diversity and inclusion means you have a huge range of students. Families making under $80K should be far more deserving of a family making $200-300K who claims poverty because of their housing and other lifestyle choices. Its funny how these schools and families preach what they don't practice.

SAHM and homeschooling usually *is* a lifestyle choice.

I would definitely choose to quit my job and stay home if it meant we could get financial aid to send my kids to private for free! Suspect many others would also be interested in that sweet deal.

How would u pay your rent, groceries, and all your other expenses. Nobody is going to purposely not have income just to get free tuition.