$60k

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're Holton, no FA, and it's an enormous stretch for us. I budget 5% increases annually. If your goal is for your child to finish with the most money possible or because you think there's a secret advantage to admissions, private education isn't worth it.

We made the decision that education is the single most foundational gift we can give our child. We come from a family of educators and her teachers are exceptional. I see her writing and homework and I know we made the right decision. She excels at school and athletics. She's happy and confident. That doesn't mean perfection, but it does mean it's worth it to us. The check is painful though! We don't go on vacation much.

I am glad it works out well for you. We are going to do the same. But it is still depressing to realize one has to pay $60k for a decent education and learn how to write well in this country. It is a privilege.

\

Yes, it's depressing. We would take our kid out but we're on a 3rd of 3 and this one loves the humanities ---writing, discussion, analysis etc---- and is thriving at a private where they dig deep into the texts and she gets to write long essays and papers. If she was a STEM kid we'd take her out and save the money. We're tired of spending it and while I think STEM is quite good at her school, it's just as good if not better in public.

So if she liked STEM, you wouldn’t bother putting her in a school that teaches her to write and analyze.

That’s … a choice.

100%.

You know that public school kids learn to write and read too, right? And they go to the same colleges as the kids do from our school and do just as well---my Ivy kids (fresh and soph) have public school roommate/friends and these kids are doing very well. Plus in the era of AI I don't think anyone is going to be writing much of anything in the future.

The writing instruction they get at a private school is really lovely for a humanities kid. But it is a frankly a luxury at $60K/year.

The reading proficiency levels in MCPS would suggest that many of them don’t learn to read and write at a sufficient level.

But considering you think AI will just replace writing, I’m not sure you care much about high quality writing or analysis. So I shouldn’t be surprised you would fail to see the inadequacies in the writing and reading curricula at most public schools.

[Anonymous]

Oh and you can stop mentioning that your kids are at Ivy League schools. I couldn’t care less. I know plenty of dull people who went to those schools. It doesn’t impress me at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're Holton, no FA, and it's an enormous stretch for us. I budget 5% increases annually. If your goal is for your child to finish with the most money possible or because you think there's a secret advantage to admissions, private education isn't worth it.

We made the decision that education is the single most foundational gift we can give our child. We come from a family of educators and her teachers are exceptional. I see her writing and homework and I know we made the right decision. She excels at school and athletics. She's happy and confident. That doesn't mean perfection, but it does mean it's worth it to us. The check is painful though! We don't go on vacation much.

I am glad it works out well for you. We are going to do the same. But it is still depressing to realize one has to pay $60k for a decent education and learn how to write well in this country. It is a privilege.

\

Yes, it's depressing. We would take our kid out but we're on a 3rd of 3 and this one loves the humanities ---writing, discussion, analysis etc---- and is thriving at a private where they dig deep into the texts and she gets to write long essays and papers. If she was a STEM kid we'd take her out and save the money. We're tired of spending it and while I think STEM is quite good at her school, it's just as good if not better in public.

So if she liked STEM, you wouldn’t bother putting her in a school that teaches her to write and analyze.

That’s … a choice.

100%.

You know that public school kids learn to write and read too, right? And they go to the same colleges as the kids do from our school and do just as well---my Ivy kids (fresh and soph) have public school roommate/friends and these kids are doing very well. Plus in the era of AI I don't think anyone is going to be writing much of anything in the future.

The writing instruction they get at a private school is really lovely for a humanities kid. But it is a frankly a luxury at $60K/year.

This comment about AI is absurd and misleading. Writing is thinking. Not able to practice good writing is detrimental to creativity and thinking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're Holton, no FA, and it's an enormous stretch for us. I budget 5% increases annually. If your goal is for your child to finish with the most money possible or because you think there's a secret advantage to admissions, private education isn't worth it.

We made the decision that education is the single most foundational gift we can give our child. We come from a family of educators and her teachers are exceptional. I see her writing and homework and I know we made the right decision. She excels at school and athletics. She's happy and confident. That doesn't mean perfection, but it does mean it's worth it to us. The check is painful though! We don't go on vacation much.

I am glad it works out well for you. We are going to do the same. But it is still depressing to realize one has to pay $60k for a decent education and learn how to write well in this country. It is a privilege.

\

Yes, it's depressing. We would take our kid out but we're on a 3rd of 3 and this one loves the humanities ---writing, discussion, analysis etc---- and is thriving at a private where they dig deep into the texts and she gets to write long essays and papers. If she was a STEM kid we'd take her out and save the money. We're tired of spending it and while I think STEM is quite good at her school, it's just as good if not better in public.

So if she liked STEM, you wouldn’t bother putting her in a school that teaches her to write and analyze.

That’s … a choice.

100%.

You know that public school kids learn to write and read too, right? And they go to the same colleges as the kids do from our school and do just as well---my Ivy kids (fresh and soph) have public school roommate/friends and these kids are doing very well. Plus in the era of AI I don't think anyone is going to be writing much of anything in the future.

The writing instruction they get at a private school is really lovely for a humanities kid. But it is a frankly a luxury at $60K/year.

The reading proficiency levels in MCPS would suggest that many of them don’t learn to read and write at a sufficient level.

But considering you think AI will just replace writing, I’m not sure you care much about high quality writing or analysis. So I shouldn’t be surprised you would fail to see the inadequacies in the writing and reading curricula at most public schools.

why are you so triggered?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're Holton, no FA, and it's an enormous stretch for us. I budget 5% increases annually. If your goal is for your child to finish with the most money possible or because you think there's a secret advantage to admissions, private education isn't worth it.

We made the decision that education is the single most foundational gift we can give our child. We come from a family of educators and her teachers are exceptional. I see her writing and homework and I know we made the right decision. She excels at school and athletics. She's happy and confident. That doesn't mean perfection, but it does mean it's worth it to us. The check is painful though! We don't go on vacation much.

I am glad it works out well for you. We are going to do the same. But it is still depressing to realize one has to pay $60k for a decent education and learn how to write well in this country. It is a privilege.

\

Yes, it's depressing. We would take our kid out but we're on a 3rd of 3 and this one loves the humanities ---writing, discussion, analysis etc---- and is thriving at a private where they dig deep into the texts and she gets to write long essays and papers. If she was a STEM kid we'd take her out and save the money. We're tired of spending it and while I think STEM is quite good at her school, it's just as good if not better in public.

So if she liked STEM, you wouldn’t bother putting her in a school that teaches her to write and analyze.

That’s … a choice.

100%.

You know that public school kids learn to write and read too, right? And they go to the same colleges as the kids do from our school and do just as well---my Ivy kids (fresh and soph) have public school roommate/friends and these kids are doing very well. Plus in the era of AI I don't think anyone is going to be writing much of anything in the future.

The writing instruction they get at a private school is really lovely for a humanities kid. But it is a frankly a luxury at $60K/year.

The reading proficiency levels in MCPS would suggest that many of them don’t learn to read and write at a sufficient level.

But considering you think AI will just replace writing, I’m not sure you care much about high quality writing or analysis. So I shouldn’t be surprised you would fail to see the inadequacies in the writing and reading curricula at most public schools.

why are you so triggered?

I really dislike people who are deeply ignorant. It annoys me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Friendly question:

What is the rationale for doubling tuition over the span of 15 years? Is it simply that people have the ability to pay and they are profit maximizing? Or is it truly that they provide an incredible lifetime network and or access to the top universities that people from great Publix just don’t have anymore?

Demand and supply. There is not much magic about this. There is a huge demand for schools with a low students teacher ratio, and as long people are willing to pay for it they will continue raising tuition. It is the same phenomenon as in colleges. Also it seems that the quality of public school is deteriorating so some people are willing to pay for avoiding the experience of public schools. But this is a general trend for most private schools.

There are many schools with low student-teacher ratios that are cheaper, including Catholic schools, Waldorf schools, and other smaller private schools.

Catholic diocese schools are cheaper because they’re subsidized by the church.

Yes, what is so great about these $60K schools? Are they really suprior than the cheaper ones?

Why don’t you actually go visit one and see for yourself

I went. Honestly, not sure. Is college admission slightly better? Fancy campus. Not sure if it is worth $60K.

It has been disappointing touring schools this season. The very expensive Big3+ schools all have a beautiful, safe campus, high-quality facilities, well-spoken students, and very nice cars in the carpool. Perhaps most parents have beautiful big houses. But, somehow, the education is superior. What is really lacking is a thoughtful core curriculum and systematic cultivation of creativity and intellectual curiosity. The offerings in the arts, foreign languages, and sports are definitely better. But I am not sure if it is worth $60k. But maybe it is just the reality.

Sorry, "not" superior.

Then it’s not worth $60k to you, and that’s ok. It’s worth $60k plus to a lot of other people, that’s why most DC privates have long waiting lists. Educate your children to the best of your abilities and desires. Good luck!

Eh, don’t bother.

Most of these people have never actually experienced these schools, so they’re basing their perceptions on what they’ve seen in movies and maybe an admissions tour they once went on.

Let them keep their kids in 2026 public schools. In MoCo, they can’t even muster the ability to send them to school this week. And when they get to school, most of them can’t even reach basic math and reading proficiency levels.

There is absolutely no need to insult public education. As a private school parent, I acknowledge it is a total privilege and a choice. For some kids, public will work out just fine. Also based on the course offerings, some magnet schools seem to offer more stem classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're Holton, no FA, and it's an enormous stretch for us. I budget 5% increases annually. If your goal is for your child to finish with the most money possible or because you think there's a secret advantage to admissions, private education isn't worth it.

We made the decision that education is the single most foundational gift we can give our child. We come from a family of educators and her teachers are exceptional. I see her writing and homework and I know we made the right decision. She excels at school and athletics. She's happy and confident. That doesn't mean perfection, but it does mean it's worth it to us. The check is painful though! We don't go on vacation much.

I am glad it works out well for you. We are going to do the same. But it is still depressing to realize one has to pay $60k for a decent education and learn how to write well in this country. It is a privilege.

\

Yes, it's depressing. We would take our kid out but we're on a 3rd of 3 and this one loves the humanities ---writing, discussion, analysis etc---- and is thriving at a private where they dig deep into the texts and she gets to write long essays and papers. If she was a STEM kid we'd take her out and save the money. We're tired of spending it and while I think STEM is quite good at her school, it's just as good if not better in public.

So if she liked STEM, you wouldn’t bother putting her in a school that teaches her to write and analyze.

That’s … a choice.

100%.

You know that public school kids learn to write and read too, right? And they go to the same colleges as the kids do from our school and do just as well---my Ivy kids (fresh and soph) have public school roommate/friends and these kids are doing very well. Plus in the era of AI I don't think anyone is going to be writing much of anything in the future.

The writing instruction they get at a private school is really lovely for a humanities kid. But it is a frankly a luxury at $60K/year.

The reading proficiency levels in MCPS would suggest that many of them don’t learn to read and write at a sufficient level.

But considering you think AI will just replace writing, I’m not sure you care much about high quality writing or analysis. So I shouldn’t be surprised you would fail to see the inadequacies in the writing and reading curricula at most public schools.

why are you so triggered?

I really dislike people who are deeply ignorant. It annoys me.

I find you ignorant. You are putting down a parent for not wanting to spend $60K for private school when this isn't 1)necessary for top college admissions 2)necessary for success in life 3)an option available to 99.9% of school aged kids. I get it if someone is saying "I'm not sending my kid to school" or "i'm not teaching my kid to read" but getting yourself all twisted up because someone says "I'm not paying $60K so my STEM kid can revel deeply in English discussion and text analysis" is just stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're Holton, no FA, and it's an enormous stretch for us. I budget 5% increases annually. If your goal is for your child to finish with the most money possible or because you think there's a secret advantage to admissions, private education isn't worth it.

We made the decision that education is the single most foundational gift we can give our child. We come from a family of educators and her teachers are exceptional. I see her writing and homework and I know we made the right decision. She excels at school and athletics. She's happy and confident. That doesn't mean perfection, but it does mean it's worth it to us. The check is painful though! We don't go on vacation much.

I am glad it works out well for you. We are going to do the same. But it is still depressing to realize one has to pay $60k for a decent education and learn how to write well in this country. It is a privilege.

\

Yes, it's depressing. We would take our kid out but we're on a 3rd of 3 and this one loves the humanities ---writing, discussion, analysis etc---- and is thriving at a private where they dig deep into the texts and she gets to write long essays and papers. If she was a STEM kid we'd take her out and save the money. We're tired of spending it and while I think STEM is quite good at her school, it's just as good if not better in public.

So if she liked STEM, you wouldn’t bother putting her in a school that teaches her to write and analyze.

That’s … a choice.

100%.

You know that public school kids learn to write and read too, right? And they go to the same colleges as the kids do from our school and do just as well---my Ivy kids (fresh and soph) have public school roommate/friends and these kids are doing very well. Plus in the era of AI I don't think anyone is going to be writing much of anything in the future.

The writing instruction they get at a private school is really lovely for a humanities kid. But it is a frankly a luxury at $60K/year.

The reading proficiency levels in MCPS would suggest that many of them don’t learn to read and write at a sufficient level.

But considering you think AI will just replace writing, I’m not sure you care much about high quality writing or analysis. So I shouldn’t be surprised you would fail to see the inadequacies in the writing and reading curricula at most public schools.

why are you so triggered?

I really dislike people who are deeply ignorant. It annoys me.

I find you ignorant. You are putting down a parent for not wanting to spend $60K for private school when this isn't 1)necessary for top college admissions 2)necessary for success in life 3)an option available to 99.9% of school aged kids. I get it if someone is saying "I'm not sending my kid to school" or "i'm not teaching my kid to read" but getting yourself all twisted up because someone says "I'm not paying $60K so my STEM kid can revel deeply in English discussion and text analysis" is just stupid.

I have no problem putting down someone who doesn’t think it’s necessary to learn how to write because supposedly AI will replace most writing.

[Anonymous]

Look at it this way, OP: If you invested the money for a PK-12 private school education at even the S&P return rate, compounded each year, your kid would have more than $5 million by the age of 30 or 35.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Friendly question:

What is the rationale for doubling tuition over the span of 15 years? Is it simply that people have the ability to pay and they are profit maximizing? Or is it truly that they provide an incredible lifetime network and or access to the top universities that people from great Publix just don’t have anymore?

Demand and supply. There is not much magic about this. There is a huge demand for schools with a low students teacher ratio, and as long people are willing to pay for it they will continue raising tuition. It is the same phenomenon as in colleges. Also it seems that the quality of public school is deteriorating so some people are willing to pay for avoiding the experience of public schools. But this is a general trend for most private schools.

There are many schools with low student-teacher ratios that are cheaper, including Catholic schools, Waldorf schools, and other smaller private schools.

Catholic diocese schools are cheaper because they’re subsidized by the church.

Yes, what is so great about these $60K schools? Are they really suprior than the cheaper ones?

Why don’t you actually go visit one and see for yourself

I went. Honestly, not sure. Is college admission slightly better? Fancy campus. Not sure if it is worth $60K.

Yes, college admissions to T25 universities, at the Big 3 (Cathedral, GDS, Sidwell), are noticeably stronger than the cheaper schools (SJC, Holy Cross/Child, Visi, Burke, etc). So, nicer campus/facilities, better college admissions, and more elite reputation).

But here's the thing. If YOUR CHILD does not end up at this T25 university, and the majority at all of these schools do not, you will not feel like college admissions are better. So what if 15% of your kids' class goes Ivy, while yours ends up at Alabama?

Sidwell usually sends about 25-30% of its graduates to Ivies. Approximately 60-70% attend T25 universities/T10 SLACs. The bottom 30% basically lands at T50 universities and SLACs. The bottom third of the class has to go somewhere, and a T50 isn’t bad. Especially because they have been exceptionally well prepared to succeed in college.

I can’t speak for the other Big 3 schools.

These numbers are inflated. Sorry. I have several Sidwell grads/ students.

No, the numbers are not inflated and your children must have graduated a long time ago (if you’re telling the truth). Check Sidwell’s student-run IG account from the last few years. Currently, only 36 out of 125 seniors have posted (28% of the class). 69% of those students that have posted are heading to T25 universities/T10 SLACs (and there are a few Ivy+ admits that haven’t posted yet so I didn’t count them). Come back in June and apologize when you see the 60-70% attending T25 universities/T10 SLACs holds.

I deal in facts, not your feelings.

DP. These numbers are high right now because in many cases only early decisions have come through, and many of those decisions are binding which is how these kids already know where they are going. Many of the non-top kids got rejected in ED rounds and are awaiting RD decisions and then have to make a final decision. Those are the facts.

P.S. you sound like an unhinged nutter.

[Anonymous]

I looked at the numbers over the years.

In 2004, Sidwell was $21,450. Median American HHI was $44,334.

In 2025, Sidwell was $59,920. Median American HHI was $84,000.

In short, the privates have gone from just under half the average Median income to over 70% the Median. That shows you how much more expensive the privates have become relative to spending power.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I looked at the numbers over the years.

In 2004, Sidwell was $21,450. Median American HHI was $44,334.

In 2025, Sidwell was $59,920. Median American HHI was $84,000.

In short, the privates have gone from just under half the average Median income to over 70% the Median. That shows you how much more expensive the privates have become relative to spending power.

It reflects how unequal society is, while some schools (won't name it you know the green one) emphasize social justice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tuition increase email came out. Holton next year will be $60,535 for all grades. Any other schools cross the $60k threshold?? Woof.

It is a horrible system where the students are customers. This will have many terrible consequences. Unless they do raise the salary for teachers above $80K a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tuition increase email came out. Holton next year will be $60,535 for all grades. Any other schools cross the $60k threshold?? Woof.

It is a horrible system where the students are customers. This will have many terrible consequences. Unless they do raise the salary for teachers above $80K a year.

Private schools have existed for centuries.

Waiting for the terrible consequences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I truly don't understand how folks posting on here seem to forget there are tons of teachers who work at all of these schools. Tuition dollars account for ~80% of a school's revenue, which is how it pays for things like salaries and health benefits, and that makes up the bulk of their expenses. Unless they're keeping salaries stagnant (which most are not), the tuition increase is usually close to what the salary increase is for teachers.

Are teachers getting a 5% raise every year?

No way! That would be nice but not even close. Way too many admin positions at schools. These people
don’t work with the kids. It’s a joke. There are k-8 schools with 20 plus admin lol.

Ugh. We're getting squeezed and priced out by these annual 5% increases. I don't understand why the boards think a K shaped student body is a good idea.