MSI Classic teams can be 1600 or more plus the uniform for a professional coach. This includes both fall and spring with some random practices in the winter.
The parent-coached ones we have run across are closer to 1000 plus the uniform which can be $150-200. These usually shut down for the winter. The price difference isn't much unfortunately. There is a big difference between rec and PPA but not Classic and PPA.

Is the PPA developmental team already playing in MSI Classic? My older son was on a Classic team that was even more expensive. The coaching is what drives up the price. There are always a few classic teams with parent coaches that are more affordable but you might not be happy after having the professional coaching. MSI lists teams with team openings on their website under the Classic section.

Consider becoming a coach for Classic or a parent coordinator who helps pull the team together and hires a coach. By grade 4, any level beyond Rec., parent coaches really only work out well for the team if the parent has substantial coaching/soccer experience. Because the other teams have paid coaches and players who do soccer camps during breaks.

My 3rd grade boy plays on a PPA Development team and enjoys it. Just found out that the fall season for 4th grade will cost $550 and that is just feeling outrageously expensive. We live in Takoma Park and he needs more challenge than Takoma Soccer offers but we need to stay relatively local bc we can't schlep out too far for practices during the week. Seems like maybe a "good" MSI Classic team might be the right fit but how the heck do we go about finding a "good" team that also practices relatively locally? Are we stuck paying PPA's large fees or going back down to Rec? Thanks!