Anonymous
Post 02/02/2026 12:09     Subject: Tuition increases - what’s typical/standard
I just calculate how much it will cost when my kid go to upper school at current increase rate. and it is a huge number!!!!
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2026 11:52     Subject: Tuition increases - what’s typical/standard
Ours went up about 6% for lower school (K-8)
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2026 10:42     Subject: Tuition increases - what’s typical/standard
I anticipate 3-4% annually and our school provides fairly detailed explanations annually.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2026 18:13     Subject: Tuition increases - what’s typical/standard
Just got our new contract, increase of about 4.5% which is well within the expected range.
Anonymous
Post 01/28/2026 00:01     Subject: Tuition increases - what’s typical/standard
Privates in the DMV are either haves or have nots. The have nots struggle with enrollment and therefore finances. They pay their teachers less, and make compromises. It's tough. The gap between them is growing. The wealthy, competitive schools have the resources to make a difference. The poor, desperate schools have to try to make ends meet.
Anonymous
Post 01/25/2026 19:13     Subject: Re:Tuition increases - what’s typical/standard
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Last year we went up 9%, which was 🥴. This year they just announced 7%…I’m not thrilled. I was able to unhappily accept the big jump last year - previous years had been 2-3%. But to jump another 7% this year, just feels nuts. I needed to gut check to confirm my expectations aren’t off.


Given the timing of this post, OP, I believe we’re at the same school. We’re planning for next year to be our last. I have significant concerns about financial viability given these increases and underenrollment. Look at some of the class sizes and you’ll see. They made the argument that enrollment across the DMV is down but come on this thread and all you read about are waitlists. I’m frustrated but feel like the school community is being gaslit on a lot of things. Tuition is up because enrollment is down. And they keep referencing 17 “peer” schools whose tuition is higher without realizing the significant differences between this school and those (namely geographic location within the DMV, grade levels, academic quality, and history…some of those schools have decades old endowments and just don’t compare).

The blamed low enrollment for this year on government layoffs without considering how many families are leaving because tuition increased 9% again. I’m concerned about the financial viability of the school so we’re making plans to go elsewhere next year.


I really wish to know the school name! We’ve applied to PK at a school in Bethesda, and I just noticed that tuition jumped 12% vs last year and 7-10% for ES grades. I’m surprised. And this is a school that regularly takes mid-year admits - at least for PK and K - so not a big waitlist school.
Anonymous
Post 01/25/2026 18:41     Subject: Tuition increases - what’s typical/standard
Anonymous wrote:Underenrollment paired with two years of greater than 5% tuition increase would be very concerning for me.

I hope applicant families are checking on this as well. They should be aware before they commit that the school may be facing financial struggles.


+1
Anonymous
Post 01/25/2026 17:45     Subject: Tuition increases - what’s typical/standard
Underenrollment paired with two years of greater than 5% tuition increase would be very concerning for me.

I hope applicant families are checking on this as well. They should be aware before they commit that the school may be facing financial struggles.
Anonymous
Post 01/25/2026 16:38     Subject: Tuition increases - what’s typical/standard
Too often, trustees are parents who are reluctant to raise tuition when it’s necessary. Later boards have to play catch up. Thats why there are often erratic percentages. Especially the organizations that held tuition steady during the first few years of the pandemic.

8% increase is surprising given DOGE and the number of jobs lost
Anonymous
Post 01/25/2026 04:10     Subject: Re:Tuition increases - what’s typical/standard
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Last year we went up 9%, which was 🥴. This year they just announced 7%…I’m not thrilled. I was able to unhappily accept the big jump last year - previous years had been 2-3%. But to jump another 7% this year, just feels nuts. I needed to gut check to confirm my expectations aren’t off.


Given the timing of this post, OP, I believe we’re at the same school. We’re planning for next year to be our last. I have significant concerns about financial viability given these increases and underenrollment. Look at some of the class sizes and you’ll see. They made the argument that enrollment across the DMV is down but come on this thread and all you read about are waitlists. I’m frustrated but feel like the school community is being gaslit on a lot of things. Tuition is up because enrollment is down. And they keep referencing 17 “peer” schools whose tuition is higher without realizing the significant differences between this school and those (namely geographic location within the DMV, grade levels, academic quality, and history…some of those schools have decades old endowments and just don’t compare).

The blamed low enrollment for this year on government layoffs without considering how many families are leaving because tuition increased 9% again. I’m concerned about the financial viability of the school so we’re making plans to go elsewhere next year.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 10:05     Subject: Tuition increases - what’s typical/standard
Wouldn't it be great if we lived in a place where education wasn't a debt based political segregation game, if education was a unifier and not a divider. Well it comes down to paying your taxes and not being a racist or a warmonger. I think we are coming to a point with our senile president and our first trillionaires that extreme social division of wealth is toxic for a functioning first world society.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 11:52     Subject: Tuition increases - what’s typical/standard
Anonymous wrote:From my perspective I just donate the bare minimum. For a 60k tuition I think i contribute enough to the school budget.


+1 every large tuition increase carries forward to future years. So if you reduce donations accordingly, to future years, it quickly goes to a zero donation.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 11:42     Subject: Tuition increases - what’s typical/standard
From my perspective I just donate the bare minimum. For a 60k tuition I think i contribute enough to the school budget.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 11:37     Subject: Re:Tuition increases - what’s typical/standard
Anonymous wrote:I plan for and set aside 4 percent. I also plan for and set aside a flat 2500.00 for donations. Anything above 4 percent I use the 2500 reserve first. Last year we had 7 percent increase, so I skipped the gala tickets and the annual fund (I think I still did 50 bucks to keep their participation goal) and still owed 700 bucks. This year is 4.1 percent. I know I am a "bottom feeder" in terms of HHI at our school so I know they won't "miss" my 2500 bucks but it is one small way I try and "draw the line." I have three kids, two in different privates and one does extensive ABA which is basically like a tuition payment so I really try and pre plan as much as a I can. The "good news" is (worst case scenario) if we have to pay as we go at a state school it will feel "very easy" in comparison.


I really like this idea and may implement it myself!
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 10:58     Subject: Re:Tuition increases - what’s typical/standard
I plan for and set aside 4 percent. I also plan for and set aside a flat 2500.00 for donations. Anything above 4 percent I use the 2500 reserve first. Last year we had 7 percent increase, so I skipped the gala tickets and the annual fund (I think I still did 50 bucks to keep their participation goal) and still owed 700 bucks. This year is 4.1 percent. I know I am a "bottom feeder" in terms of HHI at our school so I know they won't "miss" my 2500 bucks but it is one small way I try and "draw the line." I have three kids, two in different privates and one does extensive ABA which is basically like a tuition payment so I really try and pre plan as much as a I can. The "good news" is (worst case scenario) if we have to pay as we go at a state school it will feel "very easy" in comparison.