It's the health care costs. They are increasing way above inflation levels. That plus admin stafF. These schools can't control themselves and keep adding bodies.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Here's an idea: stop building things, pay teachers and keep tuition reasonable

Amen! Who needs a "black box theater" anyhow!? I gues we are in the monority, but I just don't want these xtras that hike the tuition beyond comprehension...when we started and it was ~20 we thought we could swing it. Now it has nearly doubled and shows no slowing.

Could not agree more. Facilities don't educate our kids, people do.

Anonymous wrote:True about Sidwell (lower school). People are very upset but not many feel comfortable speaking up, I think.

Try the Quaker way, " it has come to our attention that ..."

True about Sidwell (lower school). People are very upset but not many feel comfortable speaking up, I think.

Anonymous wrote: Here's an idea: stop building things, pay teachers and keep tuition reasonable

Amen! Who needs a "black box theater" anyhow!? I gues we are in the monority, but I just don't want these xtras that hike the tuition beyond comprehension...when we started and it was ~20 we thought we could swing it. Now it has nearly doubled and shows no slowing.

Yes, that's an average raise. Actually, now the schools have gotten so smug that they say " we are pleased to only be raising tuition 4% this year" and then they show the graphs of the arms race with all of their other " fellow NAIS schools" also at 40 K.

Then their is the line about " needing to be able to continue to offer teachers the best salaries "

AND

let's not forget capital campaigns.

Here's an idea: stop building things, pay teachers and keep tuition reasonable

"Must be your first year in private". What, are you head of the club? Why the snarky dismissive tone? Parents of all means should be very interested in these often opaque reasons to hike the tuition. Sometimes it is justified but just because they all do it does to mean it shoukd never be questioned.

Must be your first year in private. There is ALWAYS an annual tuition increase of 3% or more.

Anonymous wrote:While there is clearly a wide range of incomes, I would guess that the typical non-financial aid family at one of the selective private schools earns at least $3-400k/year. So a 3% COLA is $9-12k - plenty to cover an addition $1-2k for tuition. Obviously families making half of that will have a harder time if they don't get financial aid, but there are very few families in that income range. Until there are more slots than applicants, there will be plenty of families lining up to pay tuition.

Think you are a little clueless. Pretty tough to get FA if you are making $200k per year. Many people are not getting COLA's or any raise at all. ( I have not in 2 years) That is why the continuing 3-4% really hurts. Yes many businesses have costs but what business has seen their costs rise by 40% over 10 years ( a 4% increase every year for 10 years) except maybe for health care?

I suspect if that was the case they would not be able to stay in business,

Not sure why some tuition increases are so large, but there will be an increase every year if the school is trying to give staff a COLA increase. Salaries are a huge chunk of their budget so they can't really increase salaries without increasing tuition.

Well you all go and enjoy! I hope your private is worth the money -- some are, mine wasn't.

While there is clearly a wide range of incomes, I would guess that the typical non-financial aid family at one of the selective private schools earns at least $3-400k/year. So a 3% COLA is $9-12k - plenty to cover an addition $1-2k for tuition. Obviously families making half of that will have a harder time if they don't get financial aid, but there are very few families in that income range. Until there are more slots than applicants, there will be plenty of families lining up to pay tuition.

Anonymous wrote:Does no one here think that schools don't face the same economic issues that impact all businesses? Costs rise, teachers earn higher salaries, health insurance is more expensive. The money for these things doesn't come out of thin air.

I didnt say I don't understand it: I said my income hasn't doubled but the tuition has so I am going elsewhere.

Does no one here think that schools don't face the same economic issues that impact all businesses? Costs rise, teachers earn higher salaries, health insurance is more expensive. The money for these things doesn't come out of thin air.

Had two in public until MS, then private for last three years. The older moved to public in HS and is quite happy, with the latest increase we will move sibling for remainder of HS, too. $40K I draw the line.