Anonymous
02/09/2026 10:21
Subject: $60k
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.
I understand DMV is full of ultra-rich people. But for most UMC families without generational wealth, this is shockingly expensive for an elementary school. I mean, it is college tuition price.
How do one justify this? No matter how much you emphasize education, isn't this ridiculous? How can such a school (including those with $57k) have any
Is social justice a value and inclusive? Doesn't make all DEI statements totally empty words as the price will shut out diverse people?
No. It isn't. We're paying more than $60K for one at a state flagship and will be paying close to $100K for the other next year at a SLAC.
Anonymous
02/09/2026 10:18
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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.
I understand DMV is full of ultra-rich people. But for most UMC families without generational wealth, this is shockingly expensive for an elementary school. I mean, it is college tuition price.
How do one justify this? No matter how much you emphasize education, isn't this ridiculous? How can such a school (including those with $57k) have any
Is social justice a value and inclusive? Doesn't make all DEI statements totally empty words as the price will shut out diverse people?
The same way people justify spenidng on any luxury good. Do you ask people how they justify buying a Mercedes?
As for being inclusive, at our private, 25% of students are on financial aid. I won't pretend it's as diverse as our nearby public, but it's not entirely lacking either.
It is just so hard to process these numbers. The result is that even richer people will be able to make this investment. It used to be like HHI for 400K is possible. Now it will be 500K. Then, in the future, it will be 800K. That means only MDs, JDs, and hedge fund people can afford it. People with regular jobs or PhDs will not be able to afford it unless they have family wealth.
Which is what the rich people want. And there are enough of them to fill these schools. The schools know this and will keep increasing tuition Supply and demand.
Yet in 60k schools parents still supplement math and music class.
We certainly don’t.
There is no need for math, unless your student can't keep up. Music, perhaps, especially if seeking to go to a conservatory or similarly advanced program for college. View it the same as athletics which we definitely do supplement through club sports and private lessons for our daughter's specific position.
Anonymous
02/09/2026 09:32
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Would I spend $60k for lower or middle school? No. For high school? Yes, IF the school is a good fit for our kids, it includes things like lunch and laptop and access to trainers etc. It is crazy that that’s those are the numbers we are talking about but we prioritize spending on education which that includes the overall experience. Compared to our zoned mcps Hugh school, yes, it’s worth it.
FWIW—Have a kid in private and one at MCPS (they have learning differences and there isn’t a good private option for their needs) and let me tell you the quality of education IRL is markedly different. I don’t think a lot of parents are really looking closely at what the day to day instruction and overall experience is for those claiming MCPS hs is the gold standard.
Actually I think most are. Especially when you live in a country that doesn’t want to invest 60k so every student can have an excellent education. Not to mention what would be required to lower student teacher ratios for all students.
The question is will the $60k school attract top teachers? Do they pay teachers well? Do they really provide educational resources to the family? Not just a fancy swimming pool?
Why don’t you go and ask these questions at one of the schools?
1. Our K-8 doesn’t have a swimming pool.
2. We have incredible teachers who know our kids inside and out.
3. My kid’s art teacher, for example, has access to 2 large, professional grade art studios just for the K-4th grade where he teaches them in-depth about how to express themselves.
My 8 year old did an abstract self-portrait in his class that was featured at a student art show in a local gallery. It won 1st place in a category for 8-13 year olds.
But sure — we’re just paying for fancy facilities.
Anonymous
02/09/2026 09:30
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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.
I understand DMV is full of ultra-rich people. But for most UMC families without generational wealth, this is shockingly expensive for an elementary school. I mean, it is college tuition price.
How do one justify this? No matter how much you emphasize education, isn't this ridiculous? How can such a school (including those with $57k) have any
Is social justice a value and inclusive? Doesn't make all DEI statements totally empty words as the price will shut out diverse people?
The same way people justify spenidng on any luxury good. Do you ask people how they justify buying a Mercedes?
As for being inclusive, at our private, 25% of students are on financial aid. I won't pretend it's as diverse as our nearby public, but it's not entirely lacking either.
It is just so hard to process these numbers. The result is that even richer people will be able to make this investment. It used to be like HHI for 400K is possible. Now it will be 500K. Then, in the future, it will be 800K. That means only MDs, JDs, and hedge fund people can afford it. People with regular jobs or PhDs will not be able to afford it unless they have family wealth.
Which is what the rich people want. And there are enough of them to fill these schools. The schools know this and will keep increasing tuition Supply and demand.
Yet in 60k schools parents still supplement math and music class.
I don’t know anyone at our K-8 supplementing math or music. We have an absolutely amazing arts department. Math is terrific.
So stop spouting nonsense.
Anonymous
02/09/2026 09:29
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Would I spend $60k for lower or middle school? No. For high school? Yes, IF the school is a good fit for our kids, it includes things like lunch and laptop and access to trainers etc. It is crazy that that’s those are the numbers we are talking about but we prioritize spending on education which that includes the overall experience. Compared to our zoned mcps Hugh school, yes, it’s worth it.
FWIW—Have a kid in private and one at MCPS (they have learning differences and there isn’t a good private option for their needs) and let me tell you the quality of education IRL is markedly different. I don’t think a lot of parents are really looking closely at what the day to day instruction and overall experience is for those claiming MCPS hs is the gold standard.
Actually I think most are. Especially when you live in a country that doesn’t want to invest 60k so every student can have an excellent education. Not to mention what would be required to lower student teacher ratios for all students.
The question is will the $60k school attract top teachers? Do they pay teachers well? Do they really provide educational resources to the family? Not just a fancy swimming pool?
Anonymous
02/09/2026 09:28
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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.
I understand DMV is full of ultra-rich people. But for most UMC families without generational wealth, this is shockingly expensive for an elementary school. I mean, it is college tuition price.
How do one justify this? No matter how much you emphasize education, isn't this ridiculous? How can such a school (including those with $57k) have any
Is social justice a value and inclusive? Doesn't make all DEI statements totally empty words as the price will shut out diverse people?
The same way people justify spenidng on any luxury good. Do you ask people how they justify buying a Mercedes?
As for being inclusive, at our private, 25% of students are on financial aid. I won't pretend it's as diverse as our nearby public, but it's not entirely lacking either.
It is just so hard to process these numbers. The result is that even richer people will be able to make this investment. It used to be like HHI for 400K is possible. Now it will be 500K. Then, in the future, it will be 800K. That means only MDs, JDs, and hedge fund people can afford it. People with regular jobs or PhDs will not be able to afford it unless they have family wealth.
Which is what the rich people want. And there are enough of them to fill these schools. The schools know this and will keep increasing tuition Supply and demand.
Yet in 60k schools parents still supplement math and music class.
We certainly don’t.
Anonymous
02/09/2026 09:28
Subject: $60k
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.
I understand DMV is full of ultra-rich people. But for most UMC families without generational wealth, this is shockingly expensive for an elementary school. I mean, it is college tuition price.
How do one justify this? No matter how much you emphasize education, isn't this ridiculous? How can such a school (including those with $57k) have any
Is social justice a value and inclusive? Doesn't make all DEI statements totally empty words as the price will shut out diverse people?
Why don’t you ask the same question about why school funding is tied to property taxes, so people will pay more to live in Potomac and segregate themselves from more diverse parts of MoCo?
That costs a lot more than private school.
Anonymous
02/09/2026 09:24
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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.
I understand DMV is full of ultra-rich people. But for most UMC families without generational wealth, this is shockingly expensive for an elementary school. I mean, it is college tuition price.
How do one justify this? No matter how much you emphasize education, isn't this ridiculous? How can such a school (including those with $57k) have any
Is social justice a value and inclusive? Doesn't make all DEI statements totally empty words as the price will shut out diverse people?
The same way people justify spenidng on any luxury good. Do you ask people how they justify buying a Mercedes?
As for being inclusive, at our private, 25% of students are on financial aid. I won't pretend it's as diverse as our nearby public, but it's not entirely lacking either.
It is just so hard to process these numbers. The result is that even richer people will be able to make this investment. It used to be like HHI for 400K is possible. Now it will be 500K. Then, in the future, it will be 800K. That means only MDs, JDs, and hedge fund people can afford it. People with regular jobs or PhDs will not be able to afford it unless they have family wealth.
Which is what the rich people want. And there are enough of them to fill these schools. The schools know this and will keep increasing tuition Supply and demand.
Yet in 60k schools parents still supplement math and music class.
Anonymous
02/09/2026 07:47
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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.
I understand DMV is full of ultra-rich people. But for most UMC families without generational wealth, this is shockingly expensive for an elementary school. I mean, it is college tuition price.
How do one justify this? No matter how much you emphasize education, isn't this ridiculous? How can such a school (including those with $57k) have any
Is social justice a value and inclusive? Doesn't make all DEI statements totally empty words as the price will shut out diverse people?
The same way people justify spenidng on any luxury good. Do you ask people how they justify buying a Mercedes?
As for being inclusive, at our private, 25% of students are on financial aid. I won't pretend it's as diverse as our nearby public, but it's not entirely lacking either.
It is just so hard to process these numbers. The result is that even richer people will be able to make this investment. It used to be like HHI for 400K is possible. Now it will be 500K. Then, in the future, it will be 800K. That means only MDs, JDs, and hedge fund people can afford it. People with regular jobs or PhDs will not be able to afford it unless they have family wealth.
Which is what the rich people want. And there are enough of them to fill these schools. The schools know this and will keep increasing tuition Supply and demand.
Anonymous
02/09/2026 04:52
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Would I spend $60k for lower or middle school? No. For high school? Yes, IF the school is a good fit for our kids, it includes things like lunch and laptop and access to trainers etc. It is crazy that that’s those are the numbers we are talking about but we prioritize spending on education which that includes the overall experience. Compared to our zoned mcps Hugh school, yes, it’s worth it.
FWIW—Have a kid in private and one at MCPS (they have learning differences and there isn’t a good private option for their needs) and let me tell you the quality of education IRL is markedly different. I don’t think a lot of parents are really looking closely at what the day to day instruction and overall experience is for those claiming MCPS hs is the gold standard.
Actually I think most are. Especially when you live in a country that doesn’t want to invest 60k so every student can have an excellent education. Not to mention what would be required to lower student teacher ratios for all students.
Anonymous
02/09/2026 00:02
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote: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.
I understand DMV is full of ultra-rich people. But for most UMC families without generational wealth, this is shockingly expensive for an elementary school. I mean, it is college tuition price.
How do one justify this? No matter how much you emphasize education, isn't this ridiculous? How can such a school (including those with $57k) have any
Is social justice a value and inclusive? Doesn't make all DEI statements totally empty words as the price will shut out diverse people?
The same way people justify spenidng on any luxury good. Do you ask people how they justify buying a Mercedes?
As for being inclusive, at our private, 25% of students are on financial aid. I won't pretend it's as diverse as our nearby public, but it's not entirely lacking either.
Then, please do not claim it is for social justice or inclusive. Do not claim it's Quakerism, social responsibility, and it is for the common good. It is an elite education for the ultra-rich.
Anonymous
02/09/2026 00:00
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote: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.
I understand DMV is full of ultra-rich people. But for most UMC families without generational wealth, this is shockingly expensive for an elementary school. I mean, it is college tuition price.
How do one justify this? No matter how much you emphasize education, isn't this ridiculous? How can such a school (including those with $57k) have any
Is social justice a value and inclusive? Doesn't make all DEI statements totally empty words as the price will shut out diverse people?
The same way people justify spenidng on any luxury good. Do you ask people how they justify buying a Mercedes?
As for being inclusive, at our private, 25% of students are on financial aid. I won't pretend it's as diverse as our nearby public, but it's not entirely lacking either.
It is just so hard to process these numbers. The result is that even richer people will be able to make this investment. It used to be like HHI for 400K is possible. Now it will be 500K. Then, in the future, it will be 800K. That means only MDs, JDs, and hedge fund people can afford it. People with regular jobs or PhDs will not be able to afford it unless they have family wealth.
Anonymous
02/08/2026 23:57
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote: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.
I understand DMV is full of ultra-rich people. But for most UMC families without generational wealth, this is shockingly expensive for an elementary school. I mean, it is college tuition price.
How do one justify this? No matter how much you emphasize education, isn't this ridiculous? How can such a school (including those with $57k) have any
Is social justice a value and inclusive? Doesn't make all DEI statements totally empty words as the price will shut out diverse people?
The same way people justify spenidng on any luxury good. Do you ask people how they justify buying a Mercedes?
As for being inclusive, at our private, 25% of students are on financial aid. I won't pretend it's as diverse as our nearby public, but it's not entirely lacking either.
yes, but people then stone these folks with financial aid.
Anonymous
02/08/2026 23:48
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I’ll take “Things that aren’t worth $60k/year for $1000, Alex.”
Considering the waitlist is a mile long I’d guess a lot of people disagree with you.
The wait-list will get a lot shorter as the economy continues to crater.
If this happens, it may cause area schools to pump the brakes on increases.
I don’t think so - it’s my impression salary and benefits (health insurance is super expensive for employers!) make up the bulk of spending. I think more schools will close before they decrease tuition increase percentages.
Anonymous
02/08/2026 23:44
Subject: $60k
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I’ll take “Things that aren’t worth $60k/year for $1000, Alex.”
Considering the waitlist is a mile long I’d guess a lot of people disagree with you.
The wait-list will get a lot shorter as the economy continues to crater.
If this happens, it may cause area schools to pump the brakes on increases.