Private Schools Cost Less Than You May Think

CATO ^ | September 8, 2003 | David Salisbury

[jimkress]

Vouchers, tuition tax credits, and scholarships are being awarded in a growing number of states and big cities as a way of allowing more children to attend private schools, rather than government-operated public schools. Wherever these programs are implemented, critics claim that vouchers or tax credits won't give children from poor families access to private schools because the costs of such schools are high. But are private schools really prohibitively expensive? Not according to the numbers.

The most recent figures available from the U.S. Department of Education show that in 2000 the average tuition for private elementary schools nationwide was $3,267. Government figures also indicate that 41 percent of all private elementary and secondary schools -- more than 27,000 nationwide -- charged less than $2,500 for tuition. Less than 21 percent of all private schools charged more than $5,000 per year in tuition. According to these figures, elite and very expensive private schools tend to be the exception in their communities, not the rule.

Many people may think private schools are expensive because the costlier private schools also tend to be the most well known. For example, many in Houston have heard about St. John's or Tenney High School, where tuition runs over $13,000 a year. But fewer Houstonians have likely heard of Southeast Academy, Woodward Acres, or Pecan Street Christian Academy, all of which charge less than $3,000 per year, well below the city's private school average of $4,468.

Average private school tuition in other cities tells the same story: a large number of moderately priced private schools with a few very expensive, well-known exceptions. Median private elementary school tuition in Denver is $3,528. In Charleston, $3,150. In Philadelphia, $2,504. In New Orleans, $2,386.

Anthony Williams, mayor of the District of Columbia (where Congress is considering a school voucher program with voucher amounts of up to $7,500), recently stated, mistakenly, that "most private school tuitions run in the five figures -- far beyond what is contemplated for the voucher program."

In truth, according to a recent survey, the median per student cost for private elementary schools in the District of Columbia is $4,500, well below the mayor's "five figures." Only 39 percent of D.C. private schools have tuitions of $10,000 or more.

In all of these cities, the average private school cost is significantly less than the amount spent for each student in public schools. A voucher or tax credit worth the same amount spent per student in public schools would easily give parents access to the bulk of private schools available in their communities. With more parents able to afford private schools, new schools would open to accommodate the increased number of students.

In Florida, where students can attend private schools under several choice programs, the number of private schools in the state is increasing as school choice programs become more predominant. The percentage of Florida students enrolled in private schools has risen from 9.31 percent in 1992 to 12.5 percent in 2001. According to the Florida Department of Education, 353 new private schools have opened their doors since May 2000. Private entrepreneurs and philanthropic foundations have poured more than $76 million into Milwaukee's private schools since school choice was implemented there. This growth in private schools underscores the fact that the private education sector responds to increased consumer demand.

Existing school choice programs have already provided evidence of the benefits of school choice both for those students that switch to better schools and for those who stay in public schools. Studies in Florida, Milwaukee, San Antonio, Arizona, and Michigan have all shown that, in areas where school choice is available, public schools, in one way or another, improve in significant ways, including test scores and parental involvement.

Fostering a more competitive market in education is critical if the quality of education in inner cities and elsewhere is to be improved. Government monopolies -- and that includes public schools -- tend to serve many or most of their clients poorly, especially in a large and diverse society. Giving parents access to a growing, affordable, and diverse supply of private schools will help ensure that the current generation of American children receives a quality education.

[NativeNewYorker]

Dalton is top-notch academically, heavily over-represented in Ivy placements. Politically, it is very PC, and aesthetically, the kids dress the way I did in the 70s, ie, like slobs. :)

[Clemenza]

Dalton is top-notch academically, heavily over-represented in Ivy placements. Politically, it is very PC

Phillips Bend-Over, er, Andover is much the same way, albeit in a rural setting.

The U of Chicago Lab School was as lefty as they come (I lived nearby while in Grad School, and talked to many parents) but the academic standards were top notch and they encouraged critical thinking. I understand they now have a conservative student group as well.

[CdMGuy]

It doesn't matter how much poor people pay in taxes. The state and local governments are already paying to educate poor children in public schools. Here in California, public schools get so much per pupil per day of attendance. On a school year basis, it adds up to over $7,000 per pupil as I recall.

So, if the state offered a voucher for $4,000, that student would no longer attend public school, the public school would no longer get so much per day for that student. In theory, the taxpayer would save about $3,000 per year if the student left the $7,000 public school for a $4,000 private school.

Of course, the teachers' union would be demanding that the state pay the $3,000 savings to the school, or even more outrageously continue to pay the school the full $7,000 even though the student is no longer there. But that is a different battle to fight.

[AlanSC]

Well, I just enrolled my daughter in a Montessori preschool (she will be four next month) and I can let you know how it goes. At the orientation, they said they use a phonics program for teaching and to expect the kids to be reading within a couple of months. From the little I've seen, it seems like a good choice that will lay down a great foundation.

[EuroFrog]

The taxes you will pay in your lifetime will more than cover 18 years of private education costs.

Not to mention, your children having a better education, will hopefully have better paying jobs than your average public school joe, will also pay higher amounts in taxes than their public school peers.

It makes sense to me anyway.

[EuroFrog]

Oh oh!!! And since social security will be bankrupt by the time you retire (of course, that depends on your age) you might as well get a chunk of that money now.

[EuroFrog]

We are currently stationed in Germany so my oldest (7yr in the 2nd grade) unfortunately goes to a DoDDS school. We come back stateside somewhere between Feb and June, you can bet your boppers I will do anything short of selling my ass to put him and my daughter (3) into private school.

[MalcolmS]

>>>What should I have answered? <<<

You could have said . . .

My kids will go to school for 13 years each. I will pay property taxes for my entire life. Over time, I will pay for their tuition 5X over (or whatever is appropriate--I guess this won't be true if you have a dozen kids).

[rmlew]

It is a "progressive" school. Virtually every wacky idea that comes out of Columbia Teacher's College is tested at Dalton. Of course the kids at Dalton all have tutors so the damage is limited.

There are far better private schools in NYC:
Trinity, Collegiate (I went there), Horace Mann, Spence, Chapin and Brearley are all academically superior.
Riverdale, Fieldston, Nightingale, are on par with Dalton, but are not as famous. (Fieldston/Ethical Culture is the country day school equivalent of Dalton)
1/3 to 1/2 of the Kids get into Ivy League Schools. In fact the top NYC schools are in the top 10 national ones.
http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/urban/education/features/1510/
Here is a list of the private High Schools in NYC
http://www.scoreraiser.com/private_school_list.htm

http://www.questmag.com/schools.html

[cyberaxe]

.....send-em south.....

.....FUMA.....

[MEGoody]

"You don't pay enough in taxes to cover the cost."

Did she show you how she figured this? Because she's wrong.

[Centurion2000]

She countered with, "You don't pay enough in taxes to cover the cost

ANYONE owning a house is paying for it.

[Maigrey]

But you do. You should point out the costs associated with sending your kids to social indoctrination centers.

[vikingcelt]

Montessori does look good on paper but in practice it's something else. My granddaughter started going to Montessori when she was 3 so she was in pre-school for about 3 years there. When it came time for first grade it became obvious that it was not the right choice. I found a private girl's school for her and that's where she's been going ever since and doing very, very well there. The problem is that it only goes through 5th grade (she's in 4th grade now) so after that I don't know what will happen. I've been paying her tuition (about $10,500 a year) but I can't afford to pay that anymore after next year.

[NativeNewYorker]

The imbalance between the demand for and supply of quality educational venues is depressing.

[netmilsmom]

Thanks everyone!
I was put on the spot and didn't know what to say. Great answers!

[Spyder]

Youch! And I thought Hawaii was bad. Our most expensive elite schools here are around 11K per year through 12th grade (Punahou, Iolani, and Mid Pacific).

My kids attend an excellent nondenominational Christian school for about 5K each per year (One high school freshman, one senior) and they could go to our own church school (but with an awful commute) for about 3K.

[finnman69]

Dalton is top-notch academically, heavily over-represented in Ivy placements. Politically, it is very PC, and aesthetically, the kids dress the way I did in the 70s, ie, like slobs. :)

That's how it was when I graduated Dalton in the late 80's. We had 60 out of 110 graduate to Ivy league colleges. Great academics, creepy spoiled kids. it's a trade off. Personally I hold a lot more respect for my 1-9 school, Allen-Stevenson with it's dress code, and non PC environment.

[finnman69]

Of course the kids at Dalton all have tutors so the damage is limited.

I remember a lot of the kids had therapists also. Wealthy angst as well as the Mercedes's, limos, and other drivers picking up kids after school.

[So Cal Rocket]

Anyone familiar with private schools that use the Carden method? I'm sending my pre-K daughter to a Carden school this year and was wondering if any one of my Freeper Friends had any experience with them.