Below is a list of items to consider when calculating the cost of attending private school. You can check a school’s website or inquire at the admission office to find out associated costs as well as which fees are included in tuition and which fees are optional.

• Tuition
• New student fee
• Building/facilities fee
• Textbooks and other school supplies
• Yearbooks
• Laptop computer
• Field trips
• Class trips
  Depending upon grade level these may be local day trips, overnight trips, or extended international travel
• School uniforms
• Physical education uniforms
• Lunch
• Parent Association dues
• Interscholastic sports participation fees
• Summer camps
• Camps offered between semesters or during school breaks
• Bus transportation
• After school enrichment classes
• Student club participation
• Before and after school care
• Contributions to the Annual Fund each year
  While not required, private schools do often depend upon Annual Fund donations to make up the gap between tuition and the actual cost of educating a student. (Usually, tuition only covers approximately 70%-80% of the actual cost.) Find out what your school’s expectation is regarding participation.
• Contributions to Capital Campaigns
  Once again, while most schools will not require contributions, research what your school might expect.

The NYC Private Schools Blog is an online community which encompasses all aspects of NYC private schools (approximately 800 schools). Although there are many wonderful sites and communities which cover NYC public schools, there are few which focus on NYC private schools.

While the focus of the blog is on private schools in the five boroughs, it also provides a plethora of information useful for anyone interested in private schools no matter the location. For example, visitors to the site can learn about different types of schools, the admissions process, paying for private schools and the financial aid process, child development and learning issues, and much more. And with 14,196 followers on Twitter, they must be doing something right!

Congratulations, NYC Private Schools Blog. We look forward to more great posts.

The reality is that every school is not for every child, but there is a school out there where your child will thrive academically and socially. I encourage you to NOT focus on finding the school that will lead to the next right school, college, graduate school, career and ultimate success in life. Instead, I encourage you to focus on finding a school where you and your child will be an active partners in the educational process, and where your child will develop a lifelong love of learning. In short, finding the school that is just the right fit for your child and your family.

Tips on Finding the Right School

• Don’t be trendy. You know what they say – one year a school is in and the next it’s out. While listening to the opinions of other parents can be valuable as you collect data about a school, be careful to not get caught up in the hubbub surrounding the school to which everyone just has to get accepted. Stay focused on your child’s strengths, needs and learning styles, and look for the schools that will work best for your child.
• Plan for the financial future. When looking for the right school, keep in mind that tuition at private schools can range from the thousands to the tens of thousands annually, and the tuition will go up every year. On top of that, you may be responsible for additional out-of-pocket expenses such as annual fund and capital improvement contributions, lunch, books and uniforms, after-school enrichment classes, summer camps, and more. However, don’t let the costs of attending a private school deter you from your search. Many schools are committed to a diverse student body, so ask about financial aid.
• Commit to the commute? You’ve found the right school. You can picture your child in class and you at the parent association meetings. It’s perfect… except for the fact that it’s across town and you’ll be fighting rush hour traffic for an hour to drop your child at school before getting back in your car to make your way to work. While no obstacle seems too large when you’ve found the perfect school, the reality is that a nightmare commute will be hard for everyone. You’ll live with the commute not only on school days but also on special event afternoons, evenings and weekends. And that’s not even considering how you will reach your child in a timely manner when she becomes sick during the school day.

If you are interested in learning more about An Educated Choice and how we can help you select a private school in the San Diego area, please contact us at info@aneducatedchoice.com or complete the form on our Contact Us page.