Cost of Education

The following article gives you a general comparison of the various forms of education available, including the average cost per student. You will of course find differences as you research more specifically for the type of schooling you choose. This is meant as a general guide in helping you to make a decision on the type of schooling you wish to pursue.

We’ve (the NA ED board) talked about compiling some of this information of what the average cost of an education is to help you and your home have a better understanding of what most families will pay for their child’s education. We thought that it could be helpful as a teacher or  a parent when presenting the different options to your home to help everyone realize what the cost of education is. Of course this is not the all in all of what is available out there for you and your home, but it will give you a better understanding of how much education costs. Of course there are many different avenues in finding ways to even bring your costs of schooling down, and where God guides, He provides. We hope this is a help to you. Thanks to Jenny who spent the time researching and sending this information.

COMPARATIVE CHART FOR COST OF EDUCATION
TYPE OF SCHOOL-PRIVATE

$8,000-$27,000 (High School level is generally more expensive than elementary, locations & standards may also affect the overall cost.)

TYPE OF SCHOOL-BOARDING

$37,000 (This price is an average and will vary with location & standards)

TYPE OF SCHOOL-PAROCHIAL

$3,000-$7,000 (High School level is generally more expensive than elementary)

TYPE OF SCHOOL-HOME SCHOOLING

$500-$3,000 (The cost depends on the amount of extras added on such as memberships, outside classes, excursions, software, etc.)

TYPE OF SCHOOL-PUBLIC/CHARTER

NO FEES ARE REQUIRED (Extra fees may come in through after school activities, tutors, lunches, etc)

COMPARISON OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS

It’s a question which parents ask almost as much as “Which is the best school?” That question is “How do private and public schools compare?” Coupled with that question, parents also want to know more about the differences and similarities between private and public schools. Let’s take a look.

What’s Being Taught
Differences: Public schools must adhere to state standards regarding what can be taught and how it is presented. Certain subjects such as religion and sexual practices are taboo. Rulings in many court cases over the years have determined the scope and limits of what can be taught and how it is presented in public school.
By contrast a private school can teach whatever it likes and present it in any way it chooses. That’s because parents choose to send their children to a specific school which has a program and educational philosophy with which they are comfortable.
Similarities: As a rule both public and private high schools require a certain number of credits in core subjects such as English, mathematics and science in order to graduate.

Admission Standards
Differences: Public schools must accept all students within their jurisdiction with few exceptions. Behavior is one of those exceptions, really bad behavior which must be well-documented over time.
A private school, on the other hand, accepts any student it wishes to according to its academic and other standards. It is not required to give a reason why it has refused to admit anyone. Its decision is final.
Similarities: Both private and public schools use some kind of testing and review transcripts to determine the grade level for new students.

Accountability
Differences: Public schools must comply with a host of federal, state and local laws and regulations including No Child Left Behind, Title I, etc. The number of regulations with which a public school must comply is vast. In addition public schools must also comply with all the state and local building, fire and safety codes just as the private schools must.
Private schools must observe federal, state and local laws such as annual reports to the IRS, maintenance of state-required attendance, curriculum and safety records and reports, compliance with local building, fire and sanitation codes.
Similarities: There is plenty of regulation, inspection and review of the operations of both private and public schools.

Accreditation
Similarities: Accreditation is generally required for public schools in most states. While accreditation for private schools is optional, most college prep schools seek and maintain accreditation from the major accrediting organizations. The process of peer review is a good thing for both private and public schools.

Graduation Rates
Differences: The rate of public school students entering college after graduation has fluctuated between 62-67% in recent years. A variety of factors come into play which result in that relatively low matriculation rate. The drop out rate in public schools tends to have a negative effect on matriculation data.
In private schools the matriculation rate is typically in the 90-95% range. Minority students who attend a private high school are more likely to attend college than minority students who attend public school according to NCES data. The reason why most private high schools do well in this area is that they are generally selective. They will only accept students who can do the work.

Cost
Differences: Funding differs greatly between private and public schools. Public schools are not allowed to charge any tuition fees in most jurisdictions at the elementary level. You will encounter modest fees in high schools. Public schools are funded largely by local property taxes, though many districts also receive funding from state and federal sources.
Private schools charge for every aspect of their programs. Fees are determined by market forces. Private school tuition averages about $6,600 per student according to 2007 NCES data. Private schools take no public funding. As a result they must operate with balanced budgets.

Discipline
Differences: Discipline is handled differently in private schools vs pubic schools. Discipline in public schools is somewhat complicated because students are governed by due process and constitutional rights. This has the practical effect of making it difficult to discipline students for minor and major infractions of the school’s code of conduct.
Private school students are governed by the contract which they and their parents sign with the school. It clearly spells out consequences for what the school considers unacceptable behavior.

Safety
Differences: Violence in public schools is a top priority for administrators and teachers. The highly-publicized shootings and other acts of violence which have taken place in public schools have resulted in the application of stringent rules and security measures such as metal detectors to help create and maintain a safe learning environment.
Private schools are generally safe places. Access to campuses and buildings is carefully monitored and controlled. Because schools usually have fewer students than a public school, it is easier to supervise the school population.
Similarities: Both private and public school administrators have your child’s safety on top of their list of priorities.

Teacher Certification
Differences: There are some slight differences between private and public schools. For example, public school teachers must be certified by the state in which they are teaching. Certification is granted once statutory requirements such as education courses and teaching practice are met. The certificate is valid for a set number of years and must be renewed.
In most states private school teachers can teach without a teaching certificate. Most private schools prefer teachers to become certified as a condition of employment. Private schools tend to hire teachers with a bachelor’s or masters degree in their subject.

COMPARATIVE COSTS OF PRIVATE, PUBLIC, AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS

On the other hand, private schools do not receive tax revenues but are funded through tuition, donations and private grants. Therefore, private schools cost more than the public schools. According to National Association of Independent Schools, the median tuition fee for private day schools in the United States is close to $12,000 for grades 1 to 3, $13,000 for grades 6 to 8 and $15,000 for grades 9 to 12. The median tuition fee for boarding schools is $12,000 for grades 1 to 3, $27,000 for grades 6 to 9, and $28,000 for grades 9 to 12. Fees in parochial schools are a little less. Another study found that parochial schools cost $4,200 a year while other private schools charge $8,500 per student.
For parents this quickly translates into the bad news: high tuition costs and sometimes an exhausting work calendar of parent-sponsored fundraisers. According to the National Association of Independent Schools, the median tuition for their member private day schools in 2008-2009 in the United States was $17,441. Tuition for boarding schools was close to $37,017. (Of the 28,384 private schools in the United States, about 1,050 are affiliated with the NAIS. Average tuition for nonmember schools is substantially less: Day schools charge $10,841 and boarding schools $23,448.)
Parochial schools are even more affordable. The National Catholic Educational Association reports that the mean tuition for parish elementary schools is $2,607 and $6,906 for the freshman year of secondary school. (Thank you, Pope Benedict XVI!)

CHARTER SCHOOLS

History
The charter school idea in the United States was originated by Ray Budde,[7] a professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and embraced by Albert Shanker, President of the American Federation of Teachers, in 1988 when he called for the reform of the public schools by establishing “charter schools” or “schools of choice”. At the time, a few schools (which were not called charter schools but embodied some of their principles) already existed, such as H-B Woodlawn. As originally conceived, the ideal model of a charter school was as a legally and financially autonomous public school (without tuition, religious affiliation, or selective student admissions) that would operate much like a private business – free from many state laws and district regulations, and accountable more for student outcomes rather than for processes or inputs (such as Carnegie Units and teacher certification requirements).
Minnesota was the first state to pass a charter school law, in 1991. California was second, in 1992. As of 2009, 41 states and the District of Columbia have charter school laws.

Structure and characteristics
There are two principles that guide charter schools. First is that they will operate as autonomous public schools, through waivers from many of the procedural requirements of district public schools. The second is that charter schools are accountable for student achievement. To date, 12.5% of the over 5000 charter schools founded in the United States have closed for reasons including academic, financial, and managerial problems, and occasionally consolidation or district interference.[9] The rules and structure of charter schools depend on state authorizing legislation and differ from state to state. A charter school is authorized to function once it has received a charter, a statutorily defined performance contract detailing the school’s mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success. The length of time for which charters are granted varies, but most are granted for 3–5 years. Charter schools are held accountable to their sponsor—a local school board, state education agency, university, or other entity—to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract. While this accountability is one of the key arguments in favor of charters, evidence gathered by the United States Department of Education suggests that charter schools are not, in practice, held to higher standards of accountability than traditional public schools.[

Funding
Charter school funding is dictated by the state. In many states, charter schools are funded by transferring per-pupil state aid from the school district where the charter school student resides. Additionally, charter schools may receive funding from private donors or foundations.
A 2008 study that looked at charter school funding in all 40 charter states and the District of Columbia found that charter students are funded on average at 61 cents compared to every dollar for their district peers, with charter funding averaging $6,585 per pupil compared to $10,771 per pupil at conventional district public schools.

Although charter schools may receive less public funding than traditional public schools, a portion of charter schools’ operating costs can come from sources outside public funding (such as private funding in the form of donations).

HOMESCHOOLERS WORKING WITH CHARTER SCHOOLS

Public help for personal education

Other parents have figured out ways to dip into public money to relieve some if not all of the home schooling cost burden.
In fewer than 10 states, laws permit virtual charter schools that allow students to be taught at home using resources provided by the public school system. A number of companies have sprung up to facilitate these kinds of arrangements: K12 and Connections Academy are two of the largest.
In California, Kris Bordessa relies on Horizon Instructional Services, a local virtual charter school, to provide instructional materials so she can teach her two sons, ages 9 and 11. Bordessa receives a $1,000 stipend annually to purchase materials and pay for lessons — her sons are studying piano and rock climbing.
She is also eligible for a loaner computer and Internet access, but Bordessa prefers to use her own computer equipment. The remainder of the $6,000 Horizon receives from the school district pays for books and teachers who assist Bordessa in structuring the curriculum. And it covers other administrative and educational expenses like testing.
Bordessa estimates that she spends an additional $1,000 to $2,000 each year to augment the charter school resources. That money goes for convenience and commuting costs. The Bordessas live in a remote location so having a home library is important, and getting the kids to lessons and get-togethers with other students eats up gas money.
The most-expensive time in a home schooling parent’s life is when the children reach high school.
Christopher Klicka, senior attorney with the Home School Legal Association, home schools his seven children, including two daughters (ages 14 and 16), who are following a rigorous college-prep course. This semester, they are taking English literature from a teacher who charges each of them $300 for the course. They recently completed an advanced-placement (AP) American history class, which was taught by a teacher certified by the College Board, which administers the AP program. That cost Klicka $400 per daughter.
He’s recouping some of the expense by teaching a class in world history himself to his own daughters, plus five other children, through the local home-schooling association in northern Virginia. He’s charging a bargain rate: $200 per child.

Additional home schooling resources

If you’re thinking about home schooling, enthusiasts say there are ways to reduce costs and get an educational bang for your buck.

• Get involved with a local home-schooling association. Fellow members will help you learn all about available resources, including books swaps, which can cut textbook costs enormously.

• Check out the National Home Education Network for links to all kinds of home schooling resources.

HOME SCHOOLING COST SURVEY

This was an informal, voluntary, anonymous survey of homeschooling families in the San Francisco Bay Area conducted in June-July, 1995. The results were compiled by the editor of this publication – not a demographics firm. I believe the information to be a fairly accurate representation of the families who responded. Only about 16% of the families who were sent this survey actually completed and returned them. So temper the results with that knowledge…

Description of the Average Survey-Responding Family:
Two parents with 2.1 children. Children range in age from infancy to 15 years old, the average age being 8.7 years. (The majority of the responding readers did not indicate the “grade level” of their children. Most said they just didn’t feel it mattered.) This “average” family has a single annual income ranging from $35,000-$100,000+, the average being $55,770.

Estimated Costs to Establish A Homeschool:

• Research books to begin homeschooling: Ranged from $10.- $300. Average: $101. A few readers took the plunge without investing one nickel. Most, however, did buy books to get started.

• Membership Dues: Range: $7.- $200. Average: $72. This included memberships to local support groups, state & national groups, and ISPs/Administrative Units. Very few respondents paid membership dues to any homeschool organization or support group at all.

• Home School Legal Defense Association: One half of our respondents are members of HSLDA. Cost: $100./year.

• R-4 Affidavit: While no one was charged a filing fee, most people mailed it ($.32) and a number of people filed it “certified, return receipt requested” with the Post Office. ($2.90) Range: $.32 – $2.90

• Newsletters: 99% of our respondents subscribe to newsletters spending from $10. to $100. annually. Average Annual Expense: $52.

• Teacher’s Record Book: About 40% of respondents use these, average cost of $5.00

• Conferences on Home Education: About 65% of respondents attend Homeschool Conferences. Costs ranged from $15.-$200. Average cost: $101.

Costs for Educational Products/Curricula:

• Curriculum Package: Only 25% of our respondents purchased a complete packaged curriculum. Costs ranged from $60. – $460. Average: $200.
• Texts, Books & Workbooks For:

1. Math: All but one of our respondents purchased math texts! Parents seemed to feel they needed the aid of a textbook or workbook for this subject. Costs ranged from $25.-$250. Average: $72./year
2. Science: Range: $30.- $250. Average: $62./year
3. History: Range: $30.- $200. Average: $64./year
4. Spelling: Range: $ 5. – $ 25. Average: $17./year
5. Handwriting: Range: $10.- $25. Average: $12./year
6. Composition: Range: $ 7.- $38. Average: $15./year
7. Grammar: Range: $10.- $40. Average: $33./year
8. Social Studies: Range: $20.-$65. Average: $30./year
9. Fine Arts: Range $30. – $50. Average: $40./year
10. Health: Range: $10. – $20. Average: $13./year

• P.E.: Range: $20.-$100. Average: $40./yearSoftware: 80% of respondents use computers and have purchased software to enhance their children’s education. Parents purchased software for the following subjects: Math, Science, History, Typing, Geography, Art, Spelling, Grammar, Foreign Languages, Health, Anatomy, Writing, and Computer Science. Parents also cited the use of Shareware, Online Services and the Internet. There was a wide range in spending: $20.-$400. Average: $134./year

• Audio-Cassettes, Videos: Subjects mentioned included: Art, History, Social Studies, Math, Vocabulary, Language, Music, Mythology, Foreign Languages. Range: $60. – $600. Average: $160./year

• Classes: Homeschoolers take classes including: Music Gymnastics, Science, Karate, Ballet, Spanish, Swimming, Literature, Poetry, Oil Painting, Red Cross, Math, Singing, Soccer, Theatre, Baseball, Home Ec., Clay, Track & Field, and Community College Courses. Range: $10.- 2,160./year Average: $1,560./year

• Memberships to Museums, Galleries, Clubs, etc., to Enhance Curriculum: Homeschoolers support museums with memberships. Many respondents had memberships in several museums. Museums most often mentioned in the survey were: Monterey Bay Aquarium, Academy of Sciences, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Oakland Museum, SF Museum of Modern Art, Tech Museum, Children’s Discovery Museum, Coyote Point Museum, Marineworld, Lawrence Hall of Science. Range: $20.- $300./year. Average: $140./year

• Costs for Paper, Pencils, Art Supplies, Rulers, Manipulatives, File Folders, Glue, etc.: Range: $20. – $1,000. Average: $150./year

• Field Trips: The response to this was interesting. Many cited “camping” as a favorite field trip. Trips to museums (the Monterey Bay Aquarium topped the list) and factories were mentioned frequently. Some families included gasoline and parking expenses along with the admission charges in their costs. Others did not. Lots of families count vacations as field trips. Even though these families said that they probably would have taken these trips regardless of whether or not their kids were homeschooled; they also indicated that they extended the vacation time or deliberately visited more places of historical or educational interest because they were homeschooling. Several families said they took more than one vacation each year because they were homeschooling and could justify the cost as part of the children’s education expenses. As you can imagine the expenses varied immensely. I tried to regroup this information into two categories: One-day Field Trips, and Extended Field Trips. The Range of Costs (a reliable and representative average was impossible to determine) for Extended Field Trips: $30. to $10,000./year. Average costs for one-day field trips: $223./year/family.
• Other costs associated with homeschooling: Just reviewing the following list you can see that homeschoolers spend their money on their children’s areas of interest. Once again, comments indicated that homeschooling families justify “extras” as part of their children’s educational expenses. Many respondents were not sure if these should be included in “costs associated with homeschooling”- since they might have purchased them regardless of whether or not their kids were in school. I did not include these costs in the final tally of homeschooling expenses since they are different for every family – but have submitted them for your information only:

• Sports Equipment: $300.

• Magazines: (ie: Kids Discover, Highlights, 3-2-1 Contact, Kid City, Family Fun, Sunset) $95./year

• Bookcase: $40.

• Phone Calls, Mail Costs, Printing: $200.

• Science Equipment & Materials: $1,000.

• Aquarium: $300.

• Garden: $25.

• Gasoline: For trips to library, sports practices & games, pottery classes, etc. Range: $50 – $720.

• Chess: equipment, books, tournaments $285.

• Set of Encyclopedias (used): $300.

• Lost Income Because Mom is not “Employed”

________________________________________
The Final Tally:
Our “average, survey-responding family” spent:
To Establish Homeschool: $ 432.00
For Curriculum, Books,Textbooks, Workbooks: $ 398.00
Software: $ 134.00
Audio/Video: $ 160.00
Classes: $ 1,560.00
Museum Memberships: $ 140.00
Paper, Supplies, Etc.: $ 150.00
Field Trips: $ 223.00
Grand Total: $ 3,197.00/year