Private School Scholarships & Aid Options for Low-Income Students in 2025

How Private Schools Are Setting Up AI & Technology Competency in Students: Not Just Tools, But Skills

In 2025, the conversation in private education has shifted—from simply giving students access to new tools, to equipping them with deeper technology and AI competency. Schools are recognising that knowing how to use AI tools is no longer sufficient: students need understanding, ethics, thinking skills and adaptability. Below we examine how private schools are defining and building technology competency, with fresh examples, frameworks, and commentary from experts.

What Is Technology & AI Competency?

AI competency involves more than being able to operate software or digital tools. It typically includes:

• AI literacy and understanding (what AI is, how it works, where it succeeds or fails)

• Ethical awareness (bias, privacy, responsible use)

• Critical thinking & evaluation of AI outputs

• Prompt-engineering or interaction with generative tools

• Adaptation & lifelong learning — ability to learn new tools or adapt as technologies change

• Soft skills — collaboration, creativity, resilience, communication, problem-solving in a tech context

Schools that push for technology competency aim to balance use of tools with skills about the tools.

Why Private Schools Are Leading (or Pioneering) This Shift

Private schools often have more flexibility in curriculum design, smaller class sizes, and resources

Why Private School? (2025 Edition)

The question of how to educate a child remains one of the most consequential decisions a parent can make. In 2025, families continue to weigh the tradeoffs between public and private education—considering factors such as tuition, class size, teaching style, values, and long-term outcomes.

Public schools educate the majority of children in the United States, but for many families, private schools provide unique advantages worth the investment. While tuition for private schools averages $15,000 to $35,000 annually for day schools and $65,000 to $75,000 for boarding schools, according to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), families increasingly see the costs as an investment in future opportunities.

So why private school in 2025? Let’s explore the defining benefits.

A Higher Academic Bar

A defining advantage of private schools is their reputation for academic rigor. Private schools typically set higher graduation requirements than public schools and encourage deeper engagement across core subjects.

For example, many private high schools require four years of math, science, and foreign language, while some public schools mandate only two or three. Community service, arts participation, and capstone projects are also frequently built into graduation requirements.

“Private schools create an environment where learning is expected, not optional,” notes Dr. Sarah Lim, Director of College Counseling at a New England prep school. “That culture of high standards fosters motivation and resilience.”

Recent data supports this. The 2023 National

So Many Choices (2025 Edition)

Selecting a private school can feel overwhelming. With hundreds of options across the U.S., from boarding to day, religious to non-sectarian, and traditional to progressive, parents often feel paralyzed by the sheer number of decisions. Yet by breaking down the process into manageable steps, families can make informed, confident choices about where their child will thrive.

In 2025, the private school landscape continues to evolve. Tuition costs are higher, financial aid options are more robust, and schools are placing greater emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and whole-child education. Let’s walk through the essential questions every family should ask.

Boarding School or Day School?

This is often the first—and hardest—question parents face. The difference isn’t simply about where a child sleeps; it shapes the entire educational and social experience.

In 2025, boarding schools typically range from $65,000 to $75,000 annually, while day schools average between $15,000 and $35,000, depending on location and grade level, according to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). While these figures may seem daunting, most boarding schools offer substantial financial aid, with nearly one-third of students receiving need-based assistance.

Letting go emotionally can be as challenging as managing tuition. “Parents often underestimate how quickly students adapt to a structured boarding environment,” notes Dr. Emily Chen, an educational psychologist and former boarding school dean. “Teens benefit from consistent mentorship, peer support, and independence—skills that serve them well in college and

Guides to Private Schools (2025 Edition)

Choosing the right private school has never been more important—or more complex. With tuition rates climbing, admissions processes evolving, and schools placing new emphasis on diversity and wellness, parents often seek trusted resources to guide their decisions. In 2025, printed and digital guides to private schools remain vital tools for families, educators, and counselors.

While online platforms provide real-time data, many families value curated guidebooks for their insightful overviews, consistent structure, and professional analysis. A guide can turn thousands of schools into a manageable shortlist, allowing families to approach the admissions process with clarity and confidence.

Why Private School Guides Still Matter

Private education is one of the largest investments many families will make in their child’s future. According to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the average private day school tuition in 2025 ranges from $15,000 to $35,000 annually, while boarding schools often surpass $65,000 to $70,000 per year. At top-tier institutions, total annual costs may now approach $75,000 when factoring in fees, travel, and extracurricular programs.

“Parents want more than a directory—they want insight into how a school operates and what it values,” explains Dr. Lisa Morgan, an independent education consultant. “Printed and digital guides provide perspective, while online reviews and visits supply the nuance.”

Guides remain especially helpful for families moving into competitive educational markets, such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and San Francisco,