What About Being an Intern?

Most private schools offer some form of financial aid to help offset tuition. Here is how these programs work in most schools. There are exceptions, of course, because we are talking about private, independent schools. Each school determines how it will handle its financial aid program. No local, regional or national association dictates how financial aid programs will work.

First of all, you have to ask for financial aid. If you don't ask, the school will not know that you need financial assistance. Secondly, you will have to prove that you really do need financial aid by documenting your income and assets. That is where the Parents' Financial Statement comes in. Then, the last thing to consider is that most schools have a limited pool of funds from which to award financial aid. That means that you must submit your application for financial aid as early as you can in order to be considered for a financial aid award.

Here is how The Hill School, Pottstown, Pennsylvania describes its financial aid program:

"The Hill School Financial Aid Program offers assistance to families based upon their financial need and the availability of funds. There are no merit-based scholarships at The Hill School. All awards offered are based on the financial/demonstrated need of the family. Accordingly, no student should be deterred from applying to The Hill due to their family not being able to afford the full tuition. Approximately 40 percent of our current student population

How Much Do Private Schools Cost?

The cost of a private school education ranges from virtually nothing at several free schools to well over $125,000 at a couple of exclusive European boarding schools.

• This doesn't include all the extras such as riding or music lessons, school trips, travel to and from the school, local transportation, health insurance, computers, and so on.
• These sundries add up quickly, so don't forget to take them into account.
• Also not included are acceptance deposits, application fees, and admissions testing.

Canva generated this picture of students in their science lab.

Here are some examples of what the various types of private schools charge.

• Remember that this is merely a sampling.
• Explore every school that interests you thoroughly as part of your school search process.
• Set aside financial concerns for the moment.
• Focus on finding the school that is the best fit for both you and your child.
• Paying for private school tuition is obviously a major concern. Most schools will offer financial aid as well as other options.
• Visit school websites in order to determine the current costs. Find that information under the admissions links.

Day Schools

Day schools are non-residential schools.

• Most of them offer classroom instruction from Monday to Friday.
• Intramural sports and activities are fitted in during the week, with many schools devoting an afternoon to non-classroom activities. Occasionally, there will be events planned for Saturdays, particularly varsity

Before You Spend $30k on Private School...

As I have often said on these pages, finding the right private school for your child is a process and a daunting process at that. There are a great many factors to consider. So, before you spend $30,000 or more on a year at a private school for your child, you need to ask five questions and be guided by the answers you receive:

1. Does it get the results you want?
2. Does what the school teaches comply with your requirements?
3. Will your child be happy there?
4. Is the school financially stable?
5. How will you pay for it?

There is a bit more to the process, of course, but asking these five questions will get you started on the extensive due diligence that you must do before you spend approximately $150,000 for four years of private day school or roughly $200,000 for four years of boarding school. Tuition varies from school to school. Some are much less. Some a great deal more. Also, we are only discussing high school and middle school. The primary grades will run you $8,000 - $15,000, depending on the school.

Another point to consider is that private schools in the United States are not subsidized by government funding. So they will charge whatever the market forces and their budgets determine can be charged and needs to be charged. Be aware that most private schools offer generous financial aid programs. Some schools will even pay for

The reality of being a private school teacher is that you will have to face an annual deadline called the contract renewal. If you are doing a good job, this annual rite should not present any problems. You will be notified that your contract is being renewed, and that will be that.

But what if things are not going well? You are unhappy. You sense that things are not going well. Perhaps you have even received a written communication or two indicating that things are not going well. What to do? If there is no resolution to whatever issues are at the root of your mutual unhappiness, the best solution for all concerned is probably the obvious: finish out the year and part company on the best possible terms. After all, you will need the school to give you as good a reference as possible.

In any case, let's look at the renewal process from the school's point of view. Why then should we renew your contract?

Give me lots of reasons why we should do so.

It may sound obvious, but we hired you in good faith. You interviewed well and seemed enthusiastic about teaching here at St. Swithins. Your transcripts and references were sound and everything was checked out. Consequently, we had great expectations.

For the most part, you have not let us down. Your lesson plans are well thought out. You present the material in an engaging manner. You incorporate technology into your teaching effortlessly