Vital first step: Know the cost of private education
Many parents new to the private school scene understand the importance of making the right choice from the start. There are the obvious questions that come to mind: co- ed or all- boy/all- girl, location, curriculum, extracurricular programs and course tuition fees.
But there are other things to consider that may not be top of mind, especially when it comes to costs. For some parents, additional fees for transportation, activities or other sundries may not be a stretch. For others, the tuition fee alone may represent the maximum amount they can manage. So it’s especially important to consider all the costs and financing options available before applying.
“There are plenty of things parents simply don’t think to ask,” says Elaine Danson, of Elaine Danson & Associates, an educational consultant in Toronto. “But fees are not a neat package. You have to figure out what that package is and how much you can support it. Families have to be cognizant of what exactly tuition covers and what it doesn’t.”
Often, when going through costs, the first thing parents see is the tuition, says Teo Salgado, principal and owner of VerveSmith educational counselling in Toronto. “But they don’t realize that on top of tuition there are added costs for uniforms, computers or software. Some of those costs are optional, but we all know the social pressures students feel and how important it is for them to participate in what their friends are doing. It can be difficult to opt out, so I encourage parents to think about those things before deciding whether to proceed with their application.”
The upside: Schools are happy to provide answers to those questions and are willing to help walk parents through the process. So while it may sound overwhelming, Danson says it doesn’t have to be. “You will probably be pleasantly surprised by the supportive attitude of the school and the different options available. You may think you are being harsh, but parents need to know what they are up against.”
When speaking to admissions about annual fees, these are some important questions to consider.
TRANSPORTATION
Many private schools will offer before- and after-school busing services, but these come at a cost. “I have never seen it included in tuition fees,” Danson says. “In some cases, it can be very costly.”
That even goes for school field trips. Be sure to clarify if transportation costs are included, she adds. “Some schools will say tuition includes all field trips but it does not include busing.”
Also inquire about international junkets. It’s best to find out how many trips are offered, if they are part of the curriculum or during March break, and what portion parents are expected to pay. “Do you have a choice?” Danson says. “If not, does the school host fundraisers to offset the costs? If that is the case, con- firm what is expected of the parents in terms of involvement and time.”
BEFORE- AND AFTER- SCHOOL CARE/ EXTRA HELP
Fees and services can vary from school to school. Some will include both before- and after- school care in tuition; others will include only before-school care; still others will charge for both. That also goes for lunch programs. “Some are not covered, so you need to confirm,” Danson notes.
While many private schools will offer some support for students interested in special projects or who need extra help to keep pace, parents may have to foot the bill for tutoring costs.
Parents of children with behavioural or learning challenges should also inquire about what support is available on campus, and if they allow experts into the classroom for observation should the need arise.
EXTRA- CURRICULAR/ CO- CURRICULAR PROGRAM FEES
Extra- and co- curricular activities such as clubs and sports is another area to consider. Again, some of these may have activity fees. “Sometimes a school will bring in a four-week session on robotics, but that may not be covered. It’s important to dig deep into what clubs and athletics activities are covered and which are not,” Danson says.
She notes that while some co- curricular activities are run by teachers, others require bringing someone in from the outside. “If that’s the case, the school has to pay. If you really want to have a robotics lab or theatre club, they don’t always have the teaching staff to do it.”
Technology may also be an added expense. In some cases, schools will charge a surplus for computers or other technology needs.
PAYMENT AND EXIT TERMS
Payment terms are also an important consideration, Salgado says. “Sometimes, a substantial deposit might be required at the outset.”
On rare occasions, things simply don’t work out. Perhaps the student is unhappy in his/ her environment, or the family has to move out of the area. Parents are often afraid to discuss exit clauses in the early stages, thinking it may harm their child’s chances of being accepted. But as Danson says, these are questions that admissions people expect to answer.
BURSARIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS
One way to mitigate additional fees is with bursaries and scholarships offered through the school or other sources. Many have a robust bursary and/or scholarship program but that may not be the case for smaller schools, Danson cautions. “Different schools offer different levels of support. Look carefully at the website for potential scholarships and bursaries, because that is something that many parents miss. Also be clear on what a scholarship covers — it could be uniforms, or a school trip, for example.”
Ultimately, parents should never be afraid to ask the hard questions in the early stages, Salgado says. “Generally, staff understand how important the decision is for parents and that they are trying to make the right decisions for the children.”
PARENTS NEED TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE UP AGAINST