Connecticut Private Schools Find Tuition a Family Priority in Tight Times
Paying for Private School
In “Paying for Private,” over at Connecticut Business News Journal, Connecticut boarding school and private day school administrators talk about the ways that they, and their constituent families are weathering the economic downturn.
No secrets and nothing earth shattering in the piece- mostly it’s an interesting read to hear administrators’ words and voices.
Schools find parents willing to sacrifice in parallel with increased financial aid need and boarding schools have been able to tap international markets.
Ray Diffley, Choate‘s Director of Admission, explained the current equation succinctly, “We’re giving more financial aid, and trying to allocate more funds for returning families that have been impacted by the economic downturn.” (CBNJ)
Schools in turn are practicing classic belt tightening while thinking about how to better be prepared for an uncertain future.
Douglas J. Lyons, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) explained to the Connecticut Business News Journal:
“Who knows? These are very tough times to make reliable predictions. I’m generally optimistic that parents still value private schools, and they’re pretty much the last thing people will give up. Though our schools will be sideswiped by this recession, they will come out more efficient and leaner, and the overall majority will survive.” (CBNJ)
We’d love to hear from our friends in the school community via our comment section below. Is this CT experience consistent nationwide? Is your school seeing something different?
A product of both private and public education, Brian Fisher served as a teacher, coach, dorm parent, and administrator at three different boarding schools. Brian also fills the role of Director of Development at Wolfeboro, The Summer Boarding School, in NH along with being a partner at AdmissionsQuest.
