NJ Private School Parents (Newark, Jersey City: 2009, catholic schools, college)

[EEEPNJ]

This is not a thread about good/bad or otherwise... just one question....

For those of you with children in private school,are you considering taking your child out and putting them in Public due to the current economic climate?

I am very involved with Catholic Schools in the Newark Archdiocese and I know there is a lot of fear that the numbers will decline dramatically (even more dramatically then they have been) come September as a result. I can see it happening.

I was just wondering what peoples thoughts were.

[JerseyG]

We get an excellent bang for our buck at the school we have our school-aged kids in. I don't have the 2008-2009 tuition rate sheet but I found the 2007-2008. If you are a parishoner of the church in good standing (meaning you go to mass and give a certain amount in offering per year) you get a discount on tuition. We pay $7K for two kids - if we were not members of the parish in good standing we'd be paying $12K. The school also offers a financing program that allows payments toward tuition to be made all year long. We start in June of every year so it's not that bad.

So to answer your question no, we're not. It's do-able for us (is that a word?).

I do know that even though there is a waiting list for Kindergarten (always is) there are one or two spots in each one of the older grades that are available - which is unusual.

Now for the people who send their kids to the private-private (non Catholic private) schools and pay close to $20K per year plus books plus other fees...I wonder?

[veuvegirl]

We pulled our kids out this year. The taxes combined with private school were just too much. Many other families did the same. With times getting tougher, people losing their jobs, that is one of the first things to go....

[Shwa]

We pulled ours out last year (private-private, not Catholic). Decided it made no sense to spend about $38K after-tax dollars per year (total for 2 kids) when the public schools here are excellent (not to mention the taxes... it's hard to justify paying all those taxes and not attending the schools )

This is our second year in public school and we're thrilled... for many reasons.

[JERSEY MAN]

Many catholic private schools in Jersey City are closing because of decreased enrollment. As for myself I never got into the private school thingy. I wanted my kids to have a well rounded education so when they hit the real world they know all religions, races, genders and so forth. To each parent that's their own call what THEY want for their kids.

[Liz555]

Yes, my kids have started at our local Catholic School & it's tough but we're going to do everything we can to keep them where they are. It's too important to us & we've been really thrilled with our experience. We're lucky that our school has a waiting list which I can only hope means it will weather this financial storm & not close it's doors (one in our area closed last year & it was very sad because it was one of the oldest). We haven't reached the point where we've had to consider it yet but I don't have a crystal ball & one never knows so for now we are blessed.

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by Liz555

Yes, my kids have started at our local Catholic School & it's tough but we're going to do everything we can to keep them where they are. It's too important to us & we've been really thrilled with our experience. We're lucky that our school has a waiting list which I can only hope means it will weather this financial storm & not close it's doors (one in our area closed last year & it was very sad because it was one of the oldest). We haven't reached the point where we've had to consider it yet but I don't have a crystal ball & one never knows so for now we are blessed.

Is this St. Joe's in Mendham by chance? Had some neighbor kids go there, and I know they had a waiting list.

[Liz555]

No but close by...St. Therese in Succasunna...it's not like a LONG waiting list (I don't think) but all the classes are full & if you aren't an active parishioner you COULD be SOL...but St. Joe's in Mendham I don't think will EVER run into any problems...TOO much money in that parish to ever be a concern I don't think.

[tandcookies]

Originally Posted by Shwa

We pulled ours out last year (private-private, not Catholic). Decided it made no sense to spend about $38K after-tax dollars per year (total for 2 kids) when the public schools here are excellent (not to mention the taxes... it's hard to justify paying all those taxes and not attending the schools )

This is our second year in public school and we're thrilled... for many reasons.

My sister in Mendham says the same thing and has her kids in public school.

[tandcookies]

Originally Posted by Liz555

Yes, my kids have started at our local Catholic School & it's tough but we're going to do everything we can to keep them where they are. It's too important to us & we've been really thrilled with our experience. We're lucky that our school has a waiting list which I can only hope means it will weather this financial storm & not close it's doors (one in our area closed last year & it was very sad because it was one of the oldest). We haven't reached the point where we've had to consider it yet but I don't have a crystal ball & one never knows so for now we are blessed.

I went to Catholic elementary school and public high school b/c it was too expensive.

My first job out of college was teaching in a Catholic school.

I really applaud those who make the sacrifice to send their children there and those who work there.