School costs (to buy, private school, salary)

[Claire31]

I was hoping someone could give me an idea of costs for schooling, private and public. My husband earns over 150k per year so I believe you have to contribute to public schooling if you earn over a certain salary. We are originally from the uk where you don't pay for public school no matter what you earn, so wanted to get an estimate.

Our daughter isn't in school for a couple of years yet but like to estimate for that in advance. Also how do the public vs private compair and what do most people choose in oc.

Any advice greatly appreciated

[BorisBlack]

Everyone contributes to the public school costs, whether you have kids or not, whether they attend public school or not. That's your taxes. It's similar to police or highways (or lifeguards out here!)...you don't contribute more or less based on your use of them.

Some of the public schools are great, some of them not so much. It really depends on where you live. When we moved out we found SchoolDigger and Greatschools.org to be helpful websites for researching the public schools.

[Claire31]

Thanks for that information, my husband work full time so obviously pays taxes at the moment so would that include the cost for sending our daughter to a public school

[Coldjensens]

Private school for us was $12,600 per year per student. One of our kids was given a full scholarship to the private school, so one kid was $12,600 and the second one was free, but that was an unusual circumstance.

Other kids were in a local charter school (special public schools). There is no tuition, but there are fees which were around $3000 per year per student each students parents were also required to provide a certian amount of volunteer time.

Public school is free (paid for with tax money), except some schools require parent partipation (volunteer time). It was very limited something like 8 hours per student per year. There are fees for sports or other extra cirricular activities. Some schools request each kid bring in certain supplies (20 boxes of tissues, paper towels, crayons, toilet paper, etcetera). Some schools requrie studnets to buy certain books.

Some public schools, everything including extra cirricular activities is paid for by the school with tax money. It varies from school to school.

[Claire31]

Thank you that information is just what I needed thank you

[Vary]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Public school is free (paid for with tax money), except some schools require parent partipation (volunteer time). It was very limited something like 8 hours per student per year. There are fees for sports or other extra cirricular activities. Some schools request each kid bring in certain supplies (20 boxes of tissues, paper towels, crayons, toilet paper, etcetera). Some schools requrie studnets to buy certain books.

Not anymore. The big ACLU lawsuit last year changed all that. Schools, booster clubs, sports and foundations can't require you to pay a cent, except in very limited circumstances. They can't even require them to pay for p.e. clothes anymore. The last year has been interesting navigating the legal minefield to make sure everything is in compliance.

Thankfully, you can require volunteer time from the parents. And you can tell them what things cost, but it's up to the parent whether they'll pay anything. Some are great and come through for the school, some are genuinely in a hardship situation, and some will look you in the eye and say, "the law says I don't have to pay a cent."

Bottom line is, you don't have to pay for anything in public schools. But they sure as heck would appreciate it if you do.

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by Vary

Not anymore. The big ACLU lawsuit last year changed all that. Schools, booster clubs, sports and foundations can't require you to pay a cent, except in very limited circumstances. They can't even require them to pay for p.e. clothes anymore. The last year has been interesting navigating the legal minefield to make sure everything is in compliance.

Thankfully, you can require volunteer time from the parents. And you can tell them what things cost, but it's up to the parent whether they'll pay anything. Some are great and come through for the school, some are genuinely in a hardship situation, and some will look you in the eye and say, "the law says I don't have to pay a cent."

Bottom line is, you don't have to pay for anything in public schools. But they sure as heck would appreciate it if you do.

Good move ACLU. Now they will just cancel the programs they used to charge for. they can just change to club sports and charge whatever amount is necessary to operate the club.

[psr13]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Good move ACLU. Now they will just cancel the programs they used to charge for. they can just change to club sports and charge whatever amount is necessary to operate the club.

Even before the ACLU case, we were never charged to play a sport. The only sport that charged was cheerleading, ad that's because it isn't considered a sport.