Tuition, Tuition, Tuition. I can’t get that word out of my head. It is like someone took a spear and left it lodged inside my skull, a tiny implant that beeps and whistles.
My son has been accepted to a private school that I really like. Out of all of the schools that he could attend this is unquestionably my first choice, but life is never that easy.
You see, I have the same challenge as so many other parents. How the hell can I pay for school without going bankrupt. He is not an only child. Whatever I do for him has to be done for his sister too.
I went to public school and I turned out just fine, it is not impossible that he could too. But the thing is that I am not at all impressed with the local public school, the neighborhood school. It left me underwhelmed and unimpressed, so he is not going to go there.
There is a chance that he might be able to get into a different public school, but no guarantee that this will happen.
Given the choice I prefer this private school I mentioned. I think that it meets his needs in so many ways.
All of this begs the question of when does sacrificing for your children cross the line of reality and common sense.
AMM,
It is a hard decision to make for so many reasons.
Elie,
Yes, it is a Jewish day school that he was accepted to.
Jack:
You didn’t specify whether the private school in question is one that provides Jewish education. I would guess that would be a significant factor in your decision.
Well, you’ve asked the age-old question. I have a little boy not much older than yours, and a younger daughter. The public schools by us are excellent, and the private schools charge $15,000 a year. (I can only imagine what they charge on the Coasts.) For us, it was a simple decision.
You have to ask yourself – what are your real alternaives? Education is, to me, something on which to spend money if necessary. If you guys can swing it (and I assume there are financial aid options for you to explore), and the public school is really not an acceptable choice for you, then there’s your decision.