The Price of Private School

Dear Abacus Guide,

How much do New York City private schools cost?

Sincerely,  Manhattan Mom

Dear Manhattan Mom,

Tuition varies dramatically by school.  In general, kindergarten through 12th grade tuition costs from $18,000 - $33,000 per year, with the older grades at the top of the scale. Nursery school tuition ranges from about $7,000 - $17,000 depending upon the length of the program day.

Schools with a religious affiliation sometimes cost less.

Also, don't forget to count in fees, transportation, and donations.

Most private schools offer financial aid to needy students.  

Emily Glickman

College Admissions

From an Abacus Guide private client, a Manhattan executive:

"I really want my child to go to a top college, Ivy League if possible.  I've heard that certain private schools "feed" into these colleges.  Is that true?"  

Emily Glickman answered:

While many of the top private schools have strong admissions records at Ivy League and other renowned colleges, they by no means have a monopoly on admission.  In fact, as colleges increasingly strive for diversity in their student pool, they are seeking students from a variety of backgrounds, educational and otherwise.

You can rest assured that as long as your high school-aged child earns top grades and scores, takes challenging courses, and participates in sustained, meaningful extracurricular activities, she will be a strong candidate for top colleges.