Joseph De Avila writes in The Wall Street Journal today about Rye Brook’s new revenue-raising project: The $20,000 Public School Westchester School Markets Itself as Alternative to Private Institutions
De Avila explains that the Blind Brook-Rye Union Free School District, facing woes typical of many Westchester public schools (mounting teacher-pension and other costs) and atypical (declining enrollment), is marketing its open seats to students outside of Rye Brook’s borders. The pitch? A top education at half the cost of NYC and Westchester private school. I said,
A high-performing school district such as Blind Brook could see recruitment success, given its reputation and comparative price advantage to private school, said Emily Glickman, president of Abacus Guide Educational Consulting, which advises parents on private school enrollment. “Paying $20,000 and not $40,000 is good deal,” Ms. Glickman said.
Families in poorly performing Westchester school districts should be prime targets in Blind Brook’s marketing campaign. Additionally, while Blind Brook has instituted admissions requirements, admission should still be significantly less competitive than at top tier privates such as Rye Country Day and Hackley.