Catholic Schools-- Tuition Questions 1

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Cost-based Tuition/Need-based Assistance Model

1. Why should I send my children to a Catholic school?

A Catholic school education is an investment that pays lifelong dividends. Our schools have a proven record of academic excellence; offer a rigorous and challenging curriculum; support students' moral decision-making; and most importantly continue the religious formation of children begun in your home. A Catholic school education is still a bargain in comparison to tuition expenses at many other private elementary and secondary schools, as well as the cost of educating a student in the public school system. It is well worth the investment.

2. Why are elementary schools changing the way that tuition is determined?

The former tuition plan was a subsidy-based plan (see question #3 for an explanation and illustration of the former tuition model). One of the problems with the way that tuition has been set in the past is that cost increases were applied evenly to all families, regardless of the families' ability to pay. Parish subsidies were used to keep tuition low for all parents. Accordingly, a family with a household income of $150,000 was treated the same as a family with a household income of $40,000. The new tuition plan uses a professional assessment system to determine a family's ability to afford tuition. Under this new method 100 percent of tuition assistance will be allocated based on need.

3. How did the former plan work?

The former tuition plan was a subsidy model. Families were asked to pay an average of 50 percent of the cost per pupil. For example, a school with an operating budget of $500,000 and an enrollment of 200 students would have a $2,500 cost per pupil. Families were asked to pay $1,250, and the difference was covered by parish subsidy, development, and other income. As indicated above, the subsidy model automatically allocated substantial resources, regardless of need.

4. How will the new tuition model be implemented, and how will my tuition be affected?

While all elementary schools adhere to this new tuition model, the full effect of the plan will be implemented over a period of years, so that families will have time to adjust financially to the new plan. All families that apply for assistance will be evaluated by an outside agency, with families receiving aid based upon their ability to pay. Families who choose to not apply for tuition assistance are guaranteed to pay to full cost per pupil, but will never pay more than the cost to educate their child. In the elementary schools, the cost per pupil in the elementary schools of the diocese ranged from $2,700 to $3,850.

5. Why has the diocese eliminated the multi-child discounts for parents of younger children (pre-k and younger) and new families entering the schools?

Generally, preschool is a program in which parents choose to enroll their children so that they begin to learn social skills in a slightly more structured environment. Preschool is a great way to prepare children for kindergarten, both socially and academically. The cost of the preschool program is much lower than the cost of full-day kindergarten and grades 1 through 8. Also, the fee for preschool at our schools is similar to other preschool programs in the area. The multi-child assistance was included in the new policy only as a feature for current families to be able to adjust financially to the new tuition policy. New families will have the same opportunity to apply for financial assistance as current families. In addition, new families do not have a need to adjust financially to the new policy since they were not part of the school under the subsidy model.

6. Does the new full-cost tuition/need-based assistance model provide the same tuition to Catholics and members of other faiths as well?

There is an order of admissions in each school. Catholic families have the highest priority in their order of acceptance, and their tuition assistance will be based upon need. Catholic families will have the first opportunity to enroll in and attend Catholic schools. After this need is met, the focus will shift to non-Catholic families who desire a faith and values-based education for their children. Their tuition assistance will also be awarded based on need.

To the extent that there is an empty desk in a classroom, and a non-Catholic family would like to send their child to the school then it is in the best interest of all involved to accept that family. For example, assume a school balances its budget with 185 students, yet has 15 empty seats. If the seats are filled with each family paying an average tuition of $1,500, then the school has just brought in an additional $22,500.

7. Will the ratio of Catholic to non-Catholic students significantly change under this model?

While we don't expect the percentage of non-Catholics enrolled in the schools to change significantly, we do expect our schools to always remain "authentically Catholic," true to the understandings and teachings of the Catholic faith. Each school is responsible for collaborating with the Office for Catholic Schools on marketing and development initiatives, with Catholic families as our primary target market. To the extent that there are empty desks at the schools, availability should be marketed to include non-Catholic families.

8. Why is it important to pay particular attention to enrollment levels? Why do schools need to strive to "fill every desk?"

Most importantly, an empty seat is a missed opportunity to nurture a child in the Catholic faith. Fiscally, there is a direct correlation between enrollment and the per-pupil cost of education. Therefore, it is extremely important that Catholic schools operate at optimal enrollment, i.e., "fill every desk." To fill an empty desk in the classroom when the budget of the school has been met does not increase the cost of education to the school.