Think College is Expensive? Some Pay $40,000 Yearly for High School

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Greek philosopher Epictetus said, “Only the educated are free.” While that may be true, acquiring an education isn’t free, especially for students attending a number of private high schools across the U.S.

Business Insider recently released its fourth annual list of the top 50 most expensive private high schools in America. The schools have tuition and fees that rival, and in many cases surpass, what students are paying for a college education. The most expensive school costs nearly $47,000 per year. Ouch.

That’s a staggering figure when you consider many public high schools struggle to find the funds to repair their aging infrastructure and pay teachers a decent living wage. Business Insider said:

There are some things you get from a private school that you just can’t get from a public school: free iPads, farm-to-table catered lunches and international study opportunities. It’s a world class education, for top dollar.

Boarding-only schools and special needs schools were not considered for the list. Business Insider looked at tuition, fees and an average of expenditures for books and other materials.

The top 10 most expensive private high schools in the U.S. are:

  • The Lawrenceville School, New Jersey. Tuition and fees – $46,989.
  • Salisbury School, Connecticut. Tuition and fees – $46,364
  • Avenues: The World School, New York. Tuition and fees – $45,600.
  • Riverdale Country School, New York. Tuition and fees – $44,600.
  • The Hotchkiss School, Connecticut. Tuition and fees – $44,575.
  • Horace Mann School, New York. Tuition and fees – $44,405.
  • Groton School, Massachusetts. Tuition and fees – $43,990.
  • Lawrence Academy, Massachusetts. Tuition and fees – $43,707.
  • Kent School, Connecticut. Tuition and fees – $43,775.
  • Concord Academy, Massachusetts. Tuition and fees – $43,680.

Of the top 50 most expensive private high schools, all but two are on the East Coast. California is home to the Idyllwild Arts Academy (tied for 21st place) and Cate School (tied for 32nd place). Click here to see the rest of the 50 most expensive private high schools in America.

I grew up in a small city with four high schools, one of which was a small, private Catholic school. Because of that school’s limited monetary resources and small size, most parents opted to send their children to public school. The small town I live in now only offers public high school. Personally, I can’t imagine spending $40,000 or more per academic year on tuition and fees for a high school student. I’d much rather sock those funds away for my kids’ college.

Did you attend a private high school or send your children to a private high school? Share your experiences below or on our Facebook page.

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