Private School in NJ

Updated on January 29, 2012
M.G. asks from Keansburg, NJ
6 answers

Good afternoon,

Can anyone give me me an idea of what I am to expect from enrolling my 5yr old in Catholic School? There a lot more to it than I thought, seems. I was hoping to get info first hand and not via school. You know how it is..everyone's school is the best. What are you as a parent expected to do for the school? Ex: this one school, expects us parents in addition to tuition (of course) to either pay $350 towards a PTA Fundraiser or make it $350 in profit. (Annoying to me, becuz the option that would best apply to us would be to buy cards and use them at Foodtown..Here's my issue with that... First, not a fan of Foodtown..then I would need to purchase a total of $7K to get 5% to the school. I don't spend $700 in groceries a month..if I stick to my store..It has be $875/mo. Then, we have to participate with PTA in some..can't find it on website now..if not another fee..about $500. Then of course, I have to change churches so that I am active member. My church is about 45min from home.

What experiences do you have? What fees are you responsible for? I know I can buy my way out of it..but don't think it's right. I don't see where I am going to have the time to do all these with two other boys and activities. I hate the idea of wanting a "better" education and feel that we are being taken advantage of. I am not against public school. I attended them myself. The area that I am in doesn't have very good rankings to say the least. At the same token, it will be a stretch to try to give him a good education.

Thanks for thoughts..

PLEASE - Hold your negative comments...of course, this is my choice. I am trying to make an informed decision. Isn't this community supposed to help each other. I don't have experience with the catholic school system, maybe some of you do. I have no problem in supporting the school my sons attends. I do it now..it's being forced that bothers me..and being told how much. I sell cookies, candy..participate in bake sells.. Sry, don't appreciate Jill's assumptions.

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More Answers

Y.C.

answers from New York on

Maybe you want to look for a different one.
My daughter attended a Catholic school too, they were not as strict.
We did have fundraising but we have many options through the year.
They have chocolote sales, presents for Christmas, candles, etc (would count as 50% of what ever you sell) and then twice a year riffle tickets that count as 100%, and the total was only $250
Or you can give them monthly payments for a total of $250 too I think and no need to sell anything.
Also no extra fee's for the PTA, no need to change your church, in fact some kids were not even Catholic and they would accept them.
I think you still have time so look around and then make a decision.
About how good Catholic schools are above others, it depends to what you compare.
This Catholic school was way better then any public in the area, we just move to another area and the public school in here is better then the Catholic.

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J.T.

answers from New York on

How are you being taken advantage of? Catholic school tuitions are typically way lower than other private schools because of all the funding from the church itself. I think Catholic schools are a huge bargain. Do they come with some stipulations and some fees? Sure. They have operating costs!! But no one is forcing you to send your children to school there. Just weigh the pros and cons of Catholic vs public and then make your choice. Remember it's a choice though so don't be resentful of things either school asks of you. Educational funding is way down. Schools need parental help. They're our children afterall.

EDIT: so you only have a problem supporting the school your son attends when the support being asked goes above what you feel like doing or contributing. All you have to do is find out what the suppport required is annually and then decide if it's worth it to you or not. Each Catholic school has different requirements. Find out what they are and add them to the tuition. If it's too much, then don't send your children there. No one is forcing you to support a school unless you choose private which then will have certain financial requirements. It's the same as them "forcing" you to pay tuition... The school is actually trying to give parents options - just give them cash or earn it somehow so parents spend time instead of more of their own money. It's up to you.

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L.H.

answers from New York on

Wow, we're just right across the border and you make us sound like winers. I'm feeling alot better about our requirements at NDS in PA. Parents have to put in 30 hours of volunteer time/year or face a $5/hour fee, so that would be $150 if you don't do any volunteer hours. The only mandatory fundraiser is the Winner's Circle raffle tickets, which are $50/ticket. We either have to try and sell $600 worth or pay $500. Most of us just buy the tickets, because you have a chance to win something since there are lots of prizes like cruises, gift cards, etc. There are no mandatory meetings and you don't have to join the PTO unless you want to. We don't have to shop at a certain store, but we do have a list of store gift cards you can buy if you want to and the stores will donate to the school. The tuition is discounted according to the number of children you have, but high school has a higher tuition fee. You can even get financial aid if you qualify. Our tuition for elementary is $4,200 and for high school is $6,100 if you're catholic. (Discount for being catholic.) What's your school's tuition?

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B.B.

answers from New York on

Move out of Keansburg. I am not trying to be rude...you know what I mean.

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S.P.

answers from New York on

I dont like in NJ, but have seen similar things in SI while looking for Kindergarten for my son. Though from what I have seen, there are only a couple of mandatory fundraisers, which totaled about $100 as opposed to all fundraisers being mandatory

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P.K.

answers from New York on

I agree with you that being forced and being told how much. Several years ago our church decided to build a new one.. They sent letters telling each
family how much to donate! This was based on weekly envelopes. We
gave what we wanted to. Also, the new church instituted a new program.
You can have you weekly donation and other donations automatically deducted from your checking account. That did not go over well with me
either. My kids went to public school. We did think about catholic school .
Do you know anyone who sends their kids to the same school. I would think they give offfer you more.

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