Why are Catholic private schools cheaper than non-religious? (Atlanta: catholic schools, college)

[chabang]

I was discussing this with a mom the other day and don't really understand why this is true. In Atlanta, most private schools are around 20K, even the 2nd or 3rd tier private schools are usually 16-17K. But well-regarded Catholic schools are usually around 7K for Catholics and 10K for non-Catholics. Why is that? Does the associated Church subsidize the school somehow? I'm sure the teachers must make comparable salaries.

[gentlearts]

Yes, I am quite sure the diocese subsidizes the schools.

[AtlJan]

Originally Posted by chabang

I was discussing this with a mom the other day and don't really understand why this is true. In Atlanta, most private schools are around 20K, even the 2nd or 3rd tier private schools are usually 16-17K. But well-regarded Catholic schools are usually around 7K for Catholics and 10K for non-Catholics. Why is that? Does the associated Church subsidize the school somehow? I'm sure the teachers must make comparable salaries.

Marist is $19K and St. Pius is $14K. Schools that are elementary only can get by with lower tuition because they don't have football stadiums, a huge campus to maintain, college advisors, AP classes, etc. Intown Community School, for example, which is not Catholic but also an elementary school housed in a church, is $10K.

Catholic elementary schools tend to have more students per teacher than other private elementary schools. My kids go to two different private schools and they each have two teachers per 18-20 children in the classroom. One of their schools has 2 1/2 teachers per classroom--2 teachers and a shared aide. I think in addition to being subsidized by the Catholic Church, Catholic elementary schools save on salary costs by having fewer teachers.

[CMMom]

The Catholic schools affiliated with the Archdiocese are cheaper than other privates and other Catholic schools not affiliated with the Archdiocese, but the tradeoff is big classes (sometimes 30 for elementary school). No aides usually. They are also often less willing/able to handle students with learning differences, ADHD, etc... Such schools are often fine for the capable or gifted student, but not a great fit for kids who need more individual attention or have special needs.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by AtlJan

Marist is $19K and St. Pius is $14K. Schools that are elementary only can get by with lower tuition because they don't have football stadiums, a huge campus to maintain, college advisors, AP classes, etc. Intown Community School, for example, which is not Catholic but also an elementary school housed in a church, is $10K.

Catholic elementary schools tend to have more students per teacher than other private elementary schools. My kids go to two different private schools and they each have two teachers per 18-20 children in the classroom. One of their schools has 2 1/2 teachers per classroom--2 teachers and a shared aide. I think in addition to being subsidized by the Catholic Church, Catholic elementary schools save on salary costs by having fewer teachers.

Look at class size. Many of the Catholic schools have similar class sizes to public, while many private schools are in the 12-18 size.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by AtlJan

I think in addition to being subsidized by the Catholic Church, Catholic elementary schools save on salary costs by having fewer teachers.

Many of the faculty are priests and nuns, which may also have a bottom-line impact.

[Humanista]

Originally Posted by Iconographer

Many of the faculty are priests and nuns, which may also have a bottom-line impact.

Really? This was true when I went to catholic schools 30 years ago in the Northeast, but today? I know in the northeast they have had to shut convents and consolidate in general because there are no or limited nuns. This trend was becoming more prominent in the 80s. In fact, my mom teaches at a catholic school in the northeast and I don't think they have any nuns anymore.

[Tarzanman]

Nuns with rulers. Guard your wrists!

[AtlJan]

Originally Posted by Humanista

Really? This was true when I went to catholic schools 30 years ago in the Northeast, but today? I know in the northeast they have had to shut convents and consolidate in general because there are no or limited nuns. This trend was becoming more prominent in the 80s. In fact, my mom teaches at a catholic school in the northeast and I don't think they have any nuns anymore.

Not sure but recruitment has been down the last 600 years.

[JoeP]

I was discussing this with a mom the other day and don't really understand why this is true. In Atlanta, most private schools are around 20K, even the 2nd or 3rd tier private schools are usually 16-17K. But well-regarded Catholic schools are usually around 7K for Catholics and 10K for non-Catholics. Why is that? Does the associated Church subsidize the school somehow? I'm sure the teachers must make comparable salaries.

Catholics schools that are part of a Diocese are going to be cheaper. The focus of these schools was to be able to educate young Catholics in standard disciplines and in the Catholic faith of course. In traditional Catholic areas, they are Catholic schools all over the place. In Atlanta, there are relatively few and most private schools are old school elitist ones (I'm not stating that as a judgement - merely describing the difference in such schools rather than as Catholic or similar religious schools such as some Episcopal schools who feel that they have a role to help educate people regardless of income).

That said, most private schools are affiliated with a church.