Budgeting beyond tuition

Tuition is a key consideration for parents when it comes to financing a private school education, but what tuition actually includes varies from school to school. “Additional costs [at] include a technology fee and a facility-renewal fee, which are both used to enhance the student experience,” says Sarah Scandrett, executive director of enrolment management at St. Mildred’s- Lightbourn School in Oakville.

Katie Ketchum, director of admissions and marketing at Toronto Waldorf School, stresses that planning ahead is important for parents. “Understanding the full scope of costs—including tuition, additional fees and extracurriculars—can help families budget effectively,” she says.

Uniforms and school supplies

Private schools typically require students to wear a uniform, and outfitting your child— especially as they grow—can be expensive. “A brand-new set of all uniform items will cost about $500,” says Michelle Gow, director of enrolment at Hudson College in Toronto. “Most schools have uniform-swap groups or sales, which is a great way to pick up formal items, as they usually see less wear.” Parents should also consider the cost of supplies, such as a laptop and, for older grades, textbooks. At the Linden School in Toronto, “most textbooks are now included in the $700 student activity fee, and are supplied by Linden at the beginning of the school year,” says principal Zahra Valani.

Activities

From sports to the arts, extracurricular activities can come with added costs. Families at Toronto’s Bannockburn School pay an auxiliary fee—between $400 and $650 annually for primary and elementary students—at the start of each school year. “This covers the cost of field trips and transportation, as well as in-house visits, including authors and guest artists,” says Sharon Robinson, business manager. Ryan Baker, acting co-head of school at Holy Name of Mary College School in Mississauga, points out that the athletics and arts programs at private schools are exceptional and worth the extra investment. “The money saved on outside activities could go a long way to covering a portion or all of a private school’s tuition,” he says.

Field trips

Many private schools offer students exciting opportunities to travel abroad, but taking part can be costly. “Trips range from the price of TTC transport and lunch, up to $6,000 for international trips to Japan, Europe or Costa Rica,” says Andy Hall, high school principal at Toronto’s WillowWood School. Gow concurs. “Our international trip this year will run $4,600 for a two-week trip to five European cities,” she says. And Ketchum notes that parents can expect to pay anywhere from $210 (for Grade 1 students) to over $2,000 a year (by Grade 12) for class trips at Toronto Waldorf School.

Budgeting for the additional expenses of a private school education doesn’t have to be a burden, though, and most schools will work with parents to figure out financial solutions. At Bannockburn, payment plans are available; the Linden School offers bursaries and scholarships of up to $15,000 per year; and the financial aid programs at St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn help support families needing assistance.