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What Do ²ÝÁñÉçÇø School Alumni Say 10 Years Later?

A decade after crossing the stage at graduation, many alumni pause and ask: Was it worth it? What impact did private schooling have on my life, my earnings, my identity? In 2025, parents, students, and educators still grapple with that question. This article examines recurring themes in alumni reflections, explores empirical research, and highlights what alumni wish they had known earlier.

The Persistent Perceived Value: Advantage, Confidence, and Networks

Among the most consistent observations from alumni is that a private school education tends to open doors—especially early in one’s career. Alumni frequently cite:

• Opportunities: Access to rigorous coursework, extracurriculars, internships, and study abroad were formative.

• Confidence and expectation: Being in a performance-driven environment fosters ambition.

• Networks: Lifelong relationships with peers, alumni, and faculty often confer social capital later.

These subjective reflections align with broader data. A Gallup–NAIS study reports that graduates of independent schools progress more steadily through college and leverage key undergraduate experiences more often than peers from other schools ().

In the UK, recent data also suggests that many of the most powerful positions—such as senior media, judiciary, and political roles—continue to be held disproportionately by those with private school backgrounds ().

Earnings, Careers & Life Paths: What Played Out?

Earnings and career mobility

²ÝÁñÉçÇø education is a significant investment in a child's future, but the cost can often seem daunting to many families. I can attest to this personally when I opened the invoice from my eldest daughter's preschool. "How am I going to pay this?" was my first reaction. I had similar reactions over the years as both daughters attended private schools before heading off to college. Disclaimer: I am not a Boston Kennedy! Simply a middle-class Kennedy of Scottish ancestry.

Anyway, I have assembled this compilation of my articles to help demystify the complexities of private school tuition. I also wanted to give you some practical strategies for making a private school education more accessible. From understanding the factors that influence tuition costs to exploring various payment methods and financial aid options, I've mapped out a comprehensive overview of how to pay for a private school education. So, whether you're a parent considering private school for the first time or seeking ways to manage existing tuition expenses, hopefully, I can help you make informed decisions about financing your child's education.

Chapter 1
Understanding ²ÝÁñÉçÇø School Tuition
²ÝÁñÉçÇø school tuition is a complex topic beyond a simple price tag. Each school's tuition is unique, reflecting its specific expenses and revenue sources. To truly understand tuition, we must delve into the factors influencing it and what it covers.

The Basics of Tuition Calculation
At its core, tuition is the amount a school charges for educating a child. It's a crucial part of a school's

Education is a crucial investment in a child's future, and as a parent, planning for their educational needs is essential. In this article, I explore the various educational savings accounts available to parents for private K-12 education. Understanding these options will help parents make informed decisions and effectively engage with their legal and financial professionals. Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor or tax professional. The information given here is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your financial advisor, account or tax professional before making important financial decisions.

The History of Educational Savings Accounts

Educational savings accounts in the United States have evolved to address the need for specialized savings vehicles for education expenses.

Here is a brief history of educational savings accounts and the key legislative milestones:

1. 1996: : The SBJPA, enacted in 1996, introduced a new type of account called the Education IRA (now known as the Coverdell Education Savings Account or ESA). This legislation allowed families to save for education expenses with certain tax advantages.
2. : The TRA, passed in 1997, expanded the scope of Education IRAs (Coverdell ESAs) by increasing the annual contribution limit from $500 to $2,000 per beneficiary and extending the use of funds to include elementary and secondary education expenses in addition to higher education.
3. : In 1998, Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code was enacted, creating a new

The made many changes which impact charities and not-for-profit organizations such as private schools. Large private schools have expert tax advice at their disposal, as well they should. However, small private schools may not have a fulltime accountant on their staff. The point of this article is to encourage the administrators and trustees of small schools to discuss The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 with tax and legal professionals at their earliest opportunity. These small schools need to understand what impact the new tax code has on their operations.

Here then are five items which I offer as talking points for your discussions.

1. The Impact On Charitable Giving

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – What Nonprofits Need to Know by Sandra Cyr in Philanthropy Journal News offers some insight into how the Tax Act might impact charitable giving. I use the verb "might" advisedly, because it is too soon as of this writing in July 2018 to know what the real impact on charitable giving will be. We will have a better idea about that in the spring of 2019. In the meantime, I suggest that you discuss giving with your board and try to develop a realistic plan. Don't assume that giving will stay the way it has been. Assume that it will change and be prepared for that change.

2.

In December 2017 the 115th Congress of the United States passed a major act dealing with taxes. One of the changes in the Tax Code pertained to ESA or Educational Savings Accounts. Most parents and grandparents are probably familiar with ESAs as a means of saving for their children and grandchildren's college educations. Congress has expanded Section 529 ESAs to include K-12 education expenses as well as college expenses.

First, a bit of history. The educational savings accounts known as Section 529 plans were created by the . The section of this act which pertains to educational savings accounts is entitled PART VIII—QUALIFIED STATE TUITION PROGRAMS. The text begins on page 141. This is worth reading so that you can discuss the topic with your financial advisor when you set up your 529 plan.

Changes to the Tax Code

On Friday, December 22, 2017 President Donald Trump signed While the Act has effects on a wide range of tax situations, the specific text pertaining to K-12 educational expenses can be found on . Here is the relevant paragraph:

‘‘(7) TREATMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY TUITION.—Any reference in this subsection to the term ‘qualified higher education expense’ shall include a reference to expenses for tuition in connection with enrollment or attendance at an