Private schools: Enrollments down?

[Jim Schue]

This isn't really a public v. private issue, so let's keep that talk out of this discussion.

 

The story I saw in the C-J about Beth Haven dropping football because of numbers had me wondering if private (Christian, parochial or other) schools are seeing a drop in enrollment numbers, whether because of the economy or otherwise.

 

Is this the case? Are private schools starting to feel the pinch as salaries get cut or expected raises are frozen, making it more difficult for parents to cover that tuition bill?

[HammerTime]

When it comes down to the point where you can't make your house payment that extra 5k+ a year you would save by sending your kid to a public school would be very helpful.

[MJAlltheWay24]

Private schools are just so expensive. Nothing against them, but I don't know why anyone would pay that much to go to high school.

[PepRock01]

Private schools are just so expensive. Nothing against them, but I don't know why anyone would pay that much to go to high school.

 

Because in many cases it is more than just an education, it is a brotherhood and a way of life that helps make us who we are. Those who look at it as "just high school" probably will never understand. Many of us would sacrifice as much as we could to make sure our children could be a part of something greater than themselves.

[MJAlltheWay24]

What are your thoughts on fraternities PepRock? And I apologize if this turns the thread in a different direction. Just based on your statement, I can say that I do understand because of my experience through joining a fraternity. But for me, its not high school that makes you who you are or gives you the experience of a lifetime...that's college. I would rather save 4K-5K a year and help my child get into the University of their choice...just my opinon (from someone who is far from being a father, maybe that will change one day).

 

I would understand the brotherhood aspect from a school like Cov Cath, but I have never heard anyone and I mean anyone speak on the brotherhood they got from a school like St. Henry, Villa Madonna (nothing against those schools, just saying) or any other private school in NKY. I am sure Trinity or St. X in Louisville may fall in the same category as Cov Cath, I just don't know them as well. But once again, for me if I am looking back to the four years in high school as the best and most defining years in my life...well that's just kinda disappointing to me.

[PepRock01]

What are your thoughts on fraternities PepRock? And I apologize if this turns the thread in a different direction. Just based on your statement, I can say that I do understand because of my experience through joining a fraternity. But for me, its not high school that makes you who you are or gives you the experience of a lifetime...that's college. I would rather save 4K-5K a year and help my child get into the University of their choice...just my opinon (from someone who is far from being a father, maybe that will change one day).

 

I would understand the brotherhood aspect from a school like Cov Cath, but I have never heard anyone and I mean anyone speak on the brotherhood they got from a school like St. Henry, Villa Madonna (nothing against those schools, just saying) or any other private school in NKY. I am sure Trinity or St. X in Louisville may fall in the same category as Cov Cath, I just don't know them as well. But once again, for me if I am looking back to the four years in high school as the best and most defining years in my life...well that's just kinda disappointing to me.

 

Note that my opinion on fraternities is going to be slightly different than yours, but note that I do respect the bond that you share with your brothers as I will explain below.

 

I find fraternities to be excessive and unnecessary. The bond should be school-wide not specifically oriented to small groups that identify themselves with Greek letters. I find them to be little more than social clubs that just happen to be affiliated with a school. Yes I know you do service work and so on, but so do many social clubs. I suspect though that the closest that many people who did not come through the same path as I did to understanding the Catholic school tradition and "fraternity" if you will would be those who were active in fraternities.

 

I think our opinions will dramatically differ though. Trinity and St. X and most of the Catholic schools here in Louisville are going to be much different than 99% of the public schools you will encounter. We are bound by more than just a common education, we come from similar walks of life and a common faith. The Catholic school subculture in Louisville, if you will, is hard for someone who did not come from a community like it to understand.

 

My family has never sent any child to a school other than a Catholic school and I have every intention of continuing that when my time comes.

 

In the end, I suspect my views on fraternities are colored by the fact that being a Shamrock at heart for the rest of my life meant that I never saw the purpose in a fraternity for me. Others, who may not have that same experience by the time they are in college probably would find it with a fraternity.

[MJAlltheWay24]

Yeah, the only reason I thought about fraternities was when you mentioned brotherhood. It really goes two ways, you have the guys who didn't have that aspect in high school, so it's something they want. But then you have the guys who did have that brotherhood aspect in high school (whether through a private school, or sports teams...or whatever) and they miss it and want it in college. It's hard to generalize, but I respect your opinions and that is probably all for a different thread.

 

My opinion on private schools is from someone who went to a public school. Plus, also being from NKY, our subculture is very different than growing up and going to school down in Louisville. So, I am sure my opinion differs there as well. I guess for me it just comes down to that fact that I could use the $20,000 I saved from sending my kid to a good public school and then help send them to the college of their choice instead of basing the decision more on price. Who knows, maybe by then I will have a wonderful job with plenty of money and might change my mind. Decisions I don't plan on having to make for another 16-22 years lol.

[rockmom]

Yeah, the only reason I thought about fraternities was when you mentioned brotherhood. It really goes two ways, you have the guys who didn't have that aspect in high school, so it's something they want. But then you have the guys who did have that brotherhood aspect in high school (whether through a private school, or sports teams...or whatever) and they miss it and want it in college. It's hard to generalize, but I respect your opinions and that is probably all for a different thread.

 

My opinion on private schools is from someone who went to a public school. Plus, also being from NKY, our subculture is very different than growing up and going to school down in Louisville. So, I am sure my opinion differs there as well. I guess for me it just comes down to that fact that I could use the $20,000 I saved from sending my kid to a good public school and then help send them to the college of their choice instead of basing the decision more on price. Who knows, maybe by then I will have a wonderful job with plenty of money and might change my mind. Decisions I don't plan on having to make for another 16-22 years lol.

 

 

As a person who was sent through 12 years of private school, and sent both of her kids through 13 each (not counting the college my son is in), I consider any and all monies that were spent as an investment in me by my parents, and by me in my children. My parents really couldn't afford it, I couldn't really afford it. We made choices that we felt were important and suited our families. None of us have ever regretted it, and consider it the wisest investments we've made. I don't mind that other people have their choice, but I'm not in agreement that the money "saved" is actually any better use for those sums, than the "investment returns" of said sums.

[Hearsay]

Jim, Bluegrass Christian Academy in Bardstown has enrollment for next year already up 20%. Crocus Academy, the preschool, has added a teacher, enrollment up 30%, and also is opening a satellite campus in E-Town.

 

I think its more about the specific product than the genre of product.

[TubbyCAT]

Rumors are that St. Patrick Parochial Schools in Maysville were down in their enrollment, not for sure how accurate that is. I do know they cut positions however to help w/these tough economic times!

[20/20Hindsight]

I've heard Newport Catholic's freshman enrollment was way down this past school year. Can anyone confirm that?

[Mr.Network]

Enrollment in my kids' schools is up some but I have heard that tuition payments are trickling in.

 

The payments may be tougher to make but people are still making the private school choice.

[Ironlung]

Enrollment is up at Covington Holy Cross High School for next year. However, I heard it's down at all the other Catholic high schools in the Covington Diocese.

[ColonelCrazy]

Enrollment is up at Covington Holy Cross High School for next year. However, I heard it's down at all the other Catholic high schools in the Covington Diocese.

 

Covington Catholic has 124 incoming freshman.

[mcpapa]

Covington Catholic has 124 incoming freshman.

 

That would seem to be in line with enrollment for the past few years.