Cape & Islands News

Cape Cod private schools ride out the recession

Home budget cuts, financial aid and scholarships--parents of Cape private school students find a way

By Bethany Gibbons

The sluggish economy has seen families delaying the purchase of a newer car, while others trim expenses by cutting back on trips or even clipping coupons. There is one part of the budget that some Cape Cod families remain steadfastly committed to preserving, and that is their child’s private school education. At a time when work has dried up for many, these families are showing the depth of their pockets. But, while parents who choose private school are still shelling out dollars for a service most receive for free, there are vast differences in the bottom line and bargains do exist.

Cape Cod Academy.

Enrollment remains steady during recession

In a recent survey of independent schools on the Cape, all reported strong application rates, with only a modest dip seen at Falmouth and Cape Cod Academies. With a yearly tuition of $22,000, these schools represent the priciest options around, but their re-enrollment is strong, and they rarely lose students for financial reasons. “We know there are certain families who see independent schooling as essential and part of what that family wants to do,” said Stephen DiPaolo, director of admissions for Cape Cod Academy. Even for those accustomed to paying for schooling what some Cape Codders take home yearly, financial aid is sometimes necessary. “We’ve always had a need-based financial aid program, and requests are up by maybe 20 percent,” DiPaolo said. “We’ve seen some requests from families who have been here and didn’t have to request in the past.”

Falmouth Academy.

DiPaolo noted a couple of trends in the Academy’s favor this year. “Our enrollment patterns reflect local demographics,” he said. “We’ve had lots of interest in our lower school, because there are more young kids in the area. This year we graduated the largest class in the history of the school – it was the crest of the echo boom. We anticipated and have seen some decline after that group, and now we are seeing a return.”

State cuts pique interest in private education

Booms aside, DiPaolo drew a correlation between the state’s declining financial commitment to public education and interest in Cape Cod Academy’s program. “We’ve seen an interesting pattern on the Cape,” he said. “Within a few days of each area’s school committee meeting, we received calls.” DiPaolo attributed the interest to cuts in services, increased class size, and decreased staffing in the public schools.

The Waldorf School of Cape Cod.

Need and merit based financial aid

Falmouth Academy has seen a slight reduction in applications. “We’ll be down over last year, but not precipitously,” said Michael Earley, director of admissions. “Anytime you’re paying $22,000 for something you can do for free – and we certainly don’t think there’s any comparison between what we do and what the public schools offer – you’re going to see some people make that choice, to not spend the money.” Increased applications for financial aid have put the enrollment process further into spring than normal. In an effort to provide additional assistance for the brightest children, the Academy has increased the number of merit scholarships from three to four. At $2,000 each, the scholarships give a boost to the students who score highest on a January exam.

Well-rounded education--you get what you pay for

Falmouth Academy isn’t alone in trying to help students pay for private school. The Waldorf School of Cape Cod in Bourne is offering a 25 percent tuition discount for new students. The unique educational program is deeply committed to providing the kinds of instruction public schools most often cut. “All of our children are schooled in the arts,” said Gary Cannon, school administrator. “The arts are not extras, they’re part of the curriculum.” Recently a class was involved in a farming unit that involved working on a farm, learning about sheep and shearing, dying the wool with plant dyes and knitting their own socks. Main lesson teachers at the 97-student school stay with the student from the first through eighth grades.

The Laurel School.

Such idyllic education may seem an impossible dream in the current economy, but at $12,360 a year, Waldorf starts to look like a bargain for families shopping for schools in the area. Overall, inquiries are down about 10 percent, but families opting for a Waldorf education tend to stay with it, and, at the time of re-enrollment for next year’s classes, the school saw its highest retention rate in its 25-year history, at 87 percent. “It gives us a good feeling that we are moving in the right direction,” Cannon said.

Hidden away in Brewster, the Laurel School is a like a best-kept secret for affordable independent schooling. At $6,350 for the upper grades (three through eight), the program has seen no decrease in applications or re-enrollment. “Word of mouth is our strongest advertiser,” said Dianne Driscoll, head of school. The Laurel School offers a sibling discount and two forms of financial aid, in-house scholarships and the more difficult to secure state and federal tuition subsidies. With 110 students, the program rarely has trouble filling spots, and as Driscoll says, “We don’t see people leave.”

St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School.

Catholic vs secular private education

Unlike secular private schools, which rely on donations from alumni and other patrons to fill the coffers of their tuition-assistance programs, Catholic school students benefit from financial assistance from the diocese. St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School in Hyannis charges $5,400 a year for its 265-student strong program servicing fifth through eighth grades. The Catholic diocese’s St. Mary’s Fund provides scholarships, and money available through an endowment fund is of further help to students in need. Catholic parishes on the Cape also pay $300 for each student who belongs to that parish. A sibling discount of five percent also helps families foot the bill, and a monthly payment plan spreads the cost out over the school year. Secretary Mary Offiler described application levels as steady and openings limited. “Most students stay with us, but people do leave for different reasons. Financial issues should not be the problem if students are thinking of leaving,” she said.

All school photos above are courtesy of the individual websites.