When we talk about education, your mind may instantly go to college. But there’s a lot of school to go through before your child gets there. And the path isn’t always straightforward.
Though most of the U.S attends high school at some point, admission to high school does not always look the same everywhere you go. It might go without saying, but high school is a big deal in New Orleans. Where your child attends school could impact their future (college, job, networking, etc.).
Many questions surround that decision.
- Will they attend a public, charter, or private school?
- How do they enroll?
- Can they just sign up, or do they have to take a test?
- How much money will high school cost?
Parents, here’s a guide to help you navigate the process of finding the right high school for your child.
Understanding The Louisiana School System
There are 558 high schools in Louisiana—not a tiny number to consider. Of those 558 schools, 426 of them are public, and 132 are private. There are also several charter school options.
What is the difference between public, private, and charter schools?
Public, Private, or Charter?
The Federal minimum standard is that public schools are local, state and federally funded with free tuition to those who live in the school district or apply for school of choice. Private schools, however, traditionally come with a price tag.
Charter schools are seeing a rise number and attendees across Louisiana. While they may be public schools, they operate outside the public school system, and the state divides them into five types.
Each charter school may have its own admission standards, and if there aren’t any available seats, you can enter your child into a lottery system for admission. But most are simply open admission.
New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School is an example of a top-rated, open-admission charter school. Prospective students must fill out the NOLA-PS Common Application and submit all necessary documents to apply.
While there may be similarities in attaining entrance to these institutions, each school is different in terms of what they offer your student.
Once you narrow down your selection pool, you’ll need to determine if your child must take an entrance exam or pass specific tests for admission into the top-tier institutions.
Prepare For The Entrance Exam
While there may be a Federal minimum standard for public schools, the States also have the power to create their own appropriate measures for high school entrance.
In New Orleans, the school you attend isn’t always the luck of the draw or the district you live in. If your child is hoping to attend a top public or private institution, they will likely have to sit for an entrance exam.
For example, Benjamin Franklin High School is a top public high school in NOLA that requires kids to take a test, and they combine that score with their GPA to make their entrance decision. You can calculate your score using this document provided by the High School.
Since private schools are not bound to state funding, they can determine their own admission rules without a Federal minimum to worry about. You will most likely find your child has to take the entrance exam to attend some of the top private institutions as well.
For example, the following private schools have a similar standard for admissions:
- Jesuit High School
- Metairie Park (admission test/standardized test)
- Isidore Newman
Depending on your kid’s comfort level—and desire to get into a particular school—you might consider hiring a tutor to help prepare them. According to Care.com, if you hire a tutor through their services in the NOLA area, it could cost “an average of $16.75 per hour as of August 2022.”
Keep in mind that this rate can fluctuate depending on the tutor’s experience level and the subject. For example, Wyzant tutoring agency says the average cost of their English tutors is between $30 to $50 dollars an hour.
With professional help, your child can practice the knowledge component and develop test-taking skills and strategies needed to pass the entrance exam.
Breaking Down Tuition Costs
If you think college tuition is expensive, you may be surprised to see the hefty price tags of some of the elite charter and private schools in New Orleans and greater Louisiana.
Here are the base tuition fees for some of the schools we mentioned earlier:
- Jesuit: $11,250 (tuition, fees, books)
- Tuition only for four years: $43,000
- Metairie Park Country Day: $23,920 grades 1-12. Doesn’t include food, tech, trips, etc.
- Tuition only for four years: $95,680
- Isidore Newman: $29,116 (9-12 includes everything)
- All-inclusive cost for 4 years: $116,464
On top of these yearly tuition costs, you may also be trying to save for college. So, how do you pay for high school while also trying to save for college?
How To Pay For High School
You may be reeling from those numbers, but don’t fret. If you are not sure where or how to start saving, we’ve got you covered.
Consider the following education-saving avenues.
- Custodial account—a commonly used trust, this option is tax-friendly and flexible for investments and withdrawals. There are two general custodial accounts, a UTMA and a UGMA. The primary differences are how you fund the accounts and their respective tax rules. Both enable you to save on behalf of your child until they reach the age of maturity, which is 18 in Louisiana. After they turn 18, they have full access to the funds. These accounts may negatively impact how much financial aid they’re eligible for down the line as the account is in their name.
- Brokerage account—a flexible savings option for various expenses like education, wedding, and other ongoing support. One downside is that brokerage accounts are taxable; over time, the capital gains tax could take a big bite out of your college savings.
- Louisiana 529 Savings Programs. Though you’ll more commonly use a 529 plan for college, Louisiana has another K-12 savings program called START K-12. Louisiana allows you to deduct your annual contributions from your individual state tax return. An individual taxpayer can contribute up to $2,400 per beneficiary per year, and a married couple filing jointly can contribute up to $4,800 per beneficiary per year.
These are just a couple of possibilities. You have to find the right combination of savings tools to plan for K-12 education costs!
When Selecting A School, Identify What’s Most Important
So, how do you know which school is right for your child?
Consider the following factors:
- Cost. What can you reasonably afford? Are there scholarships available?
- Location. What will the commute be like? Can you drive them? Is there a bus or carpool system? If you’re moving, check out the local school district you might want your child to be part of.
- Goals. What are your and your child’s goals? Are they aiming for the Ivy League? If so, they’ll need an institution to help them get there. Do they want a school with strong arts or sports programs? Are small class sizes important?
Find an institution that helps meet your goals and top priorities to set themselves up for success in the future.
Make a “Wish List”
This process is about a school being the right fit for you and your child, not the other way around! So make a wish list of what is essential for you to have in a school. Then take that list and compare it to the schools you’re considering.
If you don’t have a list, use the Louisiana Department of Education School finder tool to find schools in your area. If the school you have in mind isn’t listed, contact them to inquire about their open enrollment policy.
Once you have some school options, take a tour!
Visiting your prospective school to meet the administration, faculty, coaches, students, etc., is critical to achieving your children’s goals. Things can look great on paper, but getting a feel for the school and administration in person can offer a critical perspective.
This way, your student will get a feeling for how comfortable they may feel in that specific school community and environment.
Finding the right fit is critical. Whether your child excels in the “military-type structure” of Jesuit or the “study at your own pace” of Country Day, the right fit is out there; you just need to dig in.
Decision Time
At this point, you’ve considered all the options.
What kind of school your child is interested in, entrance exam prep, cost factoring and preparation, checking your wish list, and taking a tour. Now you have to decide the right path for you and your child.
Do you still have questions? Call us today; we are ready to help!