As schools continue to weigh the pros and cons of virtual vs. in-person options, many have begun to decry the potential inequality of private vs. public schools. Sure, maybe private schools may have smaller class sizes and more flexibility, but here’s the reality - at a minimum 107 private schools have announced that they will shut their doors permanently. This affects nearly 16,000 students attending those schools. Private schools may be a “better option” if and only if they have enough money to keep their doors open.
Patrick Wolf and Neal McCluskey point this out in a recent op-ed, explaining that private schools are not the cash-cows many often imagine. Wolf and McCluskey explain, “The average tuition for closing schools nationally is only about $7,000.” In comparison, the average public school spends over $15,000 per student.
And when considering inequality, it’s also important to note data on race. According to the same research, Black pupils make up more than 15% of total enrollment while only about 13% of the overall population is Black. And in Maryland, the five closing schools have student bodies that are 47% Black students.”