You are looking at ALOT more than that for Catholic School IMO. Some school offer assistance but nowhere near enough to bring it down to $500 … and that’s mainly for the grade schools. High Schools are in the $6 - 7k range.
Maybe I’m wrong though… anyone else?
From what I gather nowadays, just like St. Joseph, they are all pretty much… every student must be designated their own laptop, because the HS’s in the NW side have them, too. 6-8k median is right for HS. For grade schools, it runs 3-5k, in more affluent areas, however, a parish may get better funding, this depends on their development and donations during the year. They pay them out in scholarships instead of calling it financial aid sometimes as well. Sometimes if your children meet certain criteria or happen to excel well in arts, sports, academia, or what have you…, the school will offer the scholarship on behalf of them for that. This is very hard research to do, and can be unsteady in amounts per year as sometimes donations do not add up much or halted given a donators circumstance.
Once you are sure on a neighborhood, then you must begin calling the schools, and ask any demographic you want. Have a list ready, take notes. I helped a friend do this years ago, it took all day for us, but she was able to make a decision by the end of it. Catholic school want to help fund Catholic families and create a more united front, the families will always come to appreciate it as long as they support Catholic faith. Every parish is different. I know my parish has a program, too, but it can change depending on the parish grounds and needs for the year. They are really good with keeping a budget together. Oh and lastly, I think you said all your kids were grade school age, there is considerable discount given, the more kids you have going to the school together, and I know there is a type of insurance that is low cost that provides them free education in the event a parent(God forbid) passes away or maybe even becomes disabled, you would have to look into it, if still available, I know that was around when I went to school, and a few classmates had that benefit. There is a separate health insurance that is mandated that you must get, it could be part of the state funding for children, but you can waive off that option if you would rather them receive it through your work.
Most HS’s in the NW side have gone co-ed, some are still only boys or only girls, having a sister/brother school nearby. In their eith grade year they have schools come and pitch their High Schools, like colleges do.
There is wilth every school a general package you have to take the time going over with your spouse. Call the school and visit their websites, see what you can muster from them, and find what programs they persevere in acamedic/sports/creative before you ask about scholarships or monetary aids. We all benefitted from it, I did, I still give back! Happily so.
I hope this helps some.
