It’s a big decision. And it shouldn’t be taken lightly. The school you send your child to will play a fundamental role in their future success in life. No pressure, right? With so much on the line, it can be a tough choice. To make matters more complicated, not all schools are created equal. When making your decision, it’s important to do your due diligence.
Studies show that private school graduates rate higher in life outcomes and well-being than public school graduates. (1) There are many variables at play in these studies, and there are certainly many top-notch public schools out there. However, in general, private schools outperform public schools. They offer more enriching academic opportunities, have smaller class sizes, and are known for having dedicated teachers. In a nutshell, your child will likely be given more specialized attention and have more unique opportunities to grow.
So, now that we know the advantages private schools offer, let’s take a look at the top three options in Pasadena.
1. Pasadena Polytech
Pasadena Polytech (K-12) is ranked #2 in Los Angeles County and #8 in all of California. They have 859 students, an average class size of 17, and a 7:1 student-teacher ratio. Over 50% of students self-report as being ethnically diverse. Yearly tuition for the highest grade offered is $37,500 with 22% of students receiving financial aid. Polytech has a 100% Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate test pass rate, and 100% of students go on to attend a 4-year college. (2,3,4)
2. Westridge
Westridge is an all-girls, culturally diverse middle and high school. They are ranked #7 in Los Angeles County and #15 in California. With a total of 500 students, an average class size of 15, and 7:1 student-teacher ratio, your child is sure to get the attention they need to succeed. Westridge has an incredibly engaged student body with over 100 students serving in leadership roles, 60% participating in sports, and 50% of upper students involved in school productions. Tuition for high schoolers is $36,470 per year, and 1 in 3 students receive financial aid. (2,3,5)
3. Mayfield Senior School
Mayfield Senior School is a diverse all-girls high school ranked #44 in California. Mayfield has 330 students, an average class size of 16, and a 7:1 student-teacher ratio. They offer 26 AP Honors courses to their students and boast a 100% college acceptance rate. Tuition costs $27,560 per year with need- and merit-based scholarships available. (2,3,6)
Next Steps
Private school is one of the best ways to set your child up for success. However, as you can see, it’s a significant investment. If you’re feeling dizzy just looking at those tuition numbers, don’t lose hope yet. With the help of a financial advisor, it’s possible to put together a plan to afford those payments—even if you’re on a tight budget. If you’re interested in giving your children a private school education but are worried about the price, we at Haydel, Biel & Associates are happy to help. Contact us at (626) 529-8347 or email me directly at ricky@hbawealth.com.
About Haydel, Biel & Associates
Haydel, Biel & Associates is an independent financial advisory firm serving individuals and families near Pasadena, California. The firm was founded in 2004 by Chris Haydel and Ricky Biel with a desire to provide unbiased, client-centered, community-based financial advice. Together, they have built a practice that has grown into a family of caring, smart professionals committed to blending proven investment methodologies with creative financial technologies that make it easier than ever to accomplish your goals. They strive to keep things simple and fun to give their clients peace of mind and alleviate financial stress. HBA Wealth takes care of their clients’ needs first and foremost and goes the extra mile to make their clients’ finances grow. To meet and see how the HBA Wealth team may be able to help, contact them today at (626) 529-8347 or email Ricky directly at ricky@hbawealth.com.
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(1) https://www.nais.org/magazine/independent-school/winter-2018/life-lessons/
(3) https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-private-schools/t/pasadena-los-angeles-ca/
(4) https://www.polytechnic.org/page/about-poly/quick-facts
(5) https://www.westridge.org/page.cfm?p=2781
(6) https://www.mayfieldsenior.org/page/about/facts--figures