What usually describes the best and most expensive private schools in America? – Wide acres of land, beautiful surroundings, state of the art facilities and rigorous academics. Many parents clamor to send their children to private schools because of its reputation for providing sterling academic and networking excellence.

Families who can afford a private school education, or are fortunate enough to receive financial aid may find that the high cost of education may very well pay off. A private school is also known as a preparatory school because it prepares its graduates for college and for life.

With many public schools struggling for resources throughout the country, top private schools settle for nothing. According to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the waiting lists at top private schools get longer despite a national median tuition cost of more than $16,000 a year, not to mention the inflation.
For top private schools in the Northeast, among which include Choate Rosemary Hall, Milton Academy and Phillips Exter Academy, median tuition can go as high as $23,000 or more for day student tuition alone. Parents who send their children to boarding schools can expect to pay over $10,000 as well.

Four of the most expensive private schools for day students such as Concord Academy and Middlesex School in Massachusetts, Lawrenceville School in New Jersey and Hotchkiss School in Connecticut charge over $30,000 annually.

Other top private schools include Lawrence Academy, Groton School, Buckingham Browne and Nichols, St. Mark’s School and The Governor’s Academy in Massachusetts, Kent School in Connecticut and Dalton School in New York.

One reason why a lot of parents are willing to spend much on their children’s private school education is that it increases the chances of getting into topnotch colleges and universities, among which include Harvard and Georgetown University. It also prepares students better for the rigors of college education.

But other than the huge difference in tuition, what exactly sets a private school from a public academy? The attributes could be many. One is the campus building. Private schools usually show off topnotch athletic buildings, computer labs and performing arts centers. Major capital projects are mostly often funded by wealthy benefactors such as businessmen and alumni, which means that they have minimal to no zero effect on the school’s operating budget.

While state-of-the-art facilities may be a plus factor in attracting families, the quality of instruction in diverse curricula remains to be a top demand in private schools. Moreover, many parents who could barely attend to their children’s educational needs due to tight work schedules turn to private schools in properly raising their children.

Despite the steadily increasing costs, more and more private schools are increasing their efforts to give more families access to this type of education. Financial aid funding in private schools are increasing, which allows for a wider socio-economic and ethnic mix than in the previous years.

However, the most expensive private school may not always necessarily mean that it offers the best education for your child. And even the least private school may also turn out to be more expensive than you think. Moreover, just because a school offering low tuition does not always mean that it is inferior as well.

The very high tuition need not intimidate you, especially if you are really considering a private school education. There are a number of organizations that can help you finance private school tuition. Websites such as Privateschools, Finaid and EStudent can give you information on available scholarships, student loans and other tuition payment plans.

Moreover, if you think that money is not an issue when it comes to getting the best education, a private school education may just be well worth it.