Would you go into debt for your childs secondary education?

[Nicambhar]

As the title states, would you go into debt for your childs highschool ed and if so how much would be the limit...
Now, when I say debt, I'm not talking $1 - $2k on a credit card, I mean serious stuff like almost $20k per year...

I am really interested in your thoughts, ta in advance

[sneakysparkle]

for me - no.
I dont see the need, I think my child would be able to get a great education without going into that sort of debt

[Turkish Delight]

I wish i could afford it. I'd pay the $20k per year.

I'll be getting DS to sit scholarship exams for prestige high schools at the end of year 6.

[shellbell3]

No, if I couldn't afford private school I'd look closely into what good public schools are around or even some catholic schools which still have fees but alot cheaper.
I think kids can still get good education in the public system.

[Macca79]

It is a personal choice. Money is money and at the end of the day the question should be can I afford to go into debt not should I. How you answer the question depends on what point of view your coming from.

[diannescruffy]

Definately not. Public schools are just as good. I know many parents who have ended up taking their children out of private schools and put them into public. If you really want to go private there are many schools that are much cheaper, wow $20,000, I'm in a bit of shock.

Regards,
Dianne

[Indadhanu]

Ah, well no not that much... are they offering gold plated textbooks? I think a child/teen could get a great education at other less expensive or even public schools.

[Marlene]

I wouldn't go into that much debt.... Not unless I had a crystal ball that could show me whether all that money was going to GUARANTEE that my child was going to become a model student, then model adult, then model employee, then model parent.....etc, etc, etc.
I have seen far too many children throw their expensive educations (although not $20,000 a year ) down the drain.

I think if you have the money to spend, and not have to borrow it, then go ahead....but there are less expensive options
You may have a wonderful child that will excel and go on to do great at school and get an awesome job....but then you might have a child that ends up mopping the floor at Maccas with their $20 000 a year education, LOL.

It's a VERY personal decision that only you can make

[Nicambhar]

just running out to get DS from a school dance, will be back later... there is a reason for my question... actually, I think you will be quite shocked at what is about to come out of my mouth... BBL..

[Turkish Delight]

did you win lotto Sue and don't know how to spend it?

somebody else is going to be paying for it?

OMG what????

[Kazmar]

To be honest....yes I would

The school we want to send our girls to, if still in this town at the time, gets up to $18k.
I have my reasons, and Dp and I have already decided we will be taking out a loan to put them through.
If they show/tell us they have no interest in school by yr 9 Im happy to pull them out as long as they have an apprentaship

[Indadhanu]

UNLESS... the school was the only one that offered a particular program, AND Jazz excelled in that area and it looked like she could build a life on it...
Like a sport or music program or something.
Then I'd do my best to get her there.

[CrazyLady]

Definately not. Public schools are just as good. I know many parents who have ended up taking their children out of private schools and put them into public. If you really want to go private there are many schools that are much cheaper, wow $20,000, I'm in a bit of shock.

Regards,
Dianne

I went to a primary school that was "sister" to a very pricey high school. Turned out that the primary school is a few years behind in maths/english/science. My younger sister went the whole of primary school without her dyslexia being recognised and first day in a public high school they picked it up and she was put into a special class once a week to assist her.

IMO the private schools I have heard about fail to meet the recommended curriculum until they hit the last 2 years then they try to play "catch up". So many friends I know had a rough transition into HSC that attended private schools and had issues with exams. Heard of so many success stories come from public schooling.

So, in conclusion, i wouldn't go into debt for a private education and would ask around for a reputable public high school.

[Winter]

Its really hard isn't Nic, I've been looking at schools and the one I'm interested in is around $13K a year...we want a couple of kids so thats $26K a year for 5 years...a whopping $130K for a private school education.

I can't see ourselves going into debt for this though, since we are surviving on one income at the moment, I figure that when I go back to work, it will be to save & pay for the kids education.

I guess we can't be guaranteed that we are going to leave our kids any worldly possessions, but if we give them a good education then they can make their own way in the world more easily.

[Jennifer13]

If I had a child with special needs and that's what it cost to give them a chance at a good education, then yes, I would.

If we can't afford to send DD to a private school when we are planning to (she's booked in from year 5 onwards), then we won't go into debt for it, no. We can supplement her (comparatively) free public school education with extra tutoring, if she needs it, or extracurricular activities (music lessons, etc) if it doesn't seem that the local school has as much available in an area that suits her as we would like. I went to a state school and I have two and a half degrees (one a postgrad, which are all paid for!). The value placed on education by families does not necessarily correlate to the amount of money spent on it.

[Macca79]

In your case I think the big thing is your DD. Maybe some time with you at home with space is what she needs to help her deal with how her father is treating her. IF he has been paying the bill for education till now then he is responsible for last term as she was still with him then and that is one of the reasons why he got the settlement, for having the kids.

Once things calm down just be truthful with your DD and let her know money in your house is not like it was with dad. Get her involved at looking at local schools you can afford so she has a choice, she might not like it to start with but in time she will come round in time.

We are living ina time when money is really important and getting into debt over a matter like this could make life very hard for you later, particularly with other kids.

[Lulu]

IF he has been paying the bill for education till now then he is responsible for last term as she was still with him then and that is one of the reasons why he got the settlement, for having the kids.
.

This is the crux of it for me (aside from the twat-like attitude). The settlement was based on the kids, he chose the education and I'm pretty sure the CSA would agree.
Keep the email for later purposes won't you.

[anney]

:yeahthat: and also, the school will have a record of who has been paying and I am not sure what kind of paperwork they do in private schools but I would imagine when she was enrolled, he would have signed something to say he was going to pay the fees. So in no way would you be responsible for last term and I would say even if you kept her there until the end of the year, they would be chasing your DH for money and not you.
All that aside, hope your DD is OK with all this. It must be difficult enough being 14 without being sent packing from home.