Turbulent Economy Steering Education Options for Laurel Parents

In 2007, there were more than 50,000 students enrolled in private schools in Howard, Anne Arundel, and Prince George's counties. In 2009 – the most recent data available – that number has dwindled to 36,062, according to the Maryland Department of Education.

The decline in enrollment in non-public schools in those jurisdictions mirror what is occurring across the state and throughout the country as public school enrollments increase or stabilize.  

Public school enrollment has remained steady at around 252,500 with little or no decline through the 2007-2009 school years, according to reports published by the Maryland Department of Education.

While several factors can contribute to the shift, the  economy is certainly high on the list, said Carolyn Croom Baker, a longtime education analyst and founder of Achievement Works, a Woodbridge, Connecticut-based consultation firm.

"The financial situation is definitely a factor," said Baker. "But there are other plausible reasons we're seeing declines in  private school enrollment. First, the public schools now have charter schools, then there are the magnets, both of which offer families choices for more specialized educational programs.... and they're all free."  

Even though finances may be an issue, families like Mimi Goodman's of Columbia make the sacrifice. The Goodmans have put two sons through St. Vincent Pallotti High School, a private catholic school, and have a third currently enrolled. Goodman said the school provides a plethora of programs and opportunities that makes it worth the $12,585 annual tuition.

"Sure it's a sacrifice, but for us, this is not the place to cut back," Goodman said. "I'd rather have old furniture and a [crummy] car and know that my kids are getting a great education. At Pallotti, they are committed to the student. They are not limited, they're encouraged. We want to make sure they have good moral character and make sound decisions. Pallotti reinforces this."

Still, some parents said they would bank on public school education, even if they had the resources to pay for private education. Egenia Davis, a parent whose daughter attends Laurel High School, said that public schools offer a dose of reality that young people need before entering adulthood. 

"I would never put my child in  a private school, no matter how much money I have, no matter if I had a million dollars," she said. "Children need to know what the real world is about and they get that in public, not private school." Catherine Strine-Adams, an assistant principal at Laurel High School, said one of the reasons public schools are holding their own is the state of the economy.

"It's all about finances, the economy. [Parents] say they just can't afford to keep their kids in private school. It's affecting all of us in one way or another," said Strine-Adams, who helps run the 2,000-school student body.

Many families struggle over where their children should be educated. Smaller class sizes, specialized curriculum and religious beliefs are incentives that lure parents to non-public schools.  While Catholic and other religious schools' tuition is generally significantly lower than most non-parochial private schools, cost may not always be the prevailing concern of families when looking at educational options.

Elda Cordone of Laurel said  finance is a non-issue when it comes to educating her son, an eigth-grader at First Baptist Church School of Laurel, because she is willing to make a financial sacrifice.

"I'm a woman and I'd like to go shopping more but there's nothing more important than your child's education," she said. "I love that he is in a Christian school where he is learning and reading the bible."

First Baptist is a small school with 215 student from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade with tuition ranging from $3,200 to $6,240. Tom Hudson, the school's principal, said many families who choose the school are interested in particular educational programs and religious training. Money is a concern, but it's not primary, he said.

"We tell our teachers and our students that our families are making sacrifices," he said. "Where they could have a nicer car or other things, they decided to put it in their children's education. We want everyone to remain aware of that, particularly in this economy."

Baker says the economy has forced families to give public schools another look and that public schools have improved by offering competitive learning environments.

"These days parents are more closely observing what they're spending versus what they're getting. Magnet and charter schools are a tremendous inducement to public education," she said. "The decision is not as difficult as it once was.."

Still, Goodman said her choice to stick with private education will only pay off in the long run.

"We have friends who, if they could afford it, would put their kids in private school, but they can't," she said. "For us, it's an investment now for our kids' future."