Oct. 10, 2012:   With enrollments at The Bronxville School at an all-time high (1,627), Bronxville School parents have turned to discussing the number of tuition students taken in by the district.  The discussion is driven by concern over the average classroom size, a factor important in student learning.

According to Assistant Superintendent for Business Dan Carlin, there are nine tuition students in The Bronxville School for the 2012-2013 school year, eight of whom are in the high school and one of whom is in fifth grade.

Tuition for middle and high school students is $23,028 and for elementary school is $18,533 for a total this year of $207,557.  "Tuition fees are tied to rates set a long time ago," explained Assistant Superintendent Dr. John Kehoe, "with a percentage increase each year based on the percentage increase of the school budget.  So, for example, if the school budget were to increase by 2% next year, tuition fees per student would increase by the same percentage points."

Kehoe also noted that the number of tuition students has not changed much in the last three or so years.  "Basically," stated Dr. Kehoe, "the number has remained at around eight to nine students."  He added that this count is down considerably from its peak of 85 students in the late 1980s, when tuition students were almost 10% of the student body.  "Slowly over the years," Kehoe added, "the number of tuition students has decreased."

Kehoe surmises that the reason for the decline is tied to the gradual rise in tuition fees.  "There is probably a correlation between the decrease in tuition students and the gradual increase in tuition fees--$23,000 a year is a large sum."

Not all students are accepted as tuition students, according to Kehoe.  "We do review students' records and their past educational history to see if they have maintained a good academic record."  Siblings are not automatically accepted.  Moreover, tuition students can be and have been dismissed for various reasons.

Looking at the larger picture, Kehoe said the money received from tuition students is helpful to the school district's budget.  "We make sure tuition students don't cause additional expenses.  We won't take students that would drive us to spend more money such as hiring a new teacher."  For that reason, he explained, certain grade levels do not get tuition students because there is no room.

Pictured here:  The rotunda of The Bronxville School.

Photo by A. Warner