The Value Vs. Cost of A Christian School Education

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?  Luke 14:28

While you may not be building a tower, every parent is building a child!  The principle of counting the cost definitely applies to how we manage the upbringing and education of our children.  To the Christian parent with conviction for Christian education, there is no monetary value that they would place on a Christian school opportunity for their children. To them it is priceless.

The value of the Christian school far outweighs any monetary cost. The parent with conviction for Christian schooling will find any and every way possible to pay tuition, look for financial assistance, and even change money spending patterns – in order to put or keep their kids in the Christian school.

Everything worth something does cost.  It could cost time, money, energy, and most definitely – commitment.  Schooling always will cost something. Even if a government school education does not cost money, it does cost something.   Not everything is measured by dollars and cents.

So many are the benefits of a Christian school:

• The reinforcement of Christian values the parents are currently teaching at home.
• Math, science, literature, and history all taught from an absolute truth perspective.
• Weekly chapels and daily bible classes to encourage spiritual growth and frame advanced spiritual formation in the heart and mind of the student.
• A safe place to practice Christianity on a daily basis.
• Not only is there the potential for spiritual formation, but also social formation. Students can practice their Christianity and relational skills in a formal setting.
• An atmosphere that reduces, not totally eliminates, a worldly mindset. Kids are kids (still sinners) in any environment.
• The areas of academic rigor, social interaction, and personal discipline each have high expectations for each student.
• Teachers who value and love each student, taking the time necessary to engage them daily, pray with them, and encourage good academics while fostering a good attitude.
• A curriculum developed from a non-secular Christian world view.

These benefits are either practical, philosophical, or spiritual.  None of these benefits are economical.   With benefits like this, you see why parents with a Christian school conviction value the school opportunity so much!  The economic cost is not much compared to the spiritual, social, and philosophical benefits.

It is simply worth it to them. Here are several areas a Christian school convicted parent may change in their life in order to be able to “afford” the Christian school.

1. They may buy store brand items instead of brand name items.
2. They may buy food in bulk instead of prepackaged individual servings.
3. They may go without soda pop or other high-priced beverages. Some people even resort to being so health conscience and financially savvy, they only drink water.
4. Some resort to buying what is on sale at the grocery store, even clipping coupons, or scanning receipts for refunds on an app.
5. Some teach their older kids how to mow lawns and the students save up for school the previous summer. Other seasonal work can assist in this too.
6. They sell high ticket items such as an extra car, boat, ATV, snowmobile, or camper.
7. They may cut back on unnecessary things in life such as cable, Internet, newspaper / magazine subscriptions, or cell phone services.  Children and teens have no real need for big cell phone plans. Non-smart phones can cost as little as $10 a month and even then – that is a luxury.  One phone to share is sufficient and not only will cut spending but will also ensure morality and create accountability for their phone usage.
8. They may take less trips. Less spontaneous trips to the store due to poor planning. Even 2-3 days less on some vacations (in some cases) could pay the entire year’s tuition for one student!

Cost Versus Value.  They do not always match.  Explore your options.  How much of a value is a Christian School Education as opposed to not having one?  What is the true cost?

Any other cost cutting ideas to help pay tuition for a Christian school education???

Please post them in the comments below.