What goes into a $75,000 a year kindergarten? Breaking down the cost of New York City private schools.
Business Insider
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
New York City's private school tuition has reached unprecedented levels, with The Avenues School setting a new benchmark at $75,300 for the upcoming academic year—a nearly 4% increase from the previous year. This cost reflects the growing demand for premium education in the city, driven by factors like small class sizes, expert faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities. While public schools remain free, many parents are willing to pay top dollar for the perceived benefits of private education, including enhanced academic and extracurricular offerings.
The high tuition costs are largely attributed to faculty expenses, which account for a significant portion of school budgets. Private schools maintain lower student-to-teacher ratios—Avenues, for instance, has a 5:1 ratio compared to public schools' 11.5:1—and offer extensive support staff, including college counselors and learning specialists. These investments in personnel are reflected in tuition hikes, with faculty costs often exceeding 40% of a school's revenue. For example, Collegiate, another high-priced institution, spent $32 million on compensation in 2024 alone.
Beyond师资, private schools also allocate funds to exceptional facilities and programs. This includes Olympic-sized pools, black box theaters, and advanced technology like iPads and Bloomberg Terminals. These resources aim to foster a "Renaissance kid" approach, blending academic rigor with extracurricular excellence. Financial aid is another factor; Avenues provided an average award of $49,000 to 20% of its students this year.
For business readers, the rise in private school tuition highlights broader trends in education market dynamics. The competition for top-tier institutions reflects a growing premium on specialized education and the resources required to maintain such standards. As the cost of living rises, schools are forced to adjust their pricing models while maintaining quality, creating a unique challenge—and opportunity—for educators and parents alike.
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/22/2026