FOR some young families who bought during the housing boom, having it all meant an affordable brood-sized apartment in possession of a good public school zone. But other parents in pursuit of real estate never even thought about schools. They assumed they would send their children to private school, often because they too had followed that route.
That was before the economic crisis. Now, as many would-be private school parents scramble for a good public school, there is a despairing recognition that in this respect, geography is destiny: With odds of being accepted into a popular school in another zone slimmer than ever, they either live in a neighborhood with a decent elementary or they don’t.
Renters and first-time buyers are in the best position to light out for better school zones with their young offspring. Meanwhile, landlocked owners ”” unable or unwilling to sell in a down market or to spend around $33,000 a year to send their child to private school ”” are panicking.
The Christian Academy where I teach is at 90% enrollment for next year. The Board expects to pick up at least 12 more student for the 2009-2010 school year and that will give the high school a solid enrollment. Has the economy had a negative effect? Yes, but these parents tend to make Christian education a priority and will sacrifice to keep their children in the school.