I'm going to respectfully disagree with you. Private schools are outrageously expensive.
Thoeting,
The following are the costs of private schools. Oh...and why the prejudice against schools that have a religious affiliation?
By the way, the tuition at my alma mater, St. Joan of Arc, in inner city Philadelphia was a mere $2,383 for the 2002/2003 school year. This is, indeed, less than the cost of babysitting for a pre-schooler.
http://www.cato.org/dailys/09-08-03.html
The most recent figures available from the U.S. Department of Education show that in 2000 the average tuition for private elementary schools nationwide was $3,267. Government figures also indicate that 41 percent of all private elementary and secondary schools -- more than 27,000 nationwide -- charged less than $2,500 for tuition. Less than 21 percent of all private schools charged more than $5,000 per year in tuition. According to these figures, elite and very expensive private schools tend to be the exception in their communities, not the rule.
Many people may think private schools are expensive because the costlier private schools also tend to be the most well known. For example, many in Houston have heard about St. John's or Tenney High School, where tuition runs over $13,000 a year. But fewer Houstonians have likely heard of Southeast Academy, Woodward Acres, or Pecan Street Christian Academy, all of which charge less than $3,000 per year, well below the city's private school average of $4,468.
Average private school tuition in other cities tells the same story: a large number of moderately priced private schools with a few very expensive, well-known exceptions. Median private elementary school tuition in Denver is $3,528. In Charleston, $3,150. In Philadelphia, $2,504. In New Orleans, $2,386.
I had no prejudice against any school. I googled private schools and tuition and then posted Catholic, Christian, traditional and military. The list was much too long to post in its entirety. I did not post the most expensive or the least expensive, but a sample from the middle and a bit out on each end. I even mentioned that I knew of a Lutheran K-8 school that is FREE to anyone. FREE is a good price. It beats 50% off every day. So, how did I show a prejudice? Again, you toss around accusations that dilute your argument.
Your post supports what I said however, the schools connected with a church tend to be cheaper. Those that stand alone tend to be more. It averages out.