Understanding the Costs Associated with New Trier High School

New Trier High School is a highly regarded public high school with a rich history and a strong reputation for academic excellence. While public schools are fundamentally "free, tax-supported, school controlled by a local government authority,” the reality at New Trier involves various fees that contribute to its top-tier educational environment. This article delves into the costs associated with attending New Trier, examining the necessity of these fees, their impact on families, and the school's efforts to provide financial assistance.

A Brief Overview of New Trier High School

New Trier Township High School, known as NTHS, operates with a main campus for sophomores through seniors in Winnetka, Illinois, and a separate campus in Northfield, Illinois, for first-year students and district administration. The school boasts a long history of academic and extracurricular achievements. The first edition of The New Trier News was published in 1920. In 1934, the track and field team won the school's first IHSA state championship. By 1970, New Trier was home to the nation's first public high school-based CCTV instructional station, ITV, which broadcast educational programming to township elementary schools via microwave signals. New Trier's mascot is the Trevian, named after soldiers from the city of Trier, Germany, during the Roman Empire.

The Cost of "Free" Public Education at New Trier

While New Trier is a public school, students and their families encounter several fees. Last year, superintendent Linda Yonke told TribLocal that students pay an average of $650 per school year to cover books, school supplies, and student fees. Yonke indicated that the student fees amount to about half of the $650. These fees cover various aspects of the New Trier experience, from classroom materials to extracurricular activities. As one source notes, "We are paying for everything we do at New Trier. That KW class you really want to drop but can’t? You’re paying for it. Those class projects that Moira hates so much? Yes, you guessed it, you’re paying for it."

Breakdown of Fees

The fees at New Trier can be broken down into several categories:

Student Fees: These fees cover books, school supplies, and other essential materials.
Activity Fee: The activity fee ($103) partially funds materials/supplies for extracurricular activities as well as providing opportunities for participation in student clubs, athletics, and performing arts.
New Trier Parent's Association (NTPA) Dues: The NTPA dues are $50.
Driver Education: The fee for Driver Education is $500, set by the State of Illinois.
Transportation: Transportation costs vary depending on the service needed.
Student Parking: Student parking costs $1,200 and is available for senior students only.

The Necessity of Fees

The fees charged at New Trier are considered necessary to maintain the high-quality educational environment that the school offers. These fees support essential elements such as Student Accident Insurance, Social Studies Publications, and Class Projects and Activities. Additional resources are acquired that are not covered by property taxes. As one source states, "After all, extra things not paid for by property taxes like Student Accident Insurance, Social Studies Publications, and Class Projects and Activities are essential to New Trier inside and outside the classroom and need to be paid for somehow." The fees allow for the provision of books and textbooks, ensuring that students have the resources they need without relying on a lending system like that of Chicago Public Schools.

The Financial Burden on Families

While many families recognize the value of a New Trier education and willingly pay the associated fees, the financial burden can be significant, especially for families who do not fit the stereotype of extreme wealth. Charging students an average of $300 per year for four years amounts to $1200 per child in high school. The potential implementation of participation fees for varsity sports raises concerns about limiting access to high-level athletic opportunities for students who cannot afford expensive club fees.

Financial Assistance Programs

New Trier offers a financial assistance program for families who qualify, in accordance with Board of Education Policy 4-140: Waiver of School Fees. The District Financial Assistance Program offers aid with fee waivers, transportation waivers, textbook waivers, free lunch program and iPad loans. Approval is based on current household income, SNAP enrollment and/or extenuating circumstances as outlined by Board Policy. Families interested in applying for financial assistance can complete an online form in the parent portal in PowerSchool. The financial assistance form is available in the parent PowerSchool portal under Forms tab. Applications are reviewed by the Associate Superintendent, and families are typically notified of a decision within five business days.

Eligibility for Financial Assistance

Approval for financial assistance is based on various factors, including:

Current household size
Income
Participation in the SNAP/TNAF programs
Job loss/layoff/receiving unemployment benefits
Having a parent/guardian on disability
Other extenuating circumstances

The school fees are assessed to all students including outplaced students and students attending the Transition Center each year to support curricular and extracurricular programs. These student fees account for less than 1% of District revenue but are an important part of the budget.

New Trier's Commitment to Accessibility

Despite the costs associated with attending New Trier, the school remains committed to providing an accessible education for all students within its district. The administration and school board are mindful of the definition of a public school and strive to balance the need for fees with the goal of ensuring that all students have the opportunity to benefit from a New Trier education.

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A Look at New Trier's History and Achievements

New Trier High School has a storied past marked by academic excellence, athletic achievements, and a commitment to innovation.

Academic Excellence

New Trier has a long-standing reputation for academic rigor and achievement. Subject-level grouping allows students to work at different levels of difficulty in each subject, ensuring that they are challenged appropriately. New Trier offers unweighted and weighted grade point averages (GPA); plus and minus grades are reported on transcripts. Weighted GPAs provide additional value depending on the level in which the grade is earned. In the class of 2024, 33 students were National Merit finalists, 36 were National Merit semifinalists, 79 received letters of commendation, and 365 were Illinois State Scholars. The average composite ACT score for the class of 2024 was 27.5.

Extracurricular Activities and Awards

New Trier's commitment to music education is evident through its numerous awards and accolades. New Trier ensembles or individuals have received 39 awards in the Downbeat Student Music Awards program. New Trier was named a Grammy Signature School Gold recipient by the Grammy Foundation in 2000 and was named the National Signature School in 2007 as the nation's top high school music program. In April 2006, the school's Concert Choir and Symphony Orchestra performed in New York City at Carnegie Hall. New Trier Science Olympiad is recognized as one of the leading Science Olympiad teams in the United States. New Trier's Lagniappe-Potpourri is an annual student-written, student-choreographed, student-composed, student-directed, student-managed, student-built, and student-performed variety show. Founded in 1919, the New Trier News is the school’s student-run publication. New Trier's debate program has flourished in recent years, with two students receiving the top speaker award at the Tournament of Champions.

Athletics

With more than 120 state championships, New Trier High School has more than any other high school in Illinois. The sports in which New Trier has the most IHSA-sponsored state titles are boys' swimming and diving (24), boys' tennis (19), girls' swimming and diving (14), boys' golf (9), girls' tennis (9), and girls' badminton (8). New Trier has been strong in the sport of baseball, twice as state champions, winning in 2000 and 2009. New Trier East won the state chess championship in 1975, the year that chess became an official IHSA sport.

Registration and Enrollment

In order to enroll at New Trier Township High School, students must live within district boundaries on a full-time permanent basis. Throughout the school year, the Registrar’s Office supports transfer students and incoming freshmen and their families as they transition to New Trier Township High School. To begin the registration process, you are required to complete a pre-registration form.

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