So that's for a school year or a month? For 9 months at our pre-school, which is private, but non-parochial, the only class options for 2 hours a day, 2 days a week is for the two year old program. For next year, it's $216 per month, so $1944 for the year. It's a little more than the most preschools around here (Chicago suburbs), but not out of the ballpark at all. The park districts and Y have programs that are closer to your $890, but honestly I feel like the education is inferior. And we personally don't want our kids to go to parochial school.

The four year old program is go 3 days a week, 3 hours a day and costs about $320 a month—$2280 a year. (I don't have a four year now so I'm not sure much how the price as gone up.)

I know it's a lot, but it's been money well spent. We do all of the usual learning at home, but this just reinforces it. Also, the school is academic rather than play oriented so they do a lot of stuff that I'm simply not qualified to teach them, i.e. Spanish. It's really resulted in a love of learning that we hope continues in them forever.

My kids go to parochial school, and, both my husband and I attended them as well.

No, it's not cheap, and, the tuition doesn't come easily for us and lots of other people as well.

Sending our kids there doesn't mean we abdicate our responsibility to teach our children about our faith.

A quality Catholic education is important to us, and, that's what we do.

Wait until it's high school tuition and it's $19,000 a year - not including uniforms and books.

But that amount comes with one of the best college prep programs in the nation and with it, top college/scholarship offers.

My kids are in public school now but will attend Catholic high Schools.

My four year old does attend a catholic preschool - we did a secular school last year but went with our parish program this year and we and he loves it. The little kids have special kid Mass once a month they learn prayers and about the saints.

Wait until it's high school tuition and it's $19,000 a year - not including uniforms and books.

But that amount comes with one of the best college prep programs in the nation and with it, top college/scholarship offers.

My kids are in public school now but will attend Catholic high Schools.

My four year old does attend a catholic preschool - we did a secular school last year but went with our parish program this year and we and he loves it. The little kids have special kid Mass once a month they learn prayers and about the saints.

When you look at the cost that is $100 a month. Most other decent preschools are more than double

Is that $890/month?

My view on pre-school is that it's intended to teach children how to function in a group, follow directions, and accept another source of authority apart from their parents. Academics are secondary (as would be religious teachings, if I were to send my kids to a church or temple pre-school).

My two girls attend parochial school (grades pre-k and 1) and let me tell you, your getting off cheap! Ours has a $200 non-refundable deposit and is $1550 for 3 1/2 days.

I think it depends on every situation. For us, it is the right thing. Our public schools are sub-par and have so many behavioral issues that it's not the best learning environment. Their school is very nurturing and is like it's own little community, a family. We still go to Mass on Sundays and talk about faith at home. But yes, tuition is a deal-breaker for most. We'd rather sacrifice (and this is mostly vacations) for them to be able to have the best education they can. They are the forth generation of the family to go to this particular school (on Husband's side, I went to public school).

As for the snobbery, so far we haven't encountered any. My girls play with public school kids, go to rec. sponsored events and play in public parks. And I hope that they do not develop any snobbish tendencies, but can appreciate the education they are receiving.

Robyn, it's $890 for 8 months, two days per week, 2 hours per day. I know there are even pricier schools out there and I really shouldn't complain. It just seems like a lot of money to pay for a 3-year-old to attend. I found out last night that kindergarten is $1500 a year.

BusyMom, I'm glad to hear you say that you are still involved with your kids' Catholic education. So many of the parents I spoke to said they didn't really know where to begin so they let the schools do it. Currently Dawson attends daycare and I make it my priority to teach him to say his prayers (even if he makes them up). I think it's important to be involved to get the most out of any type of education, public or parochial.

Julie, thanks for your voice of reason. I really didn't expect him to add or subtract. And he kind of knows how to count and say his alphabet. Dawson functions well in a group already because of his large daycare, so I thought preschool was the logical next step and would provide more structure, more routine.

Mary, that sounds wonderful. I'm still leaning toward St. Bron's if only for the reason that I know all the teachers so well. That's an added bonus.

Margaret, I'm happy to hear that your girls haven't encountered snobbery. My own cousins attended parochial schools and they won't even give us the time of day (and we're family!).

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said "I think it's important to be involved to get the most out of any type of education, public or parochial". We've made it a habit to volunteer in the classroom, at extra curricular activities, fund raisers, ect. We are at the school fairly ofter for different reasons (all good). But I have alot of friends who feel once the kids get off the bus, thats it for the next 7 hours.

The key is being involved and taking an active interest in their education.

Thats one of the benefits of their school, most parent are involved in one way or another. It just strengthens the family-type bond the school creates. I know if I am volunteering at a basketball game, the girls will be safe either watching the game or in the concession area even if I am not there. There are so many other parents that someone is always watching out. Like this past weekend where I was sitting two feet away from Moe, but turned away for one second. In that second, she dashed onto the court and into the path of a back-pedaling ref. I turned to see another mother dash in to grab her right before she would have been stepped on.

So that's for a school year or a month? For 9 months at our pre-school, which is private, but non-parochial, the only class options for 2 hours a day, 2 days a week is for the two year old program. For next year, it's $216 per month, so $1944 for the year. It's a little more than the most preschools around here (Chicago suburbs), but not out of the ballpark at all. The park districts and Y have programs that are closer to your $890, but honestly I feel like the education is inferior. And we personally don't want our kids to go to parochial school.

The four year old program is go 3 days a week, 3 hours a day and costs about $320 a month—$2280 a year. (I don't have a four year now so I'm not sure much how the price as gone up.)

I know it's a lot, but it's been money well spent. We do all of the usual learning at home, but this just reinforces it. Also, the school is academic rather than play oriented so they do a lot of stuff that I'm simply not qualified to teach them, i.e. Spanish. It's really resulted in a love of learning that we hope continues in them forever.

If you son is in daycare, I'd skip the two hours a day type preschools. Don't they do school at daycare? Around here all the PK-3 and PK-4 programs are all school day and run about $3500/year in a Catholic school, with after school care, if needed, running another $5/day. The public school pre-k's are free if you qualify for free lunch, or about $300/month if you don't.

As far as whether to use a public or Catholic school when they get older, I'd stay it depends. It depends on the child, the schools, and what your family must give up to finance the tuition.

If you son is in daycare, I'd skip the two hours a day type preschools. Don't they do school at daycare? Around here all the PK-3 and PK-4 programs are all school day and run about $3500/year in a Catholic school, with after school care, if needed, running another $5/day. The public school pre-k's are free if you qualify for free lunch, or about $300/month if you don't.

As far as whether to use a public or Catholic school when they get older, I'd stay it depends. It depends on the child, the schools, and what your family must give up to finance the tuition.

Dawson's daycare is a private, home facility. There are ten kids total, 4 of which are his age, and the rest are a few years older and younger.

Our daycare person does her best to do craft projects, read books and offer great learning activities, and I appreciate all she does. I do want to give Dawson a classroom experience, too.

Dana, preschool at the Catholic school that five of my kids attend is $235 a month for five half days a week. I'm sending five kids there - for substantially more than that - plus one to a Catholic high school, more like a prep school. The tuition there is close to $11,000.

We absolutely discuss our faith with our children on a daily basis. We pray in the morning and at night, and are very involved with our church. We don't depend on our school to educate our children in our faith, but the education that they have received there in ALL subjects is leaps ahead of the local public schools.

My daughter attends a local co-op nursery school for 2 mornings a week (2-1/2 hours a morning). It costs $90/month for 9 months (the cost will go up to $115/month next year when she's 4 and thus in the 3-morning/week program). That's almost a thousand dollars for the year, but I've been told that is extremely inexpensive (mainly because it's a co-op and the parents contribute time, supplies, etc.). I think many, many preschools cost a great deal more than this. It's all relative!

Carmen, thanks for you comment. I do think the Catholic schools offer a better ration of students to teachers, and they do appear to offer a better education. That's a plus for me. The hubs and I are still discussing it.