Communications from the Director

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Communications from the Director

On the Same Page: Closing the "Gap"

November 2007
David W. Magill, Director

No, not the retail-clothing establishment; rather, I refer to the difference between the cost of an education at the Laboratory Schools and the tuition and fees charged to families.

The gap is an important reality since our annual appeal, The Community of Givers, is just under way. Here is the quick math:

	Total Cost of a Lab Education (06-07)	$34,043,018
	Number of Lab Schools’ Families	1,185
	Average Cost Per Family	$28,728
	Revenue Per Family (Tuition, Fees, Auxiliary Programs)	$26,357
	THE “GAP” Per Family	$2,371

It bears repeating from time to time that, in addition to the gap, there are “soft costs” (legal fees, payroll, accounts payable, 20 percent of our utility usage, etc.) that are absorbed by the University of Chicago, allowing us to keep our annual student tuition lower than other independent schools in Chicago.

In my former public school life, the district was required to close the gap by increasing taxes and/or decreasing expenditures. Defending annual budgets or cutting programs in front of a crowd of hopeful parents and angry taxpayers is not something that I miss. I would much rather speak to the overall quality of an educational institution, explain what is included among the expenditures, share comparative statistics of like independent schools, and finally, ask families directly affiliated with the Schools to help make up the difference.

Three years ago, the Laboratory Schools began recognizing families giving $2,500 or more as members of the Dewey Founder’s Society. We are very much aware that gifts this large are not possible for many families. At this point in our Schools’ history, we are increasing our focus on greater participation with a goal of having all families contribute a dollar amount with which they are comfortable. Some can give more money, some can give more time, but every family can benefit by investing some of both in their school. If every family were to make a contribution proportionate with their means, we would move miles ahead.

Measurable philanthropic progress has been made in the past few years, and there are many things to which we can point that have been made possible by the generosity of those who care about our Schools. I urge you to help us continue this progress and join the greater Lab community in closing the gap.

In December On the Same Page will return to a discussion of Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind, written by a Lab Schools guest writer.