What Recession? Enrollment up at Pricey Knox School

Despite a lingering recession that's led most Americans to tighten their spending, one of the region's most prestigious private schools is seeing enrollment climb, despite steady increases to its pricey tuition.

So far, enrollment at Nissequogue's The Knox School for 2011-12 school year is 128 students, but according to Duncan Marshall, assistant headmaster for enrollment and external affairs, the number is expected to eclipse 140 students.

In the 2010-11 school year, 125 students enrolled in the school. In 2009-10 there were 105 on the bucolic campus, located in area surrounded by North Shore bluffs and million-dollar estates.

The Knox School, which is both a day school and boarding school, prides itself on its rigorous college-prep curriculum and electives such as its equestrian program.

Virginia Riccardi, assistant director of development and English department chairperson, said parents send children to the school for individualized instruction, small class sizes, and especially the equestrian program, a staple at the school since its beginnings in 1904.

“We teach kids how to be leaders … we focus a lot on character as well as the educational program – we build character in the kids, we teach them to be leaders, we teach them to give back to their community,” she said.

But character building doesn't come cheap. Parents must annually spend anywhere from $23,870 for students who commute to the school to $43,286 for seven-day boarding. Five-day boarding costs $41,056 a year.

That's higher than 2010, when commuter tuition was $23,175, five-day boarding cost $39,860 and seven-day boarding cost $42,025.

Marshall said the school increases tuition by 2 or 3 percent annually to keep up with increased costs, though it also offers flexible tuition plans for families facing economic hardships.

“We have a wonderful product here, a wonderful educational program to offer to students throughout the community and we would like to make it happen at a price that is more affordable for families yet a price that is still economically viable for us,” Marshall said.

Riccardi said flexible tuition is need-based, and that commuting student tuition can be cut up to 50 percent, which is still more than a year's tuition at nearby Stony Brook University. Of course, the student has to get in first, which means having good transcripts, recommendations and high scores on admission tests.

The Knox School, which expects to continue to attract enrollees at its three remaining open houses, also offers merit scholarships to help lower costs.