I was all for this until I saw the tuition to Midland is $70k+. Sweet Jesus! It's expensive to live on a hippie compound these days. Is it impossible for the FP to escape elitism even within the teenage demographic?
I was all for this until I saw the tuition to Midland is $70k+. Sweet Jesus! It's expensive to live on a hippie compound these days. Is it impossible for the FP to escape elitism even within the teenage demographic?
This is Heather from the Admissions team at Midland School. Midland offers need-based financial assistance and has since its founding in 1932. The purpose is to ensure a diverse community of learners. Some of our students receive close to full tuition assistance, while some are full-pay, and others are everywhere in between. We aim to make Midland affordable for those who are ready for this experience and believe in the mission. Also, taking care of 2800 acres of ranch land, 20+ horses, 16 cattle, a 10-acre organic farm, pigs, chickens, dozens of historical structures, and more does become a bit pricey.
There's 80 students and 20 staff, which is a very high staff to student ratio. Assuming each staff member costs $100K when you include benefits, employer SS taxes, employer SDI etc. that's $2 million right there. And it sounds like not everyone pays the full amount. Also, maintaining the physical plant in a remote area is more expensive. I doubt anyone is getting rich from the school.
Thanks Scott for bringing some reality into the conversation about tuition! I'm at Midland. Many of our competitor schools in California charge similar tuition, and we have a 4:1 student to faculty ratio and 2,860 acres of land to maintain. The philosophy of "needs vs wants" which has been with Midland from the beginning is what makes it work.
Shortly after I posted, my scepticism kicked in. Maybe no phones are allowed because they don't want the curriculum escaping their property's borders. It is California after all. To your point child labor is cheap. Make them do everything by hand. The more I think about it schools really should be run like labor camps!!
I work at Midland and I attest that is not the case! I personally took a cut in salary & benefits to come here from a top international school in Seoul. It's pretty rustic and everyone pitches in, wears a lot of hats. Faculty and staff are always trying to model the "needs vs wants" philosophy.
I cynically predicted that a classroom with books, paper and pencil (essentially no tech), would become the domain of the affluent, while tablets, screens, remote learning and eventually, no teachers, will become the entrenched norm for the lower classes. The future is less than bright.
Exactly what I was thinking. Not sure if Prison Blues are still a thing but this school should be marketing whatever their equivalent is. I'll take a few 36x32's and whatever license plate designs they've got.
I was all for this until I saw the tuition to Midland is $70k+. Sweet Jesus! It's expensive to live on a hippie compound these days. Is it impossible for the FP to escape elitism even within the teenage demographic?
Everything is expensive in 2023. At least this school seems like it actually helps.
For $70,000 it damn well better!!
This is Heather from the Admissions team at Midland School. Midland offers need-based financial assistance and has since its founding in 1932. The purpose is to ensure a diverse community of learners. Some of our students receive close to full tuition assistance, while some are full-pay, and others are everywhere in between. We aim to make Midland affordable for those who are ready for this experience and believe in the mission. Also, taking care of 2800 acres of ranch land, 20+ horses, 16 cattle, a 10-acre organic farm, pigs, chickens, dozens of historical structures, and more does become a bit pricey.
There's 80 students and 20 staff, which is a very high staff to student ratio. Assuming each staff member costs $100K when you include benefits, employer SS taxes, employer SDI etc. that's $2 million right there. And it sounds like not everyone pays the full amount. Also, maintaining the physical plant in a remote area is more expensive. I doubt anyone is getting rich from the school.
Thanks Scott for bringing some reality into the conversation about tuition! I'm at Midland. Many of our competitor schools in California charge similar tuition, and we have a 4:1 student to faculty ratio and 2,860 acres of land to maintain. The philosophy of "needs vs wants" which has been with Midland from the beginning is what makes it work.
I want to go to Midland but I need a rich parent?
Seems like it could be done for cheaper with less admin. Although i'm sure certain things like a farm cost a lot in infrastructure and upkeep.
Shortly after I posted, my scepticism kicked in. Maybe no phones are allowed because they don't want the curriculum escaping their property's borders. It is California after all. To your point child labor is cheap. Make them do everything by hand. The more I think about it schools really should be run like labor camps!!
Our students at Midland do still have laptops and WiFi access in the academic areas, but not where they sleep. So the secret could certainly get out!
That was my immediate thought as well! A benefit for the "well-to-do" while the rest of us just slog along...
Where is the money going, given that they grow their own food, provide their own wood, etc? The teachers and admins must make a pretty penny.
I work at Midland and I attest that is not the case! I personally took a cut in salary & benefits to come here from a top international school in Seoul. It's pretty rustic and everyone pitches in, wears a lot of hats. Faculty and staff are always trying to model the "needs vs wants" philosophy.
I cynically predicted that a classroom with books, paper and pencil (essentially no tech), would become the domain of the affluent, while tablets, screens, remote learning and eventually, no teachers, will become the entrenched norm for the lower classes. The future is less than bright.
Exactly what I was thinking. Not sure if Prison Blues are still a thing but this school should be marketing whatever their equivalent is. I'll take a few 36x32's and whatever license plate designs they've got.