Matt Radke and wife Catherine with children Lily, Charlie and Tucker. 

Matt Radtke, Director of Institutional Advancement at Episcopal Collegiate School, talks to Little Rock Family about the options and opportunities of independent school education.

 

Private school is often viewed as an option only for the wealthy. Is that true?

MR: No, not at all.  I understand why that perception exists, but all families — regardless of income — want the best education for their children. As a father of three, providing a strong educational foundation is one of the best things that I can do to prepare my children for college and life. We are fortunate to have some great independent schools in Little Rock, and some are more accessible financially than many families realize.  At Episcopal Collegiate, nearly 20 percent of our student body receives need-based financial aid.

Don’t be scared off by the tuition “sticker shock.” Be open-minded and learn more. You might be surprised to learn that families earning $75K - $150K annually accounted for almost half of Episcopal Collegiate’s financial aid applicants last year. The overall average financial aid award was $8,057.

 

Why is financial aid important to independent schools?

MR: For most families, investing in an independent school education requires careful planning. Episcopal Collegiate’s financial aid program, like many other independent schools, is designed to help the school enroll a talented, bright, socially and economically diverse group of students who otherwise might not be eligible to attend Episcopal. Making education affordable for all qualified students is a priority at Episcopal. On average, 20 percent of the Episcopal Collegiate student body receives financial aid. It’s important to remember that the process is confidential. Only members of the financial aid committee are involved in the process — no teachers, board members or other students. Most independent schools’ financial aid program is grant based, which means that you do not have to pay it back, similar to a scholarship.

 

What advice do you have for families who want to provide an independent school education for their children but are worried about the cost?

MR: Many families assume that they are not eligible for financial aid and do not apply. Everybody’s financial situation is different. As a result, I encourage families to ask about financial aid even if you think you would not qualify. Financial aid is available for all income families. Don’t assume that you can’t afford it. A good independent school makes education accessible for all qualified students. Don’t shy away from asking about it during the admissions process. In addition, you may find that many schools provide numerous payment plan options to help spread out the cost over 10 or 12 months.

 

Affording an Independent School Education

Dec. 6, 6-7 p.m. | Episcopal Collegiate Middle School Erwin Library

Please join Matt Radtke to learn more about Episcopal Collegiate's financial aid program and opportunities for prospective families. For more information, contact Matt at (501) 978-4420 or email mradtke@episcopalcollegiate.org.

 

Matt Radke and his wife, Catherine, who serves as Director of Learning Services at Episcopal Collegiate, have three children – twins Lily and Tucker, who are seventh graders at Episcopal Collegiate, and Charlie, a second grader. Matt is a graduate of The Hun School of Princeton, Southern Methodist University and George Washington. He has been a teacher and administrator at The Webb School in Tennessee, Woodward Academy in Georgia, Baylor School in Tennessee, and Hammond in South Carolina.