Many parents are surprised when they first check private school tuition. One family looking to move to Closter experienced this. They revised their budget after seeing the tuition for the nearby Dwight-Englewood School.

Dwight-Englewood School is a private school for grades Pre-K through 12 located in Englewood, Bergen County. For the 2024-25 school year, the tuition for grades 6 through 12 is $59,235 per year. The admission competition is also quite tough, with an acceptance rate around 50 percent. Looking at college admission statistics, 40.58 percent of graduates attend top 50 colleges in the U.S., and 9.42 percent go to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, or MIT.

If this level of tuition is burdensome, it may be worth looking into the public school district that Closter is part of. The Northern Valley Regional High School Demarest Campus, where Closter students attend, has a GreatSchools rating of 10 out of 10. Niche rated this district as the best in New Jersey. With 1,038 students, the student-to-teacher ratio is 10 to 1. According to state testing standards, 78 percent of students are proficient in math, and 80 percent are proficient in reading. For reference, the GreatSchools rating combines test scores, college readiness, and equity indicators into a score out of 10, while Niche adds parent and student reviews, safety, and facility evaluations to give grades from A to F. Considering both metrics can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the school.

Looking at housing prices, Closter is already on the higher side. According to Zillow, the average home value is $1,181,658, which has increased by 7.6 percent over the past year. Based on Redfin, the recent median sale price has reached around $1.5 million. In addition to private school tuition, this level of housing budget must also be factored in to see the actual moving costs.

Dwight-Englewood School accepts applications in the fall and announces accepted students in early spring. They consider the school's own entrance exam, previous report cards, teacher recommendations, and interviews. If you plan to apply for financial aid, there are separate deadlines for document submission, so it's advisable to check the schedule with the admissions office in advance.

Closter is a quiet town primarily consisting of single-family homes, making it suitable for families looking for houses with yards. There are not many rental listings, so if you plan to rent, you need to act quickly as soon as listings become available. For accurate rental prices, check Apartments.com or RentCafe for specific listings. If you're considering investment, this area has a consistent school district premium, but you should also assess the risks as you cannot definitively predict home price increases.

New Jersey has one of the highest property tax rates in the U.S. Families moving from other states should not judge solely based on the sale price. You need to consider how much property tax you will pay annually to understand the actual burden. It's advisable to check property taxes by address with the Bergen County Tax Assessor's office in advance.

When buying a home, you should also account for closing costs and home insurance in addition to the sale price. Closing costs can vary between lenders and title companies, so it's best to get estimates in advance. Closter has many single-family homes, so it's also a good idea to check for inspections of aging systems like roofs or boilers in addition to fire insurance before signing a contract.

Due to the significant differences in monthly payments based on mortgage rates, it's wise to check the latest rates through Freddie Mac's weekly announcements. Closter is accessible to Manhattan via the George Washington Bridge, so there are quite a few families commuting in that direction. Consider tuition, housing budget, and commuting time together when making your decision.

Initially, the family was shocked by the tuition figures, but after considering public school options, their choices expanded. Calculating tuition, housing prices, and property taxes all at once provides a clearer picture of the actual budget.

School district boundaries can change frequently, so before signing a contract, it's advisable to verify which school the specific address is assigned to on the district's website. If considering private schools, it's also a good idea to directly ask the admissions office if there are financial aid programs available. This article is not investment or legal advice, and consulting a professional before making any contracts is recommended.