When looking for high schools for your children in Jacksonville, you will eventually find yourself weighing the options between public magnet schools and private schools.

If you get into a good public school like Stanton or Paxson, there is no tuition burden, but if you value small class sizes, sports, college preparation, and religious education, private schools will also catch your eye. However, you need to carefully consider the tuition costs for private schools.

The most well-known option is The Bolles School.

Founded in 1933, it is a representative private school in Jacksonville that operates from kindergarten through 12th grade, and high school students can choose to commute or live on campus.

Bolles is among the more expensive private schools in Jacksonville.

Looking at recent tuition levels, you should expect the annual cost for high school grades 9-12 to exceed approximately $30,000. Previously, the published tuition was around $30,810, and it can be adjusted each year. Even with simple calculations over four years, the high school tuition alone exceeds $120,000.

The boarding program is completely different. The annual cost can rise to about $70,000.

This includes boarding and meals, bringing it to a similar amount as the tuition and living expenses of expensive private universities in the U.S.

The high cost of Bolles is also due to the substantial facilities and program offerings. There are various college preparatory courses, including AP classes, and strong sports and arts programs.

In particular, their swimming program is nationally recognized, having produced several Olympic athletes. This is why families that value both sports and academics take an interest.

The second option is the Episcopal School of Jacksonville. This private school, rooted in the Episcopal tradition, places equal importance on college preparation, arts, and sports.

Based on the public tuition for the 2025-2026 school year, the middle school tuition is about $32,600, while the high school tuition is approximately $33,750 per year.

Assuming the tuition does not increase over the four years of high school, it would amount to about $135,000. In reality, tuition can be adjusted each year, so budgeting based solely on the initial amount at enrollment may not be sufficient.

The third option is Bishop Kenny High School. This Catholic private high school, located near the St. Johns River, operates from 9th to 12th grade. It has a lower tuition burden compared to Bolles or Episcopal, making it a popular choice for families seeking a Catholic education.

The annual tuition at Bishop Kenny is roughly in the mid-$10,000 range. However, the tuition may differ for families that meet the parish criteria as Catholic members, and there may be additional costs such as registration fees. Still, compared to Bolles or Episcopal, which exceed $30,000 annually, the difference is significant.

One important thing for parents to know is that paying the Tuition listed on the website is not the end of the costs for private schools. Additional expenses can arise from application fees, registration costs, uniforms, laptops or tablets, textbooks, meals, sports participation fees, travel, or special activity costs.

For example, even if the annual tuition is $33,000, the actual amount spent by families due to school-related expenses can be higher. If a child participates in multiple sports or overseas programs and special activities, the difference can grow even larger. Therefore, I believe it is wise to ask the school for an estimate of the total expected costs for the year when considering private schools.

That said, not only families who can pay the listed tuition in cash can receive support. Depending on the school, there may be financial aid available, and some students may qualify for Florida's private school tuition assistance program. Eligibility and amounts vary by family and student, so it's best to inquire about this alongside the application process.

Ultimately, if you choose a private high school in Jacksonville, the cost differences are significant. Bolles and Episcopal are high-end private schools with annual costs exceeding $30,000, while Bishop Kenny is a Catholic school with a lower burden. On the other hand, if you get accepted into public magnet schools like Stanton or Paxson, you can receive a high level of college preparatory education without tuition costs.

Therefore, rather than making a decision based solely on the school names, it is most realistic to compare your child's personality, college goals, religious education, sports and arts activities, and the total costs you can realistically manage over four years.