Why is Horace Mann School called an independent school?
Horace Mann School is an independent school because it designs its own programs and curriculum. The school operates without financial support from the Federal Government or from New York State and is governed by its own elected Board of Trustees. Unlike public schools, which are funded by tax dollars, Horace Mann School relies upon tuition, endowment income, and fundraising to meet its operating expenses. Q: Why should I contribute to the Annual Fund? Isn’t tuition enough? A: The continuing success of the Annual Fund has a direct impact on the quality of a Horace Mann education. Tuition covers only 87% of the cost of educating a Horace Mann student. Money raised through the Annual Fund helps bridge this gap. The heart of the operating budget includes teachers’ salaries, physical plant maintenance, and the financial aid program. Q: Why can’t the school draw more money from the endowment instead of fundraising? A: Horace Mann is fortunate to have an endowment that allows the school to pu
