July 22, 2019 at 01:19AM
Whether it's high school or elementary, between school supplies, registration fees, extra-curricular activity fees and additional course fees, going back to school can cost a pretty parental penny.
According to state law, "No fees of any kind shall be collected from children attending any of the first six grades during the school term supported by public taxation." That has been interpreted to mean kindergarten through fifth grade.
While children in Kindergarten through fifth grade may not be charged required dues and fees, it is not 100% free. Many schools ask students for classroom supplies and field trip fees.
Mountain Brook Elementary Kindergarten fees include $24 for activities, $50 for field trips, $22 for a yearbook, $68 for school supplies, and $35 for curriculum enhancement.
School fees vary drastically between districts. Wealthier districts are able to offer a wider range of courses and opportunities for students, in addition to coursework required for graduation.
School supplies
The average school supply list costs parents more than $100 for things like tissues, notebooks, crayons and hand sanitizer. While many of those supplies are for individual children, some are for the entire classroom to use.
Alabama back-to-school sales tax holiday is July 19-21: List of tax-free items
Alabama has set the dates for its upcoming back-to-school sales tax holiday.
While state law doesn't specifically address supplies, the state department of education has issued guidance for school districts in their Financial Procedures for Local Schools booklet:
"Voluntary contributions may be requested for various items purchased by the school that are used in academic courses and classes including workbooks, supplemental instructional materials, lockers, sheet music and other academic purposes. The voluntary nature of the contribution must be clearly stated in the request for the contributions. Non-payment of requested contributions cannot be used against a student and the student must be provided the same instructional items as if payment was made on behalf of the student."
While many families line up in neighborhood stores to shop for supplies, some schools use grant money and community contributions for student school supplies.
The school supply lists given to students in every grade are optional and should say they're optional, according to state law.
Shelby elementary school supply list 2018-19
Extracurriculars
There are many positives to children being involved in extracurricular activities, whether it's football, band or the National Honor Society.
But participation often comes with a high price. Many schools charge fees just for try-outs.
While it looks great on college applications, being in the band often costs more than $200. At Birmingham's Ramsay High School, the band musician assessment fee is $290 alone.
One of the most expensive extracurricular activities is cheerleading. Birmingham's Parker High School's cheerleading spirit pack is $1,480. On the elementary school level, W.J. Christian Elementary splits its fee into six cheerleading payments over the school year, totaling $760.
Other sports like soccer, baseball and football cost more than $200.
AP courses and other optional courses
Public schools cannot charge any fees, other than science lab fees, for courses required for graduation under state law.
Many high schools in school districts that can afford it offer additional Advanced Placement or career and technical training courses to help prepare students for life after graduation.
AP courses cost about $100 per course. Other additional courses like fine arts, foreign language and other career tech courses range from about $10-60 per course.
Typically, course fees have to be paid at registration.
Homewood High School course fees
How much do you pay to send your children back to school?
Whether it's high school or elementary, between school supplies, registration fees, extra-curricular activity fees and additional course fees, going back to school can cost a pretty parental penny.
According to state law, "No fees of any kind shall be collected from children attending any of the first six grades during the school term supported by public taxation." That has been interpreted to mean kindergarten through fifth grade.
While children in Kindergarten through fifth grade may not be charged required dues and fees, it is not 100% free. Many schools ask students for classroom supplies and field trip fees.
Mountain Brook Elementary Kindergarten fees include $24 for activities, $50 for field trips, $22 for a yearbook, $68 for school supplies, and $35 for curriculum enhancement.
School fees vary drastically between districts. Wealthier districts are able to offer a wider range of courses and opportunities for students, in addition to coursework required for graduation.
School supplies
The average school supply list costs parents more than $100 for things like tissues, notebooks, crayons and hand sanitizer. While many of those supplies are for individual children, some are for the entire classroom to use.
Alabama back-to-school sales tax holiday is July 19-21: List of tax-free items
Alabama has set the dates for its upcoming back-to-school sales tax holiday.
While state law doesn't specifically address supplies, the state department of education has issued guidance for school districts in their Financial Procedures for Local Schools booklet:
"Voluntary contributions may be requested for various items purchased by the school that are used in academic courses and classes including workbooks, supplemental instructional materials, lockers, sheet music and other academic purposes. The voluntary nature of the contribution must be clearly stated in the request for the contributions. Non-payment of requested contributions cannot be used against a student and the student must be provided the same instructional items as if payment was made on behalf of the student."
While many families line up in neighborhood stores to shop for supplies, some schools use grant money and community contributions for student school supplies.
The school supply lists given to students in every grade are optional and should say they're optional, according to state law.
Shelby elementary school supply list 2018-19
Extracurriculars
There are many positives to children being involved in extracurricular activities, whether it's football, band or the National Honor Society.
But participation often comes with a high price. Many schools charge fees just for try-outs.
While it looks great on college applications, being in the band often costs more than $200. At Birmingham's Ramsay High School, the band musician assessment fee is $290 alone.
One of the most expensive extracurricular activities is cheerleading. Birmingham's Parker High School's cheerleading spirit pack is $1,480. On the elementary school level, W.J. Christian Elementary splits its fee into six cheerleading payments over the school year, totaling $760.
Other sports like soccer, baseball and football cost more than $200.
AP courses and other optional courses
Public schools cannot charge any fees, other than science lab fees, for courses required for graduation under state law.
Many high schools in school districts that can afford it offer additional Advanced Placement or career and technical training courses to help prepare students for life after graduation.
AP courses cost about $100 per course. Other additional courses like fine arts, foreign language and other career tech courses range from about $10-60 per course.
Typically, course fees have to be paid at registration.
Homewood High School course fees
How much do you pay to send your children back to school?