The 1960s were a turbulent decade for many parts of the world, and the United States was no exception. As the civil rights movement gained traction, the country was rocked by protests and riots, but the nation’s educational institutions were also affected. The Archmere Academy in Claymont, Delaware is a prime example of how the 1960s were a time of change and rising tuition costs.
Archmere Academy is a private Catholic secondary school that has been in operation since 1933. Its tuition in 1960 was $1,200 per year, which was a substantial increase from the $650 that had been charged in 1956. At the time, this tuition rate was among the highest for a private school in the Delaware Valley region, though it was still lower than some of the other private schools in the region.
In 1960, the tuition rate at Archmere was higher than the tuition at many other private schools in the region. The nearby Wilmington Friends School charged $1,100 per year, while the Tower Hill School in Wilmington charged $1,350. The nearby St. Elizabeth’s High School in Wilmington charged $800 per year, and the Salesianum School in Wilmington charged $1,200. In addition, the Academy of the New Church in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania charged $1,800 per year.
At the same time, tuition at Archmere Academy was lower than the tuition at some of the other private schools in the region. The Tower Hill School in Wilmington charged $1,650, while the Friends Select School in Philadelphia charged $1,700. The nearby Haverford School in Haverford, Pennsylvania charged $2,000, and the Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia charged $2,400. In addition, the Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania charged $3,000 for tuition.
Despite the fact that Archmere Academy’s tuition was higher than some of the other private schools in the region, it was still relatively affordable. The average household income in 1960 was $5,600, so the $1,200 tuition at Archmere Academy was only 21.4 percent of the average household income. As a comparison, the average household income in 2020 is $61,937, so the current tuition of $18,050 at Archmere Academy is 29.3 percent of the average household income.
The 1960s were a time of change for the country and for Archmere Academy. The school’s tuition increased substantially during the decade, and it was higher than the tuition at many other private schools in the region. Despite this, it was still relatively affordable for the average household. Today, Archmere Academy remains a premier private school in the Delaware Valley region, and its tuition is still among the highest in the area.
In conclusion, the tuition at Archmere Academy in 1960 was higher than the tuition at many other private schools in the region, but it was still relatively affordable for the average household. Today, the tuition at Archmere Academy remains among the highest in the area, but it is still within reach of most families.
Tabel Tuition Rates at Selected Private Schools in the Delaware Valley Region in 1960
| School | Tuition |
|---|---|
| Archmere Academy | $1,200 |
| Wilmington Friends School | $1,100 |
| Tower Hill School | $1,350 |
| St. Elizabeth’s High School | $800 |
| Salesianum School | $1,200 |
| Academy of the New Church | $1,800 |
| Tower Hill School | $1,650 |
| Friends Select School | $1,700 |
| Haverford School | $2,000 |
| Germantown Friends School | $2,400 |
| Hill School | $3,000 |
In the 1960s, the tuition at Archmere Academy was among the highest in the region, yet it was still relatively affordable for the average household. Today, the tuition at Archmere Academy remains among the highest in the area, but it is still within reach of most families.