What if all the money spent on private schools went to public education?

Regarding “How expensive private school tuition is in S.F. Bay Area, school by school” (Projects, SFChronicle.com, Oct. 1): Private schools are a great evil. Free universal public education gave all Americans, regardless of income, race, religion, gender, etc., an equal opportunity to compete, succeed and thrive in a democracy.

Public education helped make the United States a world leader in science and innovation.

If all the money going to private schools were used to support public education, we could return to the education system that made us the envy of the world. 

Private education has made us a country of us versus them. It has divided us by income, race, religion and occasionally gender. It has led us to an oligarchy run by the wealthy and their offspring. Why do you think the wealthy elite and religious right support government aid to private schools? 

My two grown children went to public schools from kindergarten through graduate school. They received good educations that led to successful careers.

My family thanks our system of public education, and I wish our government would offer universal free public education from pre-school through graduate school. That is the formula to “make America great again.”

Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle

What if all the money spent on private schools went to public education?

By Elliott Halpern | SF Chronicle | October 5th, 2025