<p>Parents from more affluent communities are more likely to provide the sort of financial support (read: higher taxes) to their schools that helps pay for: 1) better teachers; 2) better college prep curriculum; 3) better test prep opportunities; 4) better college counseling. Residents of more affluent communities also tend to have higher expectations for their children’s post-secondary plans. Parents from more affluent communities are also more likely to be willing to pay for all or part of their child’s post-secondary education, even if that means “full pay.” Add it all up and the more money your family has the more likely you are going to a four-year college after high school.</p>
<p>Case in point: In 5 out of 6 high schools in New York’s Putnam County, about 50 miles north of NYC, more than 60% of high school graduates go on to a 4-year college. Further upriver, regardless of how many students in a given high school earn “Advanced Regents Diplomas,” most graduates go on to community colleges. Closer to NYC, in Westchester and Rockland counties for example, it is not unusual to see 80%, 90%, even 98% of high school graduates go on to 4-year colleges. Money matters. So do expectations. High expectations plus money plus a solid college prep background means a much greater percentage of kids from wealthy backgrounds are going to 4-year colleges than you’ll find in the inner city, exurbs or farm country.</p>