Private School Column

As part of its ongoing Promoting Independent Education Project, the National Association of Independent Schools this month released two publications aimed at helping parents find out more about independent schools.

The release of "Affording a Quality Education for Your Child: Financial Options'' at the group's recent conference in San Francisco was prompted by a national public-opinion poll commissioned last summer by N.A.I.S. showing that parents give independent schools high marks for academic standards, individual attention, and small classes, but believe they are too expensive.

"Many families are showing an interest in our schools who are not familiar with them,'' said Margaret W. Goldsborough, N.A.I.S....