Hogwarts a private school? aka Hogwarts Funding

[harryton]

when Hagrid went to the house in the middle of a river or ocean ??? Hagrid was talking to Uncle vernon about harry going to Hogwarts, and Uncle vernon, said something like, i will not pay for some wizard to teach him magic.....

someting like that. So i was thinking, is Hogwarts a private school? if so, is there a public school?

[crafty girl]

I think all the wizarding schools are private, but they probably give scholarships to families who can't afford it.

[Halfred]

I think Hogwarts is public, Uncle Vernon said that cuz he would have to pay for the books wand .........
Hogwarts is public, if dont, how would the Weasley pay for five kids learn magic there?


Halfred

[WhiteSlash]

It's both...They have to pay for books and clothes and stuff, just like public schools in America. At hogwarts you just have to be accepted.

[Cat]

I'd imagine it's solely Ministry funded. There's all this talk about Harry taking money from his vault before school, yada yada yada, but it seems to me that he always spends it on equipment, clothing and sweets. Plus, Ms Rowling has never hinted at any fees OR other schools in the country.

Mr Dursley might have been fussy about payment because his own son attends a select private school.

[Dedalus]

What Cat said :)

How can it be selective when the entire batch of wizarding children in Britain pass through Hogwarts? And I'm confident that there aren't any other magic schools in Britain. As Cat said, the payment most likely funds supplies and things, and it, itself, seems to be funded by the Ministry.

[SunKissed]

Originally posted by Halfred
I think Hogwarts is public, Uncle Vernon said that cuz he would have to pay for the books wand .........
Hogwarts is public, if dont, how would the Weasley pay for five kids learn magic there?


Halfred
I agree

[tintinboy]

Yeah, definetly public. What about Durmstrang & Beauxbatons?

[Spitf1re]

I think that it is both private and public. Hogwarts is private to wizards, but also public in the fact that all wizards in the area go to school there (sort of like the people in a town go to that towns public school). I don't think that Uncle Vernon meant paying as in money. I think he meant it as giving up harry's service (i.e. cooking breakfast).

[roz]

OK lets define terms or we are going to get really confused (I think I already am)

In the UK:

public school = one of the top private schools, e.g. Eton, Stowe, etc.
private school = a school which you pay fees to attend
state school = a school which is funded by the goverment
selective school = a school, such as a grammer school, which selects it's pupils usually based on academic aptitude.

In the US (as far as I know):
public school = a school for which the pupil and their family do not pay fees (what I am not clear on is if this type of school is completely funded by government or if schools funded my non-governmental organisations are also publis schools)
private school = a school for which fees must be paid

Using the UK definitions I think that Hogwarts is a state school, funded by government. It is also obviously a selective school, you have to be a witch or a wizard to attend.

Roz.

[Animagi Girl]

Thank you, Roz! I was really starting to get confused! Can we just stick to either the UK or US school definitions?

[Eowyn]

LOL, thank you for bringing that up, roz; I thought that might cause some confusion, since the definitions are so different between the UK and the US. :)
This is a little off-topic, but to clear something up for you:

public school = a school for which the pupil and their family do not pay fees (what I am not clear on is if this type of school is completely funded by government or if schools funded my non-governmental organisations are also publis schools)
Only government-funded schools are called public schools in the US. Any other school, including a parochial school (operated by a religious organization, church, or parish), is considered private.
And to get back on-topic, I agree with roz. I've always been under the impression that the Ministry funds it, but it's selective. Of course I have no basis for that opinion, since JKR never makes it clear in the books.

[White_Rose]

Uniforms, invitations and paying to go to Hogwarts, I believe it is a private school. I imaginee it isn't very expensive though.

[Puffskein]

Cat made a good point - we haven't heard that Hogwarts pupils pay fees (I think). Vernon just assumed he'd have to pay because he has to pay to send Dudley to Smeltings.

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

I've always been under the impression Hogwarts operates like a selective private college. There is a tuition fee, but with help from alumni funding and possibly Ministry aid, all qualified students can afford to go.

[roz]

Originally posted by White_Rose
Uniforms, invitations and paying to go to Hogwarts, I believe it is a private school. I imaginee it isn't very expensive though.

Uniforms are more or less the norm in UK schools whether they are private or state. I was in the state system for my entire schooling and until I was doing my A levels I always had to wear a uniform.

Selectives school are also fairly common (how common depends upon what type of education is in fashion at any one time). There are plenty of Grammer schools in the UK and there are also state funded schools which select on other basis', for example there are specialist music and language schools. There are even state run boarding schools attended mainly by pupils from small remote communities, expecially in the Highlands and Islands.

Paying for school supplies at a state school isn't as common in the UK but it is the norm in Germany.

I don't think any of these things mean that Hogwarts is a private school.

Roz.

[periwinkle-blue]

Sorry, a little bit off-topic:

Originally posted by roz
In the UK:

public school = one of the top private schools, e.g. Eton, Stowe, etc.
private school = a school which you pay fees to attend



Er... does this means there's no 'free public school' at all in the UK? I'm quite confused, I understand it like this:

public school = private school = have study fees

Sorry, I'm not from either UK nor US. :rolleyes: But I see public school as state schools too.


But I think your comparison of Hogwarts to a selective state school is very reasonable. Regarding uniforms, I don't think it's included in the first letter from Hogwarts; items to buy lists, only black robes and black hat. So it seems that House's sweaters/scarfs/badges/quidditch attires/etc must be provided by Hogwarts .

[Cat]

Originally posted by Eowyn
I've always been under the impression that the Ministry funds it, but it's selective.

Well, yeah, it has to be selective, being purely for youngsters with magical potential ;)

[Bixie]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by periwinkle-blue
[B]Sorry, a little bit off-topic:


Er... does this means there's no 'free public school' at all in the UK? I'm quite confused, I understand it like this:

public school = private school = have study fees

Sorry, I'm not from either UK nor US. :rolleyes: But I see public school as state schools too.



Don't worry - you've got it figured - Public School is a term that was used eons ago (I can't remember how or why) and it's just stuck.

You here people sometimes say they have their child's name down for a school from the time they were a baby. But when Hagrid say's Harry's had his name down since the day he was born I take it that it's the magic quill confirming he isn't a squib rather than it being a private school.

There's mentions in the books of the Ministry not liking how Dumbledore runs the school - If it was a fee paying school the Ministry wouldn't have that sort of say in it's running, therefore, it's a state school.

[Weatherby]

Since they pay to keep the children fed and hospital care does the ministry pay for it? The wizards must pay a hefty tax bill which might explain some hostilty towards muggleborns whose parents don't foot the bill.

[jr119us]

JKR said once that Hogwarts serves all the wizarding kids in England and ireland. So it must be public. But in the US you have to pay for public colleges...but im betting its free considering that the Weasly's only had 1 galleon in their vault and 4 kids at school

[roz]

I think that public schools in Britain are called that because when they were first founded they were the only schools which anyone could attend (assuming they had the money). This was in the days long before state funded education.

Roz.

[go_anna40]

I think that Hogwarts is between a private and public school. I believe that they're a selective school, but giving discounts and scholarships along the way to people who have been selected, but are too "poor" to pay.

[roz]

Originally posted by go_anna40
I think that Hogwarts is between a private and public school. I believe that they're a selective school, but giving discounts and scholarships along the way to people who have been selected, but are too "poor" to pay.

But that by definition is a private school. If you have to pay fees (even if there are enough scholarships available that no one is ever turned away) it is a private school. And a selective school isn't necessarily a private school. In the UK there are plenty of state grammer schools which select based on academic ability.

Roz.

[doctor23]

Originally posted by roz
OK lets define terms or we are going to get really confused (I think I already am)

In the UK:

public school = one of the top private schools, e.g. Eton, Stowe, etc.
private school = a school which you pay fees to attend
state school = a school which is funded by the goverment
selective school = a school, such as a grammer school, which selects it's pupils usually based on academic aptitude.

In the US (as far as I know):
public school = a school for which the pupil and their family do not pay fees (what I am not clear on is if this type of school is completely funded by government or if schools funded my non-governmental organisations are also publis schools)
private school = a school for which fees must be paid

Using the UK definitions I think that Hogwarts is a state school, funded by government. It is also obviously a selective school, you have to be a witch or a wizard to attend.

Roz.

You are correct Roz that's the way it works here in the States. Also someone above posted about us having to buy books over here that is not true. Students up through High (Secondary) School do not have to buy books they are provided by the school. At least at the public schools. At many of the colleges and Universitys many students have to buy books however, they also have to pay tuition at that time even at the public ones. Hope that helps?

[ilovelifex1000]

To be even more confusing about US schools, we also have charter schools- everything about them is like a private school, except the fact that they are funded by private organizations and not tuition.
I JK really did mention that it was a public school (US definition)
, then I will go with what the master says. In my head I had always imagined it as a private school, but I guess all wizards have to be trained.

[HandsClean]

I have been thinking Hogwarts is a public school, though it has some properties private schools have. I don't think it is sort of state school.

[Loz]

I'd say Hogwarts is both Private and Government Funded all at once. There's certain criteria before you can go to the school (magical ability) but apart from that you need only pay for book/uniform/extras (like sweets on the train). Being Magical might mean it doesn't cost a lot to keep running as most things will fix themselves, and since they don't want the Wizarding World to die, the ministry pays for it all.

[lanifiel]

I think that rather than a private school its more an exclusive orientated one. People get asked to attend rather than signing up themselves.

[viktorija_hp]

I don't remeber Harry paying any scholarship, it's public school, but only for wizards.

[vagos]

hogwarts cant be private because(as far as we know) nobody owns it.i suppose that at the beginning it was private but when MoM came and everybody became more interested in wizar education it became a state school.

[daniel4hp]

It certainly does appear that Hogwarts is state-run. Note that in book 5, the Ministry of Magic is able to institute a High Inquisitor, as well as a heck of a lot of decreas. I find it very unlikely that this could happen if Hogwarts was not funded by the MoM.

However, it does appear to be fairly independant. I don't know how independant British state-run schools are, but here in the states, most public schools are not only funded by the government, but also run by the government. I don't get that impression with Hogwarts (until, of course, Book 5, but note that that marked a large change).

I also don't see Hogwarts as your standard Comprehensive. It has the feel of a Public School, in the British sense of the word. However, again, not living in the UK, my knowledge of this stuff is pretty limitted...

[Jessica]

My high school in San Diego was called The Bishop's School and it was loosely associated with the Episcopelian diocese. The bishop came to our graduation etc.

But we paid tuition to the school and the school was an entity in itself.

My feeling is that as long as you're paying tuition (or are on a scholarship) the school is private. The association with the Ministry is a loose one like ours was with the diocese.

[Auror Williamson]

I searched three times for this topic, with no results. Close if needed.

I have often wondered this.

How is Hogwarts funded?

We know that Dumbledore pays the kitchen house elves. Does he pay them out of his own pocket?

One can guess that the school subsists on donations from notable wizarding families, or survives on the taxes paid by the entire communty. Yet, there is no mentioning of the Ministry of Magic having a tax system in place. Surely if there was a system of taxation, the Weasley's would soon dive even deeper into poverty.

All this is made even further complex by the fact we don't know if the professor's are paid for their services. We know they live in Hogwarts, and have made the castle their home, but are they paid? If they are paid, then by whom?

What are your thoughts?

[Doggy]

Good question! And no, I don't think this topic has been discussed. There may have been something on if you had to pay to go to Hogwarts, but I can't remember.

I always got the idea that the Ministry of Magic works the same way as normal ministries/governments do - getting taxes and stuff. That said; I'll have to admit that I don't know very much about the British system, so..

I think the Ministry pays for it, even though donations probably are most welcome. It has to get its money from somewhere; even if the teachers don't get paid; food and other things cost. And you can't expect the families of the students to pay (much) because if they can't afford it there isn't some other school to go to; Hogwarts is the only choice (and I'll bet that Durmstrang and Beauxbatons cost money in that case too; especially if you don't live in the country).

[dobby_rocks]

as far as house Elves they arent paid the only one is Dobby, Winky was offred but would not except it.

As far as how its paid for i have to assume that some Alumni donate money similar with High schools and Universtrys. There proabably is some sorat of tax but its proabably not that bad. I would think Stundents have to pay sometype of tutuion but maybe they dont.

as far as Teachers pay we really dont know where the teachers stay i mean maybe some live in hogsmeade , the head of house's and DD, Filch have premise there. As far as who pays them proabably dumdlore i mean they are doing a job , just like anyone else

[Alci]

How is Hogwarts funded?

We know that Dumbledore pays the kitchen house elves. Does he pay them out of his own pocket?

One can guess that the school subsists on donations from notable wizarding families, or survives on the taxes paid by the entire communty. Yet, there is no mentioning of the Ministry of Magic having a tax system in place. Surely if there was a system of taxation, the Weasley's would soon dive even deeper into poverty.

All this is made even further complex by the fact we don't know if the professor's are paid for their services. We know they live in Hogwarts, and have made the castle their home, but are they paid? If they are paid, then by whom?

What are your thoughts?
Certainly no clues are given in the books. The MoM cannot exist without funding and logically must be supported from general taxation. (else donors would have corrupting influences - some may suspect that Malfoy does this already...but anyway)

If the tax is income based then the Weasleys do not need to pay much tax at all. [ie in the UK the basic rate of tax is 10% in the £ rising to 40% for higher earners]

Again assuming the UK model - schooling is a touch more tricky.

- Do we know Hogwarts is the only UK school or only the 'best' school? Certainly the pupil numbers are small unless wizards are few and far between. (the latter is contradicted by PS scene with Vernon and the wizards in the street celebrating)

- Are all pupils with magical ability eligible or is some sort of selection process (magical) involved.

In most respects HW looks a public (ie private/tuition fee based) boarding school. So logically parents have to pay. However, scholarships may be available. Perhaps in the Weasleys case they have their fees payed for by the MoM. Malfoy notes they don't pay well at the MoM but if they offer such fringe benefits that may explain why Mr W. stays in his job when all promotion seems to have been blocked.

Alternatively I suppose, the 4 original founder could have left investments or property from which the school could derive funds...

[haycheng]

I think it would be very similiar to some private college in US. The rich will pay the full cost, while the poor will get support from school. Although I must admit Hogwart really do not have much to sell, unlike some college which get grant and selling from research and product. May be the founders have some investment?
Alumni is generally very well off if they are from a great school. Some of the private colleges have very wealth and powerful alumni who are ready to help.

[Masterfroggy]

Certainly no clues are given in the books. The MoM cannot exist without funding and logically must be supported from general taxation. (else donors would have corrupting influences - some may suspect that Malfoy does this already...but anyway)

If the tax is income based then the Weasleys do not need to pay much tax at all. [ie in the UK the basic rate of tax is 10% in the £ rising to 40% for higher earners]

Again assuming the UK model - schooling is a touch more tricky.

- Do we know Hogwarts is the only UK school or only the 'best' school? Certainly the pupil numbers are small unless wizards are few and far between. (the latter is contradicted by PS scene with Vernon and the wizards in the street celebrating)

- Are all pupils with magical ability eligible or is some sort of selection process (magical) involved.

In most respects HW looks a public (ie private/tuition fee based) boarding school. So logically parents have to pay. However, scholarships may be available. Perhaps in the Weasleys case they have their fees payed for by the MoM. Malfoy notes they don't pay well at the MoM but if they offer such fringe benefits that may explain why Mr W. stays in his job when all promotion seems to have been blocked.

Alternatively I suppose, the 4 original founder could have left investments or property from which the school could derive funds...

I think that the founders had a fair amount of gold stashed away or invested in either Muggle markets or Magical investments,
It can not cost to much to run a school if magicing out of thin are is the order of the day, but I personally think that like Alms houses of today many of which were set up a few hundred years ago, and most are still going strong, we have quite a few in Bristol, one of which was founded with a gift to the church of 300 Guinea (old money) and now has a annual budget of about £150,000, (this was about 3 years ago) wise or lucky investments I don't know which, now if you were to take a rough guess at the spending power of that money I have only checked a few sites so don't take this as canon, Using 300 gunieas as a base I visited this site and let them do the maths for me

Http://www.eh.net/hmit/ppowerbp/

the result is a staggering £43,573.46 if you invested your 300 gunieas in Tea and Coffee around that time in one year you could earn ten times that amount. Long term the amount could be millions

So those that can pay would have to pay and those that can not they would receive state funding from the Muggle government and scholarship funding from Hogwart, it is a legal requirement to be schooled in the UK so the children could not suddenly stop attending a school and drop out of site they would register at some invented muggle school but not tell the LEA (Local education Authority) what they were learning

It is my understanding that Hogwarts is the only school that is for Magical education, in the UK. JKR in an online chat said that a magical quill detects the birth of all children born with magical abilities, and McGonagall send out letter to all the children as they come of age.

And one little tiny tiny point the Basic UK tax rate of 10% only applies to the first £1920 of earning per year, between £1920 and £6530 the tax rate is 21% and after that it's 22%, even poorer people in the UK pay too much tax so if you earn enough to pay tax then most of it is payable at 21%

[BabyMars]

I really don't know. Maybe if "Hogwarts: A History" is ever written, we'll find out :)

[NorthStar]

Well, I'd assume the teachers are paid. Even if they do get free board and lodging, they'd need an income for things like personal books, wands, robes, drinks down the pub, holidays etc.

I've never really thought of Hogwarts as a fee paying school, Harry never mentions getting money from his vault for school fees for example - in fact fees aren't mentioned once in five books.

The only line in any book which makes me lean towards Hogwarts being fee paying is when Vernon Dursley shouts "I'm not paying for some crackpot old fool to teach him magic tricks!" at the beginning of PS. However, Vernon at this point knows practically nothing about the school at this point, and Hagrid never said it was fee paying.

I would assume the Ministry would have taxation, even if donations are gratefully received - Lucius Malfoy obviously curries favour this way. That's not really different to the British government and Opposition parties. They have wealthy donors too, although there's always great hue and cry if the public sees any evidence of the donors being granted special favours, that's definitely not tolerated.

Although it's a boarding school, which are usually public schools (fee-paying), I think it's run like a state comprehensive, with funding from the government.

[Catgirl]

I think that the students and their families don't directly pay. It must be from tax. When you think about Hogwarts, it would cost a small fortune to set up, but once it was up and running it wouldn't cost as much as you would think to run it. The only mayor outgoings would be wages and food. Repairs and maintinance would be free (bar staff wages) because they would be done by magic.

I would think that nobody would have to pay, but rich wizards who had children going there would be morally obliged to give a volutary donation.

[Lanya Celebrian]

This seems like a very stupid question, but I just have to ask! Well anyways, I noticed that Hogwarts doesn't have admission fee... Where do they get the money to buy things? Or does certain people donate...? I don't know if anyone knows the exact answer, but any input would be nice :D

[gabby]

Thats a good question. In SS Dursley says that he's not paying for Harry to go to Hogwarts...and Hagrid responds with his name has been on the list since he's been born.

...so I wonder did Harry's parent's pay for him to go when he was born

...and what about Hermione, both of her parents are muggles...so she must not have know she was a witch till she got her letter

[ginnybatbogeysyou]

Is it ever mentioned that students (or most likely their parents) don't have to pay to go to Hogwarts? It seems only logical to me, since the school has wages to pay, food to buy etcetera.

I think it's just a little that J.K. Rowling didn't include in the books, because is isn't really relevant to the story.

[Azimuth]

This seems like a very stupid question, but I just have to ask! Well anyways, I noticed that Hogwarts doesn't have admission fee... Where do they get the money to buy things? Or does certain people donate...? I don't know if anyone knows the exact answer, but any input would be nice :D

Yeah, I wondered that too. I think that the school must be funded by the Ministry of Magic, which must get it from Wizard taxes.

:welcome: to the forums, by the way :)

[FirefightingMuggle]

I'm guessing that there is a tuition that the families have to pay. Like it might be 10 galleons for the first kid and 5 for each after that or something (though I'm sure it's more expensive) There are probably financial aid options given to families who can't afford the tuition, like scholarships or work-study programs and the like.

I don't think JKR ever told us about how Hogwarts is funded because, like someone else mentioned, it wouldn't really be relevant to the whole story line. It is an interesting question though.

[RandomClamshell]

I know this question bothered me for a while too. Tuition might explain a little more about why the Weasleys are so poor.

[hogwarts_princess]

I don't think the families have to pay anything at all. How did the weasleys then manage to send all there kids there. I think it was the Ministry of Magic that gives money to the school.

[pasalita]

*merged*

[Pegasus]

Boarding school would have to cost something. There's no such thing as a free lunch, literally and figuratively. That's three meals a day everyday, 9 months out of the year. Really, though, if the kids aren't living at home during that time, it's not like the parents would be paying double for living expenses. I'm betting it's partially Ministry subsidized, and the rest comes from the parents.

[mirabilia]

I've been wondering about this, too. It seems to me that the school would have to have some kind of funding to pay salaries (assuming, of course, staff receives a salary).

It would either have to have funding from the Ministry, tuition, private benefactors, or maybe the four great wizards and witches who founded the school left some kind of trust or endowment for its operation.

I've read what everyone has posted about uniforms and state funded/private schools. I'd like to point out that uniforms doesn't necessarily mean the school is private. Here in a America there is a movement to make public (state funded) students wear uniforms. There are a few schools that have passed this rule. The students have to pay for their own uniforms.

Slightly off topic, but a little bit of American history- back in the 1930s, public (state funded) schools made the students purchase their own books. Or at least in my part of the country they did (read about it in old microfilmed newspapers).

[Cat]

It would either have to have funding from the Ministry, tuition, private benefactors, or maybe the four great wizards and witches who founded the school left some kind of trust or endowment for its operation.


Perhaps the castle also techinically owns Hogsmeade and makes money from it.

I'm still very much of the belief that there is no fee to attend Hogwarts. The only Hogwarts money tht has ever been described is money fot equipment and so forth.

[Fuchsia]

I think it would have been mentioned if Harry had had to pay for Hogwarts.

[Chrysalis]

Y'know, judging by the amount of times Hogwarts has been threatened with closure by the Fudge and his cronies, I'd say it's a public school. Also there is otherwise no way that the Weasley family would be able to pay for the children's education.

[forgetfulgenius]

It seems to me that Hogwarts can't be fee paying because, if it was, that would mean that there would be witches and wizards who couldn't afford to go to Hogwarts, and there would be a lot of untrained magic folk about. i can't see this happening. So i think that Hogwarts is paid for mainly by taxes, but there may be rich wizards who also donate. After all, many of the older wizards seem to look on Hogwarts with fondness.

[LilyEvans]

Hogwarts is a publically run school, IMO. It makes it's students pay for their own books, equipment, etc, like British universities. I imagine there is a nominal fee (voluntary, probably, like British grammar schools...ok, not England, but anyway)

The school has been shown to be incredibly under ministry influence - or rather, that they can make life very unpleasant for them. They are probably funded my minstry taxation.

[icecubecat14]

Remember when hagrid got out money from Harry's bank and said "this should last u for a coulpe a terms"

[icecubecat14]

I don't think the families have to pay anything at all. How did the weasleys then manage to send all there kids there. I think it was the Ministry of Magic that gives money to the school.

I think that the weasleys have JUST enough money for that kinda stuff. :whistle:

[Magi]

Also there is otherwise no way that the Weasley family would be able to pay for the children's education.All their children board throughout the school year, and the ones who aren't in school hold their own jobs. There is no way the Weasley family would be so poverty-ridden if they didn't pay tuition fees. Mr Weasley holds a mid-ranking position as the head of a sub-departmental office. In the real world, such positions usually pay well enough for a person to hold upper-middle class status.

Since none of the school-going Weasley children stay at home throughout the school year, there ought to be very little day-to-day costs. Match that up with the assumed reasonably good pay from the MoM, and you end up with a comfortably wealthy household. There must be some place where so much of a year's salary goes to, and it can't all be school books and equipment, nor muggle artifacts Mr Weasley likes to collect (since most are fairly cheap items, like plugs). The only feasible and likely explanation I can find is tuition fees for Hogwarts.

I think Hogwarts is privately-funded but Ministry-subsidised, along with occasional donations from rich wizards. There is perhaps a 50-50 ratio between private tuition fees and Ministry funding.

Here's an idea. In Australia, there is a university tuition fee loan scheme called HECS. Basically, it is an interest-free loan, which is repaid when students graduate and earn a salary above a certain threshold. While the student is studying, however, the government pays for tuition. There is also an option for the student to pay fees up-front and receive a discount. Perhaps Hogwarts and the MoM have similar arrangement with regards to tuition funding.

[roz]

It could be self funding on the basis of one or more endowments. Assuming you get interest from Gringotts anyway.

I would like to think that all of the founders left a fortune to the school and the school is run from the interest this money earns.

Roz.

[Nys]

Roz, that sounds the most likely answer, I really don't think that students have to pay to go to the school.

[Magi]

I would like to think that all of the founders left a fortune to the school and the school is run from the interest this money earns.Intersting. This raises my curiosity a bit. A little investigation is in order I think....

Let's see from a muggle perspective.

If, as Rowling says, the school houses 1000 students, and if the faculty get regular salaries equivalent to their muggle counterparts.....

Food for students: $15 per student per day, 1000 students, and assumed 42 weeks of school (2 months summer holiday and 2 week Christmas holiday).
15 * 1000 * 7 * 42 = AUD$4,410,000.00 = 4.41 million Australian Dollars!

Salaries for faculty, assuming 14 teachers for 12 subjects plus Madam Hooch and Dumbledore. Then add Mr Filch.
In Australia, high-school teachers are paid average of roughly $38,000 per annum. A janitor gets paid around $28,000 per annum. A principal around $55,000 per annum.
So in total..... 38,000 + 28,000 + 55,000 = AUD$121,000

Then there is maintenance of the castle and its grounds. A modern building capable of accomodating 1000 people, could take anywhere between $300,000 to $1,000,000 per annum, to maintain in safe and comfortable condition -- that includes structural safety, aesthetic repairs, water, heat, other utilities, etc. Let's just say magic helps, so we'll go with the lower figure of $300,000.

So even with just those three factors combined, annual cost of running Hogwarts exceeds 4.8 MILLION Australian Dollars. This is equivalent to 3.4 million US Dollars, or 1.9 million British Pounds, or 2.8 million Euros.

Even if we assume a luxurious 15% interest rate per annum from Gringotts, any trust fund set up by the founders would have to equal roughly AUD$32,000,000 -- in other words, 32 million Australian Dollars, equivalent to 23 million US Dollars, or 12 million British Pounds, or 19 million Euros.

This is only a rough estimate, of course. But the figure is impressively large. Those four founders must have been filthy rich, if they set up a trust fund to run Hogwarts indefinitely. :)

[roz]

This is only a rough estimate, of course. But the figure is impressively large. Those four founders must have been filthy rich, if they set up a trust fund to run Hogwarts indefinitely.

Agreed.

But they aren't necessarily the only people to have endowed the school. Maybe it is considered normal to leave money to Hogwarts or St Mungos in your will.

Roz.

[lance9001]

considering that hogwarts produces 9 out of 10 witches and wizards in britain, i think they probably have a fairly sizable income. and the overhead is very low also. slave labor in the kitchen, a building that is probably very low maintainance... it's only the teachers salaries that need money. i think that between the low overhead and their monopoly on magic education, they would be fine.

[Ginevra Weasley]

I think the founders of Hogwarts left some long-term means of funding the school...maybe that wouldn't go a long way over a thousand years,so I'm guessing the Ministry of Magic provides some of the required funds-they must,if they're allowed to interfere with the functioning of the school they way they did in Phoenix.And what about external agencies like the Wizarding Examinations Authority?I'm guessing it's autonomous,since Fudge doesn't seem to have any control over Professor Marchbanks and even Umbridge had to treat her with respect when she came to supervise Harry's O.W.L.s.

[Romy]

Let´s not forget that the castle was built by magic, so you won´t have to pay for it in the first place. Neither would it have to be kept in check, since I´m sure the founders constructed it the way that a simple spell would be enough, if at all. The house-elves are not paid. Maybe there´s even a spell to enlarge amounts of food. No electricity bills. It´s a magic school after all. I think the only ones they need to pay would be the teachers and that they could do through taxes. Assuming there are at least a few tenthousand witches and wizards in Britain and Ireland (1000 students in school, long life expectancy) they could easily afford to pay the 20 or 30 teachers and staff in school.

[Grærium]

Um, it's obviously private to a certain extent. YOU get asked to go, you don't ask them to invite you. YOU buy your books, wand, cauldron, robes, etc., and I'm sure the Ministry takes care of the teacher's pay and class supplies, some ancient thing worked out among the school.

[Romy]

It´s certainly private in the way that not everyone can go to it (I know I can´t :upset: ) but then again it´s public in the way that it´s open to all magical children. It´s a bit of both, really. But if you´re judging from inside the magical community I´d say it´s public as you can always go there.

[kellydofc]

This is an interesting question. I always wondered how Tom Riddle paid for school. After all he was suppose to be an "orphan" with no money. But then again I wonder what kind of orphanage was he in. How do you think a muggle orphanage would react to an owl coming with a letter from Hoggwarts?

[Padfoot23]

Remember how Harry was worried about how he would afford to go to school. Then he found out that he had money from his parents in Gringotts. So...suppose you were invited to Hogwarts but couldn't afford it. I remember reading that Hermione was there on scholarship...does anyone else remember this?

But do you think that there are some wizards and witches who never get a chance to go to school ? :huh:

[OmarGama]

I don't think that Hogwards is a private school.

[Rapunzel]

Maybe it's funded by the 12 who sit on the board of governors? Lucius Malfoy used to be on the board of governors (until book 5?) and he certainly has enough money to help keep the school running. Maybe that's why the governors were able to kick Dumbledore out in PoA (am I remembering the right book?) if they're paying for it all?

[TheThyphon]

I belive Hogwart is a private school, but even so poorer people are allowed thanks to state money (they have to use tax money for something. There are taxs, right?)

[DougJohnston]

I think that the Ministry takes care of paying the teachers and the amount of money that Hogwarts requires for a year of school, food, supplies, etc. Other than all the rest of the costs are paid by the students, quills, parchment, books, robes, clothes, shoes, etc. In the case of the Weasly's, Im betting that most of Arthur's paychecks go straight to school stuff and im sure they really try to take care of what they have to make it last. Maybe we can see him at Minster of Magic and making some big bucks in HBP! Haha

[emma madison]

I've been wondering about this as well.

I do believe Hogwarts is a private school, since they were founded by 'private' citizens --- Godric, Salazar, Rowena and Helga. Public would mean that the government owns it, wouldn't it? So if it was public, then the Ministry of Magic would own it and Hogwarts would be under their complete jurisdiction. But as Dumbledore pointed out (in CoS and OotP, I think), the Ministry has no power to punish/expell the Hogwarts students. [During Harry's trial in OotP, Fudge brings up the incident of Harry using magic whilst underage back in CoS, and Dumbledore says something like aside from it being the house elf who did it, they have no business in how the school punishes their students (unless it's illegal, of course) or something like that.] Nor do they have the power of appointing staff (before that whole 'High Inquisitor' rubbish came about). I mean, sure, just like any privately-owned school, they have to follow certain general rules from their Department of Education, but they are not wholly under their power. This leads me to believe that Hogwarts is indeed private.

The question is, who owns Hogwarts now? If the Founding Four started it, and Salazar left, does that mean the heirs of Godric, Rowena, and Helga own the school now? I suppose one of the school governors own Hogwarts, or it could be partly-owned by a bunch of them, like a corporation..?

Who owns Hogwarts? Who are the twelve school governors now that Lucius Malfoy isn't one of them?

[Nymph]

I think it's public, that would explain the influence of the minister on Hogwarts. Plus, they take each and every students, so it's surely not private... and they never talk about money for the school.
Even when the Weasley have to attend all 5, the problem seems to be the price of the books and robes, not the price of the school.

[Magi]

Who owns Hogwarts? Who are the twelve school governors now that Lucius Malfoy isn't one of them?It's probably not owned by anybody. It is it's own self-sustaining institution, and probably a non-profit one at that (like a very formalised club).

[Creatively Evil]

It's public, obviously. You have to pay for books, and clothes, broom if needed, etc. If it wasn't public how would the Weasleys pay for 7 kids going in and out of Hogwarts? Maybe, the Weasleys could afford to educate Bill, if it were private, but no one else.

But, again how are the teachers getting money, if its not a private school? Maybe, they get a percentage of the books and clothes and other equipment costs.

[SleepyGuy]

I think that its private, at least in the begining it started out as a private school. You have to remember that Slytherin was a founding member, and he is kind of a symbol for the class system that was, and still is, in Britain. Though, I think when people like Dumbledor took over as headmaster, they probably found a way to make it free tuition, for at least those in need.

[Spathic]

my only comment on this whole thing is that i doubt the ministry funds it. If the ministry had that kind of involvement why would they need bogus "educational decrees" to sureptitiously impose their will? Wouldn't the fact that They funded the thing give them a stronger involvement? It is very clear that Hogwarts is an organization that is independent from the ministry and i doubt it could truely remain that way if the ministry was "footing the bill"...

[michelle3654]

It's public, obviously. You have to pay for books, and clothes, broom if needed, etc. If it wasn't public how would the Weasleys pay for 7 kids going in and out of Hogwarts?
I agree.

[roz]

my only comment on this whole thing is that i doubt the ministry funds it. If the ministry had that kind of involvement why would they need bogus "educational decrees" to sureptitiously impose their will? Wouldn't the fact that They funded the thing give them a stronger involvement? It is very clear that Hogwarts is an organization that is independent from the ministry and i doubt it could truely remain that way if the ministry was "footing the bill"...

But the Ministry does lots of things that I don't believe it would be able to do if they didn't fund Hogwarts at least partially. Or rather if Hogwarts wasn't, at least theoretically, under Ministry control. For example why does the breaking of the laws on Underage Wizardry lead to being expelled? Surely if the Ministry really had no control over Hogwarts that would not be so. They wouldn't have any say in who went there then.

Also Fudge says in OotP that Dumbledore has been allowed alot of freedom in choosing how to run the school (and makes some disparaging remarks about the employment of werewolves) and that that was going to stop. I think that until OotP Dumbledore was so respected that no one (i.e. Fudge) felt that they could comment on how he was running the school. Then in OotP, after all the snide remarks in the Daily Prophet and with all the parents who were unhappy with Dumbledore after his announcment at the end of GoF, Fudge simply felt secure enough to take control away from Dumbledore. After all Dumbledore was a threat to his position as Minister.

Roz.

[Marmaduke]

When I first saw this topic, I had a vague memory that there was a mention of term fees somewhere in PS. I went back and checked, but what Hagrid actually says after taking some gold from Harry's account is "that should last you for a couple of terms". Utterly ambiguous. Damnit.

I think since there's no definite mention in the books you have to assume that there are no compulsory fees. If there were, it would have made sense for that to be mentioned on at least one of the occasions that Harry took money out, but it's only ever said to be for equipment etc.

I'm sure Hogwarts must be funded in part by the Ministry. After all, it's the only wizarding school in Britain and (I guess) every wizard passes through there at some point. I can't believe that the Ministry would not play a role in that, even if they don't have a definitive control over its governance. That point about the Underage Magic Decree and its consequence of expulsion was a good one, and OotP proved that if the Ministry cares to flex its muscles it can do pretty much anything it likes at Hogwarts. (Having said that, of course, it is the government. I guess it can do whatever it likes anywhere!)

Having said all that, I am intrigued by the Weasley situation brought up a few pages back. If there aren't fees, how come they're so poor? We know that Arthur Weasley's job isn't highly regarded or massively important, but it's still a decent position. And given that Bill, Charlie and Percy have all left home, and the other four children are either in the process of doing so or are at Hogwarts most of the year, why are they struggling so much?

[trickcy]

I think you'll just have to pay for the expenses and not the fees. I don't mean teaching expenses. I mean uniform, books, pets, etc. I think it may be funded by the ministry and maybe donations are welcome.

[Ralen]

Having said all that, I am intrigued by the Weasley situation brought up a few pages back. If there aren't fees, how come they're so poor? We know that Arthur Weasley's job isn't highly regarded or massively important, but it's still a decent position. And given that Bill, Charlie and Percy have all left home, and the other four children are either in the process of doing so or are at Hogwarts most of the year, why are they struggling so much?

The only answer I have to offer in response is that being in his department is really not all that well paid - you're working for the "government" remember? Public service rarely pays well ;p (We joke about public service all the time where I live). Besides that, they still have 4 kids! Kids are expensive to raise so getting rid of 3 out of 7 means you still have 4 to raise and that's still plenty. Ask any parent.
Seeing as Fred and George can probably look after themselves with their jokeshop maybe they'll be better off now as they will only be looking after Ron and Ginny.

I'm of the impression that Hogwarts is most likely funded through donations and the Ministry. Previous Headmasters may have left money behind for Hogwarts also but I think mostly of it's funding is from the Ministry. I attended a public highschool where I had to pay for my uniform, books and stationary but no tuition fees. So I don't think Hogwart's is a private school.

[puer]

Well in fact in England a public school is a private school in USA.
And our public school is a state school.
But any whoo i think that it is a state school for magic. I mean some people aka Weaslys couldn't afford it and Ms.Weasley only said how expensive the books would be in the 2nd book not the acutall education.

[Beauty and Song]

Uniforms, invitations and paying to go to Hogwarts, I believe it is a private school. I imaginee it isn't very expensive though.

There are no Hogwarts uniforms. Uniforms are used in the movies. Hogwarts students wear black robes atop their regular clothes. Here is good example (http://www.artdungeon.net/ootp/template.php?p=phoenix14).

I went to public schools. Public schools here have dress codes, we call them uniforms but in reality they aren't. Depending on the school and it's level (elementary, junior high, senior high) the dress code differs.

In my high school everyone was requiered to wear black jeans and white polos, boys and girls alike. In junior high, girls wore plaid skirts, white polos and grey vests. Boys wore grey jeans and white polos. It is similar to public schools in Japan. Where everyone has to dress alike but ... different. Harry gets new robes each year or so whereas Ron wears his old hand-me-downs. It's still a black robe and it's acceptable.

I went to private schools until I was in the third grade. There we had to buy our uniform stricly from the school and we couldn't buy them anywhere else. So everyone looks EXACTLY the same.

Hogwarts seems to be the only wizarding school in the whole United Kingdom. It would be unfair to make students pay to go, especially when they invite you to attend. The only logical explanation is that it is public (or a state school like someone called it). It would explain why tuition is never mentioned, why the Ministry has the power to expel students. The ministry could also provide for the teachers salary and other miscellaneous living expenses.

[renae_annette]

I agree that it is probaly a public or state school, but my theory is, since they use magic for just about everything, then they probaly would not acctualy need funding, the teachers could probaly coundure anything that was needed, but then again the ministry brobaly does give the teachers wages of some kind. It could be that the a protion of the taxes paid by the people that is to go to school funding wold go to hogwarts automadicaly. I only say this because the minestry was able to work with the brithish government when looking for Sirius, so why not the schools, becides it is in fact a british school. Thats my theory, but then I could be dredfuly wrong.

[RavenEye]

Hmm, I wonder how the muggle government explains to the relevant Local Education Authority in Scotland that they have to fund this mysterious school that looks like a ruin and never needs inspections...

I think it's more likely to be an independent school (not the same as a private school) which is funded by the Ministry of Magic. It seems likely that there are wizard taxes (I don't think the MoM would miss a trick like that somehow) which fund Hogwarts, the MoM itself and St Mungo's.