According to the Huntington Bank Backpack Index, parents spent over a grand per child on school expenses, fees, and supplies in 2015. Depending on the activities that each student participates in, high school can cost up to $1500 per year.

After all, it's clear that public school isn't free, so what can a parent on a tight budget do? The first step is to accept it, and the second is to make plans for it. Keep reading if you're a low-income parent; there will be options and services for you as well.