Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the financial struggles of middle-class families in China, particularly focusing on the rising costs of international schools and the shift in educational choices as families reassess the return on investment in their children's education [3][6][22]. Group 1: Financial Struggles of Middle-Class Families - Many middle-class families are opting out of private or international schools, reflecting a broader financial crisis as they prioritize essential expenses over educational luxuries [5][12]. - The closure of several private and international schools, such as Shenzhen's Houde Academy and Beijing's Nord Anglia, highlights the trend of families discontinuing payments for expensive education [5][6]. - The rising tuition fees of international schools, with some increasing by over 25% annually, significantly outpace the income growth of middle-class families [7][8]. Group 2: Cost of International Education - The average annual tuition for schools like Beijing Dingshi exceeds 300,000 yuan, and when including additional costs such as boarding and meals, total expenses can surpass 400,000 yuan per year [9][11]. - Beyond tuition, families face numerous hidden costs, including uniforms and extracurricular activities, which can add substantial financial burdens [11][12]. - The perception of international schools as a pathway to elite education is challenged by the reality of high costs and uncertain returns on investment [12][22]. Group 3: Educational Choices and Parental Anxiety - Parents are increasingly aware that the financial commitment to international schools does not guarantee a successful educational outcome, leading to a reconsideration of their choices [12][21]. - The article outlines two main educational paths for middle-class families: sending children abroad to international schools or choosing domestic internationalized schools, both of which come with their own sets of challenges and anxieties [14][15]. - The competitive nature of international education has transformed it into a family-wide endeavor, where the pressure to succeed extends beyond the child to the entire household [26]. Group 4: Changing Perceptions of Overseas Education - The value of overseas degrees is diminishing in the job market, leading families to question the worth of investing heavily in international education [28]. - The article suggests that many middle-class families are beginning to seek more practical and affordable educational options that align better with their financial realities [28].

以下文章来源于视觉志 ，作者小飚 视觉志 . 看见新生活 托举？举不动了。 编辑 ｜ 小飚 来源｜ 视觉志（ID:iiidaily） 封面来源 ｜ 《小舍得》剧照 网络上流传着一种说法，说中产返贫的典型三件套是：贷款买房、孩子上国际学校、老婆在家做全职太太。而如今，不少中产家庭开始面临尴尬的处境—— 他们率先选择放弃的，通常是孩子的"教育自由"。 去年，深圳厚德书院因财务问题宣布关停，北京房山的诺德安达也宣布倒闭——这轮民办、国际学校"关门潮"的背后是中产家庭集体断供的缩影。 还有更多家庭采取更保守的教育态度，开始把孩子的教育从民办或国际学校转向公立学校。 而这种行为折射出的，不只有中产家庭的财政危机。 "念书念出一套房钱，就业一看月薪八千"，无数中产正从奋力托举孩子的教育竞赛中冷静下来，开始重新审视这场投资的真实回报率。 国际学校，这条曾被许多家庭视为"通往世界舞台"的理想路径，如今正逐渐演变为一场考验财力、耐心与教育理念的漫长马拉松。 国际学校，念不起了 今年以来，北京、上海、深圳等一线城市的国际学校陆续发布学费上调通知。尽管各校涨幅不一，但整体趋势持续向上。尤其令人咋舌的是，部分学校学费 的年度涨幅甚至 ...