High School Yearbook Cost Too High?

High School Yearbook Cost is in the name — HIGH!

When I think back to my high school memories, the yearbook signing and distribution was always one of my favorites.  Getting to flip through all of the pages to see which photos of you made the cut, and being able to relive the memories and events that unfolded throughout the year was bittersweet.  Unfortunately, our high school yearbook costs $105 and the cost was a bit excessive for my family to purchase all 4 years. My parents decided that they would purchase the book my Freshman and Senior year only.  I was so excited my Senior year to receive my book because only the senior portion of the yearbook was in full color. Can you believe that? Over $100 for the book to be 90% in black and white!

Why is the cost so expensive? Why were so many students deprived from purchasing a yearbook? Was there another alternative for the lower income students in the school?

I felt compelled to delve deeper into this issue and see if there was a solution to all of the questions I had. I first contacted yearbook providers throughout the country and found that the larger companies offered pricing for the same specifications as my high school yearbook; 50% of the cost we were required to pay for the exact same quality of book! My research into these companies provided more insight to the concerns I had, leading to me find:

• The average high school yearbook price is $75.
• Based on quotes received from regional companies (which I easily found on the internet), parents are paying 50% more than they should be for yearbooks across the country.
• Less than 5% of students on free and reduced lunch programs can afford to purchase a yearbook.
• Less than 50% of the student population can afford a yearbook this year.

Over the years, I only found this absorbent price of yearbooks to increase and was causing a higher and higher percentage of students to no longer be able to afford their yearbook.

Why is the price of yearbooks so high?

• The school’s yearbook pricing may not have been compared to other suitable providers in years
• The decision maker or yearbook advisor may have decided to “keep things the same” and not look into alternatives, potentially saving the school and the student body a large amount of money.
• The school’s administration may not properly review the yearbook company invoices, where often hidden fees can be overlooked. 
• 80% of the time the decision makers do not select the vendor with the most competitive price even if the final product is virtually the same quality.
• Many schools lock themselves into binding contracts with hefty minimums causing the school to remain in debt year after year. 
• The yearbook invoice received this year may be, on average, 20% more than agreed because of the “fine print”.

What can parents of students do to help lower the price?

• Bring this to the attention of the advisor, school board or administration
• Ask to see competitors pricing and information prior to a contract renewal taking place 
• Make all parents aware of these issues that are costing them thousands
• Know there is a better alternative that may save more than 50% on the yearbook price for the exact same yearbook.

  

In conclusion…

If the parents knew they were being overcharged to the extent they were I can assure there would be major action taken.  Most often we, alongside the school board, remain blinded by the savings and options around us and stick with the same routine because we feel we have no choice. My research took less than a weeks time and would save so much financial burden to the school and the community.  I truly hope that this information will not only help to make critical changes in my hometown, but for all of you reading this as well!

Here’s to hoping for a change for the better, filled with more yearbook inclusion in your classrooms too!