There are 3 main ways to cook sirloin steak perfectly at home: on the grill, in the oven, or on the stovetop. The word “sirloin” describes the area of the cow where the steak is cut from. The sirloin is an area on the back of the cow near the tenderloin and short loin.

Sirloin steak is more affordable than more expensive cuts like filet mignon, New York strip, and ribeye. Even so, it has an appealing, strong beef flavor and retains its shape well during cooking. Boneless sirloin steak is relatively lean, so if you prefer a cut with more fat marbling, choose a top sirloin steak.

Cooking methods are the same regardless of which type of sirloin steak you choose. Most people stick with the most convenient cooking method, but it’s worth trying each to see which delivers the flavor you like best.  

On the Grill

Grilling is king when it comes to cooking steak. It imparts deep, smoky flavors, and its intense heat results in a perfectly seared sirloin with a juicy interior. Follow these steps to grill an amazing sirloin steak.

• Liberally season each side of the steak with salt. This not only imparts flavor but also helps create a crispy surface and moist interior.
• Add freshly ground black pepper or other seasonings to taste.
• Let your seasoned steak sit at room temperature while you preheat your grill.
• Using a pastry brush or wadded-up paper towels, brush your grill grates with cooking oil.
• Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
• Place the sirloin steaks on the hot grill. Grill on the first side for 4 to 5 minutes for medium doneness.
• Flip the steaks over and grill for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of your steak.
• Use a meat thermometer to test for the degree of doneness, as designated below.
• Allow the cooked steak to rest for a few minutes, then plate and serve.

In the Oven

When the weather is bad, it’s good to know that sirloin steak doesn’t have to be grilled to turn out well. You can cook an excellent steak dinner by following these steps.

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
• While it’s preheating, pat the steaks dry and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and/or a seasoning blend of your choice.
• Allow the seasoned steak to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Prepare to sear the steaks by heating a heavy, oven-safe skillet on the stovetop at medium-high heat.
• Place the steaks in the hot skillet and sear each side for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Put the skillet and steaks into the preheated oven. Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until the meat reaches your desired level of doneness.
• Remove the skillet from the oven and allow the steaks to rest before slicing and serving.

On the Stove

Pan-searing a sirloin steak is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to prepare this cut of beef. Former chef and food blogger Jenn Segal says the best steaks for stovetop cooking are boneless cuts between 1 and 1 and ½ inches thick. Follow these steps to fry a juicy steak with a crisply browned exterior.

• Pat room temperature sirloin steaks dry on each side with paper towels.
• Season meat generously on each side with salt and pepper.
• Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it is piping hot.
• Add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil to the pan and let it heat until it shimmers.
• Carefully place your steaks into the skillet.
• Allow them to cook on one side, undisturbed, for about 3 minutes or until they have developed a browned crust and release easily from the pan’s surface.
• Flip and cook on the other side for 3 to 4 minutes before testing for doneness with a meat thermometer.
• Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan for an additional flavor boost.
• Allow the steaks to rest before slicing thinly against the grain and serving.

Sirloin Steak Cooking Tips

Remove your steaks from the fridge 30 to 60 minutes before cooking. This allows the meat to come to room temperature, which results in more even heat distribution. Cooking a steak straight from the refrigerator can leave you with a charred exterior but a middle that’s not quite as done as you’d like.   

Claudia Caldwell says to avoid pressing down on the steak while it’s grilling or pan-frying. Doing so squeezes out valuable meat juices, leaving you with a dry steak.

Consider turning on your exhaust fan when cooking sirloin steak indoors. The high heat and fat content can create an uncomfortable level of smoke inside the kitchen.

Testing for doneness is easy if you use a meat thermometer. Insert the probe horizontally through the steak’s thickest part. It’s time to plate your sirloin steak when the interior reaches these temperatures:

• Rare: 115℉
• Medium rare: 125℉
• Medium: 135℉
• Medium well: 145℉
• Well done: 155℉

Once the sirloin steak reaches your level of doneness, remove it from the heat and allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing into it. This is a must to ensure the meat’s natural juices are redistributed throughout the steak.

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The post How To Cook Sirloin Steak Perfectly, 3 Ways appeared first on Moms Who Think.

You’ve chosen the best filet mignon available and decided how to cook your steaks. The only thing left is to choose what to serve with your delectable filet mignon. Although you cannot go wrong with the classic pairing of steak and potatoes, you aren’t limited to spuds. Excellent steak side dishes include rice, roasted vegetables, and cool, crispy salads.

The perfectly cooked filet mignon is the star of the plate, but it’s the sides that turn it into a meal. Here are 9 of the best side dishes for this premium cut of beef, along with recipes and links to help you build the best filet mignon dinner ever.

Salad Starters or Sides

Raw vegetables are nutritional powerhouses and the perfect light side dish to enjoy with a rich steak. The classic Caesar salad is served at just about every steakhouse, and it’s easy enough to make at home. Our recipe features a from-scratch Caesar salad dressing that’s well worth the extra few minutes it takes to whisk together. However, if you’re in a time crunch, a quality bottled Caesar dressing will suffice.

Another steakhouse classic is a wedge salad, and the Pioneer Woman’s recipe captures everything to love about it. The homemade ranch sets this wedge salad apart, but feel free to customize each serving as you wish. Bottled blue cheese or Russian salad dressing works equally well on cold iceberg wedges.

Potato Side Dishes

Steak and potatoes always go together; the spuds are usually baked, mashed, or French-fried. There’s nothing wrong with serving these traditional filet mignon sides, but there are countless ways to get creative with potatoes.

Parmesan Crusted Potatoes are easy to make with basic ingredients, including potatoes, grated Parmesan, butter, salt, and pepper. But their elegant appearance and delicious crunch will make it seem like you made something far more complicated.

Scalloped or au gratin potatoes are rich, saucy sides that are more elegant than basic mashed potatoes. Both are made of sliced potatoes baked in a cream-based sauce. Traditionally, au gratin potatoes are topped with cheese, while scalloped potatoes are made without cheese.

Rice and Pasta Side Dishes

Rice is one of those versatile sides that allows you to introduce specific flavor profiles into your steak dinner. Season it with soy sauce and sesame seeds for an Asian side, or make a creamy risotto for an Italian take on this staple grain. The Kitchn provides a fantastic mushroom rice pilaf recipe that’s beautiful and tasty beside a filet mignon.

Macaroni and cheese is a popular side dish at steakhouses, and like rice, there are dozens of different ways to prepare it. Our Creamy Macaroni and Cheese recipe uses simple, traditional ingredients but cooks in a slow cooker so you can fix it and forget it.

Vegetable Side Dishes

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are adorable tiny cabbages that make a delicious, low-carb side to serve with filet mignon. Oven roasting is one of the easiest ways to cook Brussels sprouts. But no matter how you cook them, the most important thing is not overcooking this vegetable. Overcooked Brussels sprouts are mushy, bitter, and completely unpalatable.

Oven roasting will work with any number of sprouts. Buy fresh Brussels sprouts, wash them, trim the stem, and peel off any discolored outer leaves. Pat dry, cut them in half, and place in a mixing bowl. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Drizzle with olive oil, walnut oil, or another favorite cooking oil. Season generously with salt and pepper and gently toss the sprouts until they are coated with oil and seasonings.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray it with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the sprouts in one even layer. Roast for 30 minutes or until they have a crispy browned appearance and are easily pierced with a fork.

Corn

If your filet mignon is the focal point of a casual grilled dinner, throw some fresh ears of corn onto the grill for a delicious side dish. Trim the silk from the ends and peel off the first layer or two of husk. Keep a few layers of husk on the cob to trap the steam that cooks each kernel. Grill for 15 minutes or until done. Allow corn to rest in the husks for 10 minutes or until they’re cool enough to peel, then top with butter, salt, and pepper.

For a more elegant accompaniment for your filet mignon, try chef Natalie Williamson’s recipe for Creamed Corn with Basil. This flavorful side dish infuses fresh-cut corn with garlic, poblano pepper, onion, bacon, and fresh basil.

Squash

Squash is a versatile side dish because it has so many different varieties. Most winter squash is sweet, with a flavor and texture resembling sweet potato. Acorn, butternut, and pumpkin are just a few of the winter squashes that make sweet side dishes when roasted or pan-fried.

Spaghetti squash is one winter variety that lacks a sweet flavor. As its name indicates, it separates into spaghetti-like strands when cooked. It is an excellent low-carb substitute for pasta, and this recipe for Spaghetti Squash with Tomatoes adds classic Italian flavors that pair well with grilled filet mignon.

Summer squashes, like zucchini and yellow squash, have thin, edible skin and a neutral flavor. They are a great addition to roasted vegetable medleys or sauteed on their own with onions and a little garlic. Any preparation would pair well with filet mignon.

Conclusion

Any of these stellar side dishes will provide a memorable filet mignon meal. Add a basket of sourdough rolls or a crunchy baguette to sop up the delicious steak juices on your plate. And keep dessert simple, perhaps a fresh fruit pie or a scoop of sorbet. That is, if you have room for dessert at all!

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Whether you’ve grilled filet mignon at home or have leftovers from your favorite steakhouse, uneaten filet mignon is too good to throw out. Leftover steak has a reputation for turning out tough and dry, but that’s because many people don’t understand how to reheat it correctly. There are several ways to reheat steak, but one best way to reheat filet mignon.

According to the FoodsGuy, there are three main ways to reheat filet mignon: in the oven, stovetop, and microwave. One method is superior to the others, but one of the most essential ingredients in reheating filet mignon must happen when you put your leftovers away. Keep reading to learn about the reheating methods – in order from best to worst – and find out what you must do to ensure tender, flavorful reheated filet mignon.

How to Handle Leftover Steak

Tasty leftovers begin with storing leftover filet mignon properly. Seal the steak in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag so it doesn’t absorb odors from other fridge contents. But if you only save the meat itself, you’re potentially missing out on the best beef flavor boost.

This secret ingredient in reheating filet mignon is scraping any remaining meat juices into the container with the steak. Even a teaspoon of cooking juices will help keep your filet mignon from drying out during reheating. It will also impart a deeply concentrated beef flavor to your leftovers.

Refrigerate the filet mignon and juices and plan to eat them within a day or two. You can also freeze leftover filet mignon. Use an airtight storage method and freeze for up to a year before thawing and reheating.

How to Reheat Filet Mignon in the Oven

Reheating filet mignon in the oven – or the reverse sear method – is the best way to avoid turning your delectable steak into a dried-up hunk of beef. It’s also the slowest way to reheat steak, but taking your time is necessary to retain the meat’s moisture. The brief searing process at the end will restore the crispy surface that’s so delicious on a freshly grilled filet mignon.

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F. Place a wire rack inside a shallow baking dish and place the filet mignon on the rack. Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil to keep moisture from evaporating. Heat the steaks for 20 to 30 minutes or until a meat thermometer registers 110 degrees F. This temperature will adequately heat the meat without taking it to another level of doneness.

Heat any reserved meat juices and a tablespoon of butter or oil in a skillet. Add the warmed filet mignon and sear the steak on each side at high heat for 60 to 90 seconds per side. Let it rest for a few minutes before enjoying your leftovers.

How to Reheat Filet Mignon on the Stovetop

You can get decent results on the stovetop if you don’t have an hour to reheat your filet mignon with the reverse sear method. Heat the reserved meat juices and a little beef broth (about ¼ inch deep) in a skillet until it starts to bubble.

Add the filet mignon and cook it for about one minute on each side or until it is warmed through. (The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the steaks.) This method doesn’t provide a seared exterior, but the added broth keeps the meat moist and tender.

How to Reheat Filet Mignon in the Microwave

Reheating filet mignon in the microwave is something of a last resort measure, but as long as you keep the heat level low, you can avoid rubbery leftovers. Only nuke a steak at full power if you enjoy exercising your jaw muscles.

Place the filet mignon in a deep microwave-safe dish. Add the reserved meat juices and a few tablespoons of beef broth around the steak. Cover the dish with its lid or plastic wrap and place it inside the microwave. Reduce the power level to medium or 50% power. Heat the filet mignon in 30-second intervals and turn the steak each time. Depending on your microwave’s wattage, the steak should be reheated through the middle within a minute or two.

Final Tips

Low and slow are good terms to remember when reheating filet mignon. Those are the two key ways to retain the moisture that makes lean beef palatable.

If your original filet mignon was a little bland, reheating is an excellent time to infuse some new flavor. With the oven method, sprinkle salt, pepper, or Montreal steak seasoning on the filet mignon before searing it. For the stovetop and microwave methods, add garlic, herbs, or other seasonings to the beef broth before heating it. Steak sauce, Italian salad dressing, or Worcestershire sauce are flavorful additions to your reheating liquid.

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Bacon-wrapped filet mignon is a classic way to prepare this most coveted steak. Not only does wrapping filet mignon with a slice of bacon infuse your lean steak medallion with delicious fat, but the sweet, smoky flavor of bacon infuses throughout the meat.  

There are at least 4 ways to cook bacon-wrapped filet mignon easily at home. You can fire up the grill, preheat the oven, turn on the air fryer, or pull out your favorite cast iron skillet. Each cooking method comes with unique benefits and flavors, so be sure to try them all. Click the links to view full recipes and elevate your next steak dinner to crispy new heights.

On the Grill

Grilling is perhaps the best way to cook any type of steak. The intense heat sears the outside of the filet mignon, creating a crispy crust and sealing in the meat’s natural juices. Grill marks give the finished steak an attractive appearance, and grilling infuses the meat with a delicious smokiness.

Bacon adds salt, fat, and smokiness to filet mignon, which is often described as tender but mild in flavor. Our Bacon Wrapped Steak recipe further elevates this lean cut of beef by applying homemade roasted garlic butter after grilling.

It’s recommended to make the butter a day ahead by roasting whole garlic cloves in olive oil, then mashing and mixing them with unsalted butter and chopped chives. When you’re ready to grill, season the filets with salt and pepper, wrap them with bacon, then grill to the desired doneness. Top each hot filet mignon with a generous pat of roasted garlic butter before serving.

In the Oven

Ree Drummond is a well-known Food Network star. She lives on an enormous Oklahoma cattle ranch with her husband, Ladd, and knows everything there is to know about cooking quality beef. Her Bacon-Wrapped Filets with Cowboy Butter integrates stovetop and oven cooking methods to create a tender, flavorful filet mignon.

Drummond’s Cowboy Butter blends salted butter, parsley, chives, lemon zest, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. After chilling the butter mixture for 30 minutes, you’ll be ready to prepare the steaks. Wrap them in bacon, secure them with toothpicks, and generously season the meat with salt and pepper. Sear over medium-high heat for one minute per side, then transfer the steaks to a 450˚ F oven to finish cooking.

In the Air Fryer

Air fryers have been around since 2010, but it took another decade for them to soar in popularity. An air fryer works like a compact convection oven by circulating hot air around food to create a crisp texture. Little to no added fat is necessary, making air frying a healthy alternative to traditional oil frying.  

Taste of Home provides step-by-step video instructions for making a quick yet delectable bacon-wrapped filet mignon in your air fryer. As with other filet mignon recipes, you will season your filets with salt and pepper before wrapping a slice of bacon around the edge. But in this case, you must pre-cook the bacon for several minutes first to ensure the final product is crispy.

Instead of adding seasoned butter at the end, this Taste of Home recipe calls for mixing up a savory baby portobello mushroom sauce to add exquisite flavor to your filet mignon. It calls for ingredients you probably already have in the pantry, including soy sauce, brown sugar, and ginger ale.

In a Cast Iron Pan on the Stove

An old-fashioned, well-seasoned cast iron skillet is the best pan for searing meat. Its thermal density evenly distributes heat and keeps the pan at a constant temperature, both essential ingredients in making the perfect sear.

Steak University provides directions for cooking bacon-wrapped filet mignon on the stovetop in a cast iron skillet. Click the link, then click option 4. It is the best of all the cooking methods to ensure your bacon edge is crispy all around.

Cast iron can take a while to preheat, so place the skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes before you plan to start cooking. Meanwhile, season your filet mignon and secure a strip of bacon around each steak with a toothpick. You’ll cook the filet flat on each side for 2 or 3 minutes, then hold it with tongs to sear the bacon around each filet’s edge. Once the bacon is crisp all around, you will lower the heat and baste the filets with melted butter.

Filet Mignon Cooking Tips

Always remove filet mignon from the refrigerator 30 to 60 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature. Cooking cold steak can result in an undercooked middle, even if the meat appears done on the edges.

Allow your cooked filets to rest for at least 10 minutes at room temperature before serving. This ensures even juiciness throughout the steak.

The best way to know if your bacon-wrapped filet mignon is at the doneness you prefer is to use a meat thermometer. Remove your steaks from the heat when they reach these temperatures:

• Rare: 115℉
• Medium rare: 125℉
• Medium: 135℉
• Medium well: 145℉
• Well done: 155℉

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The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/robynmac.

The post 4 Ways to Cook Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon with Recipes appeared first on Moms Who Think.

You're not alone if you feel a little confused when it’s time to buy a steak. The many cuts and price ranges make it hard to know which type to purchase and why. Most people know that filet mignon is one of the better steaks, but what makes it special? Where on the cow does a filet mignon come from?

The filet mignon is cut from the cow’s tenderloin muscle. Because this area gets little exercise, the meat is exceptionally tender. It’s also relatively lean compared to other steaks. Keep reading to learn what other factors make the tenderloin special and determine if filet mignon is worth its high price tag.

Where is the tenderloin on a cow?

The tenderloin is a long, thin muscle that runs along the cow’s spine. There are two tenderloins on each cow, as it runs equally down both sides of the spine. It is usually butchered as one long, thin section of beef.

Filet mignon – French for “delicate, fine, or cute fillet” – is sliced off the smaller end of the tenderloin. Ironically, if you order filet mignon in France, you will be served pork medallions. The cut that goes by that name in the United States is called “filet de bœuf” in French. In other European countries, it’s called fillet steak (UK and Ireland), filetsteak (Germany),  solomillo (Spain), and filetbiff (Norway).

Why Filet Mignon is so Expensive

Because the tenderloin is such a small muscle, only a little of it is available on each cow. So, it’s far less common than other types of steak. As we all learned in high school economics class, high demand and low supply equals higher prices.

Additionally, filet mignon is higher quality beef that stays tender even when fully cooked. It retains this soft texture despite lacking the fat marbling found in most other steaks.

How to Prepare Filet Mignon

There are many ways to prepare filet mignon, but most people prefer to grill it or cook it in the oven. To grill filet mignon, season it with salt and pepper or a seasoning rub. Set the grill to 500°F and sear the steak, flipping every few minutes, until it reaches your desired level of doneness.

If you prefer to roast filet mignon in the oven, set the oven to 415°F. While the oven preheats, season the steaks with salt and pepper or a seasoning rub. Heat 2 or 3 tablespoons of butter or olive oil in a heavy, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steaks for two minutes on each side, then place the skillet in the preheated oven. Roast the meat for 5 to 10 minutes or until it reaches the desired doneness.

According to Omaha Steaks, use the following meat thermometer temperatures as a guide to doneness:

• Rare: 120°- 130°F
• Medium Rare: 130°-140°F
• Medium: 140°-150°F
• Well Done: 160°-170°F

Always allow cooked filet mignon to rest for 10 to 20 minutes before cutting it. This allows the meat’s natural juices to redistribute throughout the steak instead of just spilling out onto the serving plate.

Is filet mignon worth it?

Filet mignon is worth the cost for anyone who enjoys fork-tender beef with a low fat content. However, some people feel that filet mignon’s low fat content results in a bland steak. It is true that fat marbling produces the intense and complex beef flavor that steak lovers enjoy. Therefore, whether filet mignon is worth its cost is a matter of personal taste preference.

How to Save Money on Filet Mignon

Although it will cost a lot initially, you can save money on filet mignon if you buy the whole beef tenderloin and cut the steaks yourself. Check grocer sales ads: whole tenderloins and filet mignon occasionally go on sale.

Most people are unaware that porterhouse steaks and T-bone steaks are larger cuts that include the filet mignon. So if you have one person who prefers fattier steak and one who prefers lean filet mignon, buy a porterhouse or T-bone and share it. The filet will be in a small, rounded shape on one side of the bone, and you'll pay several dollars less per pound.

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The post Where on the Cow Does a Filet Mignon Come From? appeared first on Moms Who Think.

If you’re over a certain age, you remember what life was like before the Magic Bullet and NutriBullet were invented. You had to drag out a big, heavy, old-school blender if you wanted a smoothie or a shake. And because the big blender pitcher needed to be full to a certain point to work well, you probably made more than you needed.

Single-serve blenders were a game-changer, especially in the fitness world, because they made it so much easier to whip up a healthy green smoothie or get a perfectly smooth protein powder shake. If you’ve been shopping for one, you see that the price ranges are wide. In addition, it’s hard to know which attachments you need and which will likely sit in a drawer forever. We’ve researched the pros and cons of Magic Bullet and NutriBullet blenders to help you decide the best addition to your kitchen.

What is a Magic Bullet blender?

The Magic Bullet blender was introduced in 2003. It has a 250-watt motor and comes with an 18 oz. cup. You can purchase other cup sizes, including a 22 oz. tall cup and a 12 oz. short cup. The company also sells various accessories, such as resealable lids and mugs with handles.

Magic Bullet Pros

A Magic Bullet blender does a fabulous job of blending protein shakes and milkshakes. It also makes good baby food purees from soft fruits and cooked vegetables.

Magic Bullet offers two types of stainless steel blades. The flat blade is used for grinding, milling, and whipping. The cross blade makes easy work of chopping, grating, grinding, blending, and pureeing.

Steam and strain lids allow you to heat liquids in the microwave and strain the finished product. All cups, lids, and blades are dishwasher safe, but the manufacturer recommends handwashing the blades.

The Magic Bullet is an affordable option for people who need a basic blender for smoothies and shakes. Its small size also makes it a good choice for those living in small apartments with little storage or counter space.

Magic Bullet Cons

The Magic Bullet is not the most powerful blender on the market. It sometimes fails to fully puree raw fruits and vegetables, even after extending the blending time. This may not be a problem if you don’t mind a bit of texture in your smoothies. But if you blend a lot of celery, kale, or other fibrous vegetables, you’ll probably find the Magic Bullet a little less than magical.

There is just one speed setting. It may have trouble fully breaking up ice or frozen fruits.

The blender features a nonskid rubber base, but it does not keep the blender in place as well as the NutriBullet’s suction cup base.

What is a NutriBullet blender?

The NutriBullet blender was introduced in 2012. The basic model has a powerful 600-watt motor and a 24 oz. cup. NutriBullet also offers multiple accessories, including to-go lids with flip-top caps, lids with pitcher-type spouts, and mugs with handles.

NutriBullet Pros

NutriBullet has special extractor blades that thoroughly liquify fruits and vegetables into nutritious beverages, soups, and sauces. Combined with its powerful 600-watt motor, the NutriBullet produces exceptionally smooth results.

The NutriBullet’s blades and powerful motor will provide maximum nutrient extraction to meet any special dietary needs.

The NutriBullet has two speed settings for better control. One setting is for blending, and the other is for pulsing.

NutriBullet offers a large selection of accessories and attachments, which makes it more versatile than the Magic Bullet. Additionally, its larger capacity makes it good for couples and families.

Features a suction base that helps keep it steady during operation. Like the Magic Bullet, the components are dishwasher safe, but the user manual recommends handwashing the blades to retain their sharpness.

NutriBullet Cons

NutriBullet is more expensive than other bullet blenders, and you’ll pay more for the optional accessories, too. Unless you need a very powerful blender, you can probably get by with a cheaper brand.

The NutriBullet is taller and bigger than similar appliances, which could be problematic if your counter or storage space is limited.

Some users report that the blender is very loud while in use.

Which blender is best?

It all narrows down to your budget and how you plan to use your blender. If you only make single-serving smoothies a few times a week, a Magic Bullet will meet your needs without breaking the bank. However, if you need a bigger capacity blender with considerably more power or often need to liquefy fruits or vegetables, it’s worth spending a little more on the NutriBullet.

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You have a great Traeger grill, a beautiful slab of brisket, and several savory seasonings: what could possibly go wrong? Brisket has a reputation as being a difficult cut of meat. Because it comes from one of the least-tender parts of the cow, it can easily turn out chewy and dry. It can be tricky for novice cooks to navigate the mistakes that can ruin your brisket.

Cooking this cut of beef on a pellet grill can add another dimension of difficulty in creating juicy, tender brisket. However, smoking is the perfect way to cook beef brisket. No other method provides the slow, flavorful roast that breaks down the stubborn collagen and connective tissue in this cut of meat. There are five basic brisket blunders Traeger owners often make. The good news is that they are all easily corrected mistakes.

1. Buying Cheap Ingredients

We get it: groceries keep getting more expensive, especially meat. But brisket is one cut that requires you to buy the best USDA grade you can afford. If you can find it, USDA Prime is the best because it has abundant fat marbling and comes from younger cows. The next best is USDA Choice, the most common grade of beef at grocery stores. Avoid USDA Select grade brisket, as it lacks the fat necessary for tender brisket.

Since you’ve already invested in a high-quality Traeger grill, don’t skimp on the quality of your fuel. Do your research and learn which wood pellets have the best reviews. Remember, pellets aren’t just a fuel source; they’re also a primary source of flavor. So try several brands to find the one your taste buds prefer. Traeger’s own pitmasters recommend hickory, maple, or pecan wood pellets.

Bonus tip: Trim the brisket’s fat cap no thinner than a quarter inch. Brisket needs fat to become tender; you can always trim any excess afterward.

2. Starting With a Dirty Grill

Cooking on a Traeger (or any grill or smoker) can be messy. Smoke, ash, fat residue, and other buildup must be cleaned away often to keep components working correctly.

The grease bucket catches fat while cooking. It’s easiest to keep it clean by purchasing disposable grease bucket liners that can be thrown away. Scrape any fat buildup from the channels that carry the melted fat to the bucket, as neglecting this can cause a grease fire.

Use a citrus-based degreaser spray to clean the inside of your grill. Keep your temperature probe free from cooking residue by giving it a good scrub with a scouring pad. Don’t forget about your firebox. It will be full of ash when you’re done. Empty it, and a few times a year, take it apart and vacuum it out with a shop vac.

Bonus tip: Once you’re satisfied that your Traeger is ready to go, start with the lid open. This allows the initial vapors released from the pellets to vent away. Once you see wafts of smoke, you can close the lid for the rest of the preheating process.

3. Neglecting Temperature Guidelines

Temperature is everything when smoking a brisket on a Traeger. First, allow your grill to preheat for at least 20 to 30 minutes. This allows the temperature to stabilize and the heat to fully saturate the interior.

Refuse the temptation to crank the grill up a few degrees. Brisket must be cooked at a low temperature to become tender and smoky. 275 degrees is the highest you should go, and lower is better. Start around 225 or even 200, then bring it up at the end.

Avoid the temptation to manually change the temperature all day. Part of the reason Traeger grills are expensive is that they are equipped with computers that manage the temperature for you. All grills will have temperature swings, so don’t obsess over them. Just set your controls and let the grill do its thing.

Your temperature probe should be your guide because every brisket cooks differently depending on fat content and thickness. Base any decisions on the meat probe temperature reading, not the clock.

Bonus Tip: Even at the perfect temperature, you risk serving dry meat if you don’t add moisture while smoking brisket. Spritz the meat with water, apple juice, or reserved marinade every hour or so.

4. Ignoring Your Pellet Box

Keep an eye on your pellet hopper. Because smoking a brisket takes several hours, you probably won’t be sitting beside your Traeger the entire time. Periodically check the hopper so your pellets won’t clog or run out, extinguishing your cooking flame. Top off the pellets and stir them well to ensure they continue flowing well through the auger.

Bonus tip: Keep your pellets dry. We recommend storing them in an airtight container in a dry room or garage.

5. Forgetting to Wrap and Rest

After the brisket reaches 165-170 degrees, wrap it in foil or butcher paper to seal in the fat and juices during the remaining cooking time. If you’re worried that the steam will soften the crisp bark on the surface, unwrap it once it reaches 200 degrees, then cook it at 225 degrees until it reaches the desired crispness.

Brisket must also rest for at least an hour before slicing and serving. Many pitmasters prefer to let it rest inside a dry cooler or other insulated container for two hours or more. Resting large cuts of meat allows the moisture to redistribute and the collagen to gelatinize. This prevents all the moisture from flowing out when you slice it.

Bonus Tip: Fill the gaps between your brisket and the container’s walls with clean towels. This provides extra insulation and will catch any drippings.

Up Next:

Camp Chef vs. Traeger: Which Grill is Best with Pros & Cons for Each

Brisket vs. Steak: Taste, Cooking, and Nutritional Differences

Smoking Brisket at 225 vs. 250: Pros & Cons (And Which is Better)

The image featured at the top of this post is ©hlphoto/Shutterstock.com.

The post 5 Traeger Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Brisket appeared first on Moms Who Think.

Wyoming has long been the most sparsely populated state in the U.S. despite being the 10^th largest state geographically. Famous for its wide-open spaces and Yellowstone State Park, 48% of the state is federally owned public land. Wyoming’s growth has been fairly consistent over the past 100 years, and people often choose to move there for income tax relief. Families may feel education options are limited in The Equality State, but there are both affordable and expensive schools in Wyoming.

According to Private School Review, only 3% of Wyoming’s students are educated in private schools, which is far lower than the national average of 10%. While all of the schools on our best Wyoming schools list are public, the bigger cities also have great private schools. Here’s the latest information about Wyoming's most expensive schools and universities.

Elementary Schools

St. Mary's Catholic School

2200 Oneil Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001

St. Mary’s Catholic School provides a traditional Christian education to pre-K through 6th-grade students. Enrollment is around 150 students, and annual tuition varies by student age. Unlike many private schools, parents pay more for preschool ($6,885) than for grades K through 6 ($5,510). This is due to the school’s efforts to make private education affordable. The actual annual cost to educate an elementary-aged child is $12,500, and they invite parents to pay more to help fill the gap if they can.

Basketball, volleyball, archery, and track are some of the school’s athletic offerings. Special classes include art, music, Spanish, and computer technology. Community service is also a big priority, both on and off campus.

Trinity Lutheran School

419 E. Park Ave, Riverton, WY 82501

Trinity Lutheran School is a classical Christian school that was established in 1991. The school utilizes a classical Charlotte Mason curriculum and multi-grade classrooms to teach over 50 students from preschool through 8^th grade. Current tuition is $5,025, but prospective families are encouraged to contact the school for the most recent tuition rates.

Saxon math, Shurley grammar, and Spalding phonics are some of the curricula used. Children are encouraged to participate in daily devotions and weekly chapel services. They also rotate through weekly special classes, including music, art, Latin, logic, and PE.

John Paul II Catholic School

1000 Butler Spaeth Rd, Gillette, WY 82716

John Paul II Catholic School is a top-rated school for children from preschool through 6^th grade. Current enrollment is just under 200 students, and yearly tuition is $4,100 for K-6. Full-day preschool students pay $5,200 in annual tuition fees, and a sibling discount is available.

Students receive a well-rounded education with STREAM (Science, Technology, Recreation, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics). STREAM also emphasizes reading, writing, critical thinking, and creativity. The curriculum includes music and physical education, and students engage in daily prayer and weekly Mass services.

High School

Jackson Hole Community School

1715 High School Rd, Jackson, WY 83001

Jackson Hole Community School is Wyoming’s only private high school. The school serves around 90 students in grades 9 through 12 in Jackson and surrounding areas. Yearly tuition is $30,500, and approximately 25% of the student body receives some form of financial aid.

Electives include various fine art disciplines, including photography, music, and theater. Science-based electives include computer programming and advanced environmental microbiology. The school offers a unique “minimester” experience where students go on backcountry adventures and engage in curricular and career exploration activities.

K-12 Schools

Jackson Hole Classical Academy

2500 South Park Loop Rd, Jackson, WY 83001

Jackson Hole Classical Academy is a top-ranked private school that serves just over 100 students in grades K through 12. Small class sizes allow students to enjoy personalized instruction in the core curriculum and various extracurricular activities. It is the most expensive school in Wyoming for K-12 students; annual tuition is $28,350 for kindergarten through grade 4, $28,900 for grades 5 through 8, and $29,700 for grades 9 through 12.

The school follows a classical liberal arts tradition to cultivate virtue and wisdom in its students. The student-teacher ratio is 5:1, and 100% of their graduates go on to college or technical training programs. Students have access to a variety of athletic programs, including alpine skiing, golf, lacrosse, soccer, hockey, and football.

Mount Hope Lutheran School

2300 S. Hickory St, Casper, WY 82604

Mount Hope Lutheran School is part of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The school states that its mission is to assist parents in providing a Christ-centered classical education to just over 60 students from kindergarten through 12^th grade. Yearly tuition is $4,630 for K-8^th grades and $4,950 for grades 9-12.

Students attend daily chapel services and study Christian doctrine. A focus is placed on the classical languages of Greek and Latin along with the seven liberal arts (grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy). Classical education also teaches the seven virtues (faith, hope, love, prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude).

Colleges and Universities

WyoTech

1889 Venture Dr, Laramie, Wyoming 82070

Wyoming Tech, or WyoTech, states that students can be career-ready in as little as 9 months. Located in Laramie, the school focuses on full-time training in automotive, diesel, and collision/refinishing technology. The 9-month tuition fee is $31,750 and includes all books, tools, and equipment.

Students must also add on a 3-month specialty program to graduate. Choices include high-performance power trains, street rods, trim and upholstery, chassis fabrication, applied service management, and advanced diesel. Over 50% of educational time is spent in the shop, where students gain hands-on experience and instruction.

University of Wyoming

1000 E. University Ave, Laramie, WY 82071

The University of Wyoming is a four-year public college located in Laramie. It is a Research University (high research activity) by Carnegie Classification. There is a considerable tuition difference for in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition and fees total $6,621 for Wyoming residents, but students from other states will pay $21,771. About 59% of UW’s 12,000 students are from Wyoming, while the remaining students hail from all 50 states and 82 countries.

UW students can choose from over 200 areas of study and 85 majors across the college’s range of programs. In addition to exploratory studies and graduate education, UW’s vast campus offers the following colleges and schools:

• Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources
• Arts and Sciences
• Business
• Education
• Engineering and Physical Sciences
• Health Sciences
• Law
• Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources
• Honors College
• School of Computing
• School of Energy Resources

UW also prides itself on its various athletics programs for men and women. Men’s sports include basketball, football, golf, and wrestling. Women’s sports include basketball, golf, soccer, swimming/diving, tennis, and volleyball.

Northwest College

231 West 6^th St, Powell, WY 82435

Northwest College occupies 62 buildings on a 132-acre campus near the gateway of Yellowstone National Park in Powell, Wyoming. For over 75 years, it has provided certificates and two- and four-year degrees to thousands of students. Current tuition and fees for in-state students are $4,862 and $11,162 for out-of-state students.

Many of the school’s programs are not commonly available at other colleges, such as Adventure Education, Aeronautics/Aviation, and Equine Studies. More common degree paths include nursing and pre-professional medical degrees in pre-pharmacy, pre-optometry, and pre-occupational therapy. Criminal justice, education, engineering, computer science, business, and communications are other possible pathways among the dozens offered at Northwest College.

Athletics programs include the region-specific sport of rodeo (for men and women), basketball, soccer, wrestling, and volleyball. Intramural sports include flag football, softball, dodgeball, ultimate frisbee, and broomball.

How to Choose a Good School in Wyoming

Finding a good school in Wyoming might feel challenging since the options are few. However, the state’s schools are overall very good, regardless of the tuition fees you may pay. Compare and contrast what each private and public school offers to see which one best meets your student’s needs.

Up Next:

The 8 Oldest Schools In Wyoming Are Ancient

The 6 Largest School Districts In Wyoming Are Massive

The 10 Best Camps In Wyoming Today

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The post The Most Expensive Schools In Wyoming Today appeared first on Moms Who Think.

Oregon is home to spectacular scenery, from the peak of Mount Hood down to Cannon Beach. The Beaver State’s rich frontier history is as long as the Oregon Trail, and the city of Portland represents its current inclusive trendiness. Families have many options for education, from the most affordable to the most expensive schools in Oregon.

Private School Review states that 10% of Oregon’s K-12 students are educated in private schools, the same as the national average. While many of the best Oregon schools are public, charter, and magnet schools, parents may still opt to send their children to private schools.   

Oregon is home to one of the few private middle schools designed for students with learning disabilities. Most privately educated students in Oregon find that the middle grades are an extension of elementary or high schools. Keep reading to learn more about Oregon's most expensive private schools and universities.

Elementary Schools

Portland Jewish Academy

6651 Southwest Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219

This Jewish day school serves over 250 students from nursery school through 8^th grade. Their unique curriculum integrates interdisciplinary learning, foreign language acquisition, community service, and traditional Jewish values like kavod/respect. Prospective students need not be Jewish to apply but should understand that participation in Jewish life is presumed, including holidays and prayer.

Annual tuition for kindergarten through 5^th grade is $23,200, and middle school tuition is $24,200. The school has a tuition assistance program and offers family discounts to those with more than one child enrolled. Portland Jewish Academy has 29% more instructional hours in each school day than Portland public schools, but they balance it with arts, music, physical education, and three outdoor playgrounds.

International School of Portland

2305 S Water Ave Portland, OR 97201

The International School of Portland offers a unique program where pre-K through 5^th grade students are fully immersed in Japanese, Mandarin, or Spanish. It is Portland’s first International Baccalaureate elementary school and educates approximately 400 students each year. Annual tuition for grades K-5 is $22,250, and families can receive a 10% sibling discount.

While language immersion is the primary experience at the International School of Portland, students also receive an excellent education in all core curricula. Physical education, technology, art, and music classes create well-rounded students. Fifth graders exercise their language and cultural skills by traveling as a group to stay with host families in China, Japan, or Mexico. This gives them a unique experience to carry to middle school and beyond.

Oak Hill School

86397 Eldon Schafer Dr, Eugene, OR 97405

Oak Hill School was founded in 1984 to provide students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for high school and beyond. Tuition varies by grade, with Lower School (K-5) students paying $19,600 and Upper School (6-8) students paying $21,100 annually.

Located on a 72-acre campus filled with orchards, forests, and grassy hills, Oak Hill encourages students to engage in activities such as gardening and beekeeping to help them understand the natural world. Students learn Mandarin Chinese and Spanish in kindergarten, first, and second grades, then choose which language to focus on during third through eighth grade. An emphasis is also placed on visual arts, theater, music, and technology.

Middle and High Schools

Northwest Academy

1130 SW Main Street, Portland, OR 97205

Located in Portland, Northwest Academy is home to over 250 middle and high school students seeking a creative, inclusive educational environment. Yearly tuition is currently $28,000. Northwest’s students receive a college preparatory education that strives to create a balance between academics and the arts.

In fact, Northwest high schoolers must complete seven arts elective credits, including a full year each of performing arts and media or literary arts. The usual private school athletic programs are replaced by dance, Yoga, or Tai Chi, and students must perform 30 hours of community service to graduate. The school also focuses on providing a welcoming and diverse environment free from social cliques, bullying, and ridicule.

Pacific Crest Community School

116 NE 29^th Ave, Portland, OR 97232

This smaller private school has been around since 1993 and currently enrolls approximately 90 students in grades 6-12. On its website, Pacific Crest states that its goal is to provide students with a “diverse, dynamic mix” of classroom work, independent studies, special projects, and community service. Annual tuition is $17,500.

Arts programs are cyclical and include drawing, painting, sculpting, photography, drama, film, and music. Core curriculum is also presented with more diversity than most schools, public or private. They reflect classes students may encounter at the college level, such as women’s literature, African-American studies, and oceanography.

Bridges Middle School

2510 SW 1^st Ave., Portland, OR 97201

Bridges Middle School is a small institution designed to meet the needs of middle schoolers with learning disabilities. It serves kids in grades 5 through 8, and the current enrollment is just 64 students. Yearly tuition is $26,750, and only about half of the families who apply are accepted.

Small class sizes allow for individualized instruction, and students also receive the support and therapies they need to reach their full potential. Social skills and self-advocacy skills are also taught, and the school relies heavily on family involvement to ensure their students’ success.

K-12 Schools

The Delphian School

20950 South West Rock Creek Rd., Sheridan, OR 97378

The Delphian School is a day and boarding school that serves 229 co-ed and international students in grades K through 12. Over half of the student body lives on the 700-acre hilltop campus located about an hour southwest of Portland. Day school tuition is $39,102 annually, while tuition plus boarding is $64,522 annually.

Over 20 athletic programs, an immersive arts platform, and a service work requirement supplement the school’s rigorous academic courses to create a well-rounded graduate. Students receive one-on-one college and career guidance. Delphian’s commitment to academic integrity has resulted in 85% of graduates being accepted into their first-choice college.

Oregon Episcopal School

6300 SW Nicol Rd, Portland, OR 97223

This college prep school is huge, serving over 880 students in pre-K through 12^th grade. Around 60 high schoolers from around the world use the school’s boarding option. Annual tuition fees vary depending on grade level and boarding options. Kindergarten students will pay $34,700 yearly, while first through fifth graders pay $35,900. Middle and high schoolers’ tuition ranges from $41,300 to $73,300 for tuition plus boarding (grades 9-12 only).

Oregon Episcopal School is open to students of all religious backgrounds. They use a curriculum that supports an inquiry-based learning method, and students begin learning Spanish in pre-K. Middle and upper school students can choose from Spanish, French, or Chinese in the World Languages program. Physical education, religion/philosophy, and fine arts programs enhance the school experience.

Cascades Academy

19860 Tumalo Reservoir Rd, Bend, OR 97703

Located on over 50 acres in scenic central Oregon, Cascades Academy serves approximately 250 students in pre-K through 12^th grade. Small class sizes enhance the school’s emphasis on outdoor education, experiential learning, and community service. Annual tuition is $20,630 for elementary students and $20,725 for middle and high school students.

At the lower, middle, and upper school levels, Cascades Academy focuses on “learning by doing.” The methodology often takes students out of the classroom to engage in activities and experiences that lead to reflection, conceptualization, and application of the desired learning outcomes.

Colleges and Universities

Reed College

3203 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97202

Reed College is a four-year private college located on a beautiful campus in the Eastmoreland neighborhood of Portland. It has a total enrollment of just over 1,500 students who pay the state’s highest tuition cost of $64,760. Reed College students, or “Reedies,” pursue Bachelor of Arts degrees in 38 majors, including anthropology, chemistry, computer science, and psychology. The school also offers a graduate program for those seeking a Master of Arts degree in liberal studies.

Lewis and Clark College

615 S. Palatine Hill Rd, Portland, OR 97219

Lewis & Clark College boasts that Portland’s best view of Mt. Hood is right in their backyard. This private college is designated by Carnegie Classification as a Baccalaureate College – Arts & Sciences. Students can choose from dozens of majors in art, humanities, social sciences, math and natural sciences, and interdisciplinary programs. Annual tuition is $59,684, and 95% of the student body has received grants or scholarships.

Pacific University

2043 College Way Forest Grove, OR 97116

Pacific University’s main campus is located east of Portland in Forest Grove, and its 4,000 students are spread through three other locations in Eugene, Hillsboro, and Woodburn. The school’s Carnegie Classification is a Doctoral/Research University, and its current tuition plus fees is $52,072. Undergraduate students can apply for over 65 areas of study, including environmental science, gender studies, and journalism. The school also offers over a dozen pre-professional tracks in medicine and athletics and graduate and professional programs in education and other majors.

Choosing the Right Private School in Oregon

Oregon’s private schools include a wide range of amenities. Language immersion, diversity and inclusion, and strong fine arts programs are just some of the features that can help parents decide the best place to educate their precious offspring. While cost is usually a factor in determining the best school, many of the most expensive schools in Oregon offer generous financial aid options.

Up Next:

The 10 Oldest Schools In Oregon Are Ancient

The 13 Largest Schools In Oregon Are Massive

The 7 Largest School Districts In Oregon Are Massive

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Minnesota is called the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and its name comes from a Dakota Sioux word meaning “clear blue water.” The North Star State is home to many great private schools with affordable tuition fees, but some of the most expensive schools in Minnesota cost more than a house payment.

According to Private School Review, 10% of Minnesota’s K-12 students are educated in private schools, which matches the national average. Some of the best Minnesota schools carry a high price tag, while others are more affordable or even free. However, smaller class sizes, individualized attention, and stronger parental involvement are traditionally some of the benefits of attending a more expensive private school.

Privately educated children in sixth, seventh, or eighth grade won’t attend a separate middle school like public school students. Private schools usually include the middle grades at elementary or high schools or at institutions serving students from K-12. Keep reading to learn more about the most expensive private schools and universities in Minnesota.

Elementary Schools

Amos and Celia Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School

4330 Cedar Lake Rd. S., Minneapolis, MN 55416

This Jewish day school for K-8 students began in 1984 with just a handful of children. Now, it educates over 200 elementary and middle school students each year. Families can expect to pay an annual tuition fee of $21,320 for grades K-5 and $22,880 for grades 6-8. Tuition assistance is available so that no family is required to pay the full amount.

Previous Hebrew education is optional to enroll, and those with little knowledge of Hebrew can access tutoring. In addition to offering rigorous academics, the school centers around instilling traditional Jewish values. Graduates from Heilicher go on to attend some of Minnesota’s best high schools and universities.

Cyprus Classical Academy

190 Cobblestone Ln., Burnsville, MN 55337

Cyprus Classical Academy is designed for highly gifted students who are intellectually bored in traditional schools. Small class sizes and customized schedules help children from pre-K through 8^th grade to reach their full potential. Advanced STEM academics are balanced with creative arts, physical education, field trips, and other activities.

Full tuition is $20,855 annually, while subsidized tuition is $17,855. Cyprus also offers an online education option for students from age 6 through grade 8, with a full tuition cost of $17,855. Financial assistance is available for qualifying families.

City of Lakes Waldorf School

2344 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404

The Waldorf method of education has existed for over 100 years and is growing in popularity. Its focus goes beyond academic achievement, concentrating on the student’s entire well-being. For example, students make their own textbooks to internalize what they learn. Waldorf schools allow students to keep the same teacher from first through eighth grade.

City of Lakes Waldorf School tuition is currently $15,000. Creative activities such as painting, sculpting, and knitting are enjoyed daily and help build mathematic skills and perseverance. The school even has a circus program where children learn to juggle, walk on stilts, and ride unicycles. Learning a musical instrument is also mandatory, along with daily recess.

Middle and High Schools

Shattuck-St. Mary’s School

1000 Shumway Ave., Faribault, MN 55021

Shattuck-St. Mary’s School is one of the oldest college prep schools in the Midwestern United States. Founded in 1858, it occupies a gorgeous 250-acre campus 45 minutes south of Minneapolis-St. Paul. It is a boarding school that serves over 400 students in grades 6-12. The tuition is currently the highest among Minnesota private schools at $55,000 per year.

Students are divided by age into middle school (grades 6 through 9) and upper school (grades 10 through 12). Shattuck-St. Mary’s offers an English as a Second Language program, World Language classes, and various extracurricular activities, including dance, theater, music, and digital video production. Athletics programs include hockey, soccer, golf, and figure skating.

St. Thomas Academy

949 Mendota Heights Rd., Saint Paul, MN 55120

St. Thomas Academy is a Catholic all-boys school serving nearly 600 students in grades 6 through 12. Their website touts a mission of creating a brotherhood of young men who have harnessed their greatest intellectual, spiritual, athletic, and leadership potential. The school uses a military education model called the Corps of Cadets to achieve these goals.

Tuition varies by grade, starting at $18,500 for 6^th grade, $22,050 for 7^th and 8^th grades, and $25,150 for 9^th through 12^th grades. A rigorous curriculum includes courses in theology, literature, and technology to support the usual offerings of math, science, and history. Chinese, French, and Spanish are offered, and extracurricular groups include FIRST Lego League and rifle teams. Theater, arts, football, soccer, and cross country provide a well-rounded education.

St. John’s Preparatory School

2280 Watertower Rd., Collegeville, MN 56321

St. John’s is a co-ed, college preparatory Catholic/Benedictine middle and high school. It occupies a massive 2,900-acre campus and offers a boarding school option for students starting in 9^th grade. It boasts an international student body, with around 25% of its students coming from over a dozen countries each year.

Full tuition for middle school students is $9,725. Tuition for high school day students is $19,075, while boarding school students pay anywhere from $26,899 to $57,260 depending on how many days a week they board and where they are from. All students can benefit from the school’s variable tuition program.

K-12 Schools

Groves Academy

3200 Highway 100 S, Minneapolis, MN 55416

Groves Academy has been educating students with learning disabilities and attention disorders from first through twelfth grade for nearly 50 years. Most private schools lack the resources to help children with learning disabilities, but the Groves Learning Organization (GLO) exists to serve them. GLO provides assessments, tutoring, speech-language therapy, and summer programs and partners with 73 other schools to provide these services.

Groves Academy tuition for full-time students in all grades is $37,148. Because the school is committed to helping kids from varying socioeconomic backgrounds, it offers several financial assistance programs. The curriculum is geared specifically toward helping kids with learning disabilities succeed and includes instruction in organization and executive function skills.

Mounds Park Academy

2051 Larpenteur Avenue E, Saint Paul, MN 55109

Mounds Park Academy is a large private school serving nearly 600 students in pre-K through 12^th grade. Annual tuition is currently $31,000 for grades K-4, $33,500 for grades 5-8, and $36,000 for grades 9-12.  However, the school offers an Indexed Tuition program, and all families are encouraged to apply. The program assesses each family’s financial position and assigns tuition accordingly. The tuition range spans from 20% to 80% of the full tuition fee.

The average student-teacher ratio at Mounds Park Academy is 7:1. The college prep curriculum is challenging without being overly competitive. Students can explore their creative side through various fine arts programs, and the award-winning athletics program includes tennis, swimming, soccer, volleyball, and more.

Visitation School

2455 Visitation Dr., Saint Paul, MN 55120

Visitation School is a Catholic school founded in 1873 by the Sisters of the Visitation of Holy Mary. The school serves co-ed students from pre-K through grade 5, then switches to an all-girls program from grades 6 to 12. Full-day tuition for the Montessori pre-K program (33 months to 5 years of age) is $15,390. Lower School (grades K-5) tuition is $18,185, Middle School (grades 6-8) is $21,667, and Upper School (grades 9-12) is $26,383.

The challenging curriculum is balanced with Christian education and a focus on multi-grade-level community and mentorship programs. Basketball, cross country, and soccer are some of the athletics offerings at Visitation School. A complex fine arts program provides education in instrumental and vocal music, ballet, studio arts, and theater.

Colleges and Universities

Carleton College

1 N. College St., Northfield, MN 55057

Carleton College is currently the most expensive college in Minnesota, with tuition and fees amounting to $62,634 annually. This liberal arts school offers an 8-to-1 student-faculty ratio and 54 majors and minors in everything from anthropology to statistics. More than 70% of students engage in the school’s various sports programs. With 20 varsity teams and 24 club sports, Carleton students can compete in soccer, golf, lacrosse, ballroom dancing, and more.

Macalester College

1600 Grand Ave., Saint Paul, MN 55105

Macalester College was founded in 1874 and occupies a 60-acre campus in the heart of St. Paul. Annual tuition and fees are $62,500, and about 85% of its students receive grants or scholarships. The college offers 63 majors, minors, and concentrations. Art history, biochemistry, dance, Greek, and pre-medicine are just some of the degrees students can pursue. Nine men’s sports teams include soccer, baseball, and football, while women can compete in 10 sports, including volleyball, softball, and water polo.

St. Olaf College

229 Lincoln St. N., Northfield, MN 55057

St. Olaf College is a Lutheran-affiliated, Carnegie Classified four-year Baccalaureate College in Arts and Sciences. Current annual tuition and fees total $54,650, with over 98% of enrolled undergraduates receiving grants or scholarships. Over 85 degree programs at St. Olaf produce graduates ready for careers in education, economics, kinesiology, theater, and more. Athletic offers include football, baseball, swimming, hockey, and skiing.

Do more expensive schools have higher success rates?

In education, there are no guarantees. Highly successful people have graduated from expensive private schools, low-income public schools, and everything in between. However, statistics show that students at private schools perform better on tests than public school students.  

That said, no school is “one size fits all,” and each family and student will have unique educational needs. Always compare and contrast several schools before choosing where to send your children.  

Up Next:

The 10 Best Schools In Minnesota Today

The Largest Schools In Minnesota Are Massive

The 13 Oldest Schools In Minnesota Are Ancient

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You’ve decided you want roast beef for dinner, but when you see all the options at the meat counter, it’s hard to know what to buy. Rump roast and chuck roast are two of the most common types of beef roasts. Both are lean cuts of meat that require slow, moist heat to become tender. But what’s the difference between the two?

When deciding between rump roast vs. chuck roast, there are four main differences to consider: fat marbling, cost, cooking technique, and serving appearance. For example, a chuck roast is the wrong cut to purchase if you envision elegantly cut slices of meat arranged on a beautiful platter.

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Either type of roast will yield tender, delicious results with the correct cooking method. Let’s learn about each cut and what makes cooks choose one over the other.

What is rump roast?

As the name indicates, a rump roast is taken from a cow’s hindquarters. It is cut from an area near the loin. Rump roasts may also be called beef round roast, top round roast, or bottom round roast. Eye of round is a smaller type of roast cut from the same general area of the animal.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) ranks rump roast in the “extra lean” category. This means it is much lower in fat than other cuts of beef roast, such as brisket or prime rib. The lack of fat marbling means rump roast meat will have less innate flavor and tenderness, but that can be overcome with proper cooking techniques.

Because it is a solid chunk of meat, rump roast is a good choice if you plan to serve slices of roast beef. It’s excellent cooked and thinly sliced for roast beef sandwiches.

What is chuck roast?

Chuck roast is taken from the muscular front shoulder of the cow. Because it is an area that gets a lot of exercise, the meat is lean — almost as lean as rump roast. Chuck roast may also be called chuck roll, or used as a flat-iron steak or turned into ground beef. Chuck roast can be found boneless or bone-in.

The USDA ranks chuck roast in the “lean” category, so you may see some fat marbling in the lean meat. This is especially true if you buy a cut called “chuck eye.” Chuck roast may be less tender than rump roast, but it is flavorful and juicy when slow-cooked.

Chuck roast has a flat, chunky appearance, so it doesn’t slice as neatly as a rump roast. However, it’s great cooked until fork tender, then broken apart into chunks or shredded. Chuck roast is the ideal meat for a classic crock pot roast beef dinner with potatoes and carrots.

Differences Between Rump Roast and Chuck Roast

How to Cook Rump Roast

Slow braising in flavorful liquid is a time-honored method for cooking rump roasts. This can be achieved in the oven with a traditional pot roast recipe or in a slow cooker. You can also braise a rump roast on the stovetop, but it requires a bit more attention than the other slow-cooking methods.

Rump roast may also be grilled or cooked quickly over high heat until the internal temperature is 145 degrees. Rump roast can also be smoked and sliced or pulled apart for barbecue sandwiches. Thinly sliced raw rump roast is an excellent choice for quick-cooking beef in pho or ramen.

How to Cook Chuck Roast

The best way to cook chuck roast is slowly, in a Dutch oven or crock pot. This allows the tough connective tissue to dissolve and creates that fork-tender, fall-apart texture that’s so enjoyable. Use the braising liquid to make gravy with a rich, beefy flavor. For a more flavorful broth, choose a bone-in chuck roast. Slow-simmered bones not only add flavor, they also release valuable minerals and collagen into the cooking liquid.

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You can use chuck roast in recipes that call for quicker cooking methods. However, expect the meat to be chewy and tough. Cutting the meat across the grain can help make quick-cooked chuck roast easier to chew.

How to Choose a Good Rump Roast or Chuck Roast

When shopping for rump roast or chuck roast, look for bright red lean meat and choose a cut with some visible fat marbling. The fat at the edges of the roast won’t contribute much to tenderizing the beef, so try to find a cut that’s well-trimmed. Although both rump roast and chuck roast are economical, you don’t want to pay for fat that will just be thrown away.

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You’ve seen the shield-shaped beef grade stickers at the meat counter, but what do they mean? The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) developed a beef grading system that reveals the quality of the meat in each package. The USDA grading system also benefits ranchers and others who work in the beef industry because it helps ensure uniform standards. The agency created eight grade levels, but the top three are the most common in stores and restaurants: USDA Prime, USDA Choice, and USDA Select.

These standards measure beef for its tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. USDA Choice and USDA Prime beef differences are mainly in age and fat content. Prime grade provides the best beef-eating experience, followed closely by Choice. Select grade beef is generally lower in fat content but still high quality. Standard and Commercial grades of beef may be sold as store-brand meat or left ungraded. Utility, Cutter, and Canner grades are used to make processed meat products or ground beef.

There’s often a significant price difference between Prime and Choice grade beef. Keep reading to find out if buying a higher grade of meat is worth the cost.

USDA Beef Grading Process

Beef is graded at the slaughterhouse by a trained inspector who ranks meat according to its maturity and level of marbling (the flecks of fat distributed throughout the lean meat). Both of these are the primary factors in determining how tender a cut of meat is likely to be. Meat from younger cattle is usually more tender, and has better fat marbling.

All of the cuts from a single carcass usually receive the same grade. After the inspector grades the meat, the manufacturer must label it according to requirements set by the Food Safety and Inspection Service. Beef processing plants must comply with beef labeling laws to avoid fines of up to $10,000 and additional penalties. However, meat grading is optional, and meat producers who want it must pay for the service.

What is Prime beef?

USDA Prime beef is of the highest quality. It has generous fat marbling and comes from younger cattle. It is extremely tender, juicy and flavorful. Prime cuts are the best to use with dry-heat cooking methods including grilling, roasting, broiling, and baking. The tenderest cuts of Prime beef include rib-eye, tenderloin, T-bones, strip steaks, and porterhouses.

Only around 3% of all graded beef receives a Prime rating. It can be difficult to find Prime beef in ordinary grocery stores. Most U.S. Prime beef is reserved for high-end restaurants, but you can buy it online through companies like Omaha Steaks and Snake River Farms.

What is Choice beef?

USDA Choice beef is the second-highest quality grade and easy to find at your local supermarket. Around 50% of all graded beef receives a Choice rating. This beef has enough fat marbling to keep it juicy during grilling or roasting, resulting in a flavorful eating experience.  

Choice grade beef is more economical than Prime grade and works in almost any recipe. Choice beef is equally delicious cooked with dry heat or moist heat. The best Choice cuts come from the rib and loin sections.

Differences Between Prime and Choice Beef

Is it worth paying more for higher grades of beef?

It’s worth paying for the highest quality beef you can afford, especially if you cook using dry-heat methods like grilling or roasting. There’s no way to replicate the tenderness and juiciness that results from the natural marbling in a Prime grade steak.

Because the price difference can be extreme, most people save Prime beef purchases for special occasions. Indeed, it would be a waste of good marbling to hide Prime beef in a stew or slow cooker recipe. For most everyday beef recipes, Choice grade is high enough quality to provide excellent results.

Standard grade beef is a great way to save money on beef for moist-heat cooking methods, like soups and stews. These may or may not have a Standard label, as stores are allowed to label them as store-brand or leave them ungraded. You can tell they lack the marbling that’s evident on more expensive cuts, so it’s best to use them in slow-cooked recipes. Grilling Standard grade beef will result in tough, dry meat.

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Drinking cold coffee isn't always intentional when you're a busy mom. Sometimes, it's simply the result of the morning cup growing cold before there's enough time to drink it. Coffee is traditionally a hot beverage, but iced coffee-on-purpose has been enjoyed since 1840 when the French military invented it during the Battle of Mazagran in Algeria.

Although variations of cafe mazagran spread quickly throughout Europe, iced coffee didn't pop up on U.S. menus until the 1920s. It would take another 70-plus years to grow in popularity, with demand surging in 1995 when Starbucks launched its trademarked Frappuccino blended iced coffee drinks nationwide.

In 2015, Starbucks led the way again by introducing cold brew coffee. Cold brewing produces a more mellow beverage than coffee brewed hot and then chilled. By summer 2019, most of the coffee giant's retail stores were selling an exciting new nitro cold brew that featured a thick head of soft foam and an even smoother coffee-drinking experience.

You're not alone if you're confused about the differences between nitro cold brew and regular cold brew coffee. But by the end of this article, you should be better prepared to order your next cold brew caffeine kick.

What is cold brew coffee?

Unlike traditionally brewed coffee, where hot water is pressed through coffee grounds, cold brew coffee slowly soaks in cool water for 12 to 24 hours. It’s generally less bitter and more flavorful than hot brew coffee because the extended steeping time draws more complex flavors out of the beans.

Cold brew coffee is convenient to make at home. For best results, buy coffee labeled “cold brew grind,” as it’s more coarse than other grinds. Iced coffee lovers often steep a big batch of cold brew and keep the concentrate in the fridge. Refrigerated cold brew coffee lasts for up to a week. To serve, pour the desired amount over ice and flavor with syrups, sweeteners, and milk or cream.

What is nitro cold brew coffee?

Nitro cold brew starts with regular cold brew coffee but is infused with nitrogen gas and forced through a pressurized valve. The process creates a thick, foamy head similar to draft beer. Some assume this makes the coffee carbonated, like soda, but the bubbles are too fine to create that effect.

Nitrogen replaces some of the oxygen in the beverage, which reduces the oxidation that can alter the coffee’s taste. The foam provides a creamy, slightly sweet flavor.

Nitro cold brew is served much the same as ordinary cold brew coffee. It’s best consumed cold but without ice because it dilutes the nitro effect as it melts. Serve it as-is or with sweetener, flavoring syrups, and milk or cream. Note that the foam is usually short-lived, so drink it while it’s fresh.

To enjoy a nitro cold brew at home, buy a nitrogen brew can or a nitro whipped cream dispenser. You’ll also need the nitro chargers that fit the dispenser. If you prefer a less expensive way to have nitro at home, Starbucks and other brands offer canned nitro cold brew.    

Differences Between Nitro Cold Brew and Regular Cold Brew Coffee

Cold Brew Coffee Taste Comparison

With any cold brew coffee, the longer it steeps, the stronger the flavor. Regular cold brew generally has an intense, complex coffee flavor and just a hint of bitter aftertaste.

Nitro cold brew has a smooth, somewhat chocolaty flavor. It can be ideal for those seeking a lower-sugar coffee fix because some people need less sweetener with nitro cold brew. This is due to the way the nitro infusion process accentuates sweetness.

Even though nitro cold brew tastes more velvety, both types of cold brew usually have the same amount of caffeine. So feel free to switch between the two until you find the one that suits your palate.

Which is best?

Both types of cold brew coffee are hugely popular, so either can be the best. It just depends on your personal taste preference. If the acid levels in coffee give you heartburn or indigestion, nitro cold brew is your best bet for a low-acid coffee drink.

Nitro cold brew is often more expensive than ordinary cold brew. Coffee shops must invest in costly nitrogen infusion equipment, and baristas must take extra steps to make it. That’s why smaller, local coffee shops may not offer nitro cold brew.

If you miss the acidity or “brightness” of traditionally brewed coffee, you may want to abandon both forms of cold brew and switch back to ordinary iced coffee.

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Clams and oysters are two common forms of shellfish. Both are bivalve mollusk species, which means they have hinged shells that can open and close. Their shells protect the soft interior meat, which is the part that we eat. They share their species with other popular mollusks like cockles, mussels, and scallops. Other delicious cousins include cephalopods (squid and octopus) and gastropods (snails).

Clams and oysters are delicious additions to soups, chowders, stews, and stir-fries. They are also great on their own, steamed or grilled. Some people around the world enjoy raw clams, but raw oysters have a much broader fan base.

People who consume shellfish infrequently may have trouble telling clams and oysters apart. However, seasoned seafood lovers not only know the difference between these similar mollusks but also usually have favorite types of each. After reading this article, you can also differentiate clams from oysters and know which type is best for your dinner table.

All About Clams

Clam shells are oval, with equally sized halves, and are usually tan, brown, or white. Clams have a foot that helps them burrow under the sand, and the foot is not typically eaten. Clam meat is attached to the shell by a ligament that can be eaten, although it will be chewy.

Clams are filter feeders. This means they filter small bits of food from the water and excrete it back out through their gills. A single clam can filter 24 gallons of water per day.

All About Oysters

Oyster shells have an oval shape with irregular edges. They have a rough texture and can be brown, grey, or white. Contrary to popular belief, not all oysters form pearls. It’s actually quite rare to find a pearl in a food-grade oyster. Like clams, oysters are filter feeders, and one can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day.

These bivalve mollusks tend to stay in one place throughout their lifetimes, often sticking to rocks beside other oysters in giant oyster reefs. Oysters can live up to 20 years, and they tend to take on the flavor of the water where they live. Oysters harvested from the east coast of the United States tend to taste saltier, while west coast oysters have a sweeter flavor.

Differences Between Clams and Oysters

Types of Clams and Their Characteristics

People generally separate clams into two categories: soft shell and hard shell. Soft shells are thinner and less durable than hard shells. Soft shell clams also have a harder siphon than hard shell clams, which makes them a little more difficult to remove before eating.

All types of clams have a similar flavor. Here are six common clams and how to tell them apart.

• Giant clams: The largest living bivalve mollusks can weigh over 100 pounds. They are considered a delicacy in France, Japan, Southeast Asia, and several Pacific islands. The meat is often eaten raw with lemon.
• Littleneck clams: Often considered the best-eating clam, these are just one or two inches in diameter. Their meat is tiny but very tender.
• Manila clams: Have shallow ridges and wide bands of purple, grey, and yellow on their shells. They measure between 3 and 8 inches across, according to age, and have an exceptionally smooth texture and sweet flavor.
• Ocean quahogs: Have thick, grey shells with growth rings that show the clam’s age. The interior is white with a purple border. These 4-inch clams have darker and tougher meat than many other clams.
• Pacific clams: Also called Pacific razor clams, they have oblong brown shells up to six inches long. The meat often extends past the shell’s edge and has a clean, sweet, and saline flavor.
• Razor Clams: Have long, thin, finger-shaped shells and razor-sharp valves. Also called bamboo clams and jackknife clams, they have a briny, mild clam flavor and firm texture.

Types of Oysters and Their Characteristics

Oysters are separated into sub-species that can look and taste somewhat different. Here are four commonly consumed oysters and their characteristics:

• Blue Point oysters: Jokingly called “the Budweiser of oysters” because nearly everybody has had one, these common east coast mollusks have a flavor that balances salinity and minerality.
• Eastern oysters: Have a cupped brownish or greyish shell between 5 and 8 inches in length. They feature a brinier, saltier flavor than Pacific oysters.
• Olympia oysters: Are smaller, rounder, and more delicate than other Pacific oysters. They have a strong flavor with a metallic, briny taste.
• Pacific oysters: Have cupped, thick shells with a rough or sharp surface. They can grow up to 10 inches in length. They taste sweeter than eastern oysters.

In Summary

Clams and oysters share similar characteristics but significantly differ in flavor and texture. Both are readily available at most grocery stores in frozen and canned forms. Fresh oysters and clams are best when bought and eaten where they’re caught, but overnight shipping makes it possible to enjoy fresh seafood in more landlocked locations safely.

Creamy Fish and Clam Chowder

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• 2 medium potatoes, cut into cubes (about 2 cups)
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 small leek, thinly sliced
• 8 ounces bottled clam juice
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 12 ounces evaporated skim milk
• 12 ounces fresh or frozen cod fillets, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 6 ounces canned minced clams

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Instructions

1. In a large saucepan, combine potatoes, corn, leek, clam juice, water, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 10 minutes or until potatoes are just tender.
2. Stir in milk.
3. Add fish and undrained clams. Return to almost boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Do not boil.

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Ginger beer and ginger ale are two bubbly beverages flavored with ginger. The spice we know as ginger originates from drying and grinding the rhizome, or root-like underground structure, of a plant called Zingiber Officinale. Ginger is a flowering plant native to Asia, and its relatives include other well-known spices like turmeric, galangal, and cardamom.

Ginger beer and ginger ale share some similarities but are made in different ways and have unique flavor profiles. Therefore, it’s important to learn the differences between the two beverages and decide which will best serve your purposes. Keep reading to discover more about ginger beer and ginger ale and get cocktail ideas for both.

Ginger Beer Facts

According to The Institute of Beer, ginger beer is made by natural fermentation of water, yeast, ginger, and sugar. The resulting concoction has a light fizz, a strong ginger flavor, and mild sweetness. Even though it’s fermented, the alcohol content is usually low enough to qualify as a non-alcoholic beverage.

This wasn’t always the case. The first ginger beers originated in England, and sometimes lemons were added to the ginger/sugar mixture. These brews had an alcohol content of around 11%. It is possible to find ginger beer with a similar alcohol content today, but most brands are non-alcoholic. Ginger beer is used in cocktails for flavor; other ingredients like vodka or gin provide the alcohol.

Ginger Ale Facts

Ginger ale is one of the most popular soft drinks around the world. Its name is misleading because it isn’t a true ale but a non-alcoholic soda. Ginger ale was first made in the 1800s in Ireland by a doctor who touted ginger’s medicinal benefits. It’s considerably cheaper than ginger beer, so unless you need a strong splash of spice, feel free to substitute.

Vernor’s, Schweppe’s, and Canada Dry are some of the brands mass-producing ginger ale in the United States today. Most contain small amounts of real ginger, but most of the soda’s ginger flavor comes from various extracts. Ginger ale’s mild taste makes it a versatile cocktail mixer. Canada Dry has experimented with its own fruity ginger ale products, introducing blackberry, cranberry, lemonade, and other flavors over the years.

5 Key Differences Between Ginger Beer and Ginger Ale

There are five main differences between ginger beer and ginger ale:

Ginger Beer Cocktail Ideas

Say “ginger beer,” and most people automatically envision a hammered copper mug filled with a Moscow Mule. That refreshing combination of ginger beer, lime, and vodka is probably the most well-known ginger beer cocktail. Here are several others to try:

• Dark and Stormy: just like a Moscow Mule, but it uses dark rum instead of vodka.
• Foghorn Cocktail: another Mule knockoff that replaces vodka with gin.
• Blueberry Buck: pairs ginger beer with whisky, lemon, fresh blueberries, and their juice.
• Skeleton Key: made with ginger beer, bourbon, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, and bitters.
• Ginger Beer Paloma: blends grapefruit juice, tequila, ginger beer, lime, and a dash of salt.

Dark and Stormy

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• 4 ounces (1/2 cup) ginger beer
• 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) dark rum, traditionally Gosling’s Black Seal rum
• 1 lime wedge
• Ice, for serving

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Instructions

1. Fill a highball glass with ice and pour in the ginger beer.
2. Pour the rum on top. Squeeze in the lime wedge.
3. Stir gently, then serve.

Ginger Ale Cocktail Ideas

Ginger ale is such a mild, sweet soda that it works well as a substitute for lemon-lime soda in many cocktail recipes. Several cocktails that call for ginger ale specifically for the mild ginger vibe it adds to the drink. Try these refreshing combinations:

• Ginger Shandy: a simple ratio of one part ginger ale to two parts beer.
• Grumpy Old Man: a funny-named blend of ginger ale, bourbon, and lime juice.
• Pimm’s Cup: a thirst quencher from the 1800s that combines Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur, lemonade, ginger ale, and a multi-fruit garnish.
• Mexican Mule: spices up ginger ale by adding gold tequila, lime, and jalapeno simple syrup.
• Christmas Punch: a holiday favorite that combines cranberry juice, apple cider, and rum, then adds fizz with ginger ale and sparkling wine.

In Conclusion

Both ginger beer and ginger ale are delightfully sweet and spicy bases for a variety of fizzy cocktails. They also work well for calming an upset stomach. It’s possible to brew ginger beer and ginger ale at home, but why bother with so many excellent brands readily available at the store?

At first glance, you might think these two drinks are very much the same. However, the taste and uses of these two beverages are vastly different. Let's take a look at how these two drinks differ:

• While ginger beer and ginger ale have been used in cocktails, ginger beer is more commonly only in cocktails, whereas ginger ale is typically consumed by itself.
• Ginger beer has a strong, noticeable ginger flavor. On the other hand, ginger ale is much sweeter with a milder ginger flavor, making it perfect to consume on its own.
• While ginger ale is considered a soda and made with carbonated water, and ginger concentrate, ginger beer is made with fermented ginger root giving it that noticeable taste.

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If you’re not from the UK or Australia, you may not have tried Marmite or Vegemite. Both are savory spreads made from brewer’s yeast extract, often served on toast or sandwiches. The dark brown spreads lend an umami flavor to foods and can be used as a soy sauce substitute. Their yellow-lidded jars can be tricky to find outside the countries where they are most popular.

Even though both spreads look similar and are made in a similar manner, they have different flavor profiles. Some people find Marmite and Vegemite interchangeable, but most fans have a strong preference for one or the other. Keep reading to find out how Marmite and Vegemite are different and what each of the beloved spreads tastes like.

What is Marmite?

Although Marmite is considered a British food, the process for making it was discovered in the late 1800s by a German scientist named Justus von Liebig. He found that the yeast by-product from making beer could be concentrated into a yeast extract rich in B vitamins. In 1902, the Marmite Food Company began making the spread at a factory in Burton-on-Trent, England. It’s still made there today.

Marmite has a dark brown, sticky appearance similar to molasses. It is like a pungent soy sauce in paste form, and high in sodium. Traditionally, Marmite is spread onto toast with butter or added to a cheese sandwich. It is also used to bring umami flavor to soups, stews, sauces, and other recipes.

Although one serving provides nearly one-tenth of the daily recommended value for sodium, Marmite is a good source of riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, and vitamin B12. Marmite is vegan and halal, and the 70g jar is certified kosher.

What Does Marmite Taste Like?

Marmite’s slogan is, “You either love it or hate it.” So the company is well aware that it is an acquired taste. It is strong, yeasty, and salty, somewhat like soy sauce in a smooth paste form. It has a slightly sweet undertone but contains no sugar. It’s also fat-free.

Marmite has added several new variations of yeast spread over the years, including Marmite XO, an “extra old” version that is said to taste more like the original recipe. Yeast-spread fans can also get reduced salt, truffle, and chili versions of Marmite. There’s even a Marmite brand of crunchy peanut butter.

What is Vegemite?

Vegemite is often called Marmite’s “Australian copycat’’ because its story didn’t begin until 20 years after the invention of Marmite. In fact, Australians had already embraced Marmite and loved it so much that they were reluctant even to try the new Australian version. But World War I interrupted the delivery of Marmite to Australia and made more people willing to give the newer version a chance. By 1942, Vegemite had become a staple in every Australian’s pantry.

Vegemite is also a burnt dark brown but almost black in color. Instead of having a sticky texture, Vegemite is very thick, like peanut butter. It’s a popular spread on toast, crackers, and sandwiches and is used to flavor soups, stews, casseroles, and other dishes. You can also buy Vegemite-filled pastries in Australia. Like its British predecessor, Vegemite is rich in B vitamins and a good protein supplement for vegans and vegetarians. It is also fat-free, sugar-free, vegan, halal, and kosher.

What Does Vegemite Taste Like?

According to the company’s website, Vegemite’s slogan is, “Tastes like Australia.” Like Marmite, Vegemite has an intense and salty taste. But while Marmite is slightly sweet, Vegemite is slightly bitter. As its name indicates, Vegemite’s yeast extract base is flavored with vegetable extract, malt extract, and spices. Some have said its smell and aftertaste are unappealing, but its fans disagree.

To expand its fan base, Vegemite now offers gluten-free and lower-sodium versions of its beloved spread. Vegemite & Cheese spread is another option that plays on the classic combination of yeast spread and a cheese sandwich. Made with Bega cream cheese, it has a milder and creamier flavor than plain Vegemite and may be more palatable to those who find straight-up yeast extract spread too intense.

Which Yeast Spread Should You Try First?

If you’re a fan of strong umami tastes, you will probably enjoy both brands of yeast spread. Since Marmite is said to have a milder, sweeter flavor, it is a good starter choice for those who’ve never eaten yeast extract spread before. However, if you enjoy black coffee, radicchio, and other bitter flavors, you’ll probably find Vegemite’s slightly bitter edge appealing.

While marmite and vegemite are savory spreads, they each have different tastes and characteristics. Take a look at some of these differences to see which would potentially be your favorite:

• Marmite is known for its stickier texture, while vegemite has a thicker consistency, similar to peanut butter, making it easier to spread.
• Vegemite is a popular treat in the UK. On the other hand, vegemite is a favorite among Australians.
• Marmite has a slightly sweet undertone yet contains no sugar.
• Vegemite has a more bitter flavor than its counterpart.

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Crab is considered a delicacy in many parts of the world, especially in areas far from the sea. Crab meat is an excellent source of low-fat protein, and each crab species has certain distinctions in flavor, texture, and cost.

Snow crab and king crab are two of the most common crabs eaten in North America. Both are cold-water species and can be harvested near Alaska, in the North Pacific, and the Bering Sea waters. But snow crab is also sourced from North Atlantic Ocean waters near Maine, Canada, Russia, Greenland, and Norway.

Due to its two harvesting seasons, fresh snow crab is available much of the year. The Alaskan season runs from January to April, while the Canadian season is from April to August. But fresh king crab is only available from October to January during its one harvesting season. Both crabs are readily available frozen, however. Keep reading to learn other differences between snow crab and king crab and discover how to cook and serve each type.

Facts About Snow Crab

We call them snow crabs because their meat is snowy white when cooked, but live snow crabs are ruddy brown with long, skinny legs. Their smooth shells are thin enough that most people can crack them open by hand. Snow crabs usually weigh between 2 and 4 pounds.

A snow crab leg cluster usually has four or more legs; one cluster may be enough for one serving. Snow crab is more affordable than king crab and is sometimes called queen crab. Expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $35 per pound, depending on where you live.

Snow Crab Flavor and Texture

This type of crab tastes like an excellent balance between briny, fishy, and sweet flavors. Snow crab has a delicate, somewhat fibrous texture that shreds easily. Some describe snow crab meat as having a chewy mouthfeel.

How to Cook Snow Crab

Making perfect snow crab is easy by boiling, steaming, or broiling the legs. Most people do not eat meat from the body. Snow crab is tasty eaten on its own or as an ingredient in crab cakes, crab salad, or pasta dishes with crab meat.

Unless you are buying crab fresh off the ship, chances are your crab legs have already been cooked and simply need to be heated before eating. This is because crabs are cooked soon after harvesting and immediately frozen to preserve freshness.

Facts About King Crab

King crabs can sport shells of different colors ranging from bluish-red to brown. Their shells are spiky all over and so thick that you must use a cracking tool to access the meat inside. Their legs are considerably shorter than snow crab legs but thick enough that a single leg provides a whole serving of crab meat.

As their name indicates, King crabs are much bigger and heavier than snow crabs. In fact, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says they are the largest of commercially harvested crabs. Most grocery store king crabs weigh an average of 6 pounds. But king crabs can grow to massive sizes, weighing over 20 pounds with leg spans over five feet long.

Rich and meaty king crab has a price tag reflecting its superior quality. Expect to pay between $60 and $75 per pound.

King Crab Flavor and Texture

King crab is often said to be the next best thing to lobster. Its meat is rich and sweet, with a tender texture similar to lobster. The meat is firm enough to hold together in one solid piece when removed from the shell.

How to Cook King Crab

King crab is easily prepared via steaming, boiling, baking, or grilling. Like snow crabs, any frozen king crab you buy will likely have been cooked before freezing. It’s important not to overcook crab to maintain its tender texture.

Because of its signature flavor and high cost, it’s almost always served on its own, perhaps with a squeeze of lemon and a dip into melted butter. Unlike snow crabs, the body of king crabs is also edible. In fact, the body may have as much meat as all the legs combined.

In Summary

• Snow crab is considerably more affordable than king crab; unless you happen to be on the wealthier side, king crab is likely not something you can afford to get on a regular basis.
• Snow crab's snowy white meat has a complex taste with briny, fishy, and sweet flavors. King crab is easily comparable to lobster, with its rich and sweet taste that many shellfish fans will find familiar.
• Speaking to its name, king crab is exceptionally large. Snow crabs are on the more manageable side. Definitely only go for a king crab if you're confident you can eat it all!

Snow crab and king crab are two flavorful choices when you’re craving a seafood supper. Their cooking techniques are similar, but you shouldn’t swap king crab for snow crab in recipes. Not only is king crab expensive, but its delicate, complex flavor could also be lost when paired with too many other ingredients.

Try this delicious recipe:

King Crab Stuffed Chicken Breasts

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• Author: Moms Who Think
• Yield: 6 servings

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Ingredients

6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (5 ounces each)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup king crabmeat, drained, flaked and cartilage removed
1/4 cup sliced water chestnuts, drained and chopped
2 Tablespoons dry bread crumbs
2 Tablespoons reduced fat mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
6 teaspoons marinade for chicken, divided
2 green onions, thinly sliced, divided
3 slices reduced fat Swiss cheese, divided

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Instructions

1. Flatten chicken to ¼ inch thickness; sprinkle with salt and pepper.

2. In a small bowl, combine the crab, water chestnuts, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, parsley, mustard, 2 teaspoons marinade for chicken, and half of the onions.

3. Chop one cheese slice; stir into crab mixture. Spread over chicken; roll up and secure with toothpicks.

4. In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, brown chicken on all sides. Place seam side down in a shallow 3 qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Brush with remaining marinade for chicken.

5. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25 minutes. Cut each remaining cheese slice into six strips; place two cheese strips over each chicken breast. Bake 5 to 10 minutes longer or until a meat thermometer reads 170°. Discard toothpicks. Sprinkle remaining onions over chicken.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast half
• Calories: 225
• Sodium: 469mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 95mg

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The image featured at the top of this post is ©Nishihama/Shutterstock.com.

The post Snow Crab vs King Crab: Taste and Cooking Differences appeared first on Moms Who Think.

Grilling has a magical effect on foods, elevating basic meat, vegetables, or even fruit into deliciously seared morsels. Investing in a grill is almost always a good idea, but shopping for one can feel overwhelming — even to professional grillers. Besides choosing the right size grill for your needs, you must decide what type of fuel you prefer. Charcoal, gas, electric, and wood pellet grills are popular.

Pit Boss and Traeger are two popular grill brands that use wood pellets to create the intense heat necessary for grilling and smoking. Wood pellet grills provide a level of “set it and forget it” cooking that other grills do not. This degree of user-friendliness is one reason pellet grills and smokers enjoy a dedicated fan club.

Both brands are great at imparting a delicious, wood-fired flavor to your meals, but both brands carry a significant price tag. Join us as we explore the pros and cons of Pit Boss vs. Traeger and reveal which is a better investment. Note that each brand has several different model series, so comparing features on a grill-by-grill basis is best.

Pit Boss

Pit Boss is a subsidiary of Dansons, a company founded in 1999 when owner Dan Thiessen and two of his sons decided to turn sawmill waste into a useful energy source. Pit Boss is now one of the top grill manufacturers in the United States. They sell pellet fuel, griddles, cooking accessories, spices, and sauces to support your grill habit.

Pit Boss brands itself as “Bigger. Hotter. Heavier.” The company produces over 20 types of pellet grills, including combination gas/pellet grills that are said to provide a better grilling experience. Pit Boss grills are made of quality stainless or 14-gauge steel and have double walls for reliable heat retention.

Pit Boss Pros

• Grills come in a wide range of sizes, from a small portable grill to a huge one with over 1,800 square inches of cooking surface.
• Grill temperatures on most models range from 165 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Has a sliding panel over the heat deflector that allows flames to sear meat if desired directly.
• Pro Series pellet grills have wireless connectivity, so you can adjust grill settings remotely.
• Has porcelain-coated cooking grates.
• Some models hold up to 60 pounds of pellets.
• Offers a 5-year limited warranty.

Pit Boss Cons

• Temperature can only be adjusted in 25-degree increments.
• The painted steel exterior is less durable than powder-coated steel.
• Only has a window for monitoring pellet fuel levels.

Traeger

The Traeger company was born in the early 1980s when Joe Traeger and Jerry Whitfield began experimenting with stoves that burned wood pellets. They patented the first pellet grill in 1986. For 20 years, Traeger was the only wood pellet-burning grill manufacturer. Even after other companies began manufacturing pellet grills, Traeger became one of the most popular brands.

Traeger wood pellet grills are made of stainless steel and powder-coated steel. Like Pit Boss, they have double walls for excellent heat retention, even on chilly or windy days.

Traeger Pros

• The powder-coated steel finish is strong, durable, and better-looking than Pit Boss grills.
• Grill temperatures range from 165 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
• The temperature is adjustable in five-degree increments.
• Has an integrated “Wi-Fire” feature that allows you to control the grill via smartphone.
• Has a sensor to warn you when pellet levels are getting low.

Traeger Cons

• Only offers six different sizes of cooking space options. However, most people can find a suitable grill within these parameters.
• Doesn’t sear steaks as well as Pit Boss grills.
• Only holds up to 24 pounds of pellets, so they must be refilled more often.
• Only comes with a 3-year warranty.

And the winner of this grill competition is?

When it comes to finding that perfect grill, you definitely have options. Let's take a closer look at the differences between the two:

• The Traeger is the pricier of the two but has become a favorite. On the other hand, the Pit Boss is more affordable and still has great qualities.
• If having more options is important, the Pit Boss is the pick. However, if that's not a concern, you can choose the Traeger.
• While both grills will seemingly last you a while, the exterior of the Traeger is considerably more durable than that of the Pit Boss.

It’s difficult to name a definite winner in this Pit Boss vs. Traeger battle. Both brands deliver well on producing beautifully grilled or smoked cuisine, but each has its benefits and downfalls.

If quality is the main thing you’re looking for, go with Traeger. Despite facing years of competition from other grill manufacturers, Traeger still takes the lead on overall quality. These grills are favorites of professional grill chefs for a reason.

However, Pit Boss is the winner if you want a slightly more affordable pellet grill for home use. Their expansive range of sizes and features make them a practical choice, especially for smaller households or those new to wood pellet grills.

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The image featured at the top of this post is ©Mironov Vladimir/Shutterstock.com.

The post Pit Boss vs. Traeger: Pros, Cons & Which One is Better appeared first on Moms Who Think.

South Carolina is a beautiful southern state with mild winters, sandy beaches, and a good selection of private schools. Compared to other states, some of these schools are quite affordable while others carry a hefty price tag.

Although the South often gets a negative reputation when it comes to education, South Carolina is home to many quality schools. Some of the best South Carolina schools also have high tuition rates.

While South Carolina has several private elementary and high schools, there aren’t any freestanding private middle schools. Middle school children in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades may attend an elementary, high, or K-12 private institution. Keep reading to determine which South Carolina private schools and universities are the most expensive.

Elementary Schools

Charleston Day School

15 Archdale St., Charleston, SC 29401

This expensive South Carolina elementary school is located near the heart of historic downtown Charleston and has been open since 1937. It serves just over 250 elementary and middle school students in grades K-8. Tuition is $23,600 for kindergarten students and $27,350 for grades 1-8. Ninety-eight percent of eighth-grade graduates are accepted into their first-choice high school.

Charleston Day School students are encouraged to spend time outdoors, tending to the school’s eight raised garden beds or going on educational walks around the city. Students are encouraged to pursue fine arts, athletics, and service opportunities on and off campus.

Charleston Classical School

1179 Remount Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406

Charleston Classical School touts itself as the state’s first and only Christ-centered private school that’s 100% scholarship funded. It offers a classical education to kindergartners through fourth graders from diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. While its $10,000 tuition is higher than many South Carolina private elementary schools, they offer an income-based sliding-scale payment plan.

A classical education focuses on teaching students how to become logical, independent, critical thinkers. Bible instruction is included and helps children learn why it’s important to love their neighbors as themselves. Students will learn Latin and participate in various fine art activities for a well-rounded education.

All Saints' Episcopal Day School

1425 Cherokee Rd., Florence, SC 29501

Students can start attending All Saints’ Episcopal Day School at the age of two and continue through grade 6. Founded in 1960, the school enrolls around 250 children per year. Tuition ranges from $6,839 for the half-day toddler pre-K program to $10,668 for students in full-day K5-6^th grade programs.

The school states that it is intended for children of average to above-average ability, and its curriculum reflects that. Admission assessments are required for students entering K4 or higher grades. Students participate in PE, music, art, Spanish, and religion each week and have scheduled chapel presentations.

Middle and High Schools

Camden Military Academy

520 Hwy 1 N., Camden, SC 29020

This boys-only military boarding school serves young men in grades 7 through 12 and offers a post-graduate year for students who need an additional year before college. The high school grades are designated as college preparatory, but there is also a strong JROTC program to prepare cadets for potential military service after graduation.

Camden touts itself as one of South Carolina’s most affordable boarding schools. The $30,590 tuition includes a uniform, instruction, room and board. Students take six core curriculum courses each day, plus JROTC. Sports and extracurricular activities include football, baseball, marksmanship, robotics, and debate.

St. Joseph's Catholic School

100 Saint Joseph’s Dr., Greenville, SC 29607

St. Joseph’s Catholic School is a co-ed day school affiliated with the Diocese of Charleston. It provides a college-prep education to over 600 students in grades 6 through 12. Class of 2022 graduates received $14 million in scholarship offers, with 98% awarded at least one merit-based scholarship.

Middle school tuition is $16,475, while high school tuition is $18,450. Though it is a Catholic school, 41% of the student body practices other faiths, including Judaism, Islam, and Protestant Christianity. The school offers 54 sports teams, 64 fine arts opportunities, and three international travel opportunities each year.

Heritage Academy

11 New Orleans Rd., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

Heritage Academy is a small private school located on beautiful Hilton Head Island. There are around 100 students enrolled in grades 7 to 12, and the average class size is just nine students. Therefore, Heritage Academy can offer specialized education targeted to each child’s needs.

Tuition is $14,950. Heritage Academy is not affiliated with any religious organization but focuses on allowing adequate time for its diverse student body to pursue talents beyond academics. Athletics include tennis, golf, sailing, basketball, cross country, and swimming. Creative offerings include theater, drawing, painting, graphic arts, and culinary arts.

K-12 Schools

Porter-Gaud School

300 Albemarle Rd., Charleston, SC 29407

Porter-Gaud is an Episcopalian school established in 1867. It serves over 1000 students from grades 1 through 12 and has a separate preschool for children between the ages of 2 and 5. The campus occupies 80 acres near marshland in Charleston’s historic Lowcountry. Students enjoy a 12:1 student/teacher ratio and classes in engineering, lab sciences, world languages, and fine art.

This sizable private school has won 40 state athletic awards over the past five years. It also boasts over 7,000 hours of community service to fellow Lowcountry residents. Tuition for grades 1-4 is $26,300 per year, while students in upper grades 5-12 will pay $31,500 annually.

Christ Church Episcopal School

245 Cavalier Dr., Greenville, SC 29607

Christ Church Episcopal School has a K-12 student body of over 1,200 high-achieving students. With a 10:1 student/teacher ratio, children receive personalized instruction, leading to the school’s 100% college acceptance rate. Parents can expect to pay $23,125 in tuition for the 2023-24 school year.

Physical fitness is encouraged, as over 80% of middle and high school students compete in at least one of the school’s 43 athletic teams. Sports include basketball, football, field hockey, soccer, and wrestling.

Hammond School

854 Galway Ln., Columbia, SC 29209

Hammond School holds many impressive rankings, including a spot in the top 20% of private schools in South Carolina. It was founded in 1966 and serves students from pre-K through 12^th grade. Annual tuition varies by grade, with high school students paying the highest rate of $21,160.

Hammond’s 1,000 students are taught by 125 teachers, the majority of which have advanced degrees. The student/teacher ratio is 8:1, and the school offers 19 sports, including ballet, riflery, Lacrosse, and cross country. Non-sports-minded students can participate in over 30 extracurricular clubs and activities, including chess club and the Go Green club.

Colleges and Universities

Furman University

3300 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville, SC 29613

Furman University is considered one of the top private liberal arts colleges in South Carolina, and its price tag reflects that. Tuition is $57,902, with a total direct cost of $74,180 after adding fees, room and board. The college has a total enrollment of over 2,400 students, with a student/faculty ratio of 9:1.

Furman offers over 70 majors and minors, with degree programs in chemistry, economics, education, mathematics, pre-med, pre-law, and more. The university prides itself on diversity and inclusion, a priority reflected in its Africana studies, Asian studies, and urban studies programs. It also offers a major in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies.

Presbyterian College

503 South Broad St., Clinton, SC 29325

Presbyterian College is a four-year private school with a total enrollment of 1,231 students. The school’s tuition is $40,200 and includes an unlimited or all-access meal plan. Presbyterian College’s students can choose from undergraduate degree programs in art, chemistry, music, languages, political science, religion, and more. The school also offers an occupational therapy doctorate program and other graduate courses of study.

Wofford College

429 North Church St., Spartanburg, SC 29303

Wofford is nationally known for its strong academic programs and participation in study abroad programs. Its current student body includes 1,823 undergraduates from 38 states, 19 countries, and 23 faiths. Its 180-acre campus is home to 12 fraternities and sororities and nearly 100 clubs and organizations.

Annual tuition is $29,475, and students can choose from various majors, including accounting, art history, Chinese, physics, and theater. Pre-professional programs lay the foundation for students moving on to law, medical, engineering, and ministry programs at other schools. Sports programs include basketball, golf, tennis, soccer, and track and field.

Are expensive schools worth the tuition?

In education, it’s often true that you get what you pay for. But there are plenty of high-ranking schools in South Carolina — public and private — where it’s possible to get an excellent education without breaking the bank. No school is “one size fits all,” so compare and contrast potential schools before deciding which school or college is best for your student.

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The post The Most Expensive Schools In South Carolina Today appeared first on Moms Who Think.

Los Angeles is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. According to the 2022 Worldwide Cost of Living Survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Los Angeles is the fourth most expensive city in the world to live in. Only New York, Singapore, and Tel Aviv are more expensive than Los Angeles, which shares fourth place with Hong Kong.

Naturally, expensive cities draw wealthy residents, many of them searching for the best schools for their children. Parents moving to LA should know that California divides its grade levels differently than many states. Instead of having elementary, middle, and high schools, the state has few freestanding middle schools.

Therefore, a child may attend an elementary school for K-6, then high school for grades 7-12. Other public and private schools in Los Angeles are designated for grades K-8, with students moving to another school for grades 9-12. Other private school students remain on one campus from kindergarten through high school graduation.

School choices abound when tuition fees are no object. Here are some of the most expensive schools in LA today, including the priciest colleges in the area.

Elementary Schools

Berkeley Hall School

16000 Mulholland Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90049

Berkeley Hall School is the oldest private co-ed elementary school in LA. It offers students an award-winning visual arts program, STEAM labs, and over 30 sports teams. Tuition is divided by grade level: $37,750 for K-5, $41,170 for grade 6, and $41,850 for grades 7-8.

Berkeley Hall boasts a 66-acre campus with seven buildings, a swimming pool, and an amphitheater. The student/teacher ratio is 8:1, and 54% of the student body represents cultural diversity.

John Thomas Dye School

11414 Chalon Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90049

John Thomas Dye School is a traditional elementary school with an 11-acre campus in Bel Air. Students wear uniforms, call teachers by their last names, and enjoy a student/teacher ratio of 7:1. Tuition is $38,900 for grades K-6.

Students of color make up 46% of the student body, and the school’s “Collage” program helps ensure that diversity is honored. Electives include music classes held in an outdoor amphitheater called the Hollywood Bowl. Famous alumni include Monica Lewinsky, Tori Spelling, and TikTok Head of Operations Adam Presser.

Center for Early Education

563 N. Alfred St., West Hollywood, CA 90048

The Center for Early Education is one of the most coveted schools among Hollywood’s power parents. Tuition is $36,920 per year, and prospective parents should anticipate a lengthy application process that starts a full year before the student will attend school. Famous former pupils include Adam Levine and Jake Gyllenhaal.

The student/teacher ratio is 15:1, and 56% of the student body are students of color. An Innovation Center ensures children embrace STEM subjects. The campus’ city location eliminates the classic schoolyard, but students still enjoy recess on rooftop playgrounds.

High Schools

The Archer School for Girls

11725 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049

The Archer School for Girls was founded in 1995 by three women who believed in the benefits of single-sex education for girls. Housed in a 1931 Spanish Colonial Revival building in the Brentwood neighborhood, the school aims to create an educational environment that feels more like a home than an institution.

Annual tuition and fees for girls in grades 6-12 total $50,475, including transportation and a laptop. In-depth visual arts, music, engineering, fitness, and wellness coursework supplement a strong core curriculum. Environmental, financial, and media literacy is emphasized, and girls enjoy FLX Block workshops in everything from animation to yoga.

Milken Community School

15800 Zeldins’ Way, Los Angeles, CA 90049

Milken Community School is a Jewish day school that serves 700 students in grades 6-12. Middle and high school students occupy two separate campuses, but both levels pay a $49,950 tuition fee.

The school is grounded in Jewish values and traditions, including academic excellence, community building, and nurturing the soul. Students can access an MIT-inspired Fab Lab and the Milken Architecture + Design Institute. Performing arts and service learning projects are additional electives meant to create a well-rounded student prepared for life beyond graduation.

Harvard-Westlake School

3700 Coldwater Canyon Ave., Studio City, CA 91604

Harvard-Westlake School is a co-ed college prep school for students in grades 7-12. All students pay an annual tuition of $46,900. The school boasts an 8:1 student/teacher ratio despite having 1,600 students on two campuses.

Harvard-Westlake’s student body is quite diverse, with 62% self-identifying as students of color. The school offers over 300 classes and over 100 on-campus clubs and activities. Like many expensive Los Angeles schools, this one offers extensive fine art classes and hosts over 40 plays, concerts, dance recitals, and other performances each year. Famous alumni include Jamie Lee Curtis, Bridget Fonda, and MLB player Max Fried.

K-12 Schools

Brentwood School

12001 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049

Brentwood School occupies an impressive Mediterranean-inspired hillside campus on legendary Sunset Boulevard. Its annual tuition is $43,430 for grades K-5 and $50,880 for grades 6-12. The core curriculum is supplemented by innovative programs such as the 6^th Grade World Language course, a yearlong rotation of studying Latin, French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. Once a child is accepted into elementary school, they are guaranteed a spot all the way through their senior year, barring any problems.

Jazz band, sculpture, robotics, filmmaking, and coding are just some of the electives Brentwood students enjoy. Famous alumni include actors Fred and Ben Savage and members of the band Maroon 5.

Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences

1714 21st St., Santa Monica, CA 90404

Crossroads School has an impressive list of former students, including Seth Rogan, Jack Black, and Kate Hudson. Tuition is comparable to other elite Los Angeles schools: $42,152 for grades K-5 and $50,092 for grades 6-12.

Crossroads students enjoy a challenging yet casual environment where teachers are called by their first names and classrooms are named after famous artists and scientists. Social justice is emphasized at all grade levels, and electives include life skills, outdoor and environmental education. High school seniors choose a three-week immersive project and go on a nature retreat with their peers.

Oakwood School

11230 Moorpark St., North Hollywood, CA 91602

Oakwood is an expensive Los Angeles school that boasts seven art studios, eight jazz bands, and 100% of its seniors accepted to college. K-6 elementary tuition is $41,350, while secondary school tuition is $49,360 for grades 7-12.  

Committed to sustainability and environmental awareness, the school recently opened a new playground featuring elements made from recycled materials. Oakwood is deeply devoted to fostering diversity, inclusion, and self-awareness through various programs at all grade levels. Famous alumni include Adam Goldberg, Noah Wyle, and Breckin Meyer.

Colleges and Universities

University of Southern California

University Park Campus: 3551 Trousdale Pkwy., Los Angeles, CA 90007

USC is a private, not-for-profit university with the same tuition for in-state and out-of-state students: $63,468. It is one of the world’s leading private research universities, with two huge LA campuses serving 49,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. USC is considered a global anchor for technology, arts, and international business education.

Pepperdine University

24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, CA 90236

Pepperdine University is a private research university located in Los Angeles County. It is one of LA’s most expensive colleges, with a tuition fee of $62,390. Students can choose from over 43 fields of study, including fine arts, communications, international studies, religion, social science, and natural science. It is also home to the Graziadio Business School and the Caruso School of Law.

California Institute of Technology

1200 East California Blvd., Pasadena, CA 31125

Caltech, or CIT, serves over 2,300 students in Los Angeles County. The school focuses on science and engineering and provides six academic divisions, including biology, chemistry, planetary sciences, physics, and mathematics. Its graduates have earned 46 Nobel Prizes. Annual tuition at Caltech is $60,864.

Are expensive schools always better?

In a city where brands, labels, and appearances matter greatly, attending expensive Los Angeles schools is a status symbol. But a high tuition rate doesn’t always equal a better educational outcome. It’s wise to compare statistics before signing a contract for something as valuable as an education.

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The image featured at the top of this post is ©Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com.

The post The Most Expensive Schools In Los Angeles Today appeared first on Moms Who Think.

All schools have strengths and weaknesses. Because people tend to be vocal with their complaints and quiet in their contentment, we often only hear about the problems with public education. But there are many things that our public schools are doing well, and Georgia is no exception.

While some Georgia schools consistently rank higher than others, there are several things that Georgia schools have absolutely nailed in recent years. From an appreciation of diversity to teacher retention, keep reading to discover seven ways this state’s schools are getting it right.

Diversity

Children who attend Georgia’s public schools will enjoy learning alongside peers of different races and backgrounds, especially in the metro Atlanta area. Using data from the 2021-2022 school year, the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) reported that 34.7% of its 1,686,318 public school students were white, 36.5% were black, 17.1% were Hispanic, and 4.5% were Asian. The remaining 4.5% were Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and other races.

Georgia schools’ diverse classrooms help students challenge stereotypes and learn how to work in a globally connected world. Exposure to other cultures at a young age encourages kids to appreciate diversity. It also provides a richer learning environment than classrooms where everyone is of the same race and background.

Dual Enrollment

Dual enrollment allows high school students to enroll in college while still in high school. This means they can earn college credits before graduation and save time earning a degree later. All states allow dual enrollment, but how each state implements these programs can vary greatly.

Many states’ dual enrollment programs require parents to pay some or all of their student’s college tuition fees. But the State of Georgia covers the cost for high school students who qualify for dual enrollment. In addition, Georgia students can enter the program in 10^th grade, giving them an extra year to earn college credit over states that limit dual enrollment to the junior and senior years of high school.

School Choice Vouchers

School choice is a hot topic of debate. Some people feel that school choice vouchers give all students an equal chance at a good education by helping parents afford alternatives to underperforming public schools. Others believe that school choice programs hurt public schools, especially those in low-income areas. Because public schools receive a certain amount of money per student, they lose money every time a student leaves.  

Georgia offers open enrollment programs where students can transfer to other public schools within and outside their district. If a school district has a magnet school, all students can apply to transfer there. Georgia also has two school choice programs for students who wish to transfer to private schools.

The Qualified Education Expense Tax Credit program offers tax credits to those who donate to student scholarship organizations or SSOs. These are nonprofit organizations that give private school scholarships to children in need.

There is also the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program and its voucher program for students with disabilities. If parents are unsatisfied with their assigned public school, they can get a voucher for their child to attend private school. In March 2023, Georgia lawmakers shot down a contentious school choice bill. It would have given $6,500 to parents with children at public schools ranked in the bottom 25% to help them afford private school or homeschooling. The bill is expected to resurface next year.

Easy Homeschooling

The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSDLA) is a national homeschooling rights organization. It ranks states according to how easy or difficult it is to homeschool there. Georgia receives a positive rating for having few regulations in its homeschool statute.

Some states, such as New York, require parents to submit detailed records, obtain state approval of home study curricula, and allow state officials to visit their homes. In Georgia, parents have a little more freedom with homeschooling. They must file an annual declaration of intent to homeschool, agree to teach core subjects for at least four and a half hours per school day, and provide the equivalent of 180 days of instruction.

Parents are also told to write annual end-of-year progress reports and keep them on file for three years. Starting at the end of third grade, homeschooled students must take a standardized test once every three years. However, the GaDOE does not require parents to submit any proof that they’ve complied with these measures.

Career and Technical Academies

Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs are popular in Georgia’s high schools. Formerly known as “vocational education” intended for underperforming students, CTAE programs now occupy entire campuses in many school districts.

Career education has expanded beyond cosmetology and auto mechanics to include healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, child development, and agriculture. Starting in middle school, Georgia students can choose career pathways that guide them to choose classes supporting their career goals.

Additionally, Georgia offers the Great Promise Partnership to help at-risk students achieve success through career academy classes. This program has cut the state’s dropout rate by allowing students to divide their school day between the classroom and a paid job. The program provides additional support through tutoring, mentoring, and career coaching.

Increasing Access to Free School Meals

Georgia joins dozens of other states striving to make school meals free to all students, regardless of income. As of June 2023, only five states have laws that allow all kids to eat free at school: California, Colorado, Minnesota, Maine, and Vermont.

In early 2023, Georgia State Rep. Imani Barnes introduced the Healthy Start Bill. It would have given every K-12 public school student free breakfast and lunch while increasing the amount of locally grown produce served in school cafeterias.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp vetoed the bill, but the GaDOE stepped up to provide funds to benefit students who previously qualified for reduced-price school meals. During the 2023-2024 school year, these students can eat breakfast and lunch for free. State Rep. Barnes and other legislators have vowed to continue working toward providing universal free school meals for every Georgia public school student.

Teacher Stability

Experienced teachers make a real difference in the classroom, and Georgia’s public schools are filled with them. According to GaDOE data linked in the Diversity section above, over 57% of the state’s 119,492 teachers have over ten years of experience. An additional 38.4% have spent between one and ten years in the profession.

Are Georgia public schools a good choice?

As you can see, Georgia schools have a lot of things they do well. But school choice is a personal matter that involves deciding what’s best for each individual student. Exploring the GaDOE website and reading other parents’ school reviews is wise before deciding where to enroll your child.

Up Next:

The Oldest Schools In Georgia Are Ancient

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The image featured at the top of this post is ©Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock.com.

The post 7 Things Georgia Schools Absolutely Nailed appeared first on Moms Who Think.

Charlotte is the most populous city in North Carolina and the seventh-most populous city in the South. According to the North Carolina Visitor Profile, 44.4 million trips were taken in the state in 2021. Charlotte offers many luxurious and expensive hotels and is an excellent place to stay overnight on road trips along I-77 or I-85.

Because the city is an affordable destination, it provides an opportunity to experience the luxury of staying at an expensive hotel without paying excessively for the privilege. For instance, a room at the Ritz-Carlton Charlotte during the peak summer travel months is only $599. Compare that to New York City, where a room at the Ritz-Carlton can cost over $1,000 per night.

Here are eight of the most expensive hotels in Charlotte, NC, and the amenities they offer. The prices shown are online quotes for a Friday night stay in July 2023.

The Ritz-Carlton

$599

201 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202

The Ritz-Carlton has one of the best reputations in the hotel industry, and the Charlotte location stays true to the brand. The decor showcases the classic elegance one would expect at a Ritz-Carlton. Guest rooms and suites have dramatic skyline views through oversized, sound-buffering windows. Beds and baths are fitted with signature brand linens, towels, robes, and slippers available for purchase after your stay.

Fresh herbs and honey from the hotel’s rooftop garden accentuate the food served at the onsite restaurants and spa. Dining options include BLT Steakhouse and Bar Cocoa, while beverages and cocktails are available at K Lounge, Hidden Wine, and The Punch Room. Because the hotel is located in the heart of downtown Charlotte, it’s easy to walk to additional dining options. Other enjoyable amenities include:

• Heated indoor pool
• Hot tub
• Fitness center
• Sauna
• Room service
• In-room minibar and refrigerator

Le Meridien Charlotte

$359

555 S McDowell St North Tower, Charlotte, NC 28204

This trendy hotel is in Charlotte’s Fourth Ward and is easily walkable to many local dining and entertainment options. Its highly photographable decor is sleek and modern, integrating a neutral color palette with splashes of yellow. Rooms and suites have big windows with gorgeous city views.

There is an indoor heated pool and an outdoor rooftop pool with furnished private cabanas. The hotel also offers a well-appointed fitness center and a welcoming rooftop bar where you can relax afterward. Onsite dining options include the casual Social Bar & Kitchen, Craft City Sports Pub, and the upscale Red Salt by David Burke, which is only open for dinner.

The Ivey’s Hotel

$349

127 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202

Located in the historic Ivey’s building in Uptown Charlotte, this hotel offers its guests a five-star boutique experience. Each of its 47 rooms features unique decor, sound-reducing windows, and blackout curtains to create a peaceful oasis in the midst of the city.

The stunning lobby, with its curving wrought iron staircase and lush decor, perfectly blends modernity and Parisian elegance. Reclaimed 400-year-old French oak floors flow throughout the building, their beauty enhanced by architectural elements like exposed brick walls and crown molding.

Sophia’s Lounge is a vibrant place to enjoy a drink with friends, but if you prefer a quieter spot to read or work, check out the sophisticated Library Lounge instead. While in your room, enjoy these amenities:

• In-room Nespresso coffee makers
• Frette Italian bedding
• Fully stocked minibars and local snacks
• Oversized Sony 4K TVs
• iHome docking stations
• Embroidered robes and slippers
• Mistral bath products

The Ballantyne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Charlotte

$316

10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28277

Afternoon tea is just one of the indulgences you can enjoy at The Ballantyne Hotel. It’s located away from the heart of the city, in the southern Ballantyne area of Charlotte, near the South Carolina state line. Therefore, it has sprawling lawns, a walking/biking path, and other outdoor amenities you won’t find in a city-based luxury hotel.

The Ballantyne has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a fitness center, a sauna, and a steam room. Children stay free, and guests can borrow board games and puzzles. In-room dining is available from the hotel’s modern Southern restaurant, The Gallery. Head to the spa for healthy dining and a variety of spa treatments, or go to The Ryal bar for craft cocktails and whiskey tastings.

If you need home-like accommodations, ask about reserving The Cottage at Ballantyne. This four-bedroom separate rental features a full kitchen, four bathrooms, and all the services available at the main hotel.

JW Marriott Charlotte

$287

600 S College St, Charlotte, NC 28202

If an event at the Charlotte Convention Center brings you to town, the JW Marriott is an ideal place to stay, as it’s right across the street. Its elegant vibe is clean and welcoming, and three onsite restaurants serve you throughout the day.

The Counter at Dean’s serves Illy espresso drinks and gourmet Italian pastries to start the day. The Raw Bar at Caroline’s has patio seating and specializes in Carolina-style raw oysters and seafood. Dean’s Italian Steakhouse is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As the name indicates, the menu features the best of American steakhouse and Italian cuisine.

Room service is available, and concierge-level guests can access an exclusive lounge with complimentary snacks all day. Additional upscale amenities include:

• 24-hour fitness center
• Rooftop bar and heated pool with private cabanas
• Facials, massages, and more at Spa by JW
• Robes and complimentary toiletries

Charlotte Marriott City Center

$269

100 West Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

This newly updated property is exactly where it sounds: right in the middle of the city. Marriott redesigned the hotel with a residential-style aesthetic wrapped in clean, modern decor. The lobby has a central coffee hub that serves locally sourced coffee and local food selections. Stoke, the onsite restaurant, was also designed with a community vibe that immerses guests in the food preparation.

Allergy-free rooms with air purifiers, suites, and family rooms are available. Rain showers and cozy robes bring a spa-like vibe to private bathrooms, and a well-equipped fitness center is open 24 hours a day. When it’s time for a cocktail, all guests are welcome at Stoke Bar. Those with M Club reservations can enjoy drinks and complimentary snacks at the M Club Lounge.

Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel

$249

303 S. Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

Kimpton Tryon Park isn't the most expensive hotel in Charlotte, but it is the city's newest boutique hotel. It’s located in the city’s center, in Uptown’s 3rd Ward. Rooms and suites offer stunning city views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel is 19 stories tall, and the uppermost floor features the Merchant and Trade Lounge. Other amenities include:

• Evening social hour with wine and local craft beer
• In-room yoga mats
• Loaner bicycles
• Complimentary morning coffee and tea service
• 24-hour fitness center
• Luxurious robes
• Kimpton Kids Program with special activities and gifts

Pets are also pampered at Kimpton, which employs a Director of Pet Relations. Pets of any size and breed are welcome at no extra charge. The hotel also provides loaner pet beds, food and water bowls, and a concierge list of local pet-friendly parks, groomers, restaurants, and boutiques.

Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte, Autograph Collection

$246

201 West Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

If elegant, eclectic, bohemian style is your thing, the Grand Bohemian Hotel will delight you. Black and white marble tile abounds and provides a neutral background for bursts of fuchsia, purple, and turquoise accessories. Chandeliers are everywhere, in hugely varying styles, while plush area rugs and oversized artwork soften the architecture.

Located in the heart of Uptown, the rooms in this pet-friendly hotel offer stunning city views and brocade blackout drapes for sleeping. Dine at the onsite Mico restaurant for Mediterranean-influenced South American cuisine, or walk to any number of nearby restaurants. Additional amenities include:

• Full-service Poseidon Spa
• 24-hour fitness center with Peloton bike and cardio machines
• Complimentary toiletries
• Taste of Malbec wine-tasting experience

What To Do While Visiting Charlotte, NC

Once you’ve decided on a luxury Charlotte hotel, you can shift your focus to fun things to do while you’re in town. Charlotte attractions include Carowinds, an amusement park famous for its thrilling rollercoasters. The NASCAR Hall of Fame Museum is close to all the city center hotels and is a must-see for all racing fans. Catch a game at BB&T Ballpark or take a leisurely stroll through the grounds at the Billy Graham Library.

Up Next:

The 17 Best Things For Kids To Do In Charlotte, NC

10 Day Trips From Charlotte, NC

The 11 Oldest Schools In Charlotte Are Ancient

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Alabama is rich in history, known for its mild climate and varied geography. Its low cost of living draws new residents every year. But families with children from kindergarten through college age should check out local schools’ ratings before deciding where to settle. Unfortunately, Alabama ranks 46^th in the United States when it comes to education.

As the Alabama Accountability Act requires, the Alabama State Department of Education releases an annual list of failing schools. Institutions must rank among the worst 6% of all Alabama public schools in academic achievement to be classified as failing. The students’ test scores measure scholastic achievement, as shared on GreatSchools.org.

Failing Alabama colleges are measured by graduation rate. This is represented by the percentage of students who graduate within 150% of the usual expected time it takes to complete the degree.

Though several public schools worked their way off the list in 2022, others took their place and are included in our list below. In all, 75 Alabama public schools are currently considered failing. Montgomery County, Birmingham City, and Mobile County School Districts had the highest number of failing schools. Keep reading to learn more about which schools to avoid if you live in Alabama or plan to relocate there soon.

Elementary Schools

Bruce K. Craig Elementary School

108 Craig Industrial Park, Selma, AL 36701

Bruce K. Craig Elementary School in Selma states that its vision is to direct all students to reach their peak educational potential, but test scores indicate this vision is unmet. Less than 1% of students perform at grade level in math, and only 15% of the student body is proficient in English.

Compared to other Alabama elementary schools, this one’s large achievement gaps indicate the students lack the support they need to succeed. Four out of five kids are classified as low-income.

Hemphill Elementary School

714 12^th Street SW, Birmingham, AL 35211

Hemphill Elementary School is one of Birmingham’s lowest-performing schools for K-5 kids. While 47% of the students are proficient in reading, this is far below the state’s average of 77%. Math proficiency is even worse, with just 2% of Hemphill’s students working at grade level.

Student suspension is also a problem at this school. The overall suspension rate is 10%, but for students with disabilities, it jumps to 29%. Most of the student body meets the definition of low-income: 91%.

Chisholm Elementary School

307 East Vandiver Boulevard, Montgomery, AL, 36110

Chisholm Elementary School in Montgomery ranks in the single digits for test scores in math (2%), English (9%), and science (3%). About half (44%) of the students perform at grade level in reading, which is still far below the state average.

The students per teacher ratio of 15:1 is better than the state’s average of 16:1. Still, Chisholm’s students have a suspension rate of 14% and a 24% chronic absentee rate.

Middle Schools

Inglenook K-8 School

4120 Inglenook Street Birmingham, AL 35217

Inglenook is a big school in Birmingham where students can remain in one location from kindergarten through eighth grade. Nearly half of the students (48%) perform at grade level in reading, but only 12% are proficient in English. A whopping 98% of students taking Algebra 1 are passing, but only 3% of the total student body meets grade-level math expectations.

Chronic absenteeism at Inglenook is a problem at 23%, and the suspension rate is 18%. Like many other failing schools in Alabama, 93% of students are from lower-income households.

Capitol Heights Middle School

116 Federal Drive, Montgomery, AL 36107

Montgomery County School District includes underperforming Capitol Heights Middle School. Although school uniforms are required, and there are only 17 students per teacher, the middle schoolers at this institution struggle to meet grade-level expectations.

Less than 1% of the students are proficient in math. While 47% of Alabama’s middle schoolers are proficient in English, just 15% of Capitol Heights’ kids are. Additionally, 22% of the students are chronically absent, and the school has a suspension rate of 20%. Nearly all Capitol Heights students are low-income (97%).   

Westlawn Middle School

2430 Martin Luther King Junior Blvd., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Tuscaloosa’s Westlawn Middle School struggles with the low test scores familiar to those on the state’s failing schools list. English proficiency is just 17%, while science proficiency is 9%. Math has the lowest test scores, with only 1% of Westlawn students performing at grade level.

The student suspension rate is 21%, but a lower-than-average number of students are chronically absent (14%). While 93% of the student body is considered low-income, the school’s student-to-teacher ratio is better than average at 15:1.

High Schools

Parker High School

400 Reverend Abraham L. Woods Jr. Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35204

Birmingham’s Parker High School opened in 1900 and was the first high school for Black children in Birmingham. Though the school has an impressive exterior, with large columns and arched entrances, its students struggle to meet grade-level testing requirements.

Just 6% of Parker’s 9^th through 12^th graders are proficient in English. Science proficiency is even lower, at 5%, and only 2% of students perform at grade level in math. The school’s suspension rate is 10%, but chronic absenteeism is a real problem, with nearly a third (31%) of the student body failing to maintain good attendance.

Lee High School

225 Ann St., Montgomery, AL 36107

Lee High School is one of the lowest-performing high schools in Montgomery. Just 9% of students show proficiency in English, 7% meet science testing requirements, and only 1% perform at grade level in math. Consequently, the school’s college readiness rate is about half the state’s average.

Only 6% of the students are enrolled in advanced placement (AP) courses. Lee High’s suspension rate is 25%, and 32% of the student body is chronically absent.

John L. LeFlore Magnet High School

700 Donald St., Mobile, AL 36617

Magnet schools are usually among the highest-ranking schools in any district, but Mobile County’s LeFlore Magnet High School clearly has some work to do. The campus is scheduled for major renovations in 2023; perhaps that will raise morale and boost the institution off the state’s list of failing schools.

Despite being called a magnet school, only 3% of the student body is enrolled in AP courses. Just 10% of all LeFlore students are proficient in science, 8% are proficient in English, and only 2% meet math testing standards. The percentage of suspended and chronically absent students is also high: 32% and 43%, respectively.

Colleges

Jefferson State Community College

2601 Carson Rd., Birmingham, AL 35215

Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham offers a variety of certificates and degrees, including an evening bachelor’s degree program in partnership with Huntington College and Samford University. Aside from that partnership, students may wish to avoid Jefferson State and its 16% graduation rate.

However, those who do graduate from Jefferson State with a two-year degree may have decent starting salaries after graduation. The school ranked 11^th on a list of Alabama’s best community colleges based on salary potential. Early career pay in 2021 was $41,100, and mid-career pay was $59,900.

Strayer University Birmingham Campus

2 20th St. N., Suite 150, Birmingham, AL 32503

Birmingham is home to one of Strayer University's four Alabama campuses. The college is known for offering various two- and four-year degree programs in everything from Accounting to Criminal Justice. But the Birmingham campus only has a graduation rate of 13%. Those who do complete a degree program at Strayer can expect median annual earnings of around $42,990.

Enterprise State Community College

600 Plaza Drive, Enterprise, AL 36331

Southeastern Alabama is home to Enterprise State Community College, one of the state's first public junior colleges. This school offers a range of career tech programs, including aviation, at two campuses. But it has one of the lowest college graduation rates in Alabama at 17%. As for graduates’ salary potential, Enterprise State students can expect median earnings of $40,851, which is around $3,000 more than the midpoint for two-year schools.

Avoiding Alabama's Failing Schools

Enrolling your children in the best possible school is one way to help them learn what they need to succeed. But though they are important, test scores are not the only measure of a school's overall suitability.

For example, some of the schools on Alabama's failing list may have other features that are important to your child, such as an excellent fine arts department or winning sports programs. A thorough online search for information will help you decide which schools are best for your family.

Up next:

• The 13 Largest Schools in Alabama are Massive
• The Richest Schools In Alabama Will Blow You Away
• The 10 Top-Rated Schools in Alabama Today

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