Who said anything about for profit?  I challenge you to prove that Marist is expensive.  Under the current model it is perceived as expensive because the government does not contribute at all and the families pay for it entirely.  But I have a sneaking suspicion that if net per student costs at government run schools were compared with those at Marist, Marist's would be lower.  Throwing religion into the mix is disingenuous.  Privately run (non-profit) schools need not involve any special religion, sect, or allegiance.  Privately run schools would provide innovation and competition forcing economy within the government run sector.  The government teachers unions will fight competition to the death replete with scare tactics about religion or whatever and misidentifying government schools with public education.  Education in any form paid by the government (via taxation) is public education.  https://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/they-spend-what-real-cost-public-schools