Here's why:
* Setting: The story is set in a rural area in California during the early 20th century.
* Education: Schooling at the time was likely less formalized and structured than today.
* Financial Context: The Tiflin family, of which Jody is a part, are farmers, suggesting they might not have had much surplus money for formal education.
Therefore, there is no mention of a cost for Jody going to school in "The Red Pony." The focus of the story is on Jody's experiences and relationships, not the economics of education.