Independent schools rely on tuition, annual fund-raising and endowments to finance their programs. The mandate to provide the highest quality education means that tuition is expensive. An independent school education represents an investment in your child’s future. Parents are encouraged to ask schools about their financial assistance policies.
Tuition
Tuition is the amount of money the school asks the parent to pay. Tuitions vary widely by grade and by school. When comparing schools, find out the hours of operation for each school, if before-school or after-school care is offered, and if there are additional fees for lunch, transportation, books, trips and other activities. Some schools offer tuition insurance for an additional fee.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is available at most independent schools. It is important that families ask each school about their financial assistance application process, as each school is different. Assistance is based on each family’s unique financial situation; it is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. Most schools allot monies to their financial assistance budget each year to help ensure a diverse student body. To learn more about financial assistance, please click here.