tuition and financial aid
Every family is different…
shouldn’t your tuition be different, too?
To experience a transformative Waldorf education in an inclusive environment, families contribute to their student’s education at an individualized tuition level. We believe every family should have the opportunity to apply annually for a Family Individualized Tuition (FIT) amount, allowing families to invest in a diverse community.
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Chicago Waldorf School uses a variable tuition model to assess each family’s financial picture to determine a tuition amount specific to each family while also considering the school’s financial costs. The FIT model is mission aligned with the school’s commitment to equity and socioeconomic diversity. No two families are identical. Experience the FIT difference.
Obtaining a FIT determination starts with a third party application to assess your family’s financial picture such as income, assets and expenses while also considering the school’s operational costs. Independent school tuition can be a financial stretch; however, after receiving your FIT determination many families find that a private Waldorf education is affordable.
During annual re-enrollment, there is a non-refundable deposit due of $500 per contract, which goes toward next year’s tuition, as well as a one-time $56 Blackbaud system fee for setting up a 12-month payment plan. Further details about financial arrangements and policy can be found in the Parent Handbook.
TUITION FOR FAMILIES WHO APPLY FOR FIT
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Families can expect a general tuition range of $7,400 to $15,500 for one student or a general tuition range or $7,400 to $10,000 per student for two enrolled students.
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Families can expect a general tuition range of $9,000 to $17,000 for one student or a general tuition range of $8,000 to $13,500 per student for two enrolled students.
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Families can expect a general tuition range of $15,300 to $22,100 for one student or a general tuition range of $11,000 to $15,000 per student for two enrolled students.
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Families can expect a general tuition range of $19,300 to $27,250 for one student or a general tuition range of $15,000 to $21,250 per student for two enrolled students.
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Families can expect a general tuition range of $24,300 to $33,000 for one student or a general tuition range of $20,000 to $25,900 per student for two enrolled students.
TUITION FOR FAMILIES WHO DO NOT OPT IN TO FIT
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3 Half Days | $14,100
3 Full Days |$18,330
5 Half Days |$21,150
5 Full Days |$28,200Annual tuition includes all fees for traditional Waldorf high-quality organic classroom supplies, professional-grade art materials, as well as the cost for local and out-of-state trips as applicable for each grade.
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$29,700 annual tuition includes all fees for traditional Waldorf high-quality organic classroom supplies, professional-grade art materials, as well as the cost for local and out-of-state trips as applicable for each grade.
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$31,900 annual tuition includes all fees for traditional Waldorf high-quality organic classroom supplies, professional-grade art materials, as well as the cost for local and out-of-state trips as applicable for each grade.
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$35,300 annual tuition includes all fees for traditional Waldorf high-quality organic classroom supplies, professional-grade art materials, as well as the cost for local and out-of-state trips as applicable for each grade (except the 12th grade Maine trip).
PLEASE NOTE: The above ranges are non-binding, do not represent an offer of tuition, and are only to be used as a general estimate. Each family's specific FIT determination is based on a wide range of factors, and while the above is a general guide, specific circumstances may result in your FIT determination falling outside of this range.
CWS relies on the proprietary methodology of Clarity as our third-party financial aid resource to calculate a comprehensive baseline based on actual verified taxable income, expenses, assets, liabilities, and household size, which assists with the final determination of a family’s FIT.
Not included in your tuition is a New Family Fee of $1,500 and the 12th grade Maine trip fee. Optional CWS fees are: athletics; aftercare; lunch program; summer camp, after-school activities, and yearbooks. Non-CWS optional fees are: instrument rental, private music lessons, as well as the annual FIT Application fee.
ready to apply for fit?
We are excited to announce that we have chosen Clarity as our new application system. Our goal is to make the Chicago Waldorf School application process as easy as possible for your family. You will find that Clarity offers a streamlined and user-friendly application process that can take as few as twenty minutes to complete. Additionally, your 1040 and W2 documents from 2023 will be automatically transferred from the IRS when you complete the verification step, so you will no longer need to upload those documents manually.
The Clarity Application is also mobile-friendly so you can complete it from anywhere. You are also able to save your progress and return at any time. At the end of the application, there is a $65 fee to submit, and you can share your application with additional schools that accept the Clarity Application for no additional charge. Simply use the dropdown menu in the application to select those schools.