Admissions

Affording Orchard

The Orchard School Tuition Assistance

At The Orchard School, we believe that the best way to prepare students for the real world is to have a student body that mirrors the diversity of the world around them. We strive to achieve a community that is representative of all ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, and other types of diversity. 
 
The Orchard School is committed to making an exceptional Progressive education accessible to students from all backgrounds. To help achieve this goal, Orchard offers a reduction in tuition to best-fit students whose families qualify. This tuition reduction plan is called "Flexible Tuition."
 
We recognize that many families who might not expect to be eligible for “financial aid” still qualify. Orchard’s Flexible Tuition Program is available to full-time students in Multiage Preschool through 8thgrade and allows families to apply for a reduced tuition rate, which ranges from $6,577 to $19,170 for the 2019-2020 school year. The average Flexible Tuition amount for families receiving a discount is $10,915. We encourage families who would like to be considered for Flexible Tuition to submit an application. 
 
Last year, Orchard awarded nearly $2 million to 30% of the student body through the Flexible Tuition budget. The average income of a family receiving tuition reduction is $92,000 and the income range for families qualifying for Flexible Tuition is less than $10,000 - $240,000. The qualifying income varies depending on the number of children in a family and other factors. 
 
We encourage families to request further information about Flexible Tuition if they have concerns about their ability to afford our full tuition.

The Orchard School does not accept vouchers.

Flexible Tuition and How To Apply

  1. Complete a Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) at School and Student Services (SSS by NAIS). Orchard’s SSS code is 5571. Click here to apply.
  2. Upload the required supporting documents to your account at SSS by NAIS.
  3. Families are required to complete the PFS application each year to be considered for flexible tuition. 


List of 1 frequently asked questions.

  • The Orchard School Tuition

    Per year cost. Fees include tuition, daily lunch, and books for the entire 2020-2021 school year.

    Multiage Preschool 3 Days $ 12,770 
    Multiage Preschool 5 Days $ 21,228 
    Kindergarten - Fourth Grade $ 21,228 
    Fifth Grade $ 21,503 
    Sixth Grade $ 21,638 
    Seventh Grade $ 21,683 
    Eighth Grade $ 22,968 
    Tuition in fifth through eighth grades includes approximate costs of Middle School class trips in order to better serve our families as they budget for the year. 

List of 1 frequently asked questions.

  • Financing Options

    Orchard offers 3 payment options to our families for tuition payment. Families may choose one of the following options:

    1 pay option  (1.5% discount -Due August 20th)

    2 pay option (Due August 20th and December 20th)

    12 pay option (Monthly payments beginning July 20th)

    If families are interested in the additional flexibility provided by a loan, they may utilize yourtuitionsolution.com. The Orchard School is not promoting this program, but we are registered for the convenience of families.

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

  • What is Flexible Tuition?

    We recognize that many families who might not expect to be eligible for “financial aid” still qualify for a tuition break. Orchard’s Flexible Tuition Program is available to full-time students in Multiage Preschool -8th grade and allows families to apply for a reduced tuition rate, which ranges from $6,577 to $19,170 for the 2019-2020 school year. We encourage families who think they may qualify to submit an application. While we expect families to take primary responsibility for the cost of their child(ren)’s education, Orchard remains committed to helping families afford this educational choice.

  • Does my family qualify for Flexible Tuition?

    There is a wide range of families who qualify, from those who can afford only minimal tuition to those who can afford almost full tuition. Orchard’s Flexible Tuition is calculated based on information provided from the School and Student Services (SSS) application. Factors such as income, assets, tax documents, the number of children in tuition charging schools, and any extenuating circumstances are taken into consideration. It is impossible for the school, or for a family, to determine the level of tuition for which they qualify unless the entire Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) application is completed. We recognize that every family situation is different and that even a small amount of reduced tuition can make a critical difference for many families. The income range for Orchard families receiving flexible tuition is less than $10,000 - $240,000. 

  • Will applying for Flexible Tuition affect my child’s chances of being accepted?

    Applicants are selected without regard for their ability to pay tuition. Submitting an application for Flexible Tuition has no bearing on an applicant’s admission decision. Flexible Tuition applications are confidential and the information provided is reviewed only by the Flexible Tuition Committee. Faculty are not aware of which families apply for Flexible Tuition. These practices are aligned with the (NAIS) Principles of Good Practice for Financial Aid Administration.

  • Are all students who are offered admission also offered Flexible Tuition if their parents qualify?

    Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to offer Flexible Tuition to every student who qualifies for both admission and a reduced tuition rate. Qualifying students may be offered admission but placed on the waitlist for Flexible Tuition. 

  • If a family does not receive Flexible Tuition one year, can they reapply the following year?

    Yes. New applicants may reapply for Flexible Tuition each year. Returning families must apply each year to be considered for Flexible Tuition.

  • How do we apply for Flexible Tuition?

    The Orchard School uses School and Student Services by NAIS (SSS) to process Flexible Tuition applications. SSS is a service of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and is used by over 2,000 schools across the country. The SSS applicationis available as early as October 2nd, 2019.
     
    Applications for Flexible Tuition are due at the same time as the admissions application. Prospective families who complete the application process by the deadlines for First Round Offers will receive notification of a reduced tuition decision with their child’s acceptance letter. Current families will receive notification at the time they are asked to re-enroll. 
     
    While we strive to meet the financial need for our new families, we are unable to provide assistance for all eligible families. Priority consideration is given to Orchard’s current families. Qualifying students may be offered admission but placed on the waitlist for Flexible Tuition.