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The Value of
Shining Rivers School

Waldorf graduates are often described as "renaissance" people: well-rounded, confident, graceful, and kind. The cultivation of the human spirit, a core principle of the Waldorf approach, produces young adults with deep perspective. Their imagination and curiosity makes them unusually gifted problem-solvers and optimists. These are the qualities we hope for our future statesmen, healers, inventors, and neighbors.

The average cost of tuition at Shining Rivers is consistently less than most private schools in our area, providing an excellent value for an unparalleled educational experience that truly educates the whole child— head, heart and hands.

 

Tuition

How much will it cost for my child to attend Shining Rivers School?
   A unique policy for a unique school.

Tuition for Shining Rivers School grades and kindergarten is determined by a sliding scale, depending upon family income. We want anyone who values Waldorf educational philosophy to consider Shining Rivers.

The Morning Garden pre-school fees are based on the number of days attended. The Morning Garden program is available is available in half- and full-day programs, as well as 2-, 3-, and 5-day schedules.

Parent-Toddler class fees are $320 per 10 week session. Enrollment is per session. Second child enrollment is available at 50% tuition (siblings under 9 months may attend at no cost).

Why do we offer sliding scale tuition?
   It’s simple and direct.

We think the sliding scale reflects the school’s values and aspirations. Sliding-scale tuition makes the school accessible and encourages meaningful diversity. Most people can look at the tuition schedule here on our website and easily determine what it will take to send their children to the school. Many private schools give tuition breaks as part of a complicated and time-consuming financial aid process, which can be daunting to navigate and produce uncertain results. In contrast, sliding-scale tuition is simple and direct.

How does the sliding scale work?
   Just find your spot on the table.

For most families, simply look at your family’s most recent tax returns to find your adjusted gross income. Then, find this income along the sliding-scale tables to find your child’s tuition. (In addition to tuition, there are some materials fees.)

Openings in each tier of the sliding scale are limited. If a tier is full, applicants may opt to pay tuition of an open higher tier.

After your child is accepted for admission, we will request a copy of your tax return. If you own a business, we will request additional information and may adjust your place upon the scale accordingly. Also, if you have substantial income from assets or unreported income, your placement on the scale may be at a higher tuition level to reflect this income. Families that do not want to submit the requested information can simply elect to pay at the highest level, which is still lower than that of most local independent schools (see the Value of Shining Rivers School on this page).

What if I have more than one child?
   You get a break if you enroll at least two children

Families with two children enrolled in any of the school's five day programs will receive a 25% discount on the tuition of the younger child. Families with three or more children enrolled in any of the school's five day programs will receive a 25% discount on the tuition of the second oldest child in a five day program and a 30% discount on the tuitions of the younger children in five day programs.

When are tuition and fees due?

Classroom fees are due on July 15th, or at the time of acceptance if after July 15th. We will be unable to admit any child to the first day of class with outstanding fees.

How do I pay my tuition?

Families have two options for making tuition payments:

Annual Payment: You may pay your tuition in one lump sum and thereby avoid the SMART fee for monthly billing statements. All lump sum payments are due by July 15th, or at the time of acceptance into the class if between July 16 and September 1st.

Monthly Tuition Payments: All families paying tuition monthly do so through SMART tuition service. There is a one-time fee to SMART of approximately $50 for this service. Tuition payments through SMART are made in ten installments due the 10th of each month, for the months August through May. If you are enrolling in the SMART monthly tuition program after July 20th, you may be asked to pay Shining Rivers School directly for the first month or two of tuition.

Tuition payments more than 30 calendar days late will require a meeting, in person, with the finance committee to discuss resolution of the problem. The entire account will be turned over to collections if a payment is more than 60 calendar days late.

What about financial aid?

Because the sliding scale by its very nature takes into account each family’s financial situation, Shining Rivers School can offer very little financial aid. What financial aid we do offer is generally reserved for special diversity goals as determined by the teachers and for families facing catastrophic events occurring mid-year.

For a downloadable, printer-friendly version of the tuition and fee schedule, click here.

Kindergarten and Grades Schedule (scroll down for Pre-K)
Income Range
Grades
Kindergarten
Tier
Range
1st - 8th
5 Full Days
3 Full or 5 Half Days
3 Half Days
IV 90,000 and up
9996
8468
6473
3944
70,000-89,999
9298
8016
6099
3819
III 65,000-69,999
8601
7555
5694
3695
60,000-64,999
7871
7054
5290
3553
55,000-59,999
7144
6512
4885
3409
II 50,000-54,999
6421
6027
4478
3266
45,000-49,999
5826
5609
4149
3140
40,000-44,999
5352
5230
3868
3058
I 35,000-39,999
4997
4905
3644
2964
30,000-34,999
4758
4667
3484
2875
25,000-29,999
4566
4522
3375
2816
24,999 and under
4419
4398
3283
2756


Morning Garden Tuition
Morning Garden (9:00am – 12:00)
Amount
With optional afternoon program (12:00 – 3:00 pm)
Amount
3 Days
3836
3 Days
6904
2 Days
2557
2 Days
4601
5 Days
5113
5 Days
9205

Following are the Classroom Fees for each class:

Morning Garden
Kindergarten
Grades 1-8
2 Half Days
98
NA
NA
3 Half Days
146
173
NA
5 Half Days
246
289
NA
2 Full Days
163
NA
NA
3 Full Days
246
289
NA
5 Full Days
257
306
245

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