Tuition & Affordability

At St. Michael's, we are committed to making an SMS education accessible to a broad range of families.

We believe that the cost of a St. Michael’s education should not be a deterrent to any family, regardless of income and assets.

At St. Michael’s Country Day School, we believe in shaping the future of our children’s school community. We also believe that the advantages of an independent school, (small class size, individualized instruction, leadership opportunities in the classroom and community, and strong arts, technology and athletics programs), should be available to as many academically qualified students as possible. Economic diversity improves the educational and social experience for students and is critical to sustaining a healthy school culture.

We know that sending your child to an independent school is a significant investment.

At St. Michael's, your child will develop as a courageous learner and caring citizen who is world ready.

It is a priority at St. Michael's to help families bridge the gap between their specific family means and the cost of attendance.

We encourage preschool through 8th grade families concerned about affordability to apply for financial assistance.

Dates to Remember

Tuition Assistance

February 15, 2025: The application and the 2023 1040 and all schedules must be uploaded to Clarity.
May 1, 2025: The 2023 1040 with all schedules must be uploaded to Clarity.

Prior to the Tuition Assistance discussion and consideration, students must first apply for admission St. Michael’s Country Day School. <<<Learn More about the admissions process >>>

The St. Michael’s Country Day School Tuition Assistance program is designed to make a St. Michael’s Country Day School education possible for all families based on demonstrated financial need and the availability of funds. St. Michael’s Country Day School is proud to use the Clarity Application to determine a family’s level of financial need based on the information that families share in the application which includes assets, income, expenses, and debts.

To get started, please go to the Clarity Application and create an account. The application typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete. 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 $60 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.

Please remember to return to your dashboard after you complete and submit your Clarity Application, as St. Michael’s Country Day School requires you to upload additional tax documentation including the 2023 1040.

The deadline for completing the financial aid application including relevant supplemental documents is May 1^st, 2025.

If you need support during the process of completing your application, there is in-app support available through the “Help” button in the bottom left of the screen, as well as email and phone support at support@clarityapp.com or 206-210-3752, in both English and Spanish. The application itself is also fully translated into Spanish.

What kind of financial assistance do you offer and when do I apply?

Our school offers need-based financial assistance. “Financial need” is generally defined as the difference between what it costs a student to attend our school and what a family can afford to pay. There is no “income cutoff” or any other simple method to determine whether a family will qualify for need-based aid. St. Michael’s Country Day School encourages you to begin the admissions application process and apply for financial aid at the same time.

Will applying for Financial Assistance influence the admission decision?

What about confidentiality?

What if my financial situation changes?

Each year, a family must reapply for Financial Assistance and their individual circumstances will be evaluated by the committee. Assuming a family’s circumstances remain unchanged, every effort will be made to continue supporting that family at a level consistent with the prior year. Family information detailing extenuating circumstances not included in required forms may be forwarded in a letter or email to Sandy Merten, Director of Enrollment.

If only one parent works outside the home, will my child be considered for financial assistance?

We recognize that families have the freedom to make choices regarding which parents work outside of the home. In the case where an applicant has two parents, and the family chooses for only one parent to work outside of the home, and the other parent is otherwise able to work, the Financial Assistance Committee will impute an income per school policy. An exception to this policy might occur if the parent at home is caring for a preschool-aged child, a child with special needs, a seriously ill child, a parent or grandparent, or if there are other special circumstances. A family should explain these possible circumstances at the end of the financial assistance application.

If I am single, divorced, or no longer living with my child's other parent, what information will the Financial assistance Committee require in order to determine an award?

We believe that all parents have an obligation to contribute to the expense of educating their children. Assets and incomes of all natural and adoptive parents will be considered in making a financial aid award. All parents and guardians must complete the Clarity application and submit the required documents in order for the school to gain a realistic picture of family resources. The Financial Assistance Committee will not be bound by a claim that one parent is not responsible for educational expenses.

If the custodial parent has not heard from the non-custodial parent for a period of time to be determined by the Financial Assistance Committee or the involvement of the non-custodial parent is not in the best interest of the student, the above requirements may be waived. A letter of explanation and verification from a third party such as a minister, attorney, or social worker may be required.

If either parent has remarried, we will consider the assets and earnings potential of the step-parent in conjunction with the natural parent and keep in mind the step-parent’s responsibility to his or her own children.

If I still have questions, who should I contact?

Financial Assistance

All awards are based on financial need, as determined by an independent financial aid assessment service (Clarity).

Please note that we do not offer financial aid to Toddler Class students. Parents of students applying to the Toddler Class may apply for financial assistance beginning in Preschool. Paying the full tuition in the Toddler Class will not affect a family's eligibility to apply in Preschool and years going forward.

All aid is awarded as outright grants that do not need to be paid back.

The Financial Assistance Committee is a confidential group of trained professionals. There are no board members, faculty, or parents on this Committee.

Families applying for financial assistance can request a school application fee waiver.

The application process is confidential, secure, and convenient.

Awards remain with families for all years their child is enrolled unless they do not reapply or there is a significant change in the family’s finances.

Financial aid applications must be completed no later than December 1, 2024 (returning families) and February 15, 2025 (new families)

Active Military Discount

St. Michael’s is proud of its long, historical connection to the US military and US military families in Newport. Each year, the school enrolls around fifteen to twenty five students from families connected to the Naval Academy’s War College and other service related duties. US military families bring a rich trove of national and international diversity to our community and enrich the experience of all our students.

The school has been exceptionally supportive to US military families through financial assistance. While classroom spaces and tuition assistance funds are available, active military families who apply for financial assistance can expect to receive support commensurate with their family’s need. The St. Michael’s Country Day School’s military discount for U.S. families on active duty is 50% for students in grades Kindergarten – Grade 8. (We will offer a 25% military discount for families who have children in the Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten programs).

Our consolidated tuition includes:

Extended School Day from 7:30am – 5:30pm
Middle School Athletics
iPads for grades 1 – 2
MacBook laptop for grades 3 – 8
Books, supplies, and yearbook
Middle School Theater Program
Innovation Lab
4th Grade Sail Newport Program
Field Trips

All-Inclusive Tuition

2024-25	Academic year
Toddler, Preschool, and PreKindergarten	$20,085
Kindergarten - Grade 4	$31,150
Grade 5 - Grade 8	$35,535

Extended School Day programming is included in the price of tuition ($6,100 value to families). There will be NO additional fee associated with these programs. Children can stay at St. Michael’s from morning drop off until 5:30pm with no additional cost incurred. (Note: Excludes the Enrichment Program.)

Painted spiral paper hanging from preschool classroom ceiling that was created in the art studio

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