Accessible-To-All Tuition Adjustment

Orchard Valley Waldorf School embraces an Accessible-to-All (ATA) tuition model based on the ideal that Waldorf education should be accessible to all families who are committed to it, regardless of financial means. Acceptance of a child into our school is not contingent on a family’s financial resources; however, our ATA program requires us to honor appropriate constraints for balancing our budget.

If a family is unable to meet our tuition guidelines, the parents are required to complete a Grant & Aid Assessment application with FACTS. OVWS requires that separated or divorced parents requesting tuition adjustment BOTH complete the Grant and Aid application. Once the complete application has been received, parents will be scheduled to meet with two members of our ATA committee. During this meeting, the group will review both the school’s budget and the family’s budget for the coming year. The adjusted tuition will reflect an understanding of the school as a whole. Both the family and the school stretch to meet the needs of the other, and the ATA committee members and family take responsibility for reaching consensus on the tuition amount the family will pay for each enrolled child. This agreement will be adopted at the conclusion of the meeting, signed both by the committee members and parents, and will be attached to the enrollment agreement as an amendment.

Our ATA program embodies the school’s commitment to enter into a relationship with each family and become aware of the needs and gifts of everyone in our community. We view these adjusted tuitions as a contribution to our income rather than a reduction in income. The program does not lessen our strong sense of fiscal responsibility. On the contrary, it requires thorough budget preparation and ongoing review to ensure continuous progress and the achievement of goals based on the values and ideals of Waldorf education.

For children entering an Early Ed program: Please request an early education program tuition adjustment form from the Enrollment Coordinator early in the admissions process. Once this form has been received back in the office, a member of the Tuition Adjustment Committee will review the request and follow up with the family as needed. Click here to download a PDF of the Tuition Adjustment Guide for early education families.

For children entering the Grades: Please notify the Enrollment Coordinator of the need to explore tuition adjustment early in the admissions process. Following acceptance of your child to OVWS and receipt of the deposit to secure your child’s place, the tuition adjustment process begins. Grades families complete a Grant and Aid Assessment application with FACTS by either going online to www.factstuitionaid.com or by requesting from the office a paper packet be sent. FACTS charges a fee for this service. Please be sure to send FACTS all verifying information when applying so the process will move forward quickly and smoothly. The tuition adjustment process continues as described above.