Admissions

The purpose of the Indexed Tuition Program is to support the access and the economic diversity of The San Francisco School. For this reason, not every student is charged the same tuition.

Families that apply and qualify for reduced tuition pay a tuition level that takes into consideration what they are able to afford, based on a complex calculation done through the Clarity, a financial service. The School considers this calculation together with each family’s special circumstances and available funds (almost $1.1 million this year). This year 26% of our students pay tuitions that are below the maximum.

Once a student is awarded an “indexed tuition,” the School is committed to continuing to set their tuition at a level that reflects their family’s calculated ability to pay. Indexed Tuition decisions are based on the following policies.

Policies
The Clarity methodology is used as a guide in determining the parent/guardian contribution to tuition.

Priority for awarding Indexed Tuition is as follows:

• Meet the needs of returning families that continue to demonstrate financial needs. If circumstances are unchanged, the school continues to support the family at the same level of assistance.
• Meet the needs of returning families not previously on Indexed Tuition that newly demonstrate financial needs.
• Meet the needs of new families based on family financial needs and available funds.
• Strive to make Indexed Tuition decisions that maintain a cultural, gender, age and economic balance within the school. Consider the distribution of Indexed Tuition across the grades. 
• Families must apply for other available sources of funds for which they qualify (e.g., The
  Basic Fund).
• Indexed Tuition recipients, along with all SFS families, are expected to volunteer in fundraising and school events, pay their tuition on time and be in good standing. All fees must be paid up to date before an Indexed Tuition award is made.
• Each parent/guardian whose child/ren is of school age is expected to contribute to the education of his/her child/ren to the extent that he/she is able.
• Non-working parents/guardians: If a parent of a school-age child chooses not to work, additional income will be attributed to the income calculation provided by SFS and the parent contribution will be recalculated.
• Unmarried couples: In addition to the natural parent/guardian, domestic partners and other responsible adults living in the household are expected to provide full financial information.
• Divorced/separated families: The school will consider the assets of both parents/guardians before making any award and cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent/guardian has disclaimed responsibility for educational expenses. If either parent/guardian has remarried, the school will also consider the assets of the stepparent, always keeping in mind the obligation of that stepparent to his or her own children. It is the responsibility of both parents/guardians to submit the appropriate financial information.
• It is the responsibility of the custodial parent/guardian to ask the non-custodial parent/guardian to fill out the appropriate forms.
• If the information is not provided, the Indexed Tuition Committee will be unable to award a grant to the student.
• A Committee composed of the Admissions Director, the Director of Finance and Operations, and the Head of School carefully considers Indexed Tuition applications. Family financial information and Indexed Tuition awards are kept strictly confidential.

Sources of Funds for Indexed Tuition

• Annual Operating Budget – The Board of Directors approves a line item for Indexed
  Tuition. 
• Income is also earned on the following scholarship endowment funds:
  • Endowment Fund for Indexed Tuition
  • Burkhead/Lau Family Scholarship Fund
  • Chrissy Bates Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Dekovic Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Gloria Darrow Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Gari Grant Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Frank Korn Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Maggie Weis Fund for Tuition Assistance
  • Miltibarger Memorial Scholarship Fund
• The Basic Fund – grants up to $1,600 to the school for students entering Kindergarten-8th Grade, based on household size and income. Priority goes to students entering from public school.
• The Guardsmen Scholarship Program – grants of $2,000 to the school for eligible low-income students entering Kindergarten-6th Grade (not already receiving a Basic Fund grant). Priority goes to students entering from public school.

After School Programs
Elementary and Middle School students on Indexed Tuition qualify for reduced fees if they participate in the school’s after-school extended day, instrumental classes and school required educational tutoring or testing.