How much are Waldorf schoos?

[bellydancegoddess]

My DD is in kindergarden and we think we want to send her to Waldorf (after we check it out) but how much are they? It sounds like a fourtune the way people talk.

[puddinnpeanut]

The Waldorf school here costs $4500 for pre-k/k and $5600 for grades 1-8! They also have an annual giving that I believe most parents are strongly encouraged to give as well! Not cheap, but it is a lot less than most of the private schools here!

[KLK7]

$7,200 for grades 1-8 here, if i recall correctly
didn't look past that

[daria]

The one in Chapel Hill, NC is around $6500/year for lower grades (up to grade 6) and $8500/year through 12th grade. Plus $200/month if you need aftercare which I think ends at 5 sharp (IMO kinda early for working parents).

For perspective, the monthly cost of Waldorf is slightly less than high quality daycare for my area.

[Rhonwyn]

5 schools in puget sound area.

Two in Seattle:

Seattle Waldorf School 2003-2004:
Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten
5 days/wk $6,550
4 days/wk $5,800
3 days/wk $4,950
Kindergarten Year $6,550 (This just means 5 days a week which is required before 1st grade.)
Grade School $8,800 (I think this goes up to $9200 for 2004-05)

After school care and nap care are offered until 6 PM.
http://www.seattlewaldorf.org/


Bright Water School:
Annual Tuition 2004-2005

Tadpoles (Preschool)
Two days per week
$2450

Little Minnows (Preschool)
Three days per week
$3715

Kindergarten
Five days/week
Four days/week
Three days/week
$6955
$6070
$5190

Grade School (1st - 6th) (Grade added each year up to 8th)
$9310
http://www.brightwaterschool.org/


One in Bellevue (across Lake Washington from Seattle):
Three Cedars
Annual Tuition 2004-2005


2004-2005 Tuition & Fees

2-day Pre-Kindergarten $1,650 to $4,830 Age 3yr 6mo by Sep 1 3-day Pre-Kindergarten $1,650 to $6,010
5-day Pre-Kindergarten $1,650 to $9,640
5-day Kindergarten $1,650 to $9,640 Age 5yr 3mo by Sep 1
All grades:
$1,650 to $13,130
Three Cedars has a sliding scale. You have to look at their website to understand how it works. Most parents pay full tuition but the school is in a high income area.

http://www.threecedars.org/tuition.htm

There are two other schools further out, one on Whidbey Island and one in Olympia. I believe both of the schools are cheaper as they are in more rural areas.

[CAmomto1]

The Waldorf nearest to us runs as follows:

Pre-K and K: $9075
1 - 8: $10,846 - $11,341

Wow!

[canndw]

A wide range

Generally, the schools are more than Catholic schools or other schools subsidized by churches or other organizations, and less than other established independent schools.

With figures provided to the schools by the national association, the average grade 1 through 8 school tuition is $7600, less in less mature, less developed schools, and more (an average of $9300) in the more established schools.

The range depends on how popular private schooling is in an area and the relative income levels in the area.

My school (in Rhode Island) is $8400 for tuition this year.

David

[DashsMama]

I posted this on the other Waldorf thread, but I'll post it again in case you didn't see it.

Often you can find out what tuition is at a particular school by checking out their website. The AWSNA website is a good place to find out what schools are near you and what their web addresses are.

I just checked out our school and the cost is $9075 for pre K and K, $10,846 for grades 1 and 2, $11,066 for 3, 4 and 5, and $11,341 for grades 6, 7 and 8. That doesn't include the registration fees, school supplies, instruments, or any of the other donations that are expected throughout the year. Yowza!

CAmomto1, you must live near me!

[myrrhmaid]

nak
yikes-no wonder so many of us homeschool!!!!
we were blessed with having a charter school based on the waldorf curriculum that cost just under 200. a year for art supplies.
i know lots of folks relocated here to take advantage of this school. it was rated #1 and a model for other charters.

[CAmomto1]

Originally posted by DashsMama
CAmomto1, you must live near me!

Yep

[muse]

Wowza!

Thanks for all reminding me again why we moved to England!

Here we will send DS to 3x a week kindergarten for $400 a yr (after school vouchers that everyone gets).

[cuqui]

Waldorf cost

3 day Nursery $4,865.00
5 day Kinder - $6,730.00
Grades 1-8 $11,000.00.

[Rhonwyn]

You are very lucky if you can attend a Waldorf charter school.

myrrhmaid wrote:
we were blessed with having a charter school based on the waldorf curriculum that cost just under 200. a year for art supplies.
i know lots of folks relocated here to take advantage of this school. it was rated #1 and a model for other charters.

Rhonwyn replies:
I wish we could get a charter school here in WA! Even with the sibling discount, the cost of our school equals a mortgage payment! Don't get me wrong. I love our school and it is worth every penny but it feels really unfair that I am paying for public school with our taxes but I can't get the kind of school I want for my kids. I am sure almost everyone feels that way. Even families in public schools.

[Bippity]

I just today got the pricelist for our local Waldorf school...

5 Day full-day Kindergarten - $5,327
Grades 1-3 $7,487
4 $7,367
5-7 $7,737
8 $7,762

[mamaMAMAma]

I think it really depends where you live in the country. Here its
$8000 for kindergarten and $10000 for 1-8 grades.

[WindyMoments04]

Goodness that's a lot of money!

[Deborah]

financial aid

For those folks who are not independently wealthy: most waldorf schools in north america have financial aid programs. Do take a look at one of the schools, first. Then if you feel that it is right for your child/children, ask about financial aid.

I used to work at the Chicago Waldorf School as the business manager. Part of my job was sitting in on the tuition reduction committee meetings, so I know more than I ever wanted to about this process.

Cheers,
Nana