Flexible Tuition FAQs

Absolutely not. The school strongly discourages this approach, which almost always places children in the position of changing schools mid-course. Families making the decision to enroll paying full tuition are expected to continue doing so for the duration of a child’s enrollment.

All Flexible Tuition related processes are held in strict confidence.

First, consider the true cost of an independent school education. Tuition in 2023-2024 for elementary school is $41,915 and $48,415 for middle and upper school. This means a total cost of roughly $43,215 to $50,910 per student per year when considering additional costs such as Hot Lunch or bus transportation, as well as participation in community-wide generosity campaigns and initiatives like the Wildwood Fund.

Calculate your ability to cover these costs. If you cannot cover expenses out of a judicious use of income and assets, consider other options. If you are counting on gifts from relatives, it is important to discuss with them whether or not they plan to maintain their contributions over the course of your child’s tenure at Wildwood.

The fee to register for Blackbaud Financial Aid Management is $35. If a family cannot afford to pay the fee, email Alberto Duarte in the business office at aduarte@wildwood.org for assistance.

No. Decisions regarding admission to the school and eligibility for Flexible Tuition are made independently of one another. The admission committee decides on a student’s admissibility without regard to Flexible Tuition. Once the admission decision has been made, a student’s Flexible Tuition application is activated by the Flexible Tuition Committee, which determines how best to allocate the Flexible Tuition available for new students in any given year.

In addition to the percentage of tuition covered by Flexible Tuition, the Flexible Tuition package includes partial coverage of fees and some of the other necessary expenses associated with a student’s educational success, such as Hot Lunch. For middle and upper school, students who plan to register for the school’s bus service may receive a discount on bus fees, as well as prom tickets or International Community Involvement (ICI) costs in accordance with their Flexible Tuition award.

Yes, although families who opt to have their children attend Enrichment, After School, or Childcare Programs will do so at an additional cost, students receiving Flexible Tuition are offered a discount for these programs equal to the percentage of their Flexible Tuition award.

Yes. All families receiving Flexible Tuition are required to file and complete an application through Blackbaud Financial Aid Management and submit tax declarations each year. Flexible Tuition is not guaranteed from one year to the next. Unless there has been a significant change in a family’s finances or the Board-approved Flexible Tuition budget, Wildwood strives to maintain the level of Flexible Tuition based on demonstrated need until a child graduates.

Both parents have an obligation to contribute to their children’s educational expenses. In calculating need, Blackbaud Financial Aid Management considers the assets and income of both parents. Wildwood cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed legally or otherwise any responsibility for educational expenses. If either parent has remarried, we will consider the income of the stepparent, keeping in mind the obligation of that stepparent to their own children. If either parent lives in a household with another adult, we may consider the assets and income of that person, depending on circumstances. In such cases, both parents and their current spouses complete separate forms.

Requests to consider extenuating circumstances (missing parent or one who has not provided support and has not been in contact with the family for a lengthy period) should be explained in writing to the Flexible Tuition office in the Blackbaud Financial Aid Management application.

You must apply for Flexible Tuition at the time the sibling applies for admission. The Flexible Tuition application must be for both children, and if the second child is admitted and you qualify for Flexible Tuition, both children may receive Flexible Tuition.

More than $6 million in Flexible Tuition benefits are awarded each school year. We often admit more students that request Flexible Tuition than we are able to fund; therefore, new students who are offered admission do not always receive the Flexible Tuition they request—even if they qualify.

Admission decisions are sent in March. Flexible Tuition decisions are communicated at that time in a letter included with the enrollment contract packet. The letter will advise you of the deposit and fees due with the signed enrollment contract.

Yes. The school offers a plan that allows Flexible Tuition families to spread the cost over nine payments—from May through January for new students and April through December for continuing students.

Anyone may apply for Flexible Tuition. Flexible Tuition is based on demonstrated need. Each family’s financial circumstance is unique and will be considered independently. Applying for Flexible Tuition, however, does not guarantee a grant will be offered.

Need is determined by the Flexible Tuition Committee using tax returns, confidential statements, and the analysis provided by Blackbaud Financial Aid Management as a tool to help in the decision making process.

No. Flexible Tuition is an outright award used to offset the cost of tuition at Wildwood.

Wildwood’s commitment to Flexible Tuition is reflected in the school’s Board-approved annual operating budget, which includes proceeds from the school’s Hope Fund, an endowment for Flexible Tuition named in honor of the school’s long-serving former Head of School, Hope E. Boyd.