The most important part of the Chicago Waldorf School is you.
Every family is different…
shouldn’t your tuition be different, too?
Families contribute to their student’s education at the full-pay level or at their individualized tuition level. Every family has the opportunity to apply annually for a Family Individualized Tuition (FIT) amount.
The Chicago Waldorf School is committed to our community of families who value socioeconomic diversity. We use our financial resources to support up to 75% of annual tuition. More than 75% of our families participate in the FIT program which creates an avenue for access to a distinctive Waldorf education experience.
what is fit?
Chicago Waldorf School uses a variable tuition model to assess each family’s financial picture to determine a tuition amount specific to each family while also considering the school’s financial costs. The FIT model is mission aligned with the school’s commitment to equity and socioeconomic diversity. No two families are identical. Experience the FIT difference.
Obtaining a FIT determination starts with a third party application to assess your family’s financial picture such as income, assets and expenses while also considering the school’s operational costs. Independent school tuition can be a financial stretch; however, after receiving your FIT determination many families find that a private Waldorf education is affordable.
Visit us today to experience the value of our joyful Waldorf community.
2024-2025 tuition by level
early childhood
grades 6-8
3 Half Days | $13,550
3 Full Days | $17,200
5 Half Days | $20,650
5 Full Days | $26,300
grades 1-5
$27,350
$29,550
high school
$34,950
household income
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Estimate annual tuition range $6,500 - $12,000
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Estimated annual tuition range $9,000 - $17,500
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Estimated annual tuition range $15,000 - $28,000
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Estimated annual tuition range $28,000 - $34,950
Your family’s fit
The total household income provides the most general sense of where a family will fit in the tuition ranges. However, the FIT application is the most accurate means to determining that custom tuition amount specific to you.
what’s included in tuition?
Family Individualized Tuition includes all fees for traditional Waldorf high-quality organic classroom supplies, professional-grade art materials, as well as the cost for local and out-of-state trips as applicable for each grade.
Not included in your tuition is a one-time New Family Fee of $1,500 and the 12th grade Maine trip. Optional CWS fees are: athletics; aftercare; lunch program; summer camp, after-school activities, as well as music/instrument rental or private lessons.
We are excited to announce that we have chosen Clarity as our new application system. Our goal is to make the Chicago Waldorf School application process as easy as possible for your family. You will find that Clarity offers a streamlined and user-friendly application process that can take as few as twenty minutes to complete. Additionally, your 1040 and W2 documents from 2022 will be automatically transferred from the IRS when you complete the verification step, so you will no longer need to upload those documents manually.
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.
Questions regarding the process? Click here for the Clarity family application guide. Ready to apply? Click the learn more button below!
ready to apply for fit?
