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Affordability: Tuition Support

Almaden Country Day School is pleased to be able to offer tuition support through our Tuition Support program. If you believe that your resources are not sufficient to meet the total costs of an ACDS education, we encourage you to apply for Tuition Support.

At ACDS, we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to receive a high-quality education. That's why we have a need-blind admissions process, meaning we review applications without considering whether or not a family has requested financial assistance.

Before applying for Tuition Assistance, please take a moment to read the information below. When you're ready, click the 'Apply through Clarity' button below to get started. The application typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete. 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 (which can be paid by credit card) to submit, and you can share your application with additional schools that accept the Clarity Application for no additional charge.

How Tuition Assistance Works:

  • Separate Review: A committee separate from the admissions staff evaluates tuition assistance applications to determine eligibility and award amounts.
    • Demonstrated need is determined by the Clarity Application, a third-party financial calculator, that will prequalify applicants for Tuition Support along with any supplemental information provided by the family. The allocation of tuition support will then be reviewed by the ACDS Tuition Support Committee based on:
      • Clarity Application report and supplemental information
      • Current cost of living and other variables
      • Student's academic and behavioral standing from current and/or previous school(s)
      • Ways in which the student's family will contribute/contributes to the life of the school (e.g. volunteering) or otherwise demonstrates a commitment to ACDS
    • Based on the Clarity Application report and considerations above, the Committee then makes its recommendation to our CFO, who relays the award information to the family.
  • Flexible Support: Tuition support awards can range from 25% to 75% of the annual tuition per child, depending on the family's financial need. Awards are typically made during the re-enrollment and first round of admissions decisions in March. Funding may be limited after these periods.
  • Limited Funds: While we strive to meet the needs of most eligible applicants, our tuition assistance budget is limited. 

2025-26 School Year Tuition Support Timeline:

  • New Families:
    • November 1, 2024 - February 1, 2025: Submit admissions application.
    • Before February 26, 2025: Submit completed Clarity application.
    • March 20, 2025: Acceptances sent. If you've applied for tuition assistance and your student is accepted, you'll receive a response from our business office within 48 hours after the admissions decision is sent.
  • Returning Families:
    • Before January 20, 2025: Submit completed Clarity application.
    • Mid-February 2025: Complete re-enrollment.
    • Early February 2025: Notification of tuition assistance sent before the re-enrollment deadline.

For families applying outside the 2024-25 enrollment periods mentioned above, please note that awards are typically granted during the re-enrollment and first round of admissions decisions in March. Funding may be limited after these periods. As noted earlier, once you’ve applied and your student is accepted, you will receive a response regarding tuition support from our business office within 48 hours after the admissions decision being sent.

Apply Through Clarity

Please download the Clarity Quick Reference Guide for additional information and see our Clarify FAQs below. If you need support during the process of completing your application, there is in-app support available as well as email support at support@claritytuition.com in both English and Spanish. The application itself is also fully translated into Spanish. 

Clarity Financial Aid

Please remember to return to your dashboard after you complete and submit your Clarity Application, as ACDS requires you to upload additional tax documentation. A complete and accurate tuition support application must be submitted through the Clarity Application to receive consideration. Incomplete applications, including those without requested documents, will not be reviewed. Applications received after the priority deadline will be considered in the order they are received and to the extent tuition support resources are still available.

New families will be notified of their award with their admissions offer letter. Returning families will be notified of their award by mid-March.

For more information about Tuition Support at ACDS, please see the FAQs below or contact our Mary Jo Heindel, Director of Admissions, Enrollment and Outreach.

Tuition Support FAQs

Clarity FAQs