Flexible Tuition Program

List of 8 frequently asked questions.

• What is Flexible Tuition?

  Flexible Tuition is a tuition structure through which a school offers a range of tuitions with a specific number of placements in each class available at each level. Our goal is that each family’s tuition level be an amount that demonstrates the priority placed on providing an exceptional education for their children. The goal of this innovative structure is to enrich our school community by maintaining the socio-economic diversity that is best for students - and intrinsic to our philosophy and mission -  in a way that is sustainable for the School and our Families. 

• What are the benefits of a Flexible Tuition program?

  The Flexible Tuition program enables Indian Creek School to make our exceptional education accessible to a broader range of well-qualified students, who otherwise may not have been able to attend our school. This enriched community benefits all students at Indian Creek School. A diverse socio-economic community is best for learning, and is intrinsic to the Indian Creek School philosophy and mission. Flexible tuition helps to bring this diversity to the Indian Creek community in a way that is sustainable for the School.

• How is a "Flexible Tuition" Structure More Beneficial than a traditional "Financial Aid" Program?

  This "Flexible Tuition" structure is fundamentally different from the traditional "Financial Aid" program found in most independent schools. This system formalizes Indian Creek's commitment to maintaining a truly balanced, diverse, and inclusive school community, by broadening the range of students who are able to afford Indian Creek's tuition from the outset. Our goals for this program are for each family to pay tuition in an amount that demonstrates the priority placed on providing an exceptional education for their children.
  
  

  Generally speaking, the independent school model can result in an unintended, uneven distribution of aid. Often in this system, families who could pay a significant portion of tuition, but not the full amount, do not qualify for aid and are unable to enroll. The Flexible Tuition program intentionally plans for a more even range of tuition rates to account for more families in a way that is sustainable for the School and hopefully, for our families. This system makes an excellent Indian Creek education affordable to more students, who will ultimately enrich the classroom experience for all.

• Does applying for Flexible Tuition affect the admission decision?

  An application for Flexible Tuition has no impact on a student's admission decision. The admission process and Flexible Tuition application process happen simultaneously, and separately. Once a student is admitted to Indian Creek, the Flexible Tuition placement information will be sent to the family with the admission decision, provided that the application for Flexible Tuition was completed  in a timely manner relative to the admission process. The Flexible Tuition program is only able to offer a set number of placements at each level per class, so it is possible that a student will be admitted to Indian Creek, but the tuition level for which the family qualifies is not available. In that situation, the family is able to accept placement at the next available level if they wish.  Finally, Flexible Tuition allows for a more streamlined admissions process for 80-90% of families.

• How are Tuition levels determined for each family?

  Indian Creek sets tuition for each studentbased on a pre-determined matrix that considers each family’s finances relative to the number of students attending the School. Families are asked to complete and submit Indian Creek’s Flexible Tuition Eligibility Form along with their latest, complete IRS Form 1040. A family’s Adjusted Gross Income from Form 1040 is at the heart of determining their flexible tuition level; their assets, debts, and household expenses are also considered. Families with more complicated finances will be asked to complete their flexible tuition application through our third-party assessment provider, SSS, in addition to the process outlined above. SSS provides the mechanism through which business owners and others with more unique circumstances are evaluated by experts and receive a thoughtful family contribution rate.

• Does every family need to submit financial information to the School?

  No, only those families who feel they are unable to pay full tuition and want to apply for a reduced tuition amount need to submit financial information. Our goal is to streamline the Flexible Tuition application process moving forward, but for the 2019-20 application season, families will submit documentation through SSS.

• Are all school expenses covered through Flexible Tuition?

  Flexible Tuition covers the full tuition cost. However, Activity fees, Support fees, lunches, transportation, and Kids After hours fees are all separate from this amount. A complete fee schedule can be found at this link.

• Where do I go with questions?

  Our Directors of Flexible Tuition Liz Kettering would be happy to help you through the Flexible Tuition process. She can be reached by email through the links above, or by phone at 410-923-3660.