Dear Heilicher Parents and Guardians:
I hope everyone has had a warm and meaningful start to this
H
anukah
season.
I would like to share tuition levels for next year and some important changes to our tuition and financial assistance model.
As a key part of Heilicher’s
Strategic Plan
, the Finance Committee has spent the last two years investigating ways to adjust our tuition model with a goal of improving accessibility, clarity, and sustainability.
The committee’s evaluation included a close review of tuition models at other Jewish day schools as well as comparable independent schools across the country, a survey of Heilicher parents, and an in-depth analysis of Heilicher’s tuition yield and financial aid process. The new model also takes into account that even full tuition only covers approximately two-thirds of the actual cost to educate a student. Heilicher relies heavily on the generous philanthropic support of individuals, foundations, and community organizations to keep tuition rates as low as possible and ensure that financial assistance is available.
Last month, the Board of Trustees approved the following new tuition structure:
New Tuition Structure Approved by the Board
- Beginning in 2019-2020, we will have two tuition levels: One for Lower School K-5 and one for Middle School 6-8.
- Tuition will include the Technology & Supplies Fee. (This will no longer be a separate fee.)
- For Middle School tuition only, the cost of overnight trips and retreats—typically Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, MN in 6th grade, an on-campus retreat in 7th grade, and Washington, D.C. in 8th grade—will be included in tuition and spread over the three Middle School years. In the past and through the current school year, parents pay for these trips separate from tuition, in installments over several months during the year of the trip. The new structure will allow families to contribute to the trips as part of tuition and over a longer period of time. These trips are an integral part of the Middle School curriculum, and, as with tuition in general, the full cost of these trips is subsidized each year by philanthropic donations.
- Based on parent feedback, lunch and transportation will remain optional and separate from tuition.
- We will no longer offer an across-the-board sibling discount for families with multiple students enrolled. (These discounts started at $100/year for the second child.) Sibling discounts, however, will be offered through the financial assistance process for those who qualify.
- Financial assistance for tuition will continue to be provided based on demonstrated need and grant funds available. New this year in the financial assistance program, the Board has established minimum and maximum expected family contribution amounts based on income. Additionally, recognizing that every family’s financial circumstances are unique, the Board has authorized a Head of School Discretionary Fund to help families who are experiencing hardship or whose demonstrated need exceeds the financial assistance award guidelines.
Tuition Amounts for 2019-2020
Financial Assistance for 2019-2020
Continuous Enrollment and Deposits
As a reminder, under Heilicher’s Continuous Enrollment policy, we will automatically hold each student’s place for next year. We will be sending you more information regarding annual tuition deposits soon.
If you have questions about the new tuition model overall, please read
this FAQ
or contact me. For finance questions specific to your individual situation, please contact Karen Hoppe, CFO at
[email protected]
or 952.381.3525.
B’Shalom,
Yoni Binus
Head of School
