Tuition & Financial Assistance
Affording a DCD Education
We recognize that pursuing an independent school education for your child is a very big decision and requires a family to make many sacrifices. It is our goal to help families understand the tuition, payment plan, and financial aid policies that help make a DCD education accessible to our entire school community.
DCD’s tuition is all-inclusive in that it covers all classroom supplies, books, field trips, overnight trips, lunch and snack, and any technology used in the curriculum. Middle school students are given their own personal laptops in 6th grade, which they may keep upon graduation.
Enrollment in our Extended Day Program and enrichment activities, including private music lessons, will incur an added fee. Please follow the links to these programs to understand the associated costs.
2021-22 School Year Tuition
- Pre-Kindergarten – $26,450
- Kindergarten – $29,900
- Grade 1 – $34,550
- Grade 2 – $34,900
- Grade 3 – $35,900
- Grades 4-5 – $39,450
- Grades 6-8 – $44,250
Payment Plan Options
DCD partners with a company called Smart Tuition to facilitate the tuition payment process and to offer online payment accessible through the DCD parent portal once a child is enrolled. We offer different payment plans to fit families’ needs.
For information about this program, please contact Smart Tuition directly at 888-868-8828. You may also register for online access at enrollwithsmart.com. DCD’s school code is 11440.
Tuition Related Plans
Need-based Financial Assistance
Pursuing an independent school education can represent a significant financial strain on the resources of many families. Our hope is to help make a DCD education accessible to as many students as possible. To that end, a substantial number of need-based grants at varying levels are awarded each year to eligible applicants. For example, for the 2020-21 school year, 25% of our students received close to $1.8 million in assistance.
While families must complete the financial aid application through SSS to determine eligibility, this is just the starting point. Our financial aid committee reviews each financial aid application individually and understands that different families experience different financial pressures and therefore takes into account particular family circumstances and situations.
We hope that you will reach out to us with any questions about bringing a DCD education within your child and family’s reach. Please feel free to contact Bob Santry, our Chief Financial Officer.
The Financial Aid Process
Applying for Financial Aid
DCD uses School and Student Services (SSS) to process financial aid applications. SSS is a service of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Based on the financial information you provide, SSS gives us an estimated amount your family can contribute to educational expenses. This helps us make fair and objective financial aid decisions.
To be eligible for consideration for financial aid at Dedham Country Day School new families must complete an application and upload prior-year tax forms (the ones you filled out last spring) by January 15th for a March 10th decision.
Follow the steps listed below under “Applying for Aid Online” to complete an application for financial aid for the 2022–23 school year.
- Returning Families: PFS is due on December 1, 2021, and 2020 tax form 1040 (from last spring) need to be uploaded by December 15, 2021.
- New Families: PFS is due on January 15 and tax forms 1040 (from last spring) need to be uploaded by January 31
- All Families: 2021 W-2’s need to be uploaded by February 1.
Financial aid awards are based on family need, not on a child’s academic, athletic, or artistic performance.
- All financial information and awards are kept strictly confidential. An application for financial aid has no bearing on the Admissions Committee’s decision of whether or not to accept a child.
- Awards are made for one year only. Families who desire to continue receiving aid must apply annually.
- A family that has not settled its obligation for the current year will not be eligible to receive an award for the following year.
- To receive an award, a family must complete an online submission and upload a copy of the prior year’s 1040 tax forms (from last spring) with all schedules. Current forms W-2 are also required to be uploaded. This submission will be examined to verify that the family is using all available resources to pay for the cost of education. Awards are not meant to subsidize discretionary expenses such as those related to a business venture, or a lifestyle, or a parental choice not to work if there are no dependents at home during the school day.
- The first priority in making awards is to support enrolled students already receiving aid.
- In those cases when parents are not living together, the resources of both the non-custodial and custodial parent will be considered in establishing the family’s level of need.
For further information, please contact DCD’s Chief Financial Officer, Bob Santry at ext. 2550 or bsantry@dcds.net.
Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions
A family earning $75,000 with modest savings and two children in tuition-charging schools may receive aid, or one earning $160,000 with student loans and a sizeable mortgage could as well.
Without a full financial profile, it is not possible to quantify a grant amount, so it is very important to be prompt in filling out information and uploading documents.
The Hawk Scholarship: DCD’s Merit-based Award
Now in its third year, DCD’s Hawk Scholarship has been created for highly motivated middle school student iapplicants who embody the values of DCD’s mission. This very selective, merit-based opportunity recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding academic, athletic, or artistic promise and a desire to make a meaningful contribution to their community at DCD.
Learn More About Affording an Independent School Education
School and Student Services by the National Association of Independent Schools offers very useful resources for understanding how to afford an independent school education. Visit their website for access to tips and articles for parents as you enter this process.