Waldorf School tuition model ‘Within Reach’
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs is introducing a new sliding scale tuition model called Within Reach.
This model is meant to offer an affordable Waldorf education to more youth in the community by eliminating tuition barriers and guaranteeing inclusion, accessibility and transparency at the school.
“We are interested in reaching more students,” said administrator Abigail Reid, “and would like people to feel that Waldorf education is available to them if they’re really interested in being here.”
With this new program, officials are looking to increase the number of students enrolled at The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs, while also increasing diversity and inclusivity, Reid said.
Currently, the school has about 160 students, between two early childhood programs, a lower school and a high school, all located at different sites within the city of Saratoga Springs.
Looking ahead to the 20202021 school year, Reid said the school would be thrilled to add about 15 to 20 more students, of all ages, and would certainly welcome even more than that.
Starting in 2020, Waldorf Schools have done away with budget caps and eliminated the old tuition assistance process.
A major part of the Within Reach program at the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs is sliding scale tuition model, which combines an unbiased algorithm with each family’s financial situation to determine an equitable and realistic cost of education.
Before scholarships and sibling discounts, the yearly tuition rates range from $4,730 to $9,460 for five-day, mixed-age kindergarten; $5,280 to $15,995 for Grades 1-5; $5,395 to $16,350 for Grades 6-8; and $6,170 to $18,700 for Grades 9-12.
Scholarships and sibling discounts round out the Within Reach program. Sibling discounts are 12.5% for the second child at the school, and 25% for additional children. Merit, diversity and financial aid scholarship applications are available upon request from the Admissions Office.
“The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs values diversity as a centerpiece for building a healthy community,” the school’s website states. “Within Reach renews this commitment by adapting tuition to every unique financial situation.”
In making these changes, Reid noted that the enrollment process has become faster, more transpar
parent and more accessible to people.
Prospective parents and students are encouraged to learn more about The Wal
dorf School of Saratoga Springs, which is a private, pre-K through 12 school accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools, the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America and the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North Amer
ica. It was originally founded in 1981 as a nursery school program at Temple Sinai on Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs.
“If they’ve ever been interested knowing who we are, we could certainly welcome anybody to come and look,” Reid said, mentioning
the school’s small class sizes, and rich curriculum that is integrated with the arts. “It’s a very holistic program.”
Those interested can visit www.waldorfsaratoga.org/ within-reach, which features an sliding scale tuition calculator that can provide users with an instant estimate.
Parents can also contact admission coordinator Elisabeth Garofalo at (518) 5872224 or admissions@waldorfsaratoga.org for additional information.
The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs offers yearround enrollment.
Students who live any
where in the region can attend The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs. Bussing is available within a 16-mile radius of the schools.
More information about The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs is available online at www.waldorfsaratoga.org.