Tuition and Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance awards are based on a family’s demonstrated ability to pay tuition as assessed through the Clarity application and supporting tax documentation. All families are welcome to submit a Clarity application to see if they qualify. Annual income is a significant consideration in the tuition calculation, but many other factors figure in the qualification process including assets (property, investments, business assets etc.); liabilities and debts, and other expenses. The number of children attending tuition charging schools, and the number of other family dependents, also impact the calculation.

Recognizing that family finances do not exist in a vacuum, The Crowden School layers in cost of living adjustments to our tuition assistance calculations. We encourage all families who question the affordability of a Crowden education to apply for tuition assistance.

Yes. Tuition Assistance is awarded annually. Because a family’s financial circumstances may change over time, all participants in the tuition assistance program are required to reapply each year. While Tuition Assistance is not guaranteed, as long as a family’s financial circumstances do not change significantly from year to year, families can generally expect a similar level of Tuition Assistance annually.

Tuition at The Crowden School covers all educational expenses including books, classroom supplies, field trip costs, concert expenses, the bi-annual seventh and eighth grade tour, and yearbooks. 

Weekly private lessons on your students' primary instrument are required, and tuition does not cover the cost of private lessons. While all Crowden School students are required to take lessons from a private teacher, families may choose to either find a teacher outside of our community education program, or enroll through our community education program and take lessons on campus at Crowden. If you choose to enroll for private lessons through our community education program, you may also apply for tuition assistance to help cover the cost of private lessons. Tuition assistance for private lessons can cover up to 50% of tuition for qualifying families. Please contact Beth Vandervennet for more information, [email protected].

Yes! Crowden families can pay tuition with a one-time payment, in two installments, or in 10 payments throughout the year. You can choose the plan that works best for you when you submit your enrollment contract.

No. Crowden only awards Tuition Assistance to families based on demonstrated financial need.

Yes! The Crowden School recognizes that, for some families, even a small modification to tuition can make a critical difference. If any amount of assistance would make it possible for your child to attend The Crowden School, we encourage you to apply.

No. Tuition Assistance is assessed separately from admissions decisions. Once admission decisions have been made the Tuition Assistance committee assesses tuition levels based on income, assets, debts, etc. of those being offered enrollment.

In the case of families with a stay-at-home parent, the tuition assistance calculation will include a modification for potential income of that parent. Exceptions will be considered in the case of caring for a preschool-aged child, a child with a disability, a seriously ill child, parent or grandparent, or if there are other special circumstances. Please make sure to note these possible exceptions in your Tuition Assistance application through Clarity. If you have questions, please contact Kirsten Shallenberg, Director of Admissions, [email protected].

The Crowden School believes that all parents have an obligation to contribute to the expense of educating their children. Assets and incomes of all natural and adoptive parents will be considered in making a tuition assistance award. All parents and guardians must complete the Clarity Application and submit the required documents in order for the school to gain a realistic picture of family resources. The Tuition Assistance committee will not be bound by a claim that one parent is not responsible for educational expenses. If there is legal documentation that one parent has no financial responsibility for the child’s education, please submit that documentation with your application.

If either parent has remarried, we will consider the assets and earning potential of the step parent in conjunction with the natural parent and keep in mind the step parent's responsibility to their own children.

If the non-custodial parent has little or no contact with their child for a significant period of time, and provides no financial support, the requirement may be waived and you will be asked to submit a verified form stating such. In such cases, the school requires a written statement about the parent’s absence from a non-family member (such as a family lawyer, clergyperson, or social worker) who is aware of the family situation.

If the non-custodial parent is providing financial support and/or is in contact with their child, The Crowden School requires their participation in the process of determining any potential awards. Tuition Assistance is determined by parents’ ability to pay, not by their willingness.

Tuition assistance awards are included in your enrollment contract, which will be sent out to accepted students on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

Yes. If you would like to appeal your award, please follow the appeals process as outlined in your Clarity account. If you have questions, please contact Kirsten Shallenberg, Director of Admissions, [email protected].

We expect our families to share with us any material changes in their financial circumstances – for better or for worse – that might result in an equitable adjustment to their family’s contribution amount. If your family faces economic hardship due to an income change, please get in touch with Kirsten Shallenberg ([email protected]) to discuss your financial situation and determine the next steps. The Crowden School is committed to doing our best to support our families through difficult financial periods.

There are a few Bay Area organizations that may offer small amounts of tuition support for qualifying families. We encourage you to reach out directly to those organizations to see if your family might qualify.

Guardsmen Scholarship Fund
(415) 856-0939

Independent Scholarship Fund
(510) 632-1366 x144

BASIC Fund
(415) 986-5650

Yes. The Crowden School maintains strict confidentiality regarding the financial circumstances of our families. No one outside of the Tuition Assistance committee has access to a family’s financial information or is aware of which families receive a tuition assistance award.