An investment in how your child learns, grows, and contributes
At Crowden, serious music study is integral to how students learn, connect, and grow. Through rigorous academics and daily ensemble practice, students think critically, listen deeply, persevere, and contribute with confidence.
Chamber music makes collaboration a daily habit. Students learn to lead, listen, adapt, and achieve together. They leave Crowden prepared for their next educational step with the discipline, empathy, resilience, and curiosity to contribute meaningfully wherever they go.
Tuition at Crowden School includes books, classroom supplies, field trips, concert expenses, and yearbooks. All students also take a weekly private lesson to support their individual musical growth and ensemble experience. Private lessons are not included in the cost of tuition.
Kindergarten – Grade 5
$39,000
Grades 6-8
$42,500
Tuition includes books, classroom supplies, field trips, concert expenses, and yearbooks.
Weekly private lessons support each student’s individual musical growth and ensemble experience at Crowden. All students are required to take one private lesson each week outside school hours. Families may choose to study with a teacher outside Crowden, or enroll in Crowden’s Community Programs for on-campus lessons.
The rates shown below apply only to lessons provided through Crowden. Private lesson rates for independent teachers may vary.
30 minutes
$65 per lesson
45 minutes
$98 per lesson
60 minutes
$130 per lesson
Tuition assistance for private lessons at Crowden is available for qualifying families enrolled at Crowden School. Tuition assistance may cover up to 50% of private lessons costs.
We recognize that an independent school education is a significant investment for every family. Crowden is committed to partnering with families to make our distinctive music and academic education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds.
Tuition assistance supports a community where students learn alongside peers with diverse experiences and perspectives. That diversity strengthens the collaboration, connection, and sense of belonging at the heart of a Crowden education.
Families who believe Crowden may be the right school for their child should not assume that tuition places it beyond their reach. We encourage families to learn more about the tuition assistance process and contact us with any questions.
Applications are submitted online through Clarity—a secure, user-friendly platform. The process takes under 30 minutes on a computer or mobile device.
Families create one household account, and the $65 application fee covers all participating Clarity schools.
New students
Returning students
Each year in the fall, Clarity offers webinars for all families at any Clarity school who may be interested in learning more about how to fill out the Clarity Application for Financial Aid. Any family can register for and attend any webinar they choose. Please note that webinars are recorded and will include an open Q&A with families.
2026-27 Family Application Information Webinars:
One-payment, two-payment, and 10-month payment plans are available for the 2026-27 school year. The one-payment and two-payment plans each have a one-time fee of $25, and the 10-month payment plan has a one-time fee of $55. Tuition payment plans typically begin in May, before the school year starts.
Tuition payments can be made by ACH or credit card. Clarity applies a fee to credit-card payments; ACH payments have no additional fees.
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 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 student’s primary instrument are required and are not included in tuition. Families may study with a teacher outside Crowden or enroll in Crowden’s Community Programs for on-campus lessons. Tuition assistance is available for qualifying families and may cover up to 50% of private lesson costs. For more information, contact Community Programs at CommunityEd@crowden.org.
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! 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, kshallenberg@crowden.org.
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, 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, kshallenberg@crowden.org.
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 (kshallenberg@crowden.org) 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. 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.
Questions about the school’s Tuition Assistance policies should be addressed to our Admissions Director at 510.559.6910 ext. 122 or kshallenberg@crowden.org.
The Crowden School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Crowden is committed to creating a diverse environment, and we value our inclusive community of students, parents, and faculty and staff of all backgrounds. Together, we celebrate our many differences and unite in our shared love of music of all kinds and origins.
