Tuition for 2010-2011
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Tuition
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Kindergarten
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$8,800
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Grades 1 to 8
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$14,600
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Tuition includes all academics and activities normally offered to all students or to an entire grade. Additional charges include those for After-School programs, certain field trips, and some optional activities.
Tuition is paid either annually on or before June 25th or in nine monthly installments processed by FACTS Tuition Management.
Financial Aid
Crossroads Academy is a nonprofit organization that supports itself through tuition, grants, and development efforts. Crossroads aspires to be a school available to all families. Although our funds are limited, we are committed to providing financial assistance to as many eligible families as possible. Families seeking financial aid are asked to submit an online application. To access the application, please click here.
In addition to the ongoing financial aid program, Crossroads has received a generous grant from the Byrne Foundation of Hanover, New Hampshire. Byrne Foundation scholarship aid is available to all families in need, with preference given to those who have an affiliation with Dartmouth College.
Board Chair Tuition Letter
February 2010
Dear Crossroads Parents,
On January 26, 2010, the Board of Trustees approved Crossroads Academy’s budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. As in previous years, the Board worked diligently with the administration to ensure that we preserve our program’s excellence, continue investing in our outstanding faculty, and carefully manage our operating expenses.
Tuition for next year will be $14,600 for grades 1–8 and $8,800 for kindergarten. The tuition increase approximates 4.4 percent, and is approximately 2 percent per annum over the last two school years, well below our historical average of 5.5 to 6 percent (which is common among independent schools). We have been able to keep our tuition increases low because of our financial strength, and we have done so in support of our families during this difficult economic climate.
A quick word on tuition predictability. Our school needs to have tuition increases substantial enough to allow us to reinvest in our talented faculty, program excellence and to maintain our campus. Crossroads has made great progress in controlling expenses over the last several years, including a recent reduction in the interest rate we pay on our mortgage. Unfortunately many non-discretionary expenses continue to climb, such as state payroll taxes and health insurance. Our teachers, who could be paid more for a similar job in the public schools, choose to work at Crossroads with our children, teaching Core Virtues and Knowledge. They deserve a modest raise after foregoing a meaningful increase last year; this tuition increase addresses this. On a going forward basis, it is unlikely that the school could endure significantly lower levels of tuition increase than we have adopted this year, for any extended period of time, without eroding the financial position of the school. Exceptions would be generous benefactors making meaningful contributions to the school's endowment, or structural changes to our operating environment.
The operational costs of our school exceed revenues received from tuition, which is consistent with most independent schools. While our goal is to narrow this gap, the difference of about $2,000 per student is principally raised through our Annual Fund. The balance of tuition and contributions makes Crossroads financially stable and positioned for long-term success. I thank each of you who have given in these difficult times, and remind those who have not yet had the opportunity to do so that any level of participation in our Annual Fund is greatly appreciated. Our parent participation is currently about 59 percent.
Every family pays tuition, but we also support our community and strengthen the school by offering financial aid to eligible families. Next year’s budget includes financial support to approximately 24 percent of students. Introducing Crossroads to new families will strengthen our finances, diversity, and spirit of the school.
The Board is hard at work in revising our Strategic Plan. We had an important retreat in September and the consensus was to focus on keeping tuition affordable for the Upper Valley, maintaining our program excellence, and working with our existing campus rather than adding new facilities. We hope to finish the updating of the Strategic Plan well before the end of the school year, so please look forward to more updates on this topic.
We make this report on the progress of our school from a position of strength. Our enrollment of 144 students is near an all time high, contrasting with enrollment declines at other independent schools. Our tuition increase, while real, is modest by independent school standards, particularly so on a two-year basis. Our graduates attend the finest public and independent high schools in New England, generally placing at an honors level. Crossroads students’ academic achievement, as measured by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB), is higher than that seen at most institutions. Our character education reinforces the values that we, as parents, teach at home. The dedication and passion of the Head of School, faculty, and staff is unmatched.
On behalf of the Board, thank you for your belief in the value of Crossroads. Your involvement as parents and investment in the financial well-being of the school keep our community vibrant and protect our school's future.
Sincerely,
Scott W. Steffey
President, Board of Trustees
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