Small moments. Big experiences.
Tuition & Affordability
This is learning for their world and their life.
Confidence, creativity and character are some of the most important qualities in life. By the time our students graduate they have built a foundation of soft skills from which they can launch into success at any high school, college and career. An Old Trail education truly changes lives.
A large part of our unparalleled education is our commitment to affordability. We believe the fact that our students come from many different communities and family and economic backgrounds contributes to the experience of all Old Trail students.
With a 8:1 student–teacher ratio, Old Trail gives your child more individual attention than some of the best public schools around, which often have student–teacher ratios well over 15:1.
Flexible Tuition Program
We never want cost to prohibit a child from receiving the value of an Old Trail education. That’s why we work with families to make their tuition payments as affordable as possible. Old Trail is one of the few schools in the area to offer a flexible tuition program for children in kindergarten through Grade 8.
This innovative program identifies what families can reasonably afford to pay for tuition rather than determining how much financial assistance can be given. More than one-third of our students benefit from flexible tuition, totaling $1.4 million in grants and scholarships.
Old Trail also offers monthly payment plans through FACTS Management or three-payment plans with installments due on July 15, September 15 and January 15.
Please contact Director of Enrollment Management Susan Newman
with any questions you may have.
Old Trail spends twice as much per student as the highest-ranking public schools in our area.
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Application Process
In order to apply for financial assistance through the flexible tuition program, your family should complete a Financial Aid for Student Tuition (FAST) application, which is evaluated by a third-party service to determine your family’s financial need. Because institutional financial aid funds are limited, you are encouraged to submit the FAST application as soon as possible and before the December 1 deadline (prior to the academic year of enrollment) to ensure full consideration. The School’s Flexible Tuition Committee reviews the FAST application and assessment of need and determines your eligibility for and amount of institutional financial aid. Your financial aid award is documented in your Enrollment Contract. Your application for financial assistance does not affect the decision to accept your child for admission into the School; however, you must complete the admission process before a financial aid award can be made.
1. If you are a prospective parent, contact the Admission Office to indicate your interest in the School and our Flexible Tuition Program. You will receive information including directions for completing the Financial Aid for Student Tuition (FAST) application and a checklist with important deadlines.2. Complete the Financial Aid for Student Tuition (FAST) application. This third-party evaluation service works with us to provide a need-based analysis that includes a recommendation of what a family should be able to contribute toward tuition. Submit your application by December 1. You will be required to submit a copy of your most recent W2 forms and federal tax return (including all schedules, federal form 4506, and supplemental questions included in the FAST application) by December 15 each year.3. The application process is self-guided. You may navigate in and out of the program, allowing you to partially complete an application and go back to it at another time. Online email and a 24/7 helpline are provided. The charge for the application is $45 and is paid by credit card at the end of the session.4. Mail your tax return for federal taxes with all schedules and W-2s to: FAST Processing, ISM, 1316 North Union Street, Wilmington, DE 19806-2594. Please include the School’s name on the outside of the envelope to ensure faster processing of your application.5. Complete form 4506 Request for Transcript of Tax Return – Click Here for the form. Please note, you will only need to fill out questions 1–4 and sign the form. Please do not remit any fees.6. The online submission deadline for returning student applications is December 1, and the deadline for new students is January 15. Your tax return and form 4506 must follow the submission and be postmarked by December 15 (January 15 for new students).7. The goal is to have an award determination made by the time re-enrollment contracts are issued in February.8. Our Flexible Tuition Committee will review FAST’s recommendation and then calculate your tuition rate and provide it to you, along with your admission decision letter, in February.
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Tuition and Fees
2020–21 TuitionEarly Childhood Program
ECP 2 Day — $3,820
3 Half-Days — $5,860
3 Full Days — $9,900*
5 Half-Days — $9,770*
5 Full Days — $15,180*
Young 5s — $16,270
(* includes lunch)
Kindergarten
$19,270
Grades 1–5
$21,370
Grades 6–8
$22,340
Additional Costs
Below are other items and options to budget for at each grade level.All Grade Levels:General school supplies
School lunch (optional)
Before-school care & OTS+ (optional)
Private Old Trail transportation (optional)
Grade 5:
Overnight class trip: approximately $250
Grades 6–8:
Overnight class trip: approximately $800 - 900
1:1 technology device: approximately $1,000
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Tuition Refund Plan
All families enter a contract with a school whereby they are financially obligated to pay the full annual tuition for their child to attend the school, regardless of withdrawal for any reason. The Tuition Refund Plan provides exceptional coverage for families who cannot or do not wish to be exposed to the possible loss of tuition payments.Similar to insurance, this third-party plan is designed to give Old Trail parents peace of mind by refunding a portion of the unused annual tuition and insured fees should a covered withdrawal arise.
Research shows the most impactful investment parents can make in their child’s education is in their earliest years of development.
Nondiscrimination Statement
Old Trail School is an independent day school (toddler through grade eight) located in the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
