Affording Key
Key recognizes that increased access for the broadest possible range of students enhances the School's ability to attract, enroll, and retain those students whose contributions, values and attitudes strengthen the learning environment for teachers and students alike.
Key School highly encourages families with academically qualified students to submit an application for admission, regardless of family financial status.
2022-2023 Tuition & Fees
- First School
- Lower School
- Middle School
- Upper School
- Before School Care
- After School Program
- Textbooks
- Elective Services
First School
Key-Wee & Pre-School
$ 9,355 3 days (Tues, Wed, Thurs) 8:30 to 12:00
$11,835 3 days (Tues, Wed, Thurs) 8:00 to 3:10
$15,595 5 days 8:00 to 12:00
$17,250 5 days 8:00 to 12:00 with 2 days extended to 3:10
$18,075 5 days 8:00 to 12:00 with 3 days extended to 3:10
$19,730 5 days 8:00 to 12:00 with 5 days extended to 3:10
After School Program available until 6:00 p.m. (see below)
Pre-Kindergarten (5-day program only)
$15,595 - 5 days 8:00 to 12:00
$17,250 - 5 days 8:00 to 12:00 with 2 days extended to 3:10
$18,075 - 5 days 8:00 to 12:00 with 3 days extended to 3:10
$19,730 - 5 days 8:00 to 12:00 with 5 days extended to 3:10
After School Program available until 6:00 p.m. (see below)
Kindergarten (5-day program only)
$20,560 - 5 days 8:00 - 3:10
Free Before School Care starting at 7:30 a.m. (see below)
After School Program available until 6:00 p.m. (see below)
Grade Fee
The grade fee covers additional expenses for which many schools bill separately, as incurred over the year.
$350 for Key-Wee, Pre-School and Pre-Kindergarten
$400 for Kindergarten
Tuition Discount(s) for Siblings
A 5% tuition credit is allowed for the third child enrolled; 10% is allowed for the fourth child enrolled. The tuition credit is applied to the youngest child and does not apply to financial aid recipients.
Lower School
Grades 1-4
$27,395 - 8:20 - 3:15
After School Program available until 6:00 p.m. (see below)
Free Before School Care starting at 7:30 a.m. (see below)
Grade Fee
The grade fee covers additional expenses for which many schools bill separately, as incurred over the year.
$705 for Lower School
Tuition Discount(s) for Siblings
A 5% tuition credit is allowed for the third child enrolled; 10% is allowed for the fourth child enrolled. The tuition credit is applied to the youngest child and does not apply to financial aid recipients.
Middle School
Grades 5-8
$30,315 - 8:15 - 3:20
Interscholastic sports are available to all Middle School students starting in Grade 6, all three seasons. There are no additional fees for participation in organized sports.
The After School Program is available until 6:00 p.m. (see below).
Grade Fee
The grade fee covers additional expenses for which many schools bill separately, as incurred over the year.
$1,000 for Middle School
1:1 Laptop Program
Fifth and sixth grade students use School-issued Chromebooks which are kept at Key; students in grades seven and eight will need to bring their own laptop to school each day. View required specifications here.
Tuition Discount(s) for Siblings
A 5% tuition credit is allowed for the third child enrolled; 10% is allowed for the fourth child enrolled. The tuition credit is applied to the youngest child and does not apply to financial aid recipients.
Upper School
Grades 9-12
$31,980 - 8:15 - 3:25
In addition to after school athletics and other co-curricular activities, the Science and Library Center is open to Upper School students for supervised study after school until 7:00 p.m. from August through April, and until 5:30 p.m. for May and June. There are no additional fees for these services.
Grade Fee
The grade fee covers additional expenses for which many schools bill separately, as incurred over the year.
$1,000 for Upper School
1:1 Laptop Program
Students in grades nine through twelve will need to bring their own laptop to school each day. View required specifications here.
Tuition Discount(s) for Siblings
A 5% tuition credit is allowed for the third child enrolled; 10% is allowed for the fourth child enrolled. The tuition credit is applied to the youngest child and does not apply to financial aid recipients.
Before School Care
After School Program
Key-Wee - Grade 8
Key School’s After School Program is available for students in First, Lower and Middle Schools every day school is in session, with the exception of early dismissal days. The base After School Program runs from 3:15 - 5:30 p.m. Care is available from 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. for an additional fee.
3:15 - 5:30 - Monday through Friday $3,045
5:30 - 6:00 - Monday through Friday extension $1,360
3:15 - 5:30 - 3 days per week $1,825 (M/W/F or T/W/Th)
5:30 - 6:00 - 3 days per week extension $815 (M/W/F or T/W/Th)
3:15 - 5:30 - 2 days per week $1,220 (T/Th)
5:30 - 6:00 - 2 days per week extension $545 (T/Th)
Middle School Hourly - Grades 5 - 8 - $ 15.00 per hour (students must be registered to attend)
Late Pick-up Charges: A late pick-up fee of $30.00 per 15 minutes or fraction thereof will be assessed to families arriving after their After School Program contract time (5:30 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.).
While not part of Key's After School Program, interscholastic sports are also available to all Middle School students starting in 6th grade, all three seasons. There are no additional fees for participation in organized sports.
Textbooks
Elective Services
Graduates reflect on the value of Key
Financial Aid
Need-based financial aid grants are funded by the School and do not need to be repaid. Key School awarded $2.5 million in financial aid for the 2021-2022 school year.
- Apply for Financial Aid (Prospective Key Families)
- Apply for Financial Aid (Current Key Families)
- Financial Aid Policies
Apply for Financial Aid (Prospective Key Families)
To apply for financial aid for the 2022-2023 school year, parents must complete an online Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) through the NAIS School and Student Services (SSS). Key School’s code is 4372.
To be considered for financial aid during the first round of admission decisions, parents must submit the online PFS no later than January 14, 2022. Additional required documents and deadlines below.
- 2019 and 2020 Federal Income Tax Returns (IRS 1040) with all attached schedules (1 for joint; 2 if filed separately) - Due January 14, 2022
- 2020 W-2 form and/or 1099 form - Due January 14, 2022
- 2021 W-2 form and/or 1099 form - Due February 4, 2022
- 2021 Tax Returns - Due April 15, 2022
Please contract Director of Financial Aid, Cheryl Martin should you have questions (cmartin@keyschool.org; 410.263.9231 ext. 1225).
Apply for Financial Aid (Current Key Families)
Re-enrolling families must submit their updated online PFS no later than December 17, 2021. Additional required documents and deadlines below. In addition to the online PFS, all parents must submit copies of the following documents to the Office of Admission by the date indicated:
- 2020 Federal Income Tax Return (IRS 1040) with all attached schedules
(1 for joint; 2 if filed separately) - Due December 17, 2021 if not already on file - 2021 W-2 form and/or 1099 form - Due February 4, 2022
- 2021 Tax Returns - Due April 15, 2022
Please contract Director of Financial Aid, Cheryl Martin should you have questions (cmartin@keyschool.org; 410.263.9231 ext. 1225).
Families applying for financial aid for the first time
Re-enrolling families applying for financial aid must submit the online PFS no later than December 17, 2021. Additional required documents and deadlines below. In addition to the online PFS, all parents must submit copies of the following documents to the Office of Admission by the date indicated:
- 2019 and 2020 Federal Income Tax Return (IRS 1040) with all attached schedules
(1 for joint; 2 if filed separately) - Due December 17, 2021 - 2021 W-2 form and/or 1099 form - Due February 4, 2022
- 2021 Tax Returns - Due April 15, 2022
Please contract Director of Financial Aid, Cheryl Martin should you have questions (cmartin@keyschool.org; 410.263.9231 ext. 1225).
Financial Aid Policies
- The Key School uses the needs analysis of the School and Student Services (SSS) to estimate the family contribution.
- The Key School does not consider financial need in the assessment of the applicant’s eligibility for admission.
- While generous, Key's financial aid budget may preclude the School's ability to admit and fund all qualified applicants.
- Applicants may be put on a wait list for further review should funds become available.
- The School expects both parents to contribute to tuition. If a parent makes the decision not to work, the School may impute an annual income for a non-working parent, after the youngest child in the family reaches kindergarten age.
- In the case of divorce or separation, the School requires both parents to complete the Parent Financial Statement (PFS) and submit all tax returns and supporting documentation.
- Financial aid is available to students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade.
- Key School safeguards the confidentiality of all financial aid information supplied by applicants and does not in any way identify recipients of financial aid. Families are informed that publicizing an award in any way is inappropriate and is in violation of School policy.
Payment Plans
All families use FACTS management for tuition and incidental bill payments.
FACTS - Plan A
5% deposit due upon enrollment, 95% due in August 1, 2022, with a 1% tuition credit per student if paid by due date. The credit does not apply to financial aid recipients.
FACTS - Plan B
5% deposit due upon enrollment, 55% due in August 1, 2022, 40% due in January 1, 2023.
FACTS - Plan C
5% deposit due upon enrollment; 10 monthly payments begin June 15, June 25 or July 1, 2022.
Annual family enrollment fee of $20 for Plans A & B and $50 for Plan C is paid directly to FACTS. Upon enrolling in FACTS, Key School’s Business Office will be notified and will populate the family account with the tuition, fees and applicable financial aid.