Affording Key
Key School recognizes that increased access to 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.
Key is a community institution that caters not to the gifted or privileged few, but to all young people capable of profiting from its programs.
To help families support this important investment, Key School provides a number of payment options, including an interest-free monthly payment plan. While families committed to providing a Key education are willing to make significant sacrifices, there are circumstances that preclude paying the full tuition. The School’s financial aid program is designed to assist families who cannot meet the full cost of tuition by bridging the gap between the family’s contribution and the tuition.
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
$ 8,295 3 days (Tues, Wed, Thurs) 8:30 to 12:00
$10,775 3 days (Tues, Wed, Thurs) 8:30 to 3:00
$13,825 5 days 8:30 to 12:00
$15,480 5 days 8:30 to 12:00 with 2 days extended to 3:00
$16,305 5 days 8:30 to 12:00 with 3 days extended to 3:00
$17,960 5 days 8:30 to 3:00
After School Program available until 5:30 (see below)
Pre-Kindergarten (5-day program only)
$13,825 - 5 days 8:30 to 12:00
$15,480 - 5 days 8:30 to 12:00 with 2 days extended to 3:00
$16,305 - 5 days 8:30 to 12:00 with 3 days extended to 3:00
$17,960 - 5 days 8:30 to 3:00
After School Program available until 5:30 (see below)
Kindergarten ( 5-day program only)
$18,220 - 5 days 8:30 - 3:00
After School Program available until 5:30 (see below)
Free Before School Care starting at 7:30 (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
$24,280 - 8:25 - 3:15
After School Program available until 5:30 (see below)
Free Before School Care starting at 7:30 (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
$26,870 - 8:20 - 3:15Organized 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.
After School Program available until 5:30 (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 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.
Upper School
Grades 9-12
$28,350 - 8:20 - 3:20
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
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
3:15 - 5:30 - Monday through Friday $3.045
3:15 - 5:30 - 3 days per week $1,825 (M/W/F or T/W/Th)
3:15 - 5:30 - 2 days per week $1,220 (T/Th)
Options
Middle School - $1,015 by trimester
Grades 5 through 8 - $ 15.00 per hour
While not part of Key's After School Program, organized 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
Financial Aid
Need-based financial aid grants are funded by the School and do not need to be repaid. Key School awarded more than $2,000,000 in financial aid for the 2017-2018 school year.
Apply for Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid for the 2018-2019 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 during the first round of admission decisions, parents must submit the online PFS, along with the required fee, no later than January 17.
In addition to the online PFS, parents must submit copies of the following documents to the Office of Admission by February 2:
- 2016 Federal Income Tax Return (IRS 1040) with all attached schedules
(1 for joint; 2 if filed separately)
- All 2016 and 2017 W-2 forms and/or 1099 forms
- Business/Farm Statement (if applicable)
- 2017 Tax Returns are due by April 17
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 Key School families enroll in an online bill pay service administered by FACTS.
FACTS - Plan A
10% deposit due upon enrollment, 90% due in August. 1% tuition credit per student if paid by due date.
FACTS - Plan B
10% deposit due upon enrollment, 50% due in August, 40% due in January.FACTS - Interest-free Monthly Payment Plan administered by FACTS
10% deposit due upon enrollment; monthly payments begin in June.Please visit the FACTS website to create an account and to enroll in your plan of choice.