Tuition
As an independent, non-profit school, Academy High relies on tuition and donations to carry out its mission and vision. Our tuition rate is determined each year by our Board of Directors. Every tuition dollar supports students through the purchase of curriculum materials and supplies, paying our excellent faculty member's salaries, as well as covering operations costs for our facility.
2023-2024
Maximum Tuition
$16,990
Technology & Supply Fee
$675
Maximum Total Cost
$17,665
40%
Less Expensive Than National Average For Independent Day Schools
$12,250
The Average Cost of Attendance Per Student
$3,750
The Lowest Cost of Attendance For Families With Financial Need
Financial Aid
50%
Of Academy High Families Benefited From Indexed Tuition
In 2022-2023
Academy High is proud to offer Indexed Tuition, a program that adjusts a family's tuition costs based on their ability to pay. Indexed Tuition is determined using information confidentially submitted by families to School and Student Services (SSS), a third party entity managed by the National Association of Independent Schools.
Applying for Indexed Tuition is optional and the desire to pursue Indexed Tuition is not a factor in the admissions decision process. Families who choose not to apply will be charged full tuition.
In order to be considered for Indexed Tuition, please complete a Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS). The PFS is a comprehensive application that will take roughly an hour to complete. You will need your most recent tax return before beginning. We recommend that you review the wide range of materials that SSS has compiled to help families with the Indexed Tuition process.
Indexed Tuition
When setting a family’s Indexed Tuition, several factors will be considered in addition to income, including family size, the number of children attending tuition-charging schools (including college), medical expenses, and assets and liabilities not reflected in household income. Academy High will communicate your Indexed Tuition level shortly after admissions letters are distributed.
To Apply for Indexed Tuition:
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Visit the SSS website to create your online account.
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Begin a PFS for the current academic year. You can log out of the PFS Online at any time and return later to complete it.
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School's Full Name: Academy High
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School's SSS Code: 9141
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Indexed Tuition Program Contact: Jordan Conerty, Interim Head of School
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After you submit your information, you’ll be brought to a payment screen. The $60 application fee, payable to SSS, is nonrefundable. Once your PFS is submitted, it cannot be withdrawn from the SSS system.
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If you wish to seek a waiver for the fee, please contact admissions@academyhigh.org. If you need help navigating the platform, please contact SSS customer service at (800) 344-8328.
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Empower Illinois (Invest in Kids Act)
The Invest in Kids Act passed the Illinois General Assembly in 2017. The bipartisan legislation created Empower Illinois, a program through which donors provide funds to independent schools like Academy High, that allows the School to offer need-based tuition assistance to eligible students. Available funds are awarded based on family income level, similar to how Academy High's Indexed Tuition process functions. To date, Academy High has secured more than $50,000 to support our students and families.
There is no cost to apply for the program. It a two step process. First, you will need to reserve a profile. Second, 2-3 days after reserving a profile, you will receive an invitation to answer questions similar to those asked when applying for Indexed Tuition (it will be helpful to have some of your financial documents on hand). The second step in the process should not take more than 45 minutes to complete.
There is a chance that you could be rejected from the program due to your family's financial situation. Whether you are accepted or rejected, the outcome will have no bearing on your Indexed Tuition amount for the coming year. However, if you apply and are awarded funds, you will be helping Academy High grow a program that will make our school more accessible for students and families.
Please note that applicants to Empower Illinois are also required to apply for Indexed Tuition.
To Apply for Empower Illinois (see complete list of steps):
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After the portal becomes available in mid-January, reserve a profile.
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A few days later, you will be contacted with more information and invited to complete your application. You will then be able to:
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Determine your eligibility for the program
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Provide your household financial information
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Submit required documentation
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After you submit your information, within 48 hours you will receive a confirmation email. Awards are granted in late January/early February. Scholarships are awarded to students based on available funds and in the order of the time stamped reservation.