Admission
Affordability and Flexible Tuition

Flexible Tuition Program

What is Flexible Tuition, and should my family apply?

If a family is unsure if Berwick is an affordable option or unclear if they’ll qualify for tuition support, they should apply for Flexible Tuition consideration. Flexible Tuition at Berwick Academy is an individualized approach to determining an affordable level of tuition. Attention to each family’s unique financial circumstances is important, and the Flexible Tuition program creates accessibility for families representing a wide range of income levels.

Important Deadlines:
Important Deadlines:
  • Flexible Tuition applications for returning families is December 1, 2023
  • Flexible Tuition applications for new families is January 15, 2024
  • Admission applications for all new families is January 15, 2024
  • Families can be considered for Flexible Tuition on a rolling basis after January 15

Next steps are simple - connect with us!

The next steps are simple - connect with us!

Our Office of Flexible Tuition is proud to partner with Clarity, an online financial analysis program for families applying for reduced tuition at an independent school. This simple process allows us to equitably, confidentially, and individually assess what each family can contribute towards tuition. To begin your application, please go to Clarity and create an account. The application typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete and is mobile-friendly so you can complete it from anywhere. You are also able to save your progress and return at any time.  

To begin a conversation about Flexible Tuition here at Berwick, contact Haley Preston, Director of Flexible Tuition at flexibletuition@berwickacademy.org. If you need support during the process of completing your application, there is in-app support available as well as email support at support@claritytuition.com  We look forward to partnering with you during this important process, and as you consider joining our community!
 

Jim Hamilton, Head of School

My hope is that Flexible Tuition will highlight to many more in the community that a Berwick education is attainable.

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

  • What are the income ranges of families who qualify for Flexible Tuition?

    Families with incomes ranging from $20,000 to $250,000+ are enrolled at Berwick through Flexible Tuition. Other contributing factors included a family’s number of dependents and number of children in tuition charging schools. Each family situation is unique.


  • We think we earn too much income to qualify. What would you suggest?

    This is a big misconception! Families can be surprised to learn that they may qualify for some amount of Flexible Tuition. Our Director of Flexible Tuition works with each family to understand their unique financial circumstance.
  • What information is considered when applying for Flexible Tuition?

    The Flexible Tuition Committee makes a determination using Clarity’s methodology, which considers each family’s resources and individual circumstances. Clarity is the third party platform that Berwick partners with for financial analysis in the Flexible Tuition application process.
  • When will I receive my Flexible Tuition amount?

    Returning families will receive their identified Flexible Tuition amount when re-enrollment contracts are shared in late-January. Families new to Berwick will receive their Flexible Tuition amounts at the time of admission, if admitted.
  • What costs, after tuition, can I expect?

    These may include transportation, books, course supplies, laptops (for students in grades 7-12), after school care, private music or dance lessons, after school enrichment within our auxiliary program, and athletic equipment or gear. Families who are enrolled through Flexible Tuition at a certain level can access supplemental resources to support additional costs beyond tuition. 
  • If I choose to enroll through Flexible Tuition, what will my future tuition look like?

    Families are asked to reapply for a Flexible Tuition each school year, and your tuition will be comparable barring any significant changes in your family's financial situation. Berwick’s tuition increases between 3%-6% yearly, and families should plan for annual increases in their tuition based on their financial circumstances.
  • What if we have special circumstances we feel should be taken into consideration?

    The online Flexible Tuition application provides opportunities for parents and guardians to include notes and elaborate on special circumstances. Applying for Flexible Tuition is an individualized process. For both new and returning families, it is a partnership that we take seriously and our Director of Flexible Tuition maintains open lines of communication throughout a family’s Berwick journey. 
  • Does Berwick Academy offer academic, artistic, or athletic scholarships?

    Flexible Tuition is not an academic, artistic, or athletic scholarship. Families enrolled through Flexible Tuition go through a qualifying process. Our Schleyer Scholarship, which includes an additional application beyond the admission application, is awarded to two new Grade 9 students each school year. Berwick does not offer merit or skills-based scholarships.
  • What options are there for payment of tuition?

    • One Payment: 100% of net tuition to be paid by July 31. With this option, the tuition refund insurance premium will be paid by the school on your behalf.
    • Two Payments: Two payments are required – 65% of the net tuition by July 31 and the remaining 35% by November 30.
    • Ten-Payment Plan: Berwick partners with an external billing company to offer ten monthly payment installments.
    • Tuition can be paid directly online in families’ myBerwick accounts.
    • Families can explore external loan options through Your Tuition Solution.
    • Families can withdraw up to $10,000 from 529 Plans per child per year to help finance K-12 tuition.

Berwick Academy

Berwick Academy, situated on an 80-acre campus just over one hour north of Boston, serves 550 students, Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 and Post-Graduates. Berwick students are from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and several countries. Deeply committed to its mission of promoting virtue and useful knowledge, Berwick Academy empowers students to be creative and bold. Berwick strives to graduate alumni who shape their own learning, take risks, ask thoughtful questions, and come to understand and celebrate their authentic selves.