THE TOPSHEET:

• • SVCS tuition levels for 2021-22
• • Information on tuition insurance for 2021-22
• • Important dates for re-enrollment

January 6, 2021

 

Dear Sun Valley Community School Families,

 

While the 2020-21 school year has been anything but “normal,” the challenges presented by the pandemic have also offered us opportunities to grow as a community. With resolve and resilience, our students, faculty and staff, families, and Board of Trustees have met the realities of COVID head-on for a meaningful and successful fall 2020. 

 

What has remained constant in this year of change is the quality of education that Sun Valley Community School offers as well as the vitality of the experiences available to our students. Students in all divisions have continued to engage and grow academically, athletically, and creatively as they pursue their passions and take advantage of the opportunities provided by a Sun Valley Community School education.

On December 10, the Board of Trustees approved next year’s general operating budget parameters and tuition levels, as well as a new tuition insurance policy. The new tuition schedule represents an average increase of approximately 3.5 percent, with the actual increase varying slightly by grade. The tuition levels were determined after much consideration and in-depth analysis by the Board’s Finance Committee and the Administration. The new levels reflect the need to address salary increases and benefits (particularly medical) for faculty and staff, maintenance of our singular programs and world-class facilities, and other operating expenses. As we do each year, we endeavored to keep increases to a minimum through diligent financial stewardship and responsible management of expenses.

 

Sun Valley Community School’s Board of Trustees has approved the following tuition levels for 2021-22:

Tuition is the primary driver that allows us to offer the programs that we do. Tuition is also directly tied to hiring and retaining dedicated, professional, and innovative educators who bring our mission to life for our students. We deeply appreciate your family’s investment in your children and the value you place on their education, and we are grateful for the trust you place in us to deliver an outstanding educational experience. 

Tuition Insurance Explained

Beginning with the 2021-22 academic year, the Board of Trustees has made enrollment in the Tuition Refund Plan (tuition insurance) required through Dewar at a rate of 1.2% of the amount paid in Tuition and Activity Fee, net of Tuition Assistance. This 1.2% fee is collected by the school but goes directly to Dewar, and it protects your investment as well as the school's commitment to you. Because student withdrawals are sometimes unavoidable, the Tuition Refund Plan offers a resource for families if their circumstances change over the course of the school year. 

 

In the event of a covered withdrawal or dismissal, payments made by the Dewar plan can assist in fulfilling contracted tuition payments. The terms of this insurance can be found at tuitionrefundplan.com. Paying the full Tuition and Activity Fee prior to the July 1 deadline exempts you from the mandatory insurance purchase, but you may still purchase it if you would like the coverage. In the event that you do not purchase the Tuition Refund Plan, you will not be covered in the event of a withdrawal or dismissal. Exact insurance costs per family will not be reflected in the initial contract but will be billed by the first billing cycle (July 1, 2021).

Re-Enrollment

Re-enrollment information will be emailed and posted by Friday, January 8 and will include instructions for how to access, sign, and submit enrollment agreements online through your Blackbaud account. Please see the schedule below for a complete picture of the re-enrollment process.

If you have questions about Tuition Insurance or billing, please reach out to Julie Siegel in the Business Office, and if you have questions about re-enrollment, please reach out to Alessia Carega in the Admissions Office. 

 

Thank you again for your support of our mission and the trust you place in our school. I am grateful that you and your children are a part of this special community.

 

Sincerely, 

Ben Pettit, Head of School