Don't let cost keep you from applying.
PSCS tuition and fees allow us to offer collaborative programming focused on self-awareness, community-building, and justice—while not relying on federal funding or money needed for public schools. This allows us to be independent, but we are not a traditional private school.
Our Administrative Directors are currently working with advisors to assess what's possible and needed in order to build a tiered system that ensures our community remains sustainable and accessible for folks committed to progressive, community-centered education.
Tuition cost for the 2025-26 school year is $32,773. More than ~20% of our budget supports maintaining tuition access, as well as our small size. ~20% is allocated toward our accessible location and neighborhood, 20% toward classroom materials, program, and mutual aid, and ~40% supports our efforts to equitably pay educators and administrators in a system that often devalues this work.
While we work to include most expenses in tuition, some additional fees may come up based on a student’s activities or specific course requirements. We believe every student should have access to all opportunities, regardless of financial circumstances. To support this, we also offer Program Aid to help cover extra costs when needed, no questions asked.
tuition aid
At PSCS, we believe independent school education should be accessible to families from all backgrounds, and we’re committed to making that possible. We recognize that the word "private" can sometimes feel synonymous with "inaccessible," especially given the complexities of the application process. Please don’t self-select out—we encourage all families to apply.
For over a decade, PSCS has awarded as much tuition and program aid as possible, usually based on enrollment. A percentage of our budget is also raised each year through community to build a truly diverse school community and honor the additional labor often carried by those most marginalized by systemic inequities.
Families seeking tuition support must complete a financial aid application through FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment, an impartial platform that provides PSCS with an overview of objective financial data. (This is not a loan program—no debt is incurred and no credit check is required.) Families are also encouraged to submit an optional personal letter to the admissions team to provide additional context that financial forms may not fully capture.
Important to know:
- Admissions decisions are made independently from Tuition Aid decisions.
- Families must reapply for Tuition Aid each year; it is not automatically renewed.
- In cases of divorce or separation, the incomes of all parents and any new partners are considered.
- Tuition deposits will be refunded if a family is offered aid but decides the award is insufficient to enroll.
tuition deposit & installments
For new and returning families, a non-refundable $2,500 deposit is due at the time an enrollment agreement is signed. If you cannot pay this deposit, we can discuss other options. This deposit is credited toward the student’s final tuition.
Families who attend PSCS can choose from three payment options:
- Option 1: Payment in full (for the following year) by July 1.
- Option 2: Three installments July, October, and January.
- Option 3: Ten monthly installments July through April.
Tuition installment options 2 and 3 are only available through FACTS Tuition Payment Plan. If you select the tuition installment option 2 or 3, you must enroll via FACTS. These payments will be automatically deducted from your checking or savings beginning in July on your choice of the 5th or 20th of the month. The FACTS annual enrollment fee is $38 per family, and will be deducted from your account prior to the first tuition payment. Your plan selection does not need to be renewed each year and will continue yearly with the plan that you have selected until otherwise adjusted or concluded.
Yearly tuition deposit payment (online):
