Tuition

Tuition at Anchorage Waldorf School

As an independent school, AWS is funded primarily through tuition. We believe a Waldorf education should be available to any family regardless of financial circumstance, so tuition is set on a sliding scale based on your ability to pay. This page explains what programs cost, how the scale works, and how to apply for a reduced rate.

How the process works

New families: complete enrollment first, then apply for your tuition rate if needed.

1) Submit an enrollment application

Complete the enrollment process at the school before requesting a tuition assessment.

2) Review the tuition ranges below

If your family can pay at the top of the range, no further application is needed. Simply enroll and pay the standard rate.

3) Apply through TADS (if requesting a reduced rate)

AWS uses TADS, an independent financial assessment organization, to evaluate your household’s ability to pay. Apply at mytads.com. There is a $34 processing fee.

4) Tailored Tuition Committee review

TADS recommendations are sent to AWS’s Tailored Tuition Committee. Combined with your narrative statement of need, a tuition amount will be determined for your family.

5) Pay the enrollment deposit

A $250 per-child deposit is required at the time of enrollment to secure your child’s place in class.

Documents to submit to TADS

  • Most recent federal tax forms
  • W-2’s from each job held by household members
  • Most recent pay stub for each household member
  • Documents showing miscellaneous monthly or annual income
  • K-1 forms (if any household member owns 20%+ in a corp, partnership, or trust)

Understanding the tuition scale

Why is there a range? Tuition is adjusted for each family based on financial need. The low end of the range is the minimum assessed rate; the high end is the full rate. Families pay somewhere in between based on their TADS assessment. The wide range (sometimes more than double) reflects the full spectrum of financial situations in our community from families who need significant assistance to those able to pay in full.
A sibling discount applies to each additional enrolled child, provided the first child is paying full tuition. Families may also choose to waive the sibling discount as a tax-deductible donation.

Which program section applies to your family?

There are four sections below. Use this guide to find yours:
Ages 19 months–3.5 years · Day-Care

Seedlings

A Waldorf-inspired, year-round, day-care program for toddlers.
Ages 3.5–6 · Kindergarten

Early Childhood (EC) Programs

Main kindergarten tuition for half-day or full-day programs.
Grades 1–8

Grades Programs

Main tuition for students in Grades 1 through 8.
Ages 4–6 · Before/After care

EC Golden Cottage Care

Extended care hours for Early Childhood (kindergarten) families.
Grades 1–8 · Before/After care

Golden Cottage Care (Grades)

Extended care hours for Grades families.
2026–2027 tuition — August through May
Seedlings

For toddlers (approximately ages 19 months–3.5 years old). Mixed Age. A year-round program available for families with rolling enrollment. Tuition runs from July to June. Contact office@waldorfak.org.

Program Schedule Monthly Annual
Day Care 7:30 – 5:30 $1,300 $15,600
Early Childhood Programs

For kindergarten-age students (approximately ages 3.5–6). Mixed Age Kindergarten.

Program Schedule Monthly Annual
3-day half day 8:30 – 12:30 $620 – $735 $6,200 – $7,350
5-day half day 8:30 – 12:30 $743 – $1,035 $7,425 – $10,350
5-day full day 4 Years and older 8:30 – 2:15 $743 – $1,175 $7,425 – $11,750
EC Golden Cottage — Extended care (Early Childhood)

Optional add-on before/after care for kindergarten (ages 4-6) families. These rates are fixed (not income-scaled).

Care Type Schedule Monthly Annual
Before care (full fime) 7:30 – 8:30 $165 $1,650
After care (full time) 2:15 – 5:30 $465 $4,650
Before & after care (full time) 7:30 – 8:30 + 2:15 – 5:30 $490 $4,900
Drop-in w/ 24hr notice (1 hr minimum) As available (contact office@waldorfak.org) $16.00 / hour
Late pickup fee — First 5 min: $5 · then $10 per 10 min
Grades Programs

For students in Grades 1–8. Field trips are included. Grade 1 students have free aftercare until 3:00 pm if they have siblings in Grades 2-8.

Program Schedule Monthly Annual Cost
Grade 1 field trips included 8:30 – 2:15 (aftercare free until 3pm if siblings in Grades 2-8) $570 – $1,705 $5,700 – $17,050
Grades 2–8 field trips included 8:30 – 3:00 $570 – $1,705 $5,700 – $17,050
Golden Cottage — Extended care (Grades)

Optional add-on before/after care for Grades 1–8 families. These rates are fixed (not income-scaled).

Care type Schedule Monthly Annual Cost
Before care (full time) 7:30 – 8:30 $165 $1,650
After care (full time) 3:00 – 5:30 $438 $4,375
Before & after (full time) 7:30 – 8:30 + 3:00 – 5:30 $463 $4,625
Drop-in w/ 24hr notice (1 hr minimum) As available (contact office@waldorfak.org) $16.00 / hour