TUITION
The Pinnacle School tuition is a reflection of our very low staff to student ratio, and that we charge the actual cost of tuition, rather than fundraise. We are pleased to announce that Pinnacle School tuition for 2021-/22 will remain at the 2020/2021 rate of $96,200. Some of the services included in our tuition may be tax deductible or reimbursable by health insurance or health savings accounts. Please consult a financial advisor or tax professional for more information.
SMALL CLASS SIZES AND LOW STAFF TO STUDENT RATIOS
Our program consists of very small class sizes (4 students per class) and enough highly trained clinicians to ensure students receive the related services and integrated support that they need to be successful, including counselors, psychologists, social-emotional coaches, behaviorists, speech and language pathologists and occupational therapists.
TUITION COVERS OUR ANNUAL BUDGET WITHOUT FUNDRAISING
Pinnacle charges the actual cost of tuition, and does not subsidize the annual budget with fundraising. Many private schools’ tuition model requires them to fundraise the difference between the actual cost per student and their tuition. Without fundraising, their tuition would be 20% higher. For example, if an independent school tuition is $70,000, the actual cost to educate one student is approximately $84,000, with $14,000 per student needing to be raised in parent and alumni donations.
AFFORDABILITY & TUITION ASSISTANCE
The Pinnacle School strives to enroll students who can thrive in the program, regardless of the family’s ability to afford the tuition. In order to accomplish this, the School maintains approval by the Connecticut Department of Education so that families may access our program through their school district when warranted. As a special education private school, an out of district placement requires a school district to pay the student’s tuition in full. Approximately 75% of our students are outplaced through their district.
For families who do not receive district funding, the Greenwich Education Group (GEG) Foundation, a 501(c)(3), was established to provide financial assistance to qualified students accepted to The Pinnacle School (as well as other GEG schools).
At this time, available funds are limited and our foundation is not able to meet the needs of every qualified applicant. We understand the challenges required to pay a private school tuition, and it often involves making significant changes in financial planning and budgeting. As we have limited assistance available, we require every family to explore all other resources before applying for financial aid. Tuition payment plans are also available to all families, regardless of financial means.
Eligibility for a tuition grant is based on many factors and requires a thorough review of the family’s ability to fund tuition. To determine grants fairly and equitably, The Pinnacle School uses the third party School Student and Services (SSS), commonly used by most private schools. This service analyzes the information you provide on the required forms and computes a recommended tuition payment. Each school then amends this recommendation according to its own internal policies and resources. This may include additional factors not computed in the methodology, such as cost of living and special circumstances.
TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE STEPS:
-
Visit the SSS website to complete the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS).
-
Send the last two years of your federal and state tax returns, including all required schedules, to the Admissions Office.
-
Send any additional information you think is important for the Financial Assistance Committee to take into consideration when determining your grant, such as any unusual circumstances or information not included on your PFS or tax returns.
The Financial Assistance Committee will review your application once all information is submitted and make a final decision. This will be communicated by the Director of Admissions.