Hilltop recognizes the needs and benefits of economic diversity in our community for all students and families, and we have worked to make this a priority. A Hilltop education accessible to a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds cultivates a diverse student body, which not only reflects our community but aspires to global impact and enrichment.
It is a community effort to financially support the educational experience of Hilltop Montessori School. We are a 501c(3) non-profit independent school that is primarily funded by tuition, fundraising, and grants. Each year we balance the competing needs of providing the best education for our students and family financial situations. Our annual operating budget is just over $2M; tuition contributions at each tier are essential to the financial viability of Hilltop. The indexed tuition model is part of our larger goal of making Hilltop more accessible for all families. This model depends on families contributing at all levels. The family contributing 25% is feeling the impact on their ability to meet their financial needs equally to the family contributing 100%.
Families, who qualify for one of the state programs and/or who qualify for Indexed Tuition through School and Student Services (SSS), will pay for a percentage of tuition below the top tier (100%). This chart shows the different tiers and the amount of tuition families would contribute.
|
25% |
50% |
75% |
100% |
|
|
Toddler Program (Half Day) |
$3,125 |
$6,250 |
$9,375 |
$12,500 |
|
Toddler Program (Full Day) |
$4,875 |
$9,750 |
$14,625 |
$19,500 |
|
Children’s House (Half Day) |
$2,750 |
$5,500 |
$8,250 |
$11,000 |
|
Children’s House (Full Day) |
$4,500 |
$9,000 |
$13,500 |
$18,000 |
|
Elementary |
$4,875 |
$9,750 |
$14,625 |
$19,500 |
|
Middle School |
$5,625 |
$11,250 |
$16,875 |
$22,500 |
|
Deposit* |
$200 |
$300 |
$400 |
$500 |
*Deposit goes toward tuition and is due with Contract
The Indexed Tuition Program matches families of all income levels with a level of tuition that is based on their specific situation. While every family is expected to contribute to the cost of tuition and to support the community to the extent individual family circumstances permit, the school does not expect each tuition level to be the same. Total Tuition – State Funding (if applicable) – Hilltop Tuition Reduction = Indexed Tuition (Family Contribution)
| Returning Students | New Applicants | Rolling Admission | |
| SSS Application Due | January 15 | Due with admission application | Due with admission application |
| Families Notified of Indexed Tuition Level | February 1 with Re-enrollment Contract |
March 15 | Sent with admission offer |
| Families sign and return Indexed Tuition Letters to HMS | February 15 with Re-enrollment Contract |
March 30 | Returned with enrollment papers |
Hilltop relies primarily on tuition income to fund our school. For that reason, we need to manage our Indexed Tuition Program carefully. It is very important that families follow the indexed tuition application timeline in order to receive full consideration for indexed tuition.
Yes, although applications completed outside the above timeline will be considered on a rolling admission basis and may be subject to limited space and/or indexed tuition.
Hilltop uses state program adjustments and/or recommendations from the School and Student Services (SSS) in determining eligibility for indexed tuition. To apply through SSS you will need to complete a Parents Financial Statement (PFS).
Step 1. Complete a Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) at School and Student Services. Use Hilltop Montessori School’s code, 1435.
Step 2 . Upload the required supporting documents to your account at SSS by NAIS.
*If you are having trouble with the SSS application, please contact Barb Beckwith in the Business Office at [email protected].
Hilltop Montessori School in partnership with local school districts under Vermont’s Act 166 (Universal Prekindergarten Program) will receive $3,764 for each Vermont child who is age 3 or 4 by September 1st in 2023. This funding covers a portion of tuition for eligible families and puts all PreK students (regardless of need) at about the 75% Indexed Tuition tier. We are able to award this full amount of funding due to our five STAR status. Should a family also apply through SSS, they may qualify for a lower indexed tuition level.
We apply this funding to all eligible students. Parents will receive forms from Hilltop specific to their district that must be completed in order for funding to be applied to your child’s tuition.
WSESU
Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, Putney, Vernon
WNESU
Athens, Grafton, Rockingham, Westminster
WCSU
Brookline, Dover, Jamaica, Marlboro, Newfane, Townshend, Stratton, Wardsboro, Windham
WSWSU
Halifax, Readsboro, Searsburg, Stamford, Whitingham, Wilmington
The Child Care Financial Assistance Program is designed to help families pay for child care for children birth through age 12. Sliding scale awards are made to income-eligible families qualifying under one of the following service needs:
The Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development determines eligibility for this program.
For more information click here.
Many smaller Vermont towns do not operate a local elementary or middle school. Students in these towns are eligible to choose from a public or an independent school in other towns. Under the voucher system, the “sending” towns pay tuition directly to the “receiving” schools. When students attend an independent school, the payment is set at the Vermont statewide average per-pupil cost in union school districts, calculated by the Department of Education. The voucher amount sets the family amount at about the 25% indexed tuition level.
For more information click here.
Hilltop Montessori School participates in several state programs that enable 25% of our families to receive state funding towards a reduction in their tuition.
The following Case Studies are designed to give families a general idea of the tuition ranges and some of the major factors that influence where a family may fall within those ranges. For the school to determine the exact level of tuition the entire Parent Financial Statement (PFS) must be completed and/or participation in the state programs. Each family’s financial situation is considered thoroughly and confidentially on an individual basis to ensure attention to each family’s special circumstances.
A family of two, a single parent and an elementary student, where the parent’s taxable income is $15,000. The family owns a home with a net equity of $69,000 and has other investments of $1,500.
Indexed Tuition Amount: Child 1 – $4,875
A family of four, two parents and two Children’s House students, one student receives Vermont Pre-K funding of approximately $3,764. The parents’ taxable income is $39,000. The family owns a home with a net equity of $70,000 and has other investments of $17,000.
Indexed Tuition Amount: Child 1(half day) – $5,500 Child 2 – $9,000
A family of four, two parents and two children. One in Children’s House who receives Vermont Pre-K funding of approximately $3,764 and one elementary. The parents’ taxable income is $148,000. The family owns a home with a net equity of $63,000 and has other investments of $17,000.
Indexed Tuition Amount: Child 1 – $12,750 Child 2 – $13,875
A family of four, two parents and two children. One in Children’s House who receives Vermont Pre-K funding of approximately $3,764 and one in elementary. The parents’ taxable income is $163,000. The family owns a home with a net equity of $807,000 and has other investments of $141,000.
Indexed Tuition Amount: Child 1 – $12,750 (reduced by Pre-K funding) Child 2 – $19,500