Hilltop Montessori School
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Increasing equity and access to Hilltop Montessori School through our Indexed Tuition Program

Making Hilltop Montessori School Accessible

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%.

2024-25 Tuition

Families who qualify for one of the state programs, and/or who qualify for a school grant through FACTS Grant & Aid, will pay for a percentage of tuition below the top tier – either 25%, 50%, or 75% of full tuition. This chart shows the different tiers and the amount of tuition families would contribute.

2024 -25 Family Contribution Percentages

 

25%

50%

75%

100%

Toddler Program (Half Day)

$3,250

$6,500

$9,750

$13,000

Toddler Program (Full Day)

$5,050

$10,100

$15,150

$20,200

Children’s House (Half Day)

$2,850

$5,700

$8,550

$11,400

Children’s House (Full Day)

$4,675

$9,350

$14,025

$18,700

Elementary

$5,050

$10,100

$15,150

$20,200

Middle School

$5,825

$11,650

$17,475

$23,300

Deposit* 

 2.5%

2.5%

2.5%

2.5%

*Deposit goes toward tuition and is due with contract.

Indexed Tuition Program

The Indexed Tuition Program matches families of all income levels with a level of tuition that is based on their specific situation, including school grants, and places families at either 20, 50, 75, or 100% of tuition. 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.

The first source of funding available for children under age 6 in Vermont is the Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP). The financial resources that Hilltop has available to support families is finite, and we rely heavily on state funding to subsidize much of our programming. If state funding is available to families, we have to ask that you apply. This will allow us to have more school grant funding for families in school aged program levels, where this type of state funding is not available.

To see if you might qualify, take a look at CCFAP’s financial and service need guidelines. If you apply for a school grant and the Index Tuition Committee feels you may qualify for CCFAP, you will be asked to apply for CCFAP before Hilltop is able to issue you a school grant. Hilltop also reserves the right to ask families to apply for CCFAP after enrollment, should your family’s situation change post-enrollment, and you become eligible for CCFAP. To Apply, please see the State Funding Programs section below. 

When is the FACTS Grant & Aid Application Due?

 

FACTS Grant & Aid Application Due

Families Notified of Index Tuition Level

Returning Families

January 19

Sent with re-enrollment, by February 1 

New Applicants

March 1

March 15

Rolling Admissions

Due with admissions application

Sent with admissions offer

 

What if I Miss the Indexed Tuition Application Due Date?

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 FACTS Grant & Aid application timeline in order to receive full consideration for a school grant.

As a Prospective Family Can I Apply After the Deadline?

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 available grant funds. Hilltop uses state program adjustments and/or recommendations from FACTS Grant & Aid in determining each family’s index tuition level.

Applying for a Hilltop School Grant Through FACTS Grant & Aid

Families can apply for a school grant through FACTS Grant & Aid online. Contact Zoe Proctor, Admissions Director, for the link to apply, at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions 

Who is Eligible for a School Grant

Over 50% of students qualify for Index Tuition below the 100% tier. Indexed Tuition levels and school grants are determined by state guidelines and/or a family’s entire financial profile: income, assets, family size, unusual expenses, etc. Indexed Tuition levels are assessed by the Indexed Tuition Committee, FACTS Grant & Aid, and state program qualifications and guidelines.

How Does Hilltop Use Tuition Income?

Tuition from families represents 55% of the 2023-24 operating budget. Income from state programs, grants, fundraising and endowment withdrawals represent 15% of the 2023-24 operating budget.

Who is Eligible for State Funding? 

Hilltop Montessori School participates in several state programs that enable almost 30% of our families to receive state funding towards a reduction in their tuition.

All families of 3 and 4 year olds in Vermont qualify for the Vermont Universal PreK Program. For the 2024-25 academic year they will receive $3,884 per child to cover a portion of the tuition. Families who qualify for Vermont Child Care Financial Assistance receive the maximum allowed amount because Hilltop is a 5-STAR program. As a Vermont accredited independent school, Hilltop accepts tuition waivers from families who live in “sending” towns. The waiver puts the family contribution for tuition at approximately the 25% indexed tuition level.

State Funding Programs

The Vermont Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP)

The first source of funding available for children under age 6 in Vermont is the Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP). To see if you might qualify, take a look at CCFAP’s financial and service need guidelines. If you apply for a school grant and the Index Tuition Committee feels you may qualify for CCFAP, you will be asked to apply for CCFAP before Hilltop is able to issue you a school grant. 

To Apply for CCFAP, 

  1. Complete the paper application.
  2. Complete any additional forms that are required.
  3. Gather copies of any required verification documents.
  4. Send your completed materials to Winston Prouty at 209 Austine Drive, Vermont Hall, Brattleboro, VT 05301,  (802) 257-7852.

Hilltop also reserves the right to ask families to apply for CCFAP after enrollment, should your family’s situation change post-enrollment, and you become eligible for CCFAP.

Universal Prekindergarten Program for Vermont

Hilltop Montessori School in partnership with local school districts under Vermont’s Act 166 (Universal Prekindergarten Program) will receive $3,884 for each Vermont child age 3 or 4 by September 1st for the 2024-25 academic year. 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.

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. If you have questions about the UPK funding program, feel free to reach out to Laura Gypson, Early Education Program Partnership Director, at [email protected]. 

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  

Vermont's Tuition Waiver System

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 waiver 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 waiver amount sets the family contribution amount at about the 25% indexed tuition level.

For more information click here. 

Case Studies

What Indexed Tuition Tier will my family be eligible for?

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 school grant application must be completed and/or participation in the state programs. Each family’s financial situation is considered thoroughly and confidentially on an individual basis, in order to ensure attention to each family’s special circumstances.

Case Study 1: 25% Index Tuition Family

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. 

  • Income: $15,000
  • Net assets: $35,500
  • Loans and Debt: ($120,000)
  • Net Worth: ($85,000)
  • SSS computed family contribution: $0
  • Family offers to pay: $2,000

Indexed Tuition Amount:  Child 1 – $4,875

Case Study 2: 50% Index Tuition Family

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. 

  • Income: $39,000
  • Net assets: $87,000
  • Loans and Debt: $61,000
  • SSS computed family contribution: $0
  • Money received from other sources: $5,000
  • Family offers to pay: $12,000 total

Indexed Tuition Amount:  Child 1(half day) – $5,500  Child 2 – $9,000

 

Case Study 3: 75% Index Tuition Family

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. 

  • Income: $148,000
  • Net assets: $93,000
  • Loans and Debt: ($29,000)
  • SSS computed family contribution: $7,000
  • Family offers to pay: $13,000 total

Indexed Tuition Amount:  Child 1 – $12,750  Child 2 – $13,875

 

Case Study 4: 75% and 100% Index Tuition Family

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. 

  • Income: $163,000
  • Net assets: $952,000
  • Loans and Debt: ($4,000)
  • SSS computed family contribution: $17,000
  • Family offers to pay: $23,000 total

Indexed Tuition Amount:  Child 1 – $12,750 (reduced by Pre-K funding) Child 2 – $19,500