Accessibility. Affordability. Inclusivity.
Our goal is to make our school accessible to as many children as possible and to create a school community that is diverse, inclusive, and educationally enriching.
Our Indexed Tuition, for children ages five and up, allows the school to adjust a family’s rate of tuition to be in proportion to their financial resources, while also balancing the operating needs of the school. About half of our school’s families apply for and receive Indexed Tuition.
Tuition Schedule 2025-26
| Program |
Tuition | Indexed Tuition Range |
| PRESCHOOL age 3 or 4 on Sept. 1 5-Day Full Day 5-Day Half Day |
$16,050 $12,350 |
Eligible for ACT 166 funds Eligible for ACT 166 funds |
| KINDERGARTEN age 5 on Sept. 1 5-Day Full Day 5-Day Half Day |
$16,050 $12,350 |
$8,025 – $16,050 $6,175 – $12,350 |
| GRADES 1-4 | $18,000 | $9,000 – $18,000 |
| GRADES 5-6 | $18,750 | $9,375 – $18,750 |
| GRADES 7-8 | $19,300 | $9,650 – $19,300 |
| GRADES 9-12 | $21,350 | $6,405 – $21,350 |
ACT 166: For children who are 3-5 years old before September 1, ACT 166 funding is available through Vermont school districts. ACT 166 funds are paid directly to the school and applied toward 10 hours per week of preschool. In order to receive this funding, parents must enroll through their school district by the deadline, usually early summer. If parents do not register for ACT 166, they are responsible for the full tuition obligation.
Extended Day
Preschool through fifth grade students can sign up for extended day care, which runs from dismissal to 5:30 pm. Choose which afternoons you would like for the yearly cost of:
$700 for Mondays
$700 for Tuesdays
$700 for Wednesdays
$825 for Thursdays (early release day beginning at 2:15 pm)
$700 for Fridays
For 5 days per week, the total cost is $3,625 for the school year.
Drop in for grades 1-5 is $30 per day depending upon availability.
Not included in tuition:
• Tuition Protection Plan, 1.5% of the adjusted tuition
• Private tutoring
• Private music instruction and instrument rental
How do I apply for indexed tuition?
For families with a child in their kindergarten year or older, you can apply for tuition assistance. First submit an enrollment application, and then submit a confidential application on Clarity and read Clarity’s Family Application Guide if you have questions. Read our Indexed Tuition Policy for more information.
What is the ACT 166 rate for the upcoming school year and how do I apply?
The statewide 2025-26 Pre-kindergarten Tuition Rate is $3,982. Children entering their official kindergarten year are not eligible for ACT 166 funds, and they are eligible to apply for our Indexed Tuition. This amount is paid towards the parent’s tuition balance for the preschool child. It is the parent’s responsibility to sign up for these funds through their town’s public school district. The funds are sent directly to the school after the school submits the child’s attendance records. If the student misses more than ten consecutive days of school, withdraws, or moves out of state, these funds will be prorated. These funds are distributed to every preschool child; it is not a need-based program.
More information can be found by contacting your local school district:
Burlington School District
South Burlington School District
Champlain Valley School District: Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, St. George, and Williston
Essex Westford School District: Essex Town, Essex Junction, and Westford
Chittenden East Supervisory Union: Bolton, Huntington, Jericho, Richmond, and Underhill
Colchester School District
Mount Abraham Unified School District: Bristol, Lincoln, Monkton, New Haven, and Starksboro
Addison Northwest School District: Vergennes, Ferrisburgh, North Ferrisburgh
Addison Central School District: Bridport, Cornwall, Middlebury, Ripton, Salisbury, Shoreham, and Weybridge
What if a family has more than one child?
The process for determining where a family’s tuition falls on our indexed tuition takes into consideration the number of students enrolled. You complete one application for the family.
Can I pay my tuition in monthly payments?
We offer interest-free payment plans, and families have the option to pay in one, two, four or twelve payments over the course of the academic year.
Are scholarships available?
In addition to Indexed Tuition, LCWS offers a variety of scholarships for new students. All families may apply for our Diversity & Inclusion Fund Scholarship.
Are other discounts offered?
At Lake Champlain Waldorf School, high school families can request the application of the “Waldorf Discount” to help alleviate the costs of high school tuition. The discount provides 3% tuition relief in high school for every year the student attended a Waldorf school during their elementary and middle school education (grades 1-8). The discount is taken off prior to tuition adjustment awards and therefore does not change minimum tuition requirements. Families who would like to request to utilize this optional discount, must fill out this application detailing their qualifications.
What if a student has to withdraw midyear?
We know life can change, sometimes unexpectedly. All families pay a fee toward our Tuition Protection Plan in case there is a need to withdraw a student from the school for any of a wide variety of reasons. The fee is 1.5% of the adjusted tuition and is not included in the tuition rates above. Learn more about our plan here.
What is the actual cost of educating each child?
As is the case at most independent schools, tuition alone does not cover the actual cost of educating a child at LCWS. We rely on fundraising efforts to bridge the gap between tuition revenue and operating costs.
How can I learn more about the school?
Book a meeting with our Enrollment Director to learn more about our school and programs. You can also contact our Admissions office by email or call (802) 234-8859.
How do I apply?
To begin an application, please submit the inquiry form below. You will be directed to create an account on our database to complete the full application.
Please contact our Admissions Office if you have any questions:
Lake Champlain Waldorf School
Admissions Office
359 Turtle Lane, Shelburne, VT 05482
Email: admissions@lakechamplainwaldorfschool.org
Phone: (802) 234-8859
Fax: (802) 985-2834
It is a fundamental goal of Waldorf education and Waldorf schools to bring students to an understanding and experience of the common humanity of all the world’s peoples, transcending the stereotypes, prejudices, and divisive barriers of classification by sex, race, nationality, socio-economic status, etc. The Lake Champlain Waldorf School’s admission process does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, physical ability, nationality or ethnic origin, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or financial aid.