Affording Keystone
To this end, we are pleased to note that our overhead costs are 40% lower than the average independent school in the Southwest. This allows us to direct a larger percentage of our resources to our core instructional program, which helps us keeps our overall costs down significantly relative to peer schools.
This enables us to keep our program as affordable as possible, as we aim to provide this incredible education to as many bright and motivated students as possible.
Our accelerated academic program is aligned across subjects and builds upon itself over the years, with high standards and benchmarks established for each grade level and an integrated approach to technology. While our academic program is challenging, our teaching approach celebrates the joys of childhood with an eye on developmental stages and includes learning through play and experiences outside of the traditional classroom.
The Keystone Tuition Assistance program enables us to enroll and re-enroll qualified students in kindergarten through twelfth grade whose families cannot pay full tuition costs. We are committed to providing tuition assistance, consistent with our available resources, to families who qualify and whose child or children have been accepted through the admission process. We recognize that socio-economic diversity is an important ingredient in education and one of Keystone’s best traditions.
The Tuition Assistance program of the school offers funds to qualified students using the following priority guidelines:
- Currently enrolled students receiving tuition assistance whose families demonstrate the need for tuition assistance and submit applications by March 15
- New students and returning students whose families demonstrate the need for tuition assistance and submit applications after March 15
All families who feel they may qualify are encouraged to apply for assistance. Tuition assistance decisions do not adversely affect a student’s opportunity for admission or re-enrollment.
An appointed Tuition Assistance Committee determines a family’s need for financial assistance and makes recommendations to the Head of School. Upon approval from the Head of School, tuition assistance offers are sent to families.
The committee awards tuition assistance based on financial need demonstrated by the family’s tuition assistance application, additional financial information available to the committee, tax returns, and school funds available. In the case of divorce or separation, Keystone requires both parents to file an application for tuition assistance. Keystone is not bound by any divorce agreement specifying a parent’s responsibility for educational expenses as we consider all parents to share responsibility for the child’s education. If a parent chooses not to work, Keystone may impute an annual income for the non-working parent depending on family circumstances.
Decisions will be made as soon as feasible after receipt of recommendations from the tuition assistance processing service. Keystone will then notify the recipients of tuition assistance. Recipients have two weeks to notify the school of acceptance of the tuition assistance offer.
1. Parents are asked to access the SSS (School and Student Services) website specifically for Keystone applicants. All financial information should be entered directly through the secure server. Space is also provided to fill out additional information that may be pertinent to your application. (* Please note the 23-24 application is expected to open 9.1.2022*) Our school code is 4378.
SSS requires several forms, listed below. Please mail required forms, as listed below, directly to SSS:
- W2s
- Federal Tax Form 1040
- If you own a home, proof of Property Taxes paid
- Documentation for Alimony/Child Support
- Additional forms may be needed based on circumstances and this information will be on the SSS website.
Only complete application packages, with all requested forms, will be processed. Incomplete packages will not be processed.
2. There will be a fee of $55 required to process this application. If you would like to request a fee waiver, please contact the Admission Office.
3. Send a copy of your Federal Tax Form 1040 for the prior year to Keystone School, ATTN: Financial Aid Committee as soon as you have completed your return.
4. Once completed, the Tuition Assistance Committee will review the application in a timely manner. You may be contacted by the Committee if additional information is needed.