July 12, 2017
We believe that every child should have access to high quality education, regardless of a family’s income or geographic location. All students at City Academy receive tuition support through generous donations from local foundations, corporations, and individual donors. Tuition is based on income and varies by family. Tuition includes before and after school programs, as well as our summer program. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are also included with tuition.
While most private independent schools depend upon tuition to fund nearly 86% of their annual operating budget, City Academy turns the traditional private school funding model upside down. All families pay tuition; however, tuition income generates less than 14% of the school’s annual budget. As a result, City Academy must fund up to 86% of its annual operating costs through community support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and investment income from endowment.
Because of our community’s generosity, City Academy provides scholarship support to 180 students, age four through sixth grade. This support allows our students to receive substantial financial assistance after graduation. These alumni become leaders in their secondary schools and colleges, as well as transform our community. Investment in City Academy’s scholarship program creates a lifetime of opportunities for our students.
Olivia Martin ’09 (MICDS ’16, WUSTL ’20) is one such leader. “Because of City Academy, I scored in the 95th percentile on the ACT, completed over 2,500 volunteer hours in secondary school, and received a full tuition John B. Ervin scholarship to the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Washington University.”