Affording SFWS - San Francisco Waldorf School
Source: http://www.sfwaldorf.org/admission/affording-sfws
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:15
Affording SFWS - San Francisco Waldorf School
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Affording SFWS
Equitable Tuition Program: Making Waldorf Education Accessible
Our vision for socioeconomic diversity in our community is rooted in the SFWS mission
to nurture the unique capacities of every child while preparing students to actively participate in our shared human experience.
We deeply value the participation of all families in making this vision a reality in San Francisco.
We know that choosing a school for your child is an investment in their character, capability, and future. SF Waldorf strives to be an accessible school community that reflects the economic diversity of the Bay Area, and invites families to join our community at a tuition level consistent with their economic circumstances.
Our Equitable Tuition Program (ETP) is designed to enable Kindergarten through 12th Grade students who have been accepted into our school to attend SF Waldorf by paying an Equitable Tuition Rate (ETR) that's a fit for their family's particular financial circumstances, while also allowing the school to provide an equitable wage for its employees.
Our equitable tuition model is one way we live our value of ensuring that an SF Waldorf School education is accessible to every family who seeks it.
All are welcome to apply for an ETR. We believe our commitment to removing financial barriers to education connects people, fosters mutual respect, and enriches the collective life of our school community. As we commit to fully see and understand one another and to celebrate our differences, we move toward a more equitable, just, and welcoming school environment, where everyone belongs. SF Waldorf also offers a limited number of full scholarships at each grade level. If interested, please talk to
your Admission Director.
2025-26 Tuition
Preschool (8:30am-12:30pm)
Tuition
3-day
$17,600
5-day
$29,300
Kindergarten (8:30am-2:15pm)
Tuition
5-day
$38,200
Grades and High School
Tuition
Grades 1-4
$39,600
Grades 5-8
$41,400
Grades 9-12
$58,200
Payments
Tuition can be paid in one, two, or 10 installments.
Tuition is set by our Board of Trustees each February. Tuition is all-inclusive. There are no extra fees for materials, books, field trips, athletics, or student accident insurance.
Apply for ETP through
Clarity.
No Preschool tuition assistance is available at this time.
Deadlines:
High School: January 8, 2026
K-Grade 8: January 15, 2026
After Care + After School Fees
Available up to 5 days/week
Standard Rate: $15/hour (w/ sliding scale option)
Last pick-up: 5:30pm
Deposits
Preschool
$3,500
Kindergarten
$3,800 ($2,000 for ETP recipients)
Grades 1-8
$3,800 ($2,000 for ETP recipients)
Grades 9-12
$5,000 ($2,500 for ETP recipients)
Due with the enrollment contract to secure a spot
Deducted from total tuition
Non-refundable and non-transferable
How does it work?
Which grade levels are eligible for ETP?
How do I apply?
How do you determine my ETR?
How much will I pay?
What information is needed?
When will I hear back?
Does ETP affect acceptance into the school?
The Equitable Tuition Program considers your financial situation to determine an Equitable Tuition Rate that is an accessible and realistic cost of education for you. Depending upon financial circumstances, families may pay tuition between $8,000 per year to full tuition. This program significantly contributes to the success, diversity, and health of the school, as each unique family enriches the life of the whole community.
Students in Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade are eligible to apply to our Equitable Tuition Program. We do not offer financial assistance for our Preschool program.
Alongside the school’s general application process, each family interested in the Equitable Tuition Program (ETP) completes a financial disclosure through
Clarity
to work towards an Equitable Tuition Rate (ETR). ETRs are considered on a case-by-case basis, in relationship to the needs of the full community and alongside an understanding of school finances and sustainability. All ETP applications are confidential.
Equitable Tuition Rate is based on each family's unique economic circumstances. We use
Clarity
data as a guide in determining the tuition level for your financial situation.
Depending upon financial circumstances, families participating in the Equitable Tuition Program may pay tuition between $8,000 per year to full tuition. All SF Waldorf families make some level of tuition contribution.
Applicants submit a financial disclosure through
Clarity
as well as most recent and current year tax returns.
Notification of an Equitable Tuition Rate (ETR) is mailed to parents of new applicants with the admission decision letter in March. Returning families receive notification in February. Families in the Equitable Tuition Program are required to pay a non-refundable deposit, equal to approximately 10% of the ETR, upon receipt of the enrollment contract.
No. Final admission decisions are need-blind and not based on a family's financial circumstances. Acceptance decisions are made separate from an Equitable Tuition Program application.
Grants & Scholarships
Created in 2021 to memorialize the commitment of SF Waldorf parent Ran Oehl, this fund expands access via tuition scholarships for Early Childhood Program families from historically marginalized groups.
Established in 2015, this fund supports tuition assistance and honors Diane David, a longtime Early Childhood educator, parent, and advocate for socioeconomic diversity.
Established in 2006 and supported by our current Board of Trustees, the program awards two full scholarships annually to incoming Ninth Grade students from historically marginalized communities. We support all students to be successful at our school, and the scholarships continue through all four years of high school for students who maintain strong academic standing. Grants are based on financial need, academic promise, and a family commitment to Waldorf education and community. An admission application and a Clarity application are required. Please reach out to the High School Admission Director with any questions.
The Kimball Fund supports partial tuition scholarships ranging from $1,000-5,000 to promote understanding, equity, and celebration of diversity for families from historically marginalized groups, without regard for financial need. The Kimball Fund also offers a limited amount of full scholarships at our Grade School.
Meet our specialist
Christian Fernandez
Assistant Director of Finance
(415) 875-7233
Skip To Main Content
Affording SFWS
Equitable Tuition Program: Making Waldorf Education Accessible
Our vision for socioeconomic diversity in our community is rooted in the SFWS mission
to nurture the unique capacities of every child while preparing students to actively participate in our shared human experience.
We deeply value the participation of all families in making this vision a reality in San Francisco.
We know that choosing a school for your child is an investment in their character, capability, and future. SF Waldorf strives to be an accessible school community that reflects the economic diversity of the Bay Area, and invites families to join our community at a tuition level consistent with their economic circumstances.
Our Equitable Tuition Program (ETP) is designed to enable Kindergarten through 12th Grade students who have been accepted into our school to attend SF Waldorf by paying an Equitable Tuition Rate (ETR) that's a fit for their family's particular financial circumstances, while also allowing the school to provide an equitable wage for its employees.
Our equitable tuition model is one way we live our value of ensuring that an SF Waldorf School education is accessible to every family who seeks it.
All are welcome to apply for an ETR. We believe our commitment to removing financial barriers to education connects people, fosters mutual respect, and enriches the collective life of our school community. As we commit to fully see and understand one another and to celebrate our differences, we move toward a more equitable, just, and welcoming school environment, where everyone belongs. SF Waldorf also offers a limited number of full scholarships at each grade level. If interested, please talk to
your Admission Director.
2025-26 Tuition
Preschool (8:30am-12:30pm)
Tuition
3-day
$17,600
5-day
$29,300
Kindergarten (8:30am-2:15pm)
Tuition
5-day
$38,200
Grades and High School
Tuition
Grades 1-4
$39,600
Grades 5-8
$41,400
Grades 9-12
$58,200
Payments
Tuition can be paid in one, two, or 10 installments.
Tuition is set by our Board of Trustees each February. Tuition is all-inclusive. There are no extra fees for materials, books, field trips, athletics, or student accident insurance.
Apply for ETP through
Clarity.
No Preschool tuition assistance is available at this time.
Deadlines:
High School: January 8, 2026
K-Grade 8: January 15, 2026
After Care + After School Fees
Available up to 5 days/week
Standard Rate: $15/hour (w/ sliding scale option)
Last pick-up: 5:30pm
Deposits
Preschool
$3,500
Kindergarten
$3,800 ($2,000 for ETP recipients)
Grades 1-8
$3,800 ($2,000 for ETP recipients)
Grades 9-12
$5,000 ($2,500 for ETP recipients)
Due with the enrollment contract to secure a spot
Deducted from total tuition
Non-refundable and non-transferable
How does it work?
Which grade levels are eligible for ETP?
How do I apply?
How do you determine my ETR?
How much will I pay?
What information is needed?
When will I hear back?
Does ETP affect acceptance into the school?
The Equitable Tuition Program considers your financial situation to determine an Equitable Tuition Rate that is an accessible and realistic cost of education for you. Depending upon financial circumstances, families may pay tuition between $8,000 per year to full tuition. This program significantly contributes to the success, diversity, and health of the school, as each unique family enriches the life of the whole community.
Students in Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade are eligible to apply to our Equitable Tuition Program. We do not offer financial assistance for our Preschool program.
Alongside the school’s general application process, each family interested in the Equitable Tuition Program (ETP) completes a financial disclosure through
Clarity
to work towards an Equitable Tuition Rate (ETR). ETRs are considered on a case-by-case basis, in relationship to the needs of the full community and alongside an understanding of school finances and sustainability. All ETP applications are confidential.
Equitable Tuition Rate is based on each family's unique economic circumstances. We use
Clarity
data as a guide in determining the tuition level for your financial situation.
Depending upon financial circumstances, families participating in the Equitable Tuition Program may pay tuition between $8,000 per year to full tuition. All SF Waldorf families make some level of tuition contribution.
Applicants submit a financial disclosure through
Clarity
as well as most recent and current year tax returns.
Notification of an Equitable Tuition Rate (ETR) is mailed to parents of new applicants with the admission decision letter in March. Returning families receive notification in February. Families in the Equitable Tuition Program are required to pay a non-refundable deposit, equal to approximately 10% of the ETR, upon receipt of the enrollment contract.
No. Final admission decisions are need-blind and not based on a family's financial circumstances. Acceptance decisions are made separate from an Equitable Tuition Program application.
Grants & Scholarships
Created in 2021 to memorialize the commitment of SF Waldorf parent Ran Oehl, this fund expands access via tuition scholarships for Early Childhood Program families from historically marginalized groups.
Established in 2015, this fund supports tuition assistance and honors Diane David, a longtime Early Childhood educator, parent, and advocate for socioeconomic diversity.
Established in 2006 and supported by our current Board of Trustees, the program awards two full scholarships annually to incoming Ninth Grade students from historically marginalized communities. We support all students to be successful at our school, and the scholarships continue through all four years of high school for students who maintain strong academic standing. Grants are based on financial need, academic promise, and a family commitment to Waldorf education and community. An admission application and a Clarity application are required. Please reach out to the High School Admission Director with any questions.
The Kimball Fund supports partial tuition scholarships ranging from $1,000-5,000 to promote understanding, equity, and celebration of diversity for families from historically marginalized groups, without regard for financial need. The Kimball Fund also offers a limited amount of full scholarships at our Grade School.
Meet our specialist
Christian Fernandez
Assistant Director of Finance
(415) 875-7233