Sliding Scale Tuition
Making Wildwood Accessible for All Families
At Wildwood Acres Farm and Forest School, we believe that every child deserves access to nature-based education, regardless of their family's financial situation. To support this commitment, we offer a sliding scale tuition model designed to make our program accessible to a broader range of families.
What is Sliding Scale Tuition?
Sliding Scale Tuition allows families to contribute according to their income level and unique financial circumstances. Our goal is to make nature-based education accessible to as many families as possible while maintaining the sustainability of our program. To support this balance, we encourage families to contribute at the highest level they can comfortably afford. Additionally, we are able to offer more flexibility for families who choose a 2-4 day per week schedule.
The deadline to apply for Sliding Scale is May 1, 2025.
Families will be notified of their place on the sliding scale on May 10, 2025.
How It Works
Transparent Structure:
Tuition rates are determined by household income, family size, or specific financial circumstances. We use a tiered pricing with multiple levels of affordability.
Simple Application Process:
Families interested in sliding scale tuition should complete an initial application (interest form) indicating their desire to be considered for reduced tuition.
We offer an honor-based system where families can self-report their financial situation.
Consideration Before Enrollment:
Families do not need to officially enroll to be considered for sliding scale tuition. Instead, they can apply for financial consideration before making a commitment to enroll. However, after awarded, families have 15 days to accept their placement on the Sliding Scale and use their award. After that time, their award will be passed on to another family.
This process ensures families have a clear understanding of their potential tuition rate before they make a decision.
Deposit Flexibility:
We do not ask for a large deposit up front, you will be enrolled in our payment plan that begins when you enroll and ends December 15, 2025. Your payments are divided up amongst those months.
Prompt Communication:
We strive to review applications and communicate decisions promptly, ensuring families have the information they need to make an informed decision.
Annual Review:
To ensure continued accessibility, we conduct annual or semi-annual re-evaluations of sliding-scale tuition for families whose financial situations may change.
How to Apply
To apply for sliding scale tuition, please complete our Sliding Scale Application below. We are here to support you throughout the process—please reach out with any questions or concerns.