Admission

Affording Country School

At New Canaan Country School, we believe that the cost of an independent school education should not be a deterrent to any prospective student or family. We also believe that socio-economic diversity enriches the educational experience for all families.

Making a Country School education accessible is important to us. We currently serve families representing a wide range of incomes. Using a standard assessment tool, Clarity Application, our need-based financial aid grants take into consideration circumstances unique to each household. We encourage families who see our cost as unaffordable to consider applying for financial aid. 
 
We are happy to discuss your individual circumstances and invite you to contact us if you have questions concerning eligibility for financial aid. Please feel free to call the Financial Aid Office at (203) 801-5608.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

New Canaan Country School uses the Clarity Financial Aid Application to determine a family’s eligibility for need-based financial aid and calculate the resulting grant. 

  • The financial aid application opens on October 1 of the year you are applying. As part of the application process, families are required to submit their most recent 1040 Income Tax Returns and W-2 forms to Clarity.
  • The financial aid application is fully translated into Spanish using the drop-down in the lower left corner on Clarity's website.  La solicitud de ayuda financiera está completamente traducida al español utilizando el menú desplegable en la esquina inferior izquierda del sitio web de Clarity.
  • There is a $60 application fee.
  • Application Fee Waivers - Clarity uses family size, income and asset information in the application to assess a family's financial situation and automatically applies a fee waiver if the family qualifies. Qualifying families simply bypass all payment screens when their application is complete.

Apply for Financial Aid

Family Aid Application Support

Family Support contact information (available in English and Spanish; the application itself is also fully translated into Spanish using the drop-down in the lower left corner)
  • In-app support through the “Help” button in the lower left corner
  • Email support at support@claritytuition.com 
  • Phone support at 206-210-3752

Clarity Application Webinar Dates:
Clarity will offer four options for families wanting to learn more about the Clarity Application. We welcome you to join any of these helpful sessions.

FA Application Deadlines

  • Currently-enrolled families must complete financial aid applications by December 1
  • Applicant families must complete financial aid applications by January 15

Financial Aid FAQs

List of 8 frequently asked questions.

  • Does financial aid cover expenses beyond tuition?

    Yes, financial aid is awarded as a direct grant against annual expenses for tuition, transportation, lunch, and Extended Day costs. Families receiving need-based financial aid also receive proportionate discounts toward other school-related costs such as extended-day, class trips, instrument rentals, laptop purchases, etc.

  • Do I need to apply for financial aid every year?

    Yes, while we are committed to renewing financial aid annually assuming that a family’s circumstances are largely the same, we nonetheless require families to submit financial aid application forms each year in order to capture the most accurate information.  If you are a Country School family currently receiving financial aid and wish to reapply for the 2023-24 school year, you must submit an application on the Clarity family portal by the deadline of December 1.

    Families can expect the same level of support throughout each child’s years at Country School if their demonstrated need remains the same. The financial aid grant is likely to change if the family situation changes significantly. If a family does not qualify for financial aid upon admission, it is unlikely they will qualify in subsequent years unless there is a significant change in family finances.

  • Are there payment plans available?

    We offer three payment plan options to all families:
    1 Month: Payment in full via Blackbaud Tuition Management due by July 15
    2 Month: Interest-free semi-annual payments via Blackbaud Tuition Management due by July 15 and November 15
    9 Month: Interest-free monthly payment plan which allows you to spread your child’s education expenses over 9 monthly installments, beginning on May 15  and ending on January 15.

  • How does Country School work with divorced or separated parents?

    Parents who are divorced or separated must each complete the Financial Aid Application provided by Clarity. If either parent is remarried, the assets of the stepparent are also considered.

  • Who will know that my family is applying for financial aid?

    All applications for financial aid are held in strictest confidence. Only members of the Financial Aid Committee have access to this information. 

  • If our family does not receive financial aid, but we enroll our child at NCCS, may we apply for financial aid in future years?

    If a family does not apply for or did not qualify for financial aid upon admission to the School, financial aid will only be awarded in subsequent years if the family experiences a significant change in circumstances. Examples include an employment change, a large decrease in income, an increase in the number of children attending tuition-charging institutions, or a medical issue.

    If you are a current Country School family and are interested in applying for financial aid for the first time, please contact Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid Beth O'Brien regarding next steps, (203) 801-5628 or bobrien@countryschool.net.

  • What if any parent is not working?

    Typically the Financial Aid Committee will impute a wage for a parent who is not currently employed. However, the committee makes exceptions when a spouse has a significant reason for being unemployed, such as having non-school aged children at home, having children and/or parents who require substantial assistance, or is unable to work due to a medical condition.

  • Can I get a loan to pay the tuition?

    While New Canaan Country School does not offer loans to parents, a loan program is available through Your Tuition Solution. Information can be found at www.yourtuitionsolution.com or by calling (800) 920-9777.

2023-2024 NCCS Tuition

$28,340   Beginners 3/4

$32,760   Beginners 4/5

$45,240   Kindergarten

$45,240  Grades 1-4 

$46,800   Grades 5-6

$48,100   Grades 7-9

Tuition rates are established by the Board of Trustees in January for the following school year. These rates are included with the enrollment contract each family receives upon acceptance to Country School.

Additional Charges

List of 3 frequently asked questions.

  • Lunch


    Families are charged $1,650 for lunch per child - available for Grades 1-9 only. Tuition includes a charge for milk for all children and snacks for younger children. Beginners who stay for the afternoon program and all Kindergarteners bring their own lunch. 

  • Transportation


    In support of our commitment to be accessible, to reducing traffic on campus, to be responsible “green” citizens and because we believe that riding the bus is a positive social experience for our students, the policy of the school is to charge all families for our bus service if they live near the scheduled routes. The Community Transportation charge is $2,840 for those living outside of New Canaan; the charge for those living in New Canaan is less at $1,740 since the town is required to contribute toward the cost of transportation for all town residents. NCCS requires all families to participate financially in the Community Transportation Program with the following exceptions:
    • those who live beyond the borders of the region our bus routes cover including the towns of Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford and Wilton
    • students living in New York State (within a 15 mile radius), who have the option of using transportation provided by their home district at no cost
    • those who live within a SAFE walking distance, as determined by the school (sightlines and sidewalks are significant factors in determining this eligibility)
    • while not required to participate,  Kindergarten and Beginners 4/5 may choose to use transportation, either full or part-time, at the cost already noted 
    • please note: State Law prohibits students in Beginners 3/4 from being eligible for our school-provided transportation

  • Miscellaneous


    Charges for trips, skating, and various activities are billed throughout the year as the events occur.
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.

New Canaan Country School

635 Frogtown Road, New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: (203) 972-0771
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.