Admission

Tuition & Financial Aid

An Investment in
Your Child.

Choosing an independent school is one of the most important investments a family can make. We also know that tuition can feel just beyond reach for many families, even those who never imagined they might qualify for financial aid.

At New Canaan Country School, making our program accessible is part of who we are. Founded in 1916 as the Community School, we've always believed that a strong school community includes families from a wide range of backgrounds and financial circumstances.

Each year, NCCS invests more than $2.9 million in financial aid, supporting approximately 11% of our students.

Financial aid is not all or nothing.

Some families receive substantial assistance. Others receive a smaller grant that helps bridge the gap between tuition and what feels financially manageable. Every award is based on demonstrated financial need and reflects each family's unique circumstances.

If you've ever wondered whether a Country School education might be possible for your family, we encourage you to apply. 

2026–27 NCCS Tuition

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.

Beginners 3/4

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  • $31,600

Beginners 4/5

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  • $50,400

Kindergarten

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  • $50,400

Grades 1–4

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  • $50,400

Grades 5–6

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  • $52,100

Grades 7–9

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  • $53,600

Who Receives Financial Aid?

Household Income

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  • Under $100,000

  • $100,000-$349,000

  • $350,000 and above

Percentage of Financial Aid Recipients

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  • 19%

  • 64%

  • 17%

Household income is only one factor considered when determining eligibility. Family size, assets, savings and other financial circumstances are also reviewed. The only way to know whether your family qualifies is to apply.

What That Investment Provides

Financial aid is an investment in children and in the strength of our community.

At Country School, students are known well, challenged thoughtfully and supported by teachers who understand how they learn best. Small classes, meaningful relationships and intentionally designed experiences prepare students not only for success in secondary school, but for lives of confidence, purpose and leadership.

The results speak for themselves. Last year, 89% of our ninth graders enrolled at their first-choice secondary school, and our graduates consistently earn praise for their curiosity, character and readiness to contribute wherever they go next.




How Financial Aid Is Determined

Financial aid is based on demonstrated financial need, or the difference between tuition and what your family can reasonably contribute.

To help determine that contribution fairly and consistently, we use Clarity, an independent financial aid platform. The Clarity report serves as an important starting point, but every application is reviewed individually by our Financial Aid Committee, which considers each family's complete financial picture before making an award.

When evaluating an application, the Committee considers:

  • Household income
  • Family size
  • Number of children attending tuition-charging schools
  • Savings, investments and home equity
  • Employment status of parents or guardians
  • Unusual financial circumstances, expenses or debt

Our goal is to develop a thoughtful, individualized understanding of each family's circumstances.


How to Apply for Financial Aid

  1. Apply for admission. Every applicant is evaluated using the same admissions criteria, regardless of whether the family is applying for financial aid.
  2. Submit your Clarity financial aid application by the published deadline.
  3. Our Financial Aid Committee reviews your application and determines your award.
  4. Admission and financial aid decisions are released together.
  5. Financial aid decisions remain strictly confidential.

When we award financial aid, we meet a family's full demonstrated need rather than expecting families to bridge an additional gap. Because available funding is finite, however, not every qualified applicant can be matched with available aid each year.

What Financial Aid Covers

Financial aid extends beyond tuition to include lunch and transportation. 

Additionally, when a family receives a tuition grant, eligible program costs are reduced by the same percentage. This includes items such as:

  • Before and after-school care
  • Required technology
  • Instrument rentals
  • Grade-level trips
  • Middle and Upper School program fees
For example, a family receiving a 55% tuition grant would also receive a 55% reduction on these eligible expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 4 frequently asked questions.

  • 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.

  • What if a parent is not working?

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

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

    Yes. While we're committed to renewing financial aid annually when a family's circumstances remain largely the same, we ask families to submit an application each year to capture the most accurate information. Families can expect a similar level of support throughout each child's years at Country School if their demonstrated need doesn't change significantly.

  • If our family does not receive financial aid upon admission, may we apply in future years?

    Financial aid is generally awarded in subsequent years only if a family experiences a significant change in circumstances. Examples include an employment change, a meaningful decrease in income, an additional child enrolled in a tuition-charging school, or a medical issue. Current families interested in applying for the first time should contact the Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid to discuss next steps.

Questions?

We welcome discussions about your individual circumstances and eligibility for financial aid. Reach out to Beth O’Brien, Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid at (203) 801-5608.

Investing in Your Child’s Future: Affordable Excellence

New Canaan Country School

635 Frogtown Road, New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: (203) 972-0771

Links & Resources

Accreditations

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.