Afford
Our Indexed Tuition program brings the cost of a Thaden education within reach for a broad range of families in Northwest Arkansas. Each family's contribution toward the cost of a Thaden education is individually determined or "indexed" on the basis of its financial resources.
By virtue of this program, we have the remarkable opportunity to create a well-balanced and diverse learning community where many perspectives meet and grow stronger, greatly enriching the quality, relevance, and value of a Thaden education. It is also important to note that the actual cost of a Thaden education exceeds by a significant margin even the maximum tuition. In this respect, all families benefit from the philanthropic generosity of the program’s principal funder, The Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation.
FAQs
Is it necessary to apply for indexed tuition?
No. Families that choose not to apply for indexed tuition will be expected to contribute maximum tuition ($26,500 for Middle School and $27,600 for Upper School).
How is our family contribution determined?
To ensure that family contributions are equitable and confidential, Thaden School has engaged FAST, one of the nation’s leading tuition management services. Families that wish to apply for indexed tuition must submit several financial documents to FAST, including recent pay stubs, W-2s, filed tax returns, and account statements. Your application for indexed tuition will be held in the strictest confidence.
Families with multiple households that apply for Indexed Tuition are required to submit financial documentation for each household with custodial responsibilities for the child. Each household’s Indexed Tuition application will be treated as confidential and completed separately. Please contact Adriana Burnett if you would like to discuss an exception to this policy.
Your applications for indexed tuition and admission, while they should be submitted at the same time, will be reviewed separately.
Can you estimate our family contribution before we apply?
Yes. Given that most family contributions are closely related to gross household incomes, we have prepared two indexes to help families anticipate the potential range of their contributions. Please note these indexes, while they have proven to be highly predictive, do not replace the tuition determination process outlined above.
The single-student index for families that have only one child attending Thaden
| Household Gross Income | Family Contribution |
| $50,000 and below | $1,500 or less |
| $50,000 to $100,000 | $1,500 to $5,000 |
| $100,000 to $150,000 | $5,000 to $9,000 |
| $150,000 to $200,000 | $9,000 to $16,000 |
| $200,000 to $300,000 | $16,000 to $26,500 for Middle School or $27,600 for Upper School |
| $300,000 and above | $26,500 for Middle School or $27,600 for Upper School |
The multiple-student index for families that have more than one child attending Thaden
| Household Gross Income | Family Contribution |
| $50,000 and below | $1,800 or less |
| $50,000 to $100,000 | $1,800 to $6,000 |
| $100,000 to $150,000 | $6,000 to $10,800 |
| $150,000 to $200,000 | $10,800 to $19,200 |
| $200,000 to $300,000 | $19,200 to $30,000 |
| $300,000 to $400,000 | $30,000 to $40,000 |
| $400,000 to $500,000 | $40,000 to $50,000 |
| $500,000 to $600,000 | $50,000 to $60,000 (Not to exceed one maximum tuition per student) |
| $600,00 and above | Not to exceed $60,000 |
We also recognize that your family may need even more information or clarity regarding its expected family contribution before proceeding with the application process: if so, please do not hesitate to contact Adrianna Burnett (aburnett@thadenschool.org) for an individual consultation. Please keep in mind that a Thaden education often proves to be more affordable than many families expect.
How often must we apply for indexed tuition?
Beginning with the 2022-23 academic year, your family contribution will be fixed for the entirety of your child’s enrollment within a given division: Middle School (Grades 6-8) or Upper School (Grades 9-12).
When your child transitions from Grade 8 to Grade 9, you must then reapply for indexed tuition. Given the higher costs associated with the Upper School program, you should expect your family contribution to increase by at least 8 percent.
You may also be asked to reapply for indexed tuition if you send a second child to Thaden, in which case you should expect your family contribution to increase by 20 percent. Please refer to the multiple-student index for an estimated contribution amount.
Finally, we expect that families will share with us material changes in their financial circumstances – for better or for worse – that might justify an equitable adjustment in their family contribution.
What other costs should we expect?
Your family contribution is all-inclusive: it covers not only tuition but also transportation to school, two daily meals (breakfast and lunch), all instructional materials, athletic uniforms, the cost of afterschool activities, field trips, and the use of a personal laptop for the academic year.
You should expect to pay for school apparel, supplies, and athletic shoes.