Click here for the 2009 - 2010 School Fees.

The school's Board of Governors recently set our school fees for the 2009-2010 academic year. These annual fees of $12,150 represent a $360 increase (+3%) over the 2008-2009 fees. [The Building Fund Assessment, which helps underwrite current and future capital improvements, remains at $750 per family] The total school fees, therefore, including the building fund assessment and $75 textbook charge, will be $12,975.


FAQ’s re School Fees and Related Costs


Does the school make a profit? No. The school budgets with the goal of breaking-even.

What is the school’s operating budget in 2008-2009?  $3.3 million. The largest portion of this budget (over 70%) goes to staff salaries, a typical percentage figure for independent schools and many businesses.

What are the school’s main sources of revenue? Tuition fees and MELS grants are the major sources of operating revenue. Fundraising activities (e.g. gala, bursary lunches), auxiliary enterprises (e.g. uniform shop), and disbursements from the Trafalgar Ross Foundation make up the rest.
    
How are Capital Campaign donations being used?  The construction and consequent facilities improvements completed in autumn 2006 have been financed primarily by voluntary, tax-deductible donations from current parents, past parents, alumnae, and foundations. All further donations will be applied directly to paying off the modest debt we carry on this project. We greatly appreciate the generosity of parents who — to the best of their ability—support this cause through their tax-deductible gifts and pledges.

How is the Building Assessment fee used?  Established by our Board of Governors in 2006, this annual, per family assessment ensures that all families help the school meet its current and ongoing costs in providing improved, well-maintained facilities for our students. In the short term, the bulk of this income will be applied to paying down the cost of our major renovations, which we had hoped to accomplish exclusively through discretionary, tax-deductible gifts. Our longer-term goal is to build a fund that can be used for major capital expenses (planned and unforeseen) in the future.

How are Annual Giving donations used? All donations from alumnae, parents, and friends are made to the Trafalgar-Ross Foundation and invested very conservatively (no net investment losses in the current market meltdown). This foundation makes an annual disbursement to the school to defray bursary expenses and underwrite minor capital expenditures.