Tuition Assistance
Pacific Crest School is committed to nurturing the optimal development of every child in our care by creating a warm, joyful, and respectful Montessori program and community in which the love of learning and joy in connection blossoms.
While we believe that families bear the primary responsibility for meeting the costs of an independent school education, Pacific Crest does not expect that every family can afford full tuition.
Admission decisions are made without regard to a family’s application for Tuition Assistance. Admission decisions are solely based upon Pacific Crest School’s ability to meet a student’s education needs and a family’s commitment to our Montessori programs. Tuition Assistance is provided to families who are committed to securing a Montessori education for their children and who demonstrate a gap between the amount their family is able to contribute and the actual cost of attending Pacific Crest.
PCS is committed to safeguarding the confidentiality of all applications, records, and decisions.
How do I apply for tuition assistance?
Beginning in the fall of 2025, Pacific Crest School will be working with Clarity to administer Tuition Assistance applications. Clarity offers a streamlined, mobile-friendly application that can be completed in as short as 30 minutes. Additionally, Clarity removes the need to upload personal tax return(s) and W2(s) by transferring them directly from the IRS.
UPDATED: The deadline for all applications is February 11, 2026.
Clarity charges a fee of $65 per application. An automatic waiver will be applied along federal poverty level and free/reduced fee lunch guidelines. Pacific Crest can also provide a waiver code–please reach out to finance@pacificcrest.org for information.
For families new to Pacific Crest, Tuition Assistance awards will be provided along with an offer of admission; families must reapply each year that assistance is needed. All applicants for tuition assistance must have a complete admissions application on file in order to be considered. All submissions are confidential and only reviewed by Pacific Crest School’s Finance Team.
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For help with the application, please contact Clarity Family Support directly:
In-app support through the “Help” button in the lower left corner
Email support at support@clarityapp.com
Phone support at 206-210-3752
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Financial need is determined by the school’s Tuition Assistance Committee in conjunction with the need-based determination calculated by Clarity. Pacific Crest School is committed to making impartial tuition assistance grants available to as many eligible applicants as possible.
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All admission decisions are made without regard for financial need.
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The availability of school resources, the number of qualified applicants, and overall budgetary constraints influence tuition assistance decisions, therefore an individual’s demonstrated financial need does not guarantee that he or she will be awarded aid. The Tuition Assistance Committee may give preference to returning students and siblings of returning students. The Tuition Assistance Committee may also give preference to students with prior Montessori school experience and/or to students in levels where enrollment is low and/or to students who would enhance the diversity and balance of our community.
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Each award is individualized, based on the demonstrated financial need of each applicant. Typically, only partial awards are given in order to assist as many eligible applicants as possible. The average award per child, excluding full scholarships, is $3,350.
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Each year a family must reapply for tuition assistance. If the family’s financial circumstances change or remain the same, the school will make every effort to assist a family at the level required, utilizing the same determination processes described above.
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No, these awards are made possible by donations to our Annual Fund. It is hoped that each recipient will consider gifts to the Annual Fund at an appropriate time in the future, so that we may continue this assistance program.