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We’ve listed some of the most commonly requested details about MUSE School admissions practices, tuition, financial aid, etc. below. If you don’t see what you need, contact us. We’ll be happy to help.
Application And Admissions | Tuition | Financial Aid | Daily Life
Application And Admissions
What is MUSE’s age policy?
For our Early Childhood program, your child must be 2-1/4 years old and have toileting skills by September 1st. For Kindergarten, your child must be at least five years old by September 1st.
When should I apply?
We begin taking applications in the fall of the year prior to enrollment, and close the process at the end of February. Apply early, especially if you want to enroll your child in Kindergarten (a popular grade level for entering an independent school). For example, if you want to enroll your child in Kindergarten in September 2013, we highly recommend you begin the application process in fall 2012. Remember that at least one parent or guardian must attend a school tour during the current application season.
How much are the application fees?
The 2012-2013 fees are:
- Application: $ 100 (we will waive in hardship cases)
- New student enrollment: $ 1,000 (a one-time-only fee)
- Deposit: $ 1,500 (applied toward total tuition)
- Instructional materials: $ 500
Financial assistance applies across all of these categories once your child is admitted.
How does MUSE make admission decisions?
We use student visits, parent questionnaires, teacher recommendations, and parent interviews to create a complete picture of each child and his or her family. The entire faculty and staff work together to build classes that reflect balance and diversity. We aim to create peer groups for children that foster academic rigor, respect and risk taking. We create classroom communities that allow for the joyful discoveries that make the learning process engaging.
What is the MUSE sibling policy?
Our admissions process involves considering the specific educational needs of each child who applies. As a result, we don’t automatically admit siblings; they must follow the same application process as any other potential member of the MUSE community.
Tuition
How much is tuition?
The current (2012-2013) annual tuition for our Early Childhood program (five full days) is $15,000. For
Kindergarten through 5th grade, tuition is $20,500.
Tuition for our new middle school program will be determined and announced by the Board of Trustees in spring 2012. In recognition of the higher expenses required for technology, teaching materials, and extended field and adventure trips that will be part of the middle school program, we anticipate that tuition will be equal to, or greater than, the K-5 tuition.
Currently, there are no added fees charged during the school year. Field trips, food (organic lunches and snacks), and school supplies are included in the costs above. We do charge a bus service and after-school care fees for those who choose to use those services.
Does MUSE offer a tuition discount for siblings?
No. However, if you have multiple children at MUSE you are welcome to apply for financial aid for each child. SSS recognized tuition paid for all students in the same family as legitimate expenses. So a family that might not qualify for assistance with one child in school might qualify when more than one child attends a tuition-charging school.
Do I have to pay my tuition all at once?
No. We have several payment options, and outline them when we offer enrollment contracts.
Financial Aid
Will my child’s admission be affected if we apply for financial aid?
No. The admissions and financial aid processes are separate. The Admissions Committee must first accept your child into the program. After that, the Financial Aid Committee determines whether you receive an award for the coming academic year and how much it will be.
What determines whether or not a student qualifies for financial aid?
All financial aid awards are based on financial need. Financial aid awards are computed individually based on recommendations from SSS. SSS uses a uniform methodology in which a family’s unique financial circumstances are assessed in a consistent manner. Keep in mind, financial aid is not determined solely by income; other factors including assets, debts, goodness of fit and additional children in tuition-charging schools, are also considered.
Do all financial aid awards cover the full cost of tuition?
No. The Financial Aid Committee makes financial aid decisions based on each family‘s ability to contribute to independent education. All families are expected to contribute toward their child’s educational expenses.
When will I hear about a financial aid decision?
Financial aid applicants new to MUSE are notified of the status of their awards with their Financial Aid at MUSE acceptance letter. Current families will be notified ASAP (no decision can be made until process is complete).
After receiving an award, do I have to reapply for financial aid each year?
Yes. All financial aid recipients must reapply each year for financial aid. That said, MUSE is committed to supporting current financial aid families who qualify for aid in subsequent years. The amounts awarded each year may increase, decrease or remain the same depending on family financial circumstances in that year.
How do I apply for financial aid if I’m separated or divorced?
We request complete financial information from both natural parents. Each parent sends separate PFS forms and all accompanying materials to MUSE. All adults (step-parents, significant others, partners, grandparents, etc.) contributing to household income are also required to disclose financial information.
Failure to produce necessary documents can jeopardize the granting of awards. SSS then makes recommendations for contribution for each household. The Committee takes into consideration the total contribution of all households and the number of adults contributing to each household. The award is then granted to the student not the parents. We send a letter of award to each household. MUSE expects the parents to make their own payment arrangements.
Do I have to pay back financial aid?
No. We award aid in the form of a grant, not a loan. It does not need to be repaid.
Does MUSE offer Tuition Refund Insurance?
Yes - Our Tuition Refund Plan (TRP) costs an additional 2% of your total tuition. MUSE self-insures this program to protect both the family and the school in the event a student cannot finish the school year due to unforeseen circumstances. Participation in the Tuition Refund Plan is required unless the full annual tuition is selected through the one payment option, in which case the Plan is optional. We recommend that everyone participate.
What is covered?
- 100% of covered remaining* tuition for medically necessary withdrawals.
- 100% of covered remaining tuition for death of a tuition payer or MUSE student.
- 75% of covered remaining tuition for involuntary unemployment of tuition payer.
- 75% of covered remaining tuition for job transfer (outside our attendance area) of the tuition payer.
- 25% of covered remaining tuition for non-voluntary separation from MUSE.
What is not covered?
- voluntary withdrawal.
*”Remaining tuition” considers the number of days remaining in the current school year and is computed by prorating total contracted tuition divided by the number of scheduled class days.
Some schools tend to have costs outside of tuition. Is there help with these costs?
Yes. We have some funds available to defray the full cost of additional, qualified expenses.
Daily Life
Do you offer bus transportation to and from school?
Yes. For an additional fee, we do offer bus service. Bus stop locations vary depending on what’s most helpful to our current families.
Does MUSE provide lunch and snacks?
Yes. We serve all of our students organic snacks and lunches at no extra charge. We also provide treats for birthdays and other special celebrations.
My child has special dietary needs. Can MUSE accommodate them?
We can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets. We cannot, however, accommodate nut allergies.
May I pack my child’s own lunch and snacks?
We respectfully requests parents not send in food from home without special authorization.
