AFFORDING BURKE’S
The Guide to Burke’s Collaborative Tuition Program
WHAT IS A COLLABORATIVE TUITION PROGRAM?
As one of our top strategic priorities, Burke’s is committed to enrolling families of all socioeconomic backgrounds. The Burke’s Collaborative Tuition Program aims to provide financial access to our school through reduced tuition to qualifying families. With our commitment to supporting a socioeconomically diverse population, we aim to collaborate with families to create a tuition level that supports each family with their unique financial situation.
For the 2024-25 school year, over $3,100,000 was awarded to 29% of our student population who showed demonstrated need.
Awards ranged from $500-$45,500.
PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
Burke’s is committed to enrolling families of varying socioeconomic backgrounds to our school. We understand that the cost of an independent school education can make a large impact on a family’s ability to attend, and recognize that tuition and fees are a large financial commitment for families. We also believe that every family considers their child’s education a priority and will financially contribute toward tuition in meaningful ways. This program is available to provide access to families who might not otherwise be able to enroll due to financial constraints, thus enrolling a robust student body from diverse socioeconomic households. This commitment is a priority of the school administration and Board of Trustees.
COLLABORATIVE TUITION PROGRAM
COVERED SCHOOL-RELATED EXPENSES
Daily Lunch and Snacks
All Classroom & Learning Materials
iPads/Laptops
Educational Support
Library
Prorated After School & Summer Programs
Prorated Extended Care
Prorated Transportation
Prorated Tuition Deposit
Field Trips
Outdoor Education Trips (3rd-8th grade)
Annual Uniform Stipend
Student Athletics (5th-8th grade)
Yearbook
PROGRAM TESTIMONIAL
STAR MOORE
PARENT AND BURKE’S TRUSTEE
Our family has been a part of the Burke’s community since our child started kindergarten in 2017. Back then, when we explored kindergarten options in San Francisco, we were convinced that independent schools were out of our reach financially. As a middle income family, we knew we couldn’t afford to pay full tuition, but didn’t think we would qualify for Collaborative Tuition. However, we were familiar with Burke’s and thought it would be an amazing school for our child, so we decided to submit an application and complete the process to determine if we qualified to receive assistance.
When we were accepted to Burke’s and received our Collaborative Tuition award, we were elated about this educational opportunity for our child. On the other hand, we were still uncertain about whether we could handle additional school-related costs (e.g. uniforms, after-school activities, etc.). In conversation with the Burke’s Admissions Office, we clarified that the award extended to proportionately subsidize other school-related costs. This was the reassurance we needed to enroll our child at Burke’s, confident that we could make it work within our family budget.
In our seven years at the school, we have found that the Collaborative Tuition Program has helped to defray the costs of uniforms, after school activities and childcare, gear for outdoor education and tickets to events like the Fall Festival and Burke’s Benefit. Administrators and faculty are thoughtful, proactive and sensitive in anticipating the financial constraints of families and offering support, so we don’t feel like we are in situations where we have to ask for additional help. As our child prepares to enter seventh grade at Burke’s, I feel immense gratitude that we took a chance on applying, and that the school reciprocated by investing in our child and our family.
AWARDING PRIORITY
Burke’s is committed to ensuring socioeconomic diversity and determines a set amount of award money each year.
PRIORITY 1: Meeting the need of returning families who continue to demonstrate financial need.
PRIORITY 2: Meeting the need of returning families not previously receiving an award but who have had an unforeseen change of circumstance and now demonstrate financial need.
PRIORITY 3: Meeting the need of new families who demonstrate financial need.
ADDITIONAL PRIORITES
Families who apply outside of the Collaborative Tuition Program timeframe. (November-January)
Burke’s encourages any family who believes they might benefit from a Collaborative Tuition award to consider applying. The following are abbreviated snapshots of Collaborative Tuition awards.
EXAMPLE 1: Liza and Charles have two children who attend Burke’s. They are married and work together spearheading their digital advertising agency. They rent their home and are hopeful to someday become homeowners. So far, they have saved nearly $120,000 toward this future purchase. Last year, they earned $350,000. They received a $10,000 award for each of their daughters.
EXAMPLE 2: Bryan has one child. He is not married and is a single parent by choice. He lives in a rent-controlled apartment, and earns $90,000 working for the government. He has no debt. He received a $41,000 award for his daughter.
EXAMPLE 3: Riley and Alex have two children. Riley works in tech sales and Alex works at a non-profit. They purchased their home over a decade ago and hope to pay off their student loans of $30,000 in the next three years. Last year they earned $217,000. They received a $23,000 award for each of their daughters.
EXAMPLE 4: Britt and Ahmed have three children, two at Burke’s and one infant. Britt is currently staying at home to care for her baby. She plans to go back to work once her youngest is of school age. Ahmed works in higher education and earns $162,000. They rent a small home owned by a family member and also receive monetary support from their family toward tuition. They received a $21,000 award for each of their daughters.
HOW TO APPLY
TIMELINE
NOVEMBER: Application for the Collaborative Tuition Program Opens
JANUARY: Application Deadline
FEBRUARY: Current Families Collaborative Tuition Awards & Re-enrollment
MARCH: New Families Collaborative Tuition Awards & Re-enrollment
HOW DECISIONS ARE MADE
Burke’s works with Clarity, a financial service that partners with schools both locally and nationally. Clarity calculates a family’s financial need based on previous tax returns and other provided information. Information may include, but is not limited to: family income, home equity, number of children in tuition-charging schools, savings and investments, etc. Clarity then produces an objective report and Burke’s considers this report alongside each family’s unique circumstances and available funds.
Burke’s utilizes a need-blind admissions process, meaning the school evaluates recipients for our Collaborative Tuition Program separate from our admissions committee. Families who have applied for a Collaborative Tuition award are kept confidential with the exception of a small group of school administrators. When a family is accepted, notification of their qualification and their award amount will be included in the acceptance letter.
Every family is expected to contribute to their child’s tuition, and Collaborative Tuition awards are all disseminated based on proven need. Awards are granted for the school year, and families must re-apply for a new award annually.
FAQS
Does applying for a Collaborative Tuition award affect my daughter’s chances of being admitted?
No. The Collaborative Tuition Program application is separate from the admissions application. Students are considered for admission without regard to financial need, also known as need-blind. Burke’s welcomes families of all socioeconomic means, and applying for an award does not lessen the likelihood of being admitted.
If I expect that my circumstances would only allow for a small award, should I still apply?
Yes. For the 2024-25 school year, Burke’s awarded gifts from $500 to nearly the full cost of tuition. Burke’s recognizes that for some families even a small award can make a critical difference.
What school related expenses does the Collaborative Tuition Program cover?
Awards cover daily lunch and snacks, all classroom and learning materials, iPads/computers, educational support, library, prorated extended care,
prorated transportation, prorated after school and summer programs, prorated tuition deposit, field trips, outdoor education trips, student athletics, yearbook and a uniform stipend.
Are assets as important as income in determining a grant?
Yes. All assets are factored into the report from Clarity.
As tuition levels increase, do awards increase as well?
Generally, yes. Collaborative Tuition awards are often increased at the same percentage that tuition is increased, and Burke’s always takes into account a family’s continued demonstrated need. When a family’s demonstrated need begins to greatly outpace the increased percentage of tuition, the Collaborative Tuition Committee will review their unique situation and grant an award accordingly.
Can I apply for a Collaborative Tuition award after I am enrolled?
Generally we allocate all of our Collaborative Tuition funding at the time of standard enrollment/re-enrollment (February and March). This funding is a finite amount and we thoughtfully distribute it across the grades each year. Should a major life change occur, you can reach out to our Dir. of Finance. Since awards are allocated on an annual basis, families are encouraged to apply for the following school year at the time of re-enrollment.
If I do not qualify for a Collaborative Tuition award, what are my options?
Burke’s works closely with families to determine the payment plan that best suits each family’s needs. Single, two-month and nine-month payment plans are available. Each year, the tuition deposit is due at the time of enrollment/ re-enrollment.
Is the tuition deposit lessened if I receive an award?
Yes, families who receive a Collaborative Tuition award will have a prorated deposit as part of their enrollment agreement. For example, if you receive an award that is the equivalent of 50% reduced tuition, your deposit will also be 50% reduced.
Are families who receive an award expected to participate in fundraising?
Yes. All families are encouraged to contribute in ways meaningful to them. We aim for 100% participation from all Burke’s families.
Do siblings receive an award when they apply?
Clarity takes into account the number of children in each family, both in tuition-charging and non-tuition-charging schools. This is all taken into account when calculating affordability. Because families apply for a Collaborative Tuition award on an annual basis, you can add new family members to your application should your family expand.
If we are divorced or a single parent, do all parents need to submit an application for Collaborative Tuition?
Yes. Financial information from all custodial parents, step parents and legal guardians may be required in order to release an award. Two-household families will be evaluated independently of each other, and awards will be granted to those who show demonstrated financial need. In some instances, one parent/guardian may be granted an award while the other parent/ guardian may not. We expect divorced parents to split the cost of tuition, unless otherwise mandated by the law.
If we are unmarried but living together, do we both need to submit financial information?
Yes. Any parent/guardian involved in paying tuition should submit their financial information in order to be considered for an award. For example, if you file your taxes independently, each parent/guardian will need to submit an application in Clarity.
What if only one parent works?
The Collaborative Tuition Program’s expectation is that all custodial parents of school aged children are working and earning an income to the extent that they are able, in order to be eligible to receive an award. Exceptions to this can include caring for a young child who is not currently in school, or if a guardian has a long term illness or disease and cannot work.
What if I decide to stop working? Will my family be eligible for an award?
Family decisions that result in a decrease to family income voluntarily, such as taking a lower paying job, becoming a full time student, taking a year of unpaid leave, etc., are considered an informed and voluntary decision, and Burke’s will generally not be able to adjust an award level to suit this decision. In the event of a major illness or employment termination, Burke’s will not consider these as voluntary.
7070 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94121
burkes.org Our Mission is to educate, encourage and empower girls. Our school combines academic excellence with an appreciation for childhood so that students thrive as learners, develop a strong sense of self, contribute to community and fulfill their potential, now and throughout life.