THINK YOU CAN’T AFFORD AN OUTSTANDING CHRISTIAN EDUCATION? THINK AGAIN!
Westlake Christian Academy offers Variable Tuition
At Westlake Christian Academy, we strive to make education available to families who value a strong academic education that is rooted in Christ, regardless of the family’s ability to pay. In fact, no student at WCA pays 100% of the cost of Christian education! For instance, the actual cost of a high school student at Westlake is $11,137, yet our secondary students pay tuition in the range of $5,469 – $9,115. How do we do this? Westlake partners with generous donors, and with their financial support, coupled with funding initiatives from our development staff, the gap between tuition income and actual expenses is filled. Above all, our entire school community relies on the goodness of God by faith.
To help families with the cost of education, WCA offers a Variable Tuition program (VT). What is the Variable Tuition Program? Just that: variable. We match your tuition rate to your family’s unique financial position so that tuition at Westlake is not a one size fits all, it’s a range.
For the 2019–20 school year, the range of Variable Tuition, based on the VT application, is:
| Application type | Variable Tuition Range |
| PS & PK (3/4 year old) | Westlake does not offer Variable Tuition for these classes |
| Kindergarten (Half Day) | $3,175 – $5,292 |
| Kindergarten (Full Day) | $4,164 – $6,940 |
| Grades 1-6 (1st Child) | $4,908 – $8,180 |
| Grades 1-6 (2nd+ Child) | $4,663 – $7,771 |
| Grades 7-12 (1st Child) | $5,469 – $9,115 |
| Grades 7-12 (2nd+ Child) | $5,195 – $8,659 |
The application for Variable Tuition takes into consideration a number of factors to determine the tuition tailored for your family. We use the FACTS Grant & Aid service for gathering the data and computing a report for actual tuition. The cost for that report is $35 for the family (not per student).
Our commitment to providing Variable Tuition means that we are sharing your investment in your child’s education. Apply for Variable Tuition today. For more information about Variable Tuition, visit our FAQs below.
Variable Tuition FAQs
Variable Tuition is a needs-based program for determining tuition similar to those used by many private schools, colleges, and universities. This program allows families to receive a tuition rate that is tailored for their unique financial situation. Variable Tuition makes a Westlake Christian education affordable to many qualified students who could not otherwise join our school community.
Any family (current or new) of a kindergarten through twelfth grade student may apply for Variable Tuition if they are concerned about affording the full tuition rate at Westlake Christian Academy. Many factors are considered when determining the tuition amount a family is able to pay, including income, assets, unusual expenses, and the size of the family.
An application for Variable Tuition does not affect the enrollment or admission process. Regardless of financial situation, parents of new students should initiate the admission process as early as possible. New families may apply for Variable Tuition only after they have applied for admission to the school.
It is not possible for a family or the school to estimate the tuition level for which a family qualifies without completing a Variable Tuition application. Families should apply on line with the FACTS tuition management service, a third-party agency. FACTS evaluates the application based on criteria set by the school and makes a recommendation to the school’s Variable Tuition team. Families are notified of the tuition level for which they qualify from the school’s financial office. All reported data is kept in strict confidence.
Yes. Applying for Variable Tuition is an optional part of the overall enrollment process.
Typically within 2 weeks of providing all required information to our confidential third party service. During the peak application season this process may take longer.
The cost for the family to apply to FACTS for Variable Tuition is $35, regardless of the number of children. Current families who have FACTS accounts set up for tuition payments must still apply and pay the fee for Variable Tuition. This is a separate service.
An application for Variable Tuition is not required if the family prefers to pay the full tuition amount.
Yes. A new application must be submitted every year if a family desires to maintain a Variable Tuition level, because families often experience changes in their financial situation from year to year.
Yes. A family that does not initially qualify is welcome to reapply the following year.
Yes. For new students, application to Westlake Christian Academy and application for Variable Tuition are two separate processes. However, new families may complete both application processes simultaneously. Currently enrolled students are continuously enrolled and need not re-register for admission each year.
No. Admission applications and Variable Tuition applications are evaluated separately, and an application for Variable Tuition has no bearing on the admission process.
No. Budgetary considerations limit the Variable Tuition program, so that a student may be admitted to the school but placed on a waiting list for Variable Tuition. It is recommended that families apply for Variable Tuition as early as possible.
Questions should be directed to our business manager, Claudette Gearhart, cgearhart@westlakechristian.org, (847) 548-6209, extension 2004.
