Affording Ann Arbor Academy

Affording Ann Arbor Academy - the Indexed Tuition Model

A core value of Ann Arbor Academy is that an excellent education should be accessible to neurodiverse students regardless of family income. Socio-economic diversity enhances the school and leads to a more robust and sustainable community, and we recognize that there are many ways to contribute to a school. Our indexed tuition model is designed to align tuition with a family’s ability to pay, while ensuring the long-term financial health of the school.

Rather than charging a single fixed tuition and then awarding traditional financial aid, we use a need-sensitive approach that considers family income and other relevant factors to determine tuition in a fair and thoughtful way.

How Tuition Level Is Determined

Financial assistance is awarded through a confidential review process conducted by the school. While income is an important starting point, we recognize that it does not tell the whole story.

In addition to income, we may consider:

• Household size and dependents

• Number of children enrolled in tuition-charging schools

• Significant assets or unusual financial obligations

• Cost-of-living factors

• Temporary or extraordinary circumstances (such as medical expenses, job changes, or family transitions)

Because every family’s situation is unique, tuition is not solely determined by an automated or fixed formula. Final decisions are made by the school to ensure fairness, consistency, and compassion. 

Ann Arbor Academy utilizes Clarity, a third party system that makes it easy to upload your most recent tax return and enter financial information and other helpful facts we need to know to make a tuition decision. Clarity is self guided and allows you to log in and out as needed as you complete your application. There is a $65 fee, payable via credit card, to utilize this service. All applications for reduced tuition must be done through Clarity.

Why We Use The Indexed Tuition Model

Our indexed tuition approach allows us to:

• Increase access for families across a broader socioeconomic range

• Reduce the stigma often associated with traditional financial aid

• Be more transparent and mission-aligned in how tuition is set

• Create a financially sustainable model that supports our students and faculty
  
  

What Families Can Expect

• Tuition is reviewed annually based on updated financial information

• All financial information is kept strictly confidential

• Families may share additional context if their circumstances are not fully reflected in standard forms

• The school is available to answer questions and guide families through the process

Tuition As a Medical Expense

Ann Arbor Academy tuition may be counted as a medical expense for families who have an attending child with a documented disability, because it is a specialized school. This is a pre-tax credit; we do not accept insurance. There is an excellent article about this option here: 

https://www.understood.org/en/family/managing-everyday-challenges/financial-challenges/faqs-about-tax-deductions-and-learning-and-attention-issues