Tuition, Fees, & Financial Aid
An Investment in Your Child's Future
We all want our children to receive the very best education possible so that they are positioned for success in later life. A Cascades Academy education prepares your child for college and beyond, and inspires them to be a lifelong learner.
Inclusion and affordability are essential elements of Cascades Academy's educational program and atmosphere, and we are committed to making a Cascades Academy education affordable. Over 35% of our students receive tuition assistance through need-based aid and scholarships. The tuition assistance program allows families to pay what they can afford for tuition. To be eligible for consideration for tuition assistance, you must complete your online aid application, found below.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition is set by the Board of Trustees each winter for the following academic year. A deposit is due upon acceptance at Cascades Academy to hold a spot for your child. There are several payment plans available and all tuition and fees for the 2025-2026 academic year must be paid in full by December 25, 2025.
Tuition Assistance & Scholarships
Cascades Academy is determined to make education accessible to families that embrace the mission of the school, regardless of economic background. More than a quarter of our student body receives financial support through tuition assistance or scholarships. Approximate tuition assistance data for the 2025-2026 academic year:
- Over 35% of students receive tuition assistance
- Over $1 million in tuition assistance allocated
- Awards range from $2,000 - full tuition
- Average award: $14,000
- Average amount paid after award: $10,150
- Current qualifying annual household incomes may range from $24,000 - $175,000+
Please review the tuition assistance details below and contact the Director of Enrollment Buck McKenna for more information.
Who Should Apply for Tuition Assistance
We encourage all families who feel they would need support to afford tuition to apply for tuition assistance. Independent school tuition is a significant investment and each family's financial circumstances are unique. The following case studies illustrate how different circumstances have led to determinations of need.
- Case 1: Two Parents With One Child (One Applicant)
- Case 2: Two Parents With Four Children (One Applicant)
- Case 3: Two Parents And Two Children (One Applicant)
- Case 4: Two Parents And Two Children (Two Applicants)
Case 1: Two Parents With One Child (One Applicant)
Case 2: Two Parents With Four Children (One Applicant)
Case 3: Two Parents And Two Children (One Applicant)
Case 4: Two Parents And Two Children (Two Applicants)
How to Apply for Tuition Assistance
Our tuition assistance program is designed to make a Cascades Academy education possible for all families based on demonstrated financial need and the availability of funds. Cascades Academy is proud to use Clarity Financial Aid to determine a family’s level of financial need based on the information that families share in the application which includes assets, income, expenses, and debts. The application is mobile-friendly and fully translated into Spanish.
Complete the following steps:
Step 1
Go to https://app.clarityapp.com/sign-up
Step 2
Begin your application and add Cascades Academy to your student applicant entry. You can save your application and log out at any time and return later to complete it.
Step 3
Enter your financial information, review your application, and pay the $65 Clarity application fee. If needed, please contact Director of Enrollment Buck McKenna to request a fee waiver.
Step 4
US taxpayers: Complete the Clarity Enhanced Tax Verification (ETV) process to release your W2 and personal tax return transcripts from the IRS. You'll be asked to authorize the sharing of your tax transcripts and verify your identity. This is a one-time security measure required by the IRS to protect against identity theft and the compromise of personal information. Only those filing US taxes will be prompted to complete this step. Clarity offers two options for enhanced tax verification process: “Clarity” and “IRS”. Please reference the Tax Verification Guide to preview the steps of this process.
The IRS pathway is significantly faster, allowing for the tax documents to transfer to Clarity within 24 hours. Clarity has found that families who have an IRS.gov account before starting the Clarity Application have a much easier time completing the process.
Step 5
Submit your Clarity application and follow the link to return to your dashboard. Here you will see any additional supporting documents requested by schools. Non-U.S. tax filers may be prompted to upload income verification and other necessary documentation. Keep in mind that at a later date, you may be prompted by the school via Clarity to upload additional documentation as needed.
Resources
- Family Application Guide
- Guía de Aplicación Para Las Familias
- Quick Reference Guide
- Guía de Referencia Rápida
If you need support during the process of completing your application, there is in-app support available through the “Help” button in the bottom left of the screen, as well as email and phone support at support@clarityapp.com or 206-210-3752, in both English and Spanish. The application itself is also fully translated into Spanish.
Scholarships for Students
New students who are applying for admissions are encouraged to apply for the following scholarships, in addition to tuition assistance, while completing their admissions applications. Please contact Director of Enrollment Buck McKenna to inquire about the availability of scholarships.