Admissions FAQs

• Pre-Primary: Nursery (AC3s) and Pre-Kindergarten classes begin at 8:15 a.m. and conclude at 2:30 p.m. We also offer half-days that conclude at 12:30 p.m. for AC3s and Pre-K students.
• Lower School: Kindergarten through grade 5 morning meetings begin at 8:15 a.m. and classes begin at 8:20 a.m. Classes conclude at 3:00 p.m.
• Middle School: Advisory for grades 6, 7, and 8 begins at 8:15 a.m. and classes begin at 8:20 a.m. Classes conclude at 3:00 p.m.
• Upper School: Advisory for grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 begins at 8:15 a.m. and classes begin at 8:20 a.m. Classes conclude at 3:00 p.m.

• Morning care is offered from 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. free of charge.
• Afternoon care is available from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. through our outstanding after school programs: Rainbow Room (nursery – grade 5), AC After 3 p.m. (pre-kindergarten – grade 12), athletics (grades 7 – 12).

Students may be dropped off as early as 7:30 a.m.  Classrooms open at 8:00 a.m., but we have dedicated, comfortable spaces for students who arrive early. Students  arriving before 8:00 a.m. in nursery through grade 2 should go to the preschool classroom and students in grades 3 – 5 should go to the Library. This morning care is offered free of charge.  Middle and Upper School students may arrive as early as 7:30 a.m. and report to their divisional lounges.

Yes; our athletic program is available for students in grades 7-12. We offer more than 30 Modified, JV, and Varsity teams.  Allendale Columbia and Harley join together for athletics and compete in Section V. Learn more by visiting our HAC Athletics website.

No. Since many factors including number of children, assets, and liabilities go into the Flexible Tuition calculation, there is no one specific income level that can clearly represent a cut-off for every family.

Each year, the Flexible Tuition Committee makes its decisions after careful review of the Parent's Financial Statement (PFS), current IRS forms, supporting schedules, and other pertinent information.

To determine each family’s degree of need, the Flexible Tuition Committee uses the forms and procedures established by School and Student Services (SSS). Income, assets, expenses, number of dependents, and other special circumstances are taken into account in the process.

In the case of divorce or separation, the school requests financial information from both parents.

While a family may demonstrate a given level of need, the school does not promise to meet 100% of that need, therefore a Flexible Tuition Base represents what AC can offer, not necessarily what a family may ask for or qualify for. Strict confidence is expected on the part of all families and a breach of confidentiality can jeopardize Flexible Tuition offers in the future.

Yes. We ask parents to return a Flexible Tuition agreement with the re-enrollment contract and a small deposit indicating a plan to return the following fall. In keeping with the National Association of Independent Schools Principles of Good Practice for financial aid administration, Allendale Columbia School does not require a full financial commitment until a family has had the opportunity to review our Flexible Tuition offer. A “fully informed enrollment decision” sets our standard for fairness to all families.

Allendale Columbia School is committed to providing access to an independent school education for all families, and we believe students learn best in communities with peers who come from a wide variety of backgrounds.

With Flexible Tuition, our need-based assistance program, families who qualify are able to pay tuition based on their unique circumstances.

The only way to answer this question is to complete the confidential Flexible Tuition application process. Since many other factors including number of children, assets, and debts go into the financial aid process, there is no one specific income level that can clearly represent a cut-off for every family.

Other factors included in the determination of financial need include number of dependents, underemployed spouses, divorce and child support agreements, investments, student loans, business ownership statements, housing equity, and discretionary spending choices.

Families who qualify for Flexible Tuition can expect to receive a similar range of funding each year, if their financial circumstances remain the same.

Families must reapply for Flexible Tuition each year and meet all stated deadlines. If the current financial picture for a family changes significantly, the level of Flexible Tuition will be adjusted accordingly to reflect the new amount of demonstrated need.

Yes. All families pay some part of their tuition.

You can apply online here.

No. Admission applications and Flexible Tuition applications are reviewed separately, and submitting an application for Flexible Tuition has no bearing on admissibility. 

Yes, there are a few additional costs that may come up, but they usually include things like AP test registration, SAT registration, and perhaps rare or specific field trips. Books and lunch are included in the tuition as are many other parts of school life.