Tuition at Templeton Academy

[Anonymous]

I'm in the application stage and considering Templeton Academy for a rising 6th grader. I noticed their tuition is now $35k. Still much more affordable than many other private schools, but a big jump (I believe it was just under $20k as recently as two years ago). Any current families know why? My concern is whether this reflects financial challenges. My student struggles with transitions, and would be upset if a school closed and we had to change schools.

[Anonymous]

Dang. We were going to look at it, but that doesn’t seem like a positive sign. Didn’t they just move to a new location? Maybe they are overextended

[Anonymous]

According to their website they moved to a new location in the same area and still a couple blocks from the Gallery Place metro. Wonder if they had a lot of kids who went there during COVID when publics closed and now enrollment is down?

[Anonymous]

Hi, Templeton parent here. It reflects the transition to being a local and self-sustaining school. They were founded by a rich guy with big ideas, in two locations, and there’s been a planned transition for each of the schools (in Nashville and DC) to become their own nonprofits.
It’s a jump, yes. But — they also rolled out financial tiers. So there’s no mystery about aid, it’s completely transparent. So I like that approach.
They gave parents a very thorough briefing (for those who chose to attend) and a chance for feedback. I went in uneasy and left feeling very good. I feel like their assumptions are conservative, about student body size. Like, it seems responsible.
I feel like they are trying very hard NOT to be stretched as they become their own nonprofit. But also hope they’ll be able to do really minimal increases for next year.
Most importantly - I love this school. I have a 10th grader, he started here in 9th. The teachers are super engaging, he likes most of the work (he just did a huge project in the Crime and Punishment class which is what his humanities class was this semester… very very interesting, very currently-relevant. He was super proud of it)
And the kids are good kids. Conscientious but like, non-competitive. Because of all the group work and just the culture of the place, people aren’t comparing grades and stuff.
They just did these really fun (but again, relevant) videos for earth science and helped each other out.
It’s nice kids, happy kids, teachers who really wanna be there, and a lot of seminar style classes that really get kids engaged. Cool place.
I really think it’s on good footing. I hear your worries… after what happened at Sandy Spring it’s hard not to worry! But from everything I can tell the administration has its head on straight, a good plan, and this whole process is planned.

[Anonymous]

And happy to pipe up about anything else if prospective families have Qs.
About vibes, friendships, teaching styles, building, extracurriculars, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi, Templeton parent here. It reflects the transition to being a local and self-sustaining school. They were founded by a rich guy with big ideas, in two locations, and there’s been a planned transition for each of the schools (in Nashville and DC) to become their own nonprofits.
It’s a jump, yes. But — they also rolled out financial tiers. So there’s no mystery about aid, it’s completely transparent. So I like that approach.
They gave parents a very thorough briefing (for those who chose to attend) and a chance for feedback. I went in uneasy and left feeling very good. I feel like their assumptions are conservative, about student body size. Like, it seems responsible.
I feel like they are trying very hard NOT to be stretched as they become their own nonprofit. But also hope they’ll be able to do really minimal increases for next year.
Most importantly - I love this school. I have a 10th grader, he started here in 9th. The teachers are super engaging, he likes most of the work (he just did a huge project in the Crime and Punishment class which is what his humanities class was this semester… very very interesting, very currently-relevant. He was super proud of it)
And the kids are good kids. Conscientious but like, non-competitive. Because of all the group work and just the culture of the place, people aren’t comparing grades and stuff.
They just did these really fun (but again, relevant) videos for earth science and helped each other out.
It’s nice kids, happy kids, teachers who really wanna be there, and a lot of seminar style classes that really get kids engaged. Cool place.
I really think it’s on good footing. I hear your worries… after what happened at Sandy Spring it’s hard not to worry! But from everything I can tell the administration has its head on straight, a good plan, and this whole process is planned.

Sandy Spring is in good footing now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi, Templeton parent here. It reflects the transition to being a local and self-sustaining school. They were founded by a rich guy with big ideas, in two locations, and there’s been a planned transition for each of the schools (in Nashville and DC) to become their own nonprofits.
It’s a jump, yes. But — they also rolled out financial tiers. So there’s no mystery about aid, it’s completely transparent. So I like that approach.
They gave parents a very thorough briefing (for those who chose to attend) and a chance for feedback. I went in uneasy and left feeling very good. I feel like their assumptions are conservative, about student body size. Like, it seems responsible.
I feel like they are trying very hard NOT to be stretched as they become their own nonprofit. But also hope they’ll be able to do really minimal increases for next year.
Most importantly - I love this school. I have a 10th grader, he started here in 9th. The teachers are super engaging, he likes most of the work (he just did a huge project in the Crime and Punishment class which is what his humanities class was this semester… very very interesting, very currently-relevant. He was super proud of it)
And the kids are good kids. Conscientious but like, non-competitive. Because of all the group work and just the culture of the place, people aren’t comparing grades and stuff.
They just did these really fun (but again, relevant) videos for earth science and helped each other out.
It’s nice kids, happy kids, teachers who really wanna be there, and a lot of seminar style classes that really get kids engaged. Cool place.
I really think it’s on good footing. I hear your worries… after what happened at Sandy Spring it’s hard not to worry! But from everything I can tell the administration has its head on straight, a good plan, and this whole process is planned.

Thanks for this very thorough response. Very helpful and reassuring to understand that this is an intentional part of their overall financial plan. I have a 2e student who thrives in small classes with opportunities for hands on learning. I'm hopeful this could be a good option for us.

[Anonymous]

I’m the Templeton parent from earlier - wanted to let folks know they sent out an email today to current families today confirming 26-27 tuition is $35,000 but they expect to give financial aid to *75 percent* of the student body.
There are set tuition bands based on income and you apply for financial aid thru Clarity (I think other schools use that too?) and they let you know in about a week which band you fall in. Very transparent.

Again - great school. And to the parent with a 2e kid… yes yes yes I think those kids thrive at Templeton. Supportive, collaborative, while holding a high academic bar.

And while I am not one to obsess about these things, I know people always want to know college admits. From a graduating class of 22 kids last year, there was a Cornell, a U Michigan, two to UVM - great results. And imo most importantly… happy kids.

[Anonymous]

Wow- that price is crazy for a school with no more space than a couple of floors of office building space. No athletic facilities. No music program I don’t believe they have adequate science facilities either.

The price was around $14k five years ago. When we looked at it, it had just switched to $18k and I asked the former HOS about the price shift. She said they had done a big shift to put it on more stable footing. I think they are admin heavy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow- that price is crazy for a school with no more space than a couple of floors of office building space. No athletic facilities. No music program I don’t believe they have adequate science facilities either.

The price was around $14k five years ago. When we looked at it, it had just switched to $18k and I asked the former HOS about the price shift. She said they had done a big shift to put it on more stable footing. I think they are admin heavy.

Honestly, from looking around, most schools are $55-60k annually unless you're looking at Catholic school which is not a good option for us. I have a 2e student who would be overwhelmed by a large space/school and doesn't enjoy athletics (we have them signed up for a niche sport on the weekends), so the school infrastructure is a plus for us. We aren't currently enrolled, but from what I've learned the students do a lot of field trips for the hands on science and history-- they went to the natural history museum to do a mummification project while studying ancient civilizations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m the Templeton parent from earlier - wanted to let folks know they sent out an email today to current families today confirming 26-27 tuition is $35,000 but they expect to give financial aid to *75 percent* of the student body.
There are set tuition bands based on income and you apply for financial aid thru Clarity (I think other schools use that too?) and they let you know in about a week which band you fall in. Very transparent.

Again - great school. And to the parent with a 2e kid… yes yes yes I think those kids thrive at Templeton. Supportive, collaborative, while holding a high academic bar.

And while I am not one to obsess about these things, I know people always want to know college admits. From a graduating class of 22 kids last year, there was a Cornell, a U Michigan, two to UVM - great results. And imo most importantly… happy kids.

Thanks for the follow up. From a financial planning perspective, do you have a sense of costs outside of tuition? At other schools, parents say that they budget $5k or more for field trips, books, special events, fundraisers, etc.

[Anonymous]

Very little. Maybe $500/year

[Anonymous]

Templeton parent here and just want to chime in. Parent earlier provided a great summary of why the increase and how transparent and thoughtful the school was about tuition bands. This is a transition but the school is well positioned to actually grow in offerings as a non profit. For anyone shying away I would say do not! Templeton is such a unique place for students who love to learn through deep dives, who are curious and different thinkers and for parents who are realizing the old school ways of education are not the best fit for their kid. Most Templeton parents will say after they walked in they knew it was the right place so set up a tour!

[Anonymous]

Rando from the internet here. My office is by the school and I see the kids at lunch places, usually Chipotle. They seem sweet, nice, considerate (clean their tables off) and look out for each other. My kid was in a private MS and wanted big public HS. I feared they would fail at a big school so looked at Templeton and though it would be a good fit for my kids if public didn't work out. Fortunately for me, public is working out but it's great to see this thread. (Just in case). 2E kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow- that price is crazy for a school with no more space than a couple of floors of office building space. No athletic facilities. No music program I don’t believe they have adequate science facilities either.

The price was around $14k five years ago. When we looked at it, it had just switched to $18k and I asked the former HOS about the price shift. She said they had done a big shift to put it on more stable footing. I think they are admin heavy.

IMO it’s worth it for the very small class size. Nora is a similar price, also very small in student population and physical campus. For some kids, that’s what they need the most.