Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition for the 2026-2027 school year is $76,600 for Westchester and $79,600 for Manhattan.

Tuition for the 2027-2028 school year will be published in late January 2027.

The Windward School uses Clarity to help assess each family’s demonstrated financial need. The financial analysis provided by Clarity serves as a guideline for the Financial Aid Committee when determining awards; however, it does not bind The Windward School to a specific financial aid amount.

The Clarity application for the 2027–2028 school year will be available here when the application season opens on October 16, 2026.

For families new to Windward: If offered a contract, the Financial Aid Director will guide you through the financial aid process. There is no deadline for new Windward families, however, we encourage new families to complete their Clarity documentation as soon as possible.

For returning families: The Clarity application for returning families must be completed by the December 1, 2026 deadline in order for an award to be considered.

Any family that has applied for admission may apply for financial aid.

The admissions process is blind to a family’s financial need. The Financial Aid Committee reviews files and determines eligibility only after a student is admitted. If a student is not admitted, the financial aid file is shredded and destroyed. Financial aid requests by returning families must be made by the December 1, 2026 deadline in order for an award to be considered.

Families may submit their financial aid applications and supporting documents for the 2027–2028 school year beginning October 16, 2026. Returning families must submit all required materials by December 1, 2026. Financial aid funding may not be available to returning families whose applications are completed after the deadline.

All families should submit their online financial aid applications to Clarity platform.

The Clarity application fee is $65. This single fee covers applications to all participating Clarity schools and any number of children in your household.

View instructions for completing a Clarity application.

Questions regarding the financial aid process may be directed to:

Dr. Erik Bennett, PhD
Financial Aid Director
(914) 949-6968, ext. *1271
Email: financialaid@thewindwardschool.org

All information related to the parents/guardians’ financial circumstances will be treated confidentially. These forms will only be used to arrive at a fair determination of financial need.

Families are welcome to complete the Clarity application at any time during the admissions process.

Financial need is defined as the difference between what it costs to attend The Windward School and a family’s ability to pay. The Clarity Financial Aid Reporting system provides the School with a general assessment of a family’s ability to pay for education. Major factors in determining financial need include, but are not limited to, income, assets (non-retirement investments and 529 education funds), family size, and the number of children attending tuition-charging institutions, excluding daycare, preschool and graduate school.

The Windward School requires families receiving financial aid to reapply each year. Changes in factors such as income, family status, and the number of children attending private institutions may increase or decrease an award. Every application is reviewed annually. All returning families who have applied for financial aid the previous year must have their application completed by December 1, 2026.

The Windward School believes that families have an obligation to pay for the educational expenses of their children to the extent that they are able. The Financial Aid Committee will consider the assets of custodial parent(s)/guardian(s), if living, before making any award, and cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent/guardian has disclaimed, legally or otherwise, any responsibility for educational expenses. If either parent/guardian has remarried, the Committee will also consider the income and assets of the stepparent, as well.

Both custodial and non-custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) and their current spouses must fill out a separate Clarity application form. If this information is not provided, the Committee will not be able to consider the application for financial aid.

Families will be notified once the Committee has completed their review of your file. The process usually extends from late October until the enrollment process is complete.

Yes. To do so, please write to the Financial Aid Committee explaining your appeal. Include any information that will help the committee to better understand your situation, such as a detailed list of monthly expenses or any information that you feel may be beneficial for the committee to know.

Payments made for the special education provided at The Windward School may be deductible medical care expenses under the Internal Revenue Code. While ordinary education is not medical care, the cost of medical care may, under certain circumstances, include the cost of attending a specialized school for an individual with a disability if the student’s condition is such that the resources of the institution for alleviating such disability are a principal reason for the student’s presence there.

Whether tuition expenses for Windward will be deductible in a particular case will depend upon the facts and circumstances of each individual student’s situation. There are also percentage limitations applicable to otherwise deductible medical expenses, depending on the parent’s adjusted gross income. Therefore, before claiming a tax deduction for expenses relating to the special education of a student, we highly recommend that you consult with a tax lawyer or accountant to determine if your payments to Windward qualify for medical expense tax deduction.