Affording Blue Oak School

As a parent, choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your child. At Blue Oak School, we understand families are looking for more than excellent teachers, small class sizes, and high academic standards—you’re seeking a community that reflects your values and nurtures your child’s growth in every way.

Our TK–8 program offers a well-rounded, hands-on education that extends beyond core academics to include art, world languages, music, and opportunities to build personal responsibility, confidence, and a love of learning. We believe in preparing students not only for academic success, but to be compassionate, capable members of their communities.

Blue Oak is also committed to ensuring our school is accessible to families from a wide range of economic backgrounds. Through our Indexed Tuition program, families pay tuition based on their individual financial circumstances—because we believe the opportunity to experience The Blue Oak Difference should not be limited by income.

For the 2025–26 school year, 35% of our families receive tuition assistance, with awards ranging from 10% to 90% of tuition costs. Each year, Blue Oak proudly dedicates nearly $1 million to support economic diversity and ensure our community reflects the vibrant, inclusive spirit of Napa Valley.

A 10% deposit is required upon acceptance to secure your child’s enrollment at Blue Oak School. Once the deposit (based on the net tuition amount) is received, you may select a payment plan for the remaining balance.

Below is a breakdown of our 10-month payment plan.

TK Annual Tuition:  $20,050          – OR –         10 Monthly Installments:  $1,804

K- 5 Annual Tuition:  $25,360        – OR –         10 Monthly Installments:  $2,282

6-8 Annual Tuition:  $31,470          – OR –         10 Monthly Installments:  $2,832

Blue Oak’s tuition covers school-related expenses associated with a Blue Oak education. There are NO additional charges for:

  • Books and supplies
  • Field trips (including overnight trips in grade 2-8)
  • Transportation
  • Athletics
  • Individual Chromebooks in middle school
  • Yearbooks

Blue Oak School is committed to sustaining a robust tuition assistance program to support our families. Please review the Tuition Assistance section below to learn more.

Families who participate in the After-Care Program (ACP) or enroll in classes in the After School Classes are billed separately for these expenses. Limited financial assistance for these programs is available for families receiving an Indexed Tuition contract. Blue Oak also offers an optional hot lunch program for an additional charge.

Blue Oak families are asked to make annual donations to the Acorn Fund, Blue Oak School’s annual fund. These gifts help fund such areas as technology initiatives, library acquisitions, tuition assistance, and professional development. We ask that all families support this fundraising effort at a personally significant level; every gift is appreciated and meaningful.

As we are a 501c3 organization, unrestricted gifts are tax-deductible, and some employers may match their employee’s gifts. For more information about the Acorn Fund and its use in the school budget, please contact the Development Office.

A non-refundable tuition deposit is required of all families. This deposit is equal to 10% of a family’s tuition obligation and is required to complete a student’s enrollment. Tuition deposits must be made within three weeks of receiving a contract.

Tuition insurance (1.75% of the total tuition cost after deposit) is required unless tuition has been paid in one installment (May) or two installments (May and August). Families using the ten payment plan are required to enroll in Blue Oak’s Tuition Insurance program. Tuition insurance is billed in August.

Payment Plan A – Full pay (less deposit) due May. 

Payment Plan B – 50% of tuition (less deposit) due May and 50% due August.

Payment Plan C – 10 equal monthly payments (less deposit) beginning in April and ending in January. (Tuition Insurance is required for tuition charged, less the non refundable deposit.) The Tuition Refund Plan is optional for Payment Plans A and B.

TK Annual Tuition
$20,050          – OR –
10 Monthly Installments:
$1,084

K- 5 Annual Tuition:
$25,360        – OR –
10 Monthly Installments:
$2,282

6-8 Annual Tuition:
$31,470          – OR –
10 Monthly Installments:
$2,832

*Monthly installment totals are based on the cost of full tuition. A 10% deposit is due upon enrollment for all students.

Blue Oak’s tuition covers all expenses related to a student’s education. There are NO additional charges for:

  • Books and supplies
  • Field trips (including overnight trips in grade 2-8)
  • Transportation
  • Athletics
  • Individual Chromebooks in middle schoool
  • Yearbooks

Blue Oak School is committed to sustaining a robust tuition assistance program to support our families. Please review the Indexed Tuition section below to learn more.

Families who participate in the After-Care Program (ACP) or enroll in classes in the After School Classes are billed separately for these expenses. Limited financial assistance for these programs is available for families receiving an Indexed Tuition contract. Blue Oak also offers an optional hot lunch program for an additional charge.

Blue Oak families are asked to make annual donations to the Acorn Fund, Blue Oak School’s annual fund. These gifts help fund such areas as technology initiatives, library acquisitions, tuition assistance, and professional development. We ask that all families support this fundraising effort at a personally significant level; every gift is appreciated and meaningful.

As we are a 501c3 organization, unrestricted gifts are tax-deductible, and some employers may match their employee’s gifts. For more information about the Acorn Fund and its use in the school budget, please contact the Development Office.

A non-refundable tuition deposit is required of all families. This deposit is equal to 10% of a family’s tuition obligation and is required to complete a student’s enrollment. Tuition deposits must be made within three weeks of receiving a contract.

Tuition insurance (1.75% of the total tuition cost after deposit) is required unless tuition has been paid in one installment (May) or two installments (May and August). Families using the ten payment plan are required to enroll in Blue Oak’s Tuition Insurance program. Tuition insurance is billed in August.

Payment Plan A – Full pay (less deposit) due May. 

Payment Plan B – 50% of tuition (less deposit) due May and 50% due August.

Payment Plan C – 10 equal monthly payments (less deposit) beginning in April and ending in January. (Tuition Insurance is required for tuition charged, less the non refundable deposit.) The Tuition Refund Plan is optional for Payment Plans A and B.

Tuition Assistance

Blue Oak School’s tuition assistance program helps make our school accessible to families from a wide range of economic backgrounds. Tuition is based on each family’s unique financial situation, ensuring that more students can experience the benefits of a Blue Oak education.

We partner with TADS, an independent service with over 40 years of experience, to provide a fair and confidential assessment of a family’s ability to contribute to tuition. Their process considers income, assets, family size, and other factors to help determine an appropriate tuition level.

We also take into account things like real estate, investments, and lifestyle choices to ensure tuition assistance is distributed thoughtfully and fairly. We ask families to prioritize education as an investment in their child’s future, and we are committed to working together to make that possible.

At Blue Oak, we believe parents play the primary role in supporting their child’s education, but we also understand that the cost of an independent school can feel out of reach for some families.

We encourage any family with concerns about affordability to apply for tuition assistance. Each application is reviewed thoroughly and confidentially, with careful consideration given to individual circumstances.

While we strive to support as many families as possible, tuition assistance awards are limited. Priority is given to current students, followed by eligible new applicants. Demand often exceeds available funds, but we are committed to making a Blue Oak education accessible to as many families as possible.

Step 1: Complete an application for admission

Complete the Blue Oak School Application for Admission and submit it along with the $75 application fee.

Step 2: Collect financial information

Collect all of the financial information you will need to support your application (current taxes, household expenses, credit card statements, etc.) and complete the TADS worksheet.

Step 3: Log on to the TADS website

  • Go to the TADS website
  • Select “Financial Aid Assessment”
  • Select Blue Oak School
  • Complete and submit your TADS financial aid application

Step 4: Submit financial information to TADS

Submit all required financial information as requested by TADS.

Tuition Assistance Timeline

Families applying for admission between September and January for the following year:

  • Applications for admission for the 2026-2027 school year may be submitted beginning October 1, 2025
  • Schedule a time to visit Blue Oak
  • Submit an Application for Admission–applications due by January 31, 2026
  • Submit and complete the TADS application no later than January 31, 2026 with all supporting documentation no later than February 6, 2026

Families applying for admission between March and June for the following year:

  • Families who begin the admissions process later in the year should submit all of their application materials as quickly as possible. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis beginning in April
  • Schedule a time to visit Blue Oak School
  • Attend an Indexed Tuition informational meeting or schedule a personal meeting with the Admissions Department
  • Complete the TADS worksheet
  • Submit an Application for Admission
  • Submit and complete the TADS application at the time you submit an application for admission

Families applying for admission during the Summer

Families applying for admission in the summer months should understand that most, if not all of our tuition assistance funds available will already be allocated to accepted families. Please contact the admissions office directly to determine if you should complete a TADS application as part of the admissions process.

Need Assistance or Have Questions?

For Assistance or any questions, please email Meredith Wilson, Director of Admissions or call 707.261.4522.