Affording Blue Oak School

Affording a Blue Oak School Education

Blue Oak School is Napa Valley’s only accredited independent school (accredited by CAIS, NAIS, and WASC) offering a Transitional Kindergarten through 8th Grade education.

At Blue Oak, students are known deeply, challenged meaningfully, and engaged in a joyful, immersive TK–8 experience. Our academic program, combined with art, music, world languages, athletics, exploratories, and rich opportunities to venture beyond the classroom, gives students the space to think critically, experience their learning, and grow as scholars, thinkers, and contributors.

We recognize that tuition is an important consideration for families. Our Indexed Tuition program helps make a Blue Oak education accessible to families across a range of incomes, with tuition adjusted according to each applicant family’s financial circumstances.

Below, you’ll find information about tuition, Indexed Tuition, and how to apply for financial assistance. We encourage families to explore these options as you consider whether Blue Oak is a great fit for your child.

For the 2026–27 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.

2026-2027 Annual Tuition (based on a 10-month payment plan):

Transitional Kindergarten: $21,250 Kindergarten – 5th Grade: $26,890 Middle School, Grades 6-8 $33,360

A 10% deposit is required upon enrollment to secure your child’s place at Blue Oak School. The deposit is based on yuor family’s tuition amount, including any Indexed Tuition adjustment, if applicable. Once the deposit is received, you may select a payment plan for the remaining balance.

Blue Oak’s tuition covers all 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 After School Classes are billed separately for these expenses. Limited financial assistance for these programs is available for families receiving Indexed Tuition. Blue Oak School 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 by the enrollment deadline.

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 – One payment in full (less deposit) due in May.

Payment Plan B – Two payments, each 50% of tuition (less deposit), due in May and 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 Insurance 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.

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.

Indexed Tuition

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.

Indexed Tuition Timeline

Families applying for admission between September and February for the following school year:

Applications for admission for the 2027-2028 school year may be submitted beginning October 1, 2026
Schedule a visit to Blue Oak
Submit an Application for Admission; applications due by February 1, 2027
Submit and complete the TADS Indexed Tuition application by February 1, 2027. All supporting documentation must be received by February 8, 2027

Families applying for admission between March and June:

Families who begin the admissions process later in the year should submit all of their application materials as quickly as possible; admissions decisions are based on availability in each grade level
Schedule a visit to 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 Indexed Tuition funds available will already be allocated to enrolled 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 Caroline Sarnoff, Director of Enrollment or call 707.261.4524.

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