COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
TUITION PLANS

At The Birch School, families are an important part of our school community. 

In order to keep tuition accessible while also supporting the many practical needs of a small independent school, we offer several tuition plan options that include different levels of family participation.

Families may choose the tuition plan that best fits their schedule, availability, and preferred level of involvement.

Each plan includes a Family Partnership Commitment. Families who choose a plan with participation hours agree to complete those hours during the school year or pay the unfulfilled balance at the agreed rate.

How the Program Works

Participation in this program is optional. Families can choose to pay the standard tuition of $12,950 with no additional requirements.  This is for those families who choose to participate.
Families select one of three tuition plans as part of the enrollment agreement.
Each plan includes:
  • A tuition amount
  • A required number of Family Partnership Hours
  • The option to complete approved participation activities during the school year
  • A $60 per hour fee for any required hours that are not completed
This structure allows families to choose the agreement that works best for them. Some families prefer to contribute more time and reduce their tuition cost. Other families prefer a higher tuition plan with fewer participation requirements.
All three options support the school and help sustain our community.

What Counts Toward
Family Partnership Hours?

Family Partnership Hours may be completed through approved school activities, projects, events, or services. The goal is to allow families to contribute in ways that are useful to the school and realistic for their schedules.

Examples may include:

Events and Community Support

  • Open house assistance
  • Event setup and cleanup
  • Graduation support
  • Family events
  • Field day or festival support
  • Hospitality and refreshments
  • Community gatherings

Campus and Facilities

  • Gardening and landscaping
  • Campus beautification
  • Seasonal clean-up days
  • Organizing classrooms or storage areas
  • Painting projects
  • Light repair or maintenance projects

Administrative and School Support

  • Office assistance
  • Filing or organizing materials
  • Copying, laminating, or preparing classroom resources
  • Library organization
  • Newsletter support
  • Data entry or record organization

Marketing and Outreach

  • Distributing flyers
  • Helping at community fairs or school events
  • Social media support
  • Photography or videography
  • Graphic design
  • Community outreach
  • Writing or editing promotional materials

Fundraising and Development

  • Fundraising event support
  • Grant research
  • Sponsorship outreach
  • Auction or raffle item collection
  • Donor thank-you notes
  • Alumni or community outreach

Student Enrichment

  • Guest presentations
  • Career talks
  • Club support
  • Mentoring or tutoring, when approved
  • Field trip chaperoning
  • Sharing special skills or professional experience
  • Supporting hands-on projects

Professional Skills and Special Projects

Families may also contribute through professional skills or special projects approved by the school, such as:

  • Technology support
  • Website support
  • Photography or media production
  • Carpentry or skilled trades
  • Business, accounting, or nonprofit support
  • Translation or interpretation
  • Other approved projects based on family skills and school needs

Approval of Hours

All Family Partnership Hours must be approved by The Birch School in order to count toward the family’s annual commitment.

Families should check with the school before beginning a project or activity if they are unsure whether it qualifies.

The school may provide a list of approved opportunities throughout the year. Families may also suggest ways they would like to help, and the school will determine whether the activity meets a current need.

Tracking Hours

Families are responsible for tracking and submitting their completed Family Partnership Hours according to the school’s procedures.

The school will provide instructions for submitting hours, including:

  • Date of service
  • Type of activity
  • Number of hours completed
  • Brief description of the work
  • Name of the school contact or event supervisor, if applicable

Hours must be submitted by the deadline provided by the school in order to be credited.

Uncompleted Hours

Any required Family Partnership Hours that are not completed by the deadline will be billed at a rate of $60 per uncompleted hour.

Uncompleted hours will be billed quarterly.

For example:

  • 10 uncompleted hours = $600 participation fee
  • 5 uncompleted hours = $300 participation fee
  • 2 uncompleted hours = $120 participation fee

This fee is part of the tuition plan selected by the family.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

  • Family Partnership Hours are part of the selected tuition agreement.
  • Participation activities must be approved by the school.
  • The school determines which activities qualify.
  • Hours may not be transferred between families unless approved by the school.
  • Uncompleted hours are billed at $60 per hour.
  • The school may update qualifying activities, procedures, and deadlines from year to year.
  • Family participation does not create an employment relationship with the school.
  • Participation hours are not wages, compensation, or tuition credits.
  • Families are choosing from different tuition plans with different participation commitments6

PAYMENT PLAN DETAILS