PROGRAM FEES AND TUITION
As a Non-Profit, we strive to keep our costs as low as possible (while still offering the highest value for your child). In order to ensure that the Whytecliff Program will be accessible for every child who needs to attend, we have structured our tuition and fees to be very low and affordable to most families and caregivers.
Currently, program fees range from $8,900 – $19,500* per year for BC students
* Note: program fees may vary depending on a child’s special needs designation, Ministry funding, or need for additional 1-on-1 supports. International students with special educational needs may qualify for the program, with a minimum annual fee of $21,000 per school year.
Access to a Diverse Range of Services and Supports
There’s no such such thing as ‘one-size-fits-all’, especially for children with diverse learning needs. This is why, at Whytecliff, we structure our program fees and tuition as a range. Because each child is unique, each student at Whytecliff works from a custom program tailored to their unique strengths, needs, interests, and goals. Program fees vary on a case-by-case basis, depending on your child’s special needs designation and the level of services and supports they need in order to truly be successful. To get a better sense of what the actual program cost might be for you, please reach out and talk to us about your child’s particular situation and needs.
In the spirit of being open and transparent, we like to explain why it’s necessary for us to charge a program fee and tuition in the first place. As an independent school, Whytecliff receives no funding for our facilities and gets less operating funds than public school districts. Charging a modest tuition helps partially offset the funding gap that exists between us as an independent school and the funds that public schools receive. Our program fees also allow us to maintain a 6:1 student to educator ratio or better (note: in 2019/2020, actual ratio was 4:1!!!) and help to cover the wide range of therapeutic programs and activities that are so integral to every child’s success. We might humbly add that we also offer greater value than traditional schools as we include transportation assistance, additional special programming and activities, frequent on and off-site meals, and overnight trips.
Tax Deductible*
As Whytecliff is accredited both as a school and therapeutic resource, a portion of program fees may be tax deductible, in certain situations.
* Note: If your child has a challenge for which you are able to obtain a referral from a medical professional, a portion of Whytecliff’s therapeutic programming my qualify as a medical expense. Please talk to us for further details.
Autism Funding
If your child is diagnosed with autism, and you have been approved for funding assistance through the Ministry of Children and Family Development, some of our services such as out of schooling tutoring, behavioural therapy, life skills and social skills that DO NOT RELATE TO SERVICES PROVIDED BY A TYPICAL SCHOOL may be eligible for funding assistance.
Financial Assistance
If, despite our low fees, you require financial assistance to enroll your child in our program, just talk to us. We can recommend a great organization that will be able to provide some funding assistance (if your family earns less than $75,000). As these funds are limited, though, we do require proof of income in order for you to qualify for bursaries or scholarships (and we recommend you also make a good faith effort to reach out to your immediate family for help as well, in order to preserve the limited supply of funding assistance for those who need it most). We also have other bursaries and scholarships provided by generous donors, family foundations and charities, and companies that care. If there’s a good fit and your child can truly benefit from this program, we will seek to ensure they won’t be turned away for financial reasons; simply talk with us.
And if life has blessed you with sufficient financial resources, consider making a tax-deductible donation to sponsor another child.