Dear Parents and Guardians,
As the re-registration period begins, we are writing to share important information regarding tuition and fees for the 2026–2027 school year, as well as to provide clarity and reassurance regarding support for families who wish to continue their enrollment at St. John Catholic Academy. We recognize that any increase in educational costs requires careful consideration, and we want to be clear about both the reasons for these changes and the resources available to support our families.
For the 2025–2026 school year, annual tuition for Kindergarten through 8th grade is $9,100. For the 2026–2027 school year, tuition will increase to $9,828 for grades K–3 and $9,646 for grades 4–8. This tiered system is in response to the higher amount Step Up provides for K-3 and eases the gap for 4-8. Certain enrollment-related fees have also been adjusted, including the addition of an annual security fee, as outlined in the 2026–2027 Tuition and Fees Rate Sheet.
These increases were necessary due to several significant and unavoidable cost increases that directly impact school operations and student safety:
- Employee insurance and benefits costs are projected to increase by approximately 35–45%.
- Bay District Schools has increased its first-year teacher salary, which we have endeavored to more closely approximate out of respect for and to retain our high-quality, mission-driven educators. While the public schools receive state funding for this increase, private schools do not.
- As previously shared, our new school security contract, implemented to enhance campus safety, represents an additional $125,000 in annual operating costs.
These three factors combined have resulted in this year’s necessary increases. A great deal of time was spent discerning solutions to keep tuition as reasonable as possible, so please read the remainder of this information carefully.
We are actively pursuing alternative funding sources to offset the cost of campus security, including support from benefactors and an application for a State Nonprofit Security Grant, which—if awarded—would cover $100,000 of the first year’s security costs. Should these efforts be successful, the $500 annual security fee will be reduced accordingly. While the fee must remain in place each year, it is our intent to lessen the financial impact on families through alternative avenues of support and reduce the fee whenever alternative funding becomes available.
Gap between Step Up and Fees: In recent years, our goal has been to keep the gap between Step Up Scholarship awards and total tuition and fees to approximately $1,000 or less per student. Due to the significant increase in operating costs, that gap is projected to increase to approximately $2,500–$3,000 per student for the 2026–2027 school year. While this represents a meaningful increase, it remains a substantial improvement compared to the years before the availability of Step Up Scholarships for all families.
Most importantly, we want to state this clearly:
We are deeply committed to ensuring that all of our families who wish to return are able to do so, and we have designated a significant allocation in our budget for grants and financial aid for the coming year in support of this commitment. Any current family who desires to re-enroll at St. John Catholic Academy but is concerned about the gap is strongly encouraged to pursue Grants and Aid. The first and most important step is to apply for 2026-2027 Grants and Aid through FACTS Tuition Management. This process is confidential and impartial. No one at St. John Catholic Academy sees your family’s tax returns or personal financial documentation. FACTS independently reviews the information submitted and provides the school only with an assessment of ability to pay and demonstrated financial need, allowing decisions to be made fairly while preserving family privacy.
Please note that submitting an application for financial assistance will require your 2025 federal tax return information, along with any additional income documentation requested during the application process. Gathering these materials in advance may help ensure a smooth and timely submission. We encourage families to apply as early as possible, as financial assistance is reviewed on a rolling basis.
There are multiple sources of financial assistance available. One such source is a Parish Participation Grant for active Catholic families who are registered members of one of our local Catholic parishes. Families who attend other Christian churches or faith communities are also encouraged to pursue similar educational support through their place of worship, as many churches offer grants or assistance to support faith-based education. We are happy to work with families as they explore these opportunities.
As a reminder, tuition is charged by the quarter, and attendance for any portion of a quarter constitutes responsibility for that full quarter. Tuition for the 2026–2027 school year must be paid in full on or before May 1, 2027. All tuition and fees are processed through FACTS Management, and all families are required to maintain an active FACTS account with a reliable payment method.
Our mission—to prepare students for academic success and to form disciples of Christ for life—guides every decision we make. We are grateful for your trust and partnership, and we remain firmly committed to walking alongside our families to ensure that a St. John Catholic Academy education remains accessible, supportive, and rooted in faith.
If you have questions regarding tuition, grants and aid, parish participation support, or the FACTS application process, please contact our finance team at sjcafinance@sjseagles.org. We are here to help.
Sincerely,
Sister Grace Ford, Er. Dio.
Principal
Leave a Reply