Admission

Affording a Highland Education

A Highland education is within reach and worth reaching for

Every family weighing an independent school education asks the same honest question: Can we make this work? At Highland, our answer is built to be yes.

We believe the right school is one of the most meaningful investments a family can make, and we're committed to making that investment possible for families across a wide range of economic backgrounds. That's why we use Indexed Tuition, a thoughtful, accessible approach that bases what you pay on what your family can contribute.

Last year alone, we awarded more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships to new and returning students. Because community is at the heart of who we are, we want talented students from Kindergarten through Grade 12 to find their place here. We work hard to help families get them through the door.

Tuition for the 2026/2027 academic year:

Here's a clear look at tuition by division for the 2026/2027 year.

Kindergarten	$25,500
Lower School (Grades 1–4)	$29,600
Middle School (Grades 5–8)	$35,300
Upper School (Grades 9–12)	$39,400

Pre-Kindergarten tuition for students ages two through four is listed separately. View Pre-Kindergarten tuition.

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Key Application Dates
Here are the dates to keep in mind for the 2026/2027 academic year:
- Friday, January 30, 2026: first-round application deadline for new families.
- Ongoing: new applications are accepted until classes fill, through August 2026.
Applying early gives your family the most flexibility, so we encourage you to start the conversation as soon as you're ready.
Merit Scholarships for Grade 9-12
For students entering the Upper School, Highland offers generous merit-based scholarships that recognize standout potential.
- Founders Scholarship: awarded to rising Grade 9 students.
- Piedmont Scholarship: awarded to new Upper School students.
These programs reward the kind of character, curiosity, and promise we love to see in a Highland student. To learn whether your child might qualify, reach out to our team. We're happy to walk you through the details.
Using a Virginia529 Savings Plan

Many families don't realize their college savings can sometimes help right now.

Thanks to changes in the Internal Revenue Code under the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, you may be able to use funds from a Virginia529 Savings Plan toward a portion of your tuition. Because every family's situation is different, we recommend confirming the specifics with your financial advisor.
What is Indexed Tuition?
The cost of an independent school shouldn't be one fixed number that fits no one. Indexed Tuition changes that.

Instead of a single price, families pay a tuition tailored to their income and financial picture. It's a straightforward way to open the door wider so more families can give their children a Highland education without feeling priced out before they begin.

To keep the process fair and objective, we partner with Clarity, a trusted third-party resource that helps us assess what each family can reasonably contribute toward educational expenses. Those calculations form the baseline for our Indexed Tuition decisions.

A few things worth knowing:
- Admission and Indexed Tuition are separate processes. They're decided at the same time, but evaluated independently.
- You'll hear on the same schedule. Tuition determinations arrive alongside admission decision letters.
- It's confidential and transparent. Our goal is to give you a clear view of the investment, so you can plan with confidence and sustain your child's enrollment year after year.
Ready to explore what Indexed Tuition could look like for your family? Start your application with Clarity.
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We're here to help you make it work

Affording a Highland education is a conversation we'd genuinely love to have with you. Whether you have questions about Indexed Tuition, merit scholarships, or simply where to begin, we'll meet you with clarity and care.

Reach out to Brooke Trudeau, our Tuition Assistance Officer, at 540-878-2743 or btrudeau@highlandschool.org. She can help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence.