Affordability | Mounds Park Academy, St Paul

Tuition at Mounds Park Academy is not “one-size-fits all.” It’s a range. A range that spans from 20% to 80% of the true cost of an MPA education. If a family chooses to apply, qualifies for Indexed Tuition, and funds remain, MPA's tuition will be adjusted to meet your family’s unique financial position. No family at Mounds Park Academy pays the true cost of their child’s education thanks to the generosity of our annual donors and a robust endowment.

General FAQs

What is Indexed Tuition?

Indexed Tuition is a program that, when applied for, evaluates each family’s unique financial position and determines a tuition level at MPA that is in line with this position. This makes a Mounds Park Academy education affordable to many qualified students who could not otherwise join our school community.

How does Indexed Tuition work?

Any family (current or new) of a kindergarten through twelfth-grade student may apply for Indexed Tuition if they are concerned about affording Mounds Park Academy. Many factors are considered when determining the tuition amount a family is able to invest, including income, assets, expenses, and the size of the family. The tuition reduction available for the family in a given year must also be considered in light of the Indexed Tuition budget available at Mounds Park Academy.

An application for Indexed Tuition does not affect the re-enrollment or admission process. New families complete both the application for admission and the Indexed Tuition processes simultaneously. Indexed Tuition decisions are communicated to new families when a student is offered admission and tuition is determined for the year in which the student will begin. Indexed Tuition is not awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, however maximum consideration is given to new families who apply by the deadline of February 15 each year.

It is not possible for a family or the school to estimate the tuition level for which a family qualifies without the completion of an Indexed Tuition application. Applications are submitted directly to Clarity—our school's online financial review partner. Clarity evaluates the application based on criteria set by the school and makes a recommendation to the school’s Indexed Tuition team.

The school is not able to index tuition in PreK, for mid-year starts, or for every deserving student. We work within the available resources to make the school accessible to as many students and families as possible. As a school, we seek to admit talented and motivated students, regardless of family resources. Inclusion is an essential element to our mission and culture. We believe that economic diversity enriches the educational opportunities for all our families.

FAQs for Prospective Parents

Should every new Mounds Park Academy family submit an application for Indexed Tuition?

No. Only families with children in grades K-12 who feel that the top of the MPA tuition range is beyond their reach should submit an application. Indexed Tuition is not offered in PreK and is not offered for students starting mid-year.

Do I need to re-apply for Indexed Tuition each year and will my tuition change each year?

Yes. A new application must be submitted every year. Families can expect a similar percentage discount year over year, assuming their overall financial situation does not change. All families will incur annual tuition increases for inflation and at changes in division levels.

If I do not qualify for the program this year, can I apply again next year?

Yes. A family that does not qualify is welcome to reapply the following year if they have experienced a significant change in their financial situation.

Do I need to apply for admission separately from applying for Indexed Tuition?

Yes. The application for admission and the application for Indexed Tuition are two separate processes. However, new families complete both application processes simultaneously.

Do I need to apply for and be offered admission to receive my Indexed Tuition?

Yes. You will receive your Indexed Tuition with your offer of admission.

Will applying for Indexed Tuition hurt my student's chance of being admitted?

No. Admission applications and Indexed Tuition applications are evaluated separately, and an application for Indexed Tuition has no bearing on the admission process.

What kind of financial situation is typical of a family who qualifies for Indexed Tuition?

A wide range of families with a variety of circumstances qualify for the program, from those who are able to pay close to full tuition to those who are at the entry level of the range. Many factors are evaluated including income, assets, expenses, debt, the size of the family, and the division the child is in.

I see that the Indexed Tuition ranges don't include a multi-student discount. Why?

Multiple students are one of the key factors in determining Indexed Tuition. One of the important questions asked on the confidential Indexed Tuition application relates to family size and number of students enrolled at Mounds Park Academy.

Are all admitted students offered Indexed Tuition if the family qualifies?

No. The school does not have the ability to offer Indexed Tuition to every student who qualifies for both admission and Indexed Tuition. A student may be admitted to the school but placed in a wait pool for Indexed Tuition. It is recommended that families apply for admission and Indexed Tuition as early as possible and before the posted deadlines.

What is the timeline for the Indexed Tuition application?

The Indexed Tuition application for the 2025-26 school year opened on September 15, 2024. If you apply before February 15, 2025, and your child has been accepted to Mounds Park Academy, your family’s Indexed Tuition decision will be shared on March 28, 2025. At this time, you will receive your Indexed Tuition and enrollment contract and you may login to complete your enrollment. The enrollment deadline will be April 11, 2025. After that, as space and budget allows, Indexed Tuition is offered on a rolling basis.

Does Indexed Tuition lead to large classes?

No! Mounds Park Academy has established maximum class sizes that are not be surpassed. Within those limits, we accept qualified, mission-appropriate students.

Who should I contact with questions about Indexed Tuition?

Questions from prospective families about Indexed Tuition should be directed to:
Office of Admission
admission@moundsparkacademy.org
651-748-5577

Need help with your Indexed Tuition appliction?
Contact Clarity at 206-210-3752 or support@clarityapp.com. Support hours are Monday through Friday, 7 AM-7 PM. A Spanish-speaking representative is available.

FAQs For Current Parents

Should every returning Mounds Park Academy family submit an application for Indexed Tuition?

No. Only the following returning K-12 families should apply:

those currently receiving Indexed Tuition; or
those not currently receiving Indexed Tuition who feel that they are not able to pay full listed tuition and have experienced a significant, unavoidable change in their financial situation since the last time they applied.

Do I need to re-apply for Indexed Tuition each year and will my tuition change each year?

Yes. A new application must be submitted every year. Families can expect a similar percentage discount year over year, assuming their overall financial situation does not change significantly. All families will incur annual tuition increases for inflation and at changes in division levels.

What kind of economic situation is typical of a family who qualifies for Indexed Tuition?

A wide range of families with a variety of circumstances qualify for the program, from those who are able to pay close to the maximum range of Indexed Tuition to those who are at the entry level of the range. Many factors are evaluated, including income, assets, unusual expenses, the size of the family, and the division the child is in.

I see that the Indexed Tuition ranges don't include a multi-student discount. Why?

What is the timeline for the Indexed Tuition application?

The Indexed Tuition application for the 2025-26 school year opened on September 15, 2024. Applications for current families will be due by January 15, 2025. Your family’s Indexed Tuition will be announced when your re-enrollment contract is sent in early February, which is concurrent with re-enrollment opening.

Does Indexed Tuition lead to large classes?

No. Mounds Park Academy has established maximum class sizes that cannot be surpassed. Within those limits, we continue to accept qualified, mission-appropriate students.

Who should I contact with questions about Indexed Tuition?

Questions from current families about Indexed Tuition should be directed to:
Student Billing
studentbilling@moundsparkacademy.org

Income Ranges of Families Who Qualify For Indexed Tuition at MPA

2025-26 Tuition

Pre-Kindergarten Tuition
Days Per Week	School-Year Program August 26, 2025 – June 3, 2026 (1 or 10 payments)	Year-Round Program August 26, 2025 – August 14, 2026 (1 or 12 payments)	Included
5 full days per week	$23,200 ($2,170 per month after deposit)	$27,540 ($2,170 per month after deposit)	Before/after school care and lunch
4 full days per week	$18,800 ($1,730 per month after deposit)	$22,260 ($1,730 per month after deposit)	Before/after school care and lunch
3 full days per week	$13,550 ($1,205 per month after deposit)	$15,960 ($1,205 per month after deposit)	Before/after school care and lunch

Payments are September through June for the school-year program, and September through August for the year-round program. Care on days that school is not in session is billed at a daily rate on an as-needed basis. Indexed Tuition is not available in PreK. No interest is charged for PreK families who choose to make monthly payments.

Grades K-12 Tuition
Grade Level	Tuition Range Families Pay	Hot Lunch (optional)
Grades K-4 Lower School	$17,088* - $34,175	$1,245 (or $10 per day)
Grades 5-8 Middle School	$18,288* - $36,575	$1,425 (or $10 per day)
Grades 9-12 Upper School	$9,675* - $38,700	$1,425 (or $10 per day)

* The lowest number of this range reflects the lowest possible tuition available at MPA if a family qualifies for the maximum Indexed Tuition award and funds are available. MPA's tuition does not fall below those minimums. The top of the range is the tuition for families who do not apply for or qualify for Indexed Tuition. The top of the range also reflects the tuition families will pay if Indexed Tuition is no longer available at the grade level they are seeking. This amount has already been reduced thanks to the generosity of our annual donors and a robust endowment. These ranges reflect 20%-80% of the true cost of an MPA education.

Grades 5-12 include a 13-inch Apple MacBook Air student laptop, participation in athletics, and more. Tuition does not include lunch, transportation, or before/after school care. Please contact the Office of Admission for more information about what is included in the cost of tuition.

Grades K-12 Payment Plan Options
Plan Option	Schedule	Interest Rate
1-Payment*	100% due in July	No interest charged
2-Payments	50% due in July 50% due in November	4%
3-Payments	33.33% due in July 33.33% due in November 33.33% due in February	4%
8-Payments	Monthly payments deducted from a checking/savings account beginning in July and ending in March (excludes December).	4%

Families may choose the date of their payment: 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, or 25th. A $1,500 deposit is due at the time of re-enrollment/enrollment for domestic students and a $5,000 deposit is due for international students. The deposit is applied toward tuition due and is non-refundable. TADS charges a $55 processing fee on payment plans with more than two payments.

*International families are required to pay tuition in one payment in July.