Flexible Tuition
Investing in Your Child's Future
Flexible Tuition is a cornerstone of our commitment to making education accessible and affordable for all families. By tailoring tuition rates to each family’s unique financial situation, Vail Mountain School ensures that a high-quality education is within reach for a wide range of students. This reflects our belief that financial constraints should not be a barrier to educational excellence. Families apply for Flexible Tuition through Clarity, a trusted financial service for independent schools nationwide. To set Flexible Tuition levels, we consider these calculations alongside each family’s unique circumstances together with the resources that Vail Mountain School’s budget allocates annually.
Flexible Tuition is a cornerstone of our commitment to making education accessible and affordable for all families. By tailoring tuition rates to each family’s unique financial situation, Vail Mountain School ensures that a high-quality education is within reach for a wide range of students. This reflects our belief that financial constraints should not be a barrier to educational excellence. Families apply for Flexible Tuition through Clarity, a trusted financial service for independent schools nationwide. To set Flexible Tuition levels, we consider these calculations alongside each family’s unique circumstances together with the resources that Vail Mountain School’s budget allocates annually.
Here are profiles for sample families and their Flexible Tuition Levels:
*PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THESE SAMPLE PROFILES are all based on Middle School Tuition AND DO NOT OFFER A COMPREHENSIVE VIEW OF A FAMILy's FINANCIAL SITUATION. ASSESSING THEIR NEEDS INVOLVES CONSIDERING VARIOUS FACTORS SUCH AS INCOME, ASSETS, DEBT, TUITION OBLIGATIONS AT OTHER INSTITUTIONS, FAMILY SIZE, AND OTHER DETAILS PROVIDED IN THE APPLICATION.*
How Flexible Tuition Helps:
- Accessible: We commit to setting a student's flexible tuition at a level that reflects each family's unique financial situation.
- Supports Families: Helps families invest in their children's education by establishing an affordable tuition rate.
- Considers Various Factors: Takes into account household income as well as living expenses.
- Ensures Transparency: Sets a fair tuition level based on the detailed information provided during the application process.
Apply for Flexible Tuition
Looking for more information?
Please read the Flexible Tuition at Vail Mountain School Handbook.
Have Questions About Flexible Tuition? Let's Connect.
Required
2024 - 2025 Full Tuition
LOWER SCHOOL (Grades K-5)
$33,300
MIDDLE SCHOOL (Grades 6-8)
$35,500
UPPER SCHOOL (Grades 9-12)
$37,500
Tuition includes:
All Orientation Trips and Hut Trips
Most in-state overnight travel and field trips
Catered lunch by Sage Dining
Featured speakers and author visits
Technology devices (grades K-8)
Scholarships
Scholarships are another way to reduce the cost of tuition at Vail Mountain School. Families can apply for both Scholarships and Flexible Tuition.
Mountain Locals Scholarship
Exclusively available to new K-12 applicants whose families have been full-time residents for a minimum of 5 years in select Colorado counties (Eagle, Summit, Pitkin, Lake, and Routt) this renewable locals scholarship bestows an annual 25% tuition award that persists throughout the student's division—whether Lower, Middle, or Upper. Tailored to support local families navigating the challenges of living in ski towns, this scholarship opens the door to a premier independent school education for their children.
Taft Conlin Scholarship
The Taft Conlin Scholarship, created in 2014, provides the recipient with full tuition for up to four years while attending upper school at VMS. The Scholarship is merit-based and awarded to students who have demonstrated strong academic performance and contributed positively to their community. The Scholarship is awarded every other year.
Imperi Educational Opportunity Scholarship
The Imperi Educational Opportunity Scholarship supports students with financial need who align with our mission and bring diverse perspectives to our community. We welcome applicants from various backgrounds, aiming to enrich our school environment with multiple diversities.
Rising Leader Scholarship
This scholarship is offered every other year for rising 9th grade students new to Vail Mountain School, the Rising Leader Scholarship presents an exciting opportunity. This merit-based renewable scholarship will cover 80% of tuition for as long as the student maintains good standing. We believe in recognizing and nurturing the leadership potential within our community, and the Rising Scholarship reflects our dedication to empowering the next generation of leaders. This will be offered next for the 2026-2027 school year.
Affording VMS
We have been impressed with Vail Mountain School since day one. Our greatest wish is to raise well-rounded children as part of a larger community, balancing IQ and EQ , and ready to conquer the challenges of the world with grace and grit. VMS is true to their mission - develop character, seek knowledge, build community - while also fostering a deep love for the great outdoors.
Current Parent
Lower School Admission (Grades K-5)
Jennifer Bill
Director of Admission, Lower School
Tel: 970-477-7175
jbill@vms.edu
Middle & Upper School Admission (Grades 6-12)
Jeremy Thelen
Director of Admission, Middle and Upper Schools
Tel: 970-477-7164
jthelen@vms.edu
