Understanding Dearborn Academy Tuition and Enrollment

Dearborn Academy, a private, non-profit therapeutic day school in Newton, Massachusetts, serves students in Grades 3-12 with emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression, or other mood disorders and/or language-based learning disabilities. Students attending Dearborn Academy are college bound and receive support and instruction to meet their goals. As one of New England's leading state-approved special education day schools, Dearborn Academy aims to help each of our students to build strong academic and social skills, to experience the transforming power of education, recover a sense of joy in learning and develop confidence in themselves academically, socially and personally.

Dearborn Academy Overview

Dearborn Academy is a private, psycho-educational day school licensed and approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. It offers comprehensive services to children and teens in grades 3-12 with a combination of mild to moderate emotional and learning difficulties. Many students have learning disabilities, including executive functioning disorders, language-based and nonverbal learning disabilities, and/or have mental health challenges including anxiety, depression and OCD. Some students suffer from PANS/PANDAS.

The school is located in the Nonantum neighborhood of Newton, MA, about 5 miles from Boston, the capital and largest city of Massachusetts.

Key Features

Small Class Sizes: Students are placed in small classrooms of 6-8 students at the elementary/middle school level and 8-12 at the high school. The teacher: student ratio is Elementary/Middle School 8:1:1, High School 12:1:1.
Individualized Support: All students receive individual counseling. Clinicians spend time in classrooms and the milieu working as coaches to help students generalize the skills they learn in individual sessions.
Academic Focus: Students attending Dearborn Academy are college bound and receive support and instruction to meet their goals.
Specialized Programs: Classroom instruction is modified and structured based on student need. Professionals in the school's learning center, including SLPs, reading specialists and an OT, work with teachers to provide structure to the learning process. Dearborn uses the Wilson Reading System to teach students with dyslexia, and other programs to help students with math and comprehension skills. The SMARTs curriculum is used to explicitly teach executive functioning strategies in each class and grade level.
Enrichment Activities: Students take Spanish, art, computers and gym, and have access to the following electives: woodworking, metalworking, jewelry making, and music.
College Preparation: All high school students meet with the certified guidance counselor and receive help to apply to college, training programs, or other post graduate educational experiences. All students who graduate do so with a transition plan. 100% of seniors graduate with a high school diploma.
Extracurricular Activities: Students can access a variety of teams and clubs, including: student council, GSA, poetry club, digital photography, crew club and the competitive high school basketball team.
Faculty Expertise: Dearborn Academy also have 60% of faculties whose degrees are master and above.
Safe and Supportive Environment: Dearborn provided a safe place, with appropriate mental health and learning/teaching experts. At Dearborn Academy, our students experience what it means to feel seen and valued for who they are. The Dearborn Academy High School values the importance of developing relationships.

Accreditations and Membership

Dearborn Academy is:

Approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE).
A member of the Massachusetts Association of Chapter 766 Approved Private Schools (maaps).

Understanding Tuition and Associated Costs

While specific tuition figures may vary, understanding the general cost structure of private education at Dearborn Academy is essential for prospective families.

Read also: Comprehensive Review of Dearborn

Tuition Costs

The average private school tuition in Middlesex County, MA, provides a useful benchmark. For elementary schools, the average is $28,899, while for high schools, it's $49,710. Keep in mind that Dearborn Academy is a special education school, which may influence tuition costs relative to these averages.

Additional Expenses

Beyond tuition, families should budget for potential additional costs:

Fees: Discover the hidden costs of private school, including fees parents must budget for beyond tuition.
Meals: Dearborn Academy offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast costs $2.00. Lunch costs $3.50.
Uniforms: While not explicitly mentioned for Dearborn Academy, some private schools require uniforms, adding to the overall cost.
School Supplies: Textbooks, notebooks, and other school-related materials.
Extracurricular Activities: Participation fees for sports, clubs, and other activities.

Financial Aid and Support

Dearborn Academy provides access to resources that can help offset the expense of tuition and other costs:

Free or Reduced-Price Meals: Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Reduced price is $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch. If you believe your student qualifies for free or reduced-price meals. please fill out and return the National School Lunch Program Application.

Enrollment and Admissions

The enrollment procedures at The Dearborn Academy are designed to be accessible and straightforward for families interested in joining the school community. The acceptance rate of Dearborn Academy is 8%, which is lower than the national average of 71%. Dearborn Academy is currently accepting referrals.

Admission Requirements

The Dearborn Academy maintains specific admission requirements to ensure that incoming students are well-suited for the school's academic programs and community environment. These requirements typically include:

Age eligibility for different grade levels
Proof of residency within the designated area
Completion of required application forms
Submission of essential documents such as birth certificates and immunization records

Additionally, prospective students may be required to participate in admission interviews or assessments to evaluate their academic readiness and potential fit within the school's educational framework.

Application Process

Along with the application, families may be required to submit various documents such as proof of residency, the student's birth certificate, immunization records, and academic transcripts or records from previous schools.

Once the application and required documents are submitted, families may be invited to participate in an enrollment interview or assessment, depending on the grade level and program requirements. This step allows the school to assess the student's academic readiness, interests, and goals, ensuring a good fit between the student and the school's educational approach.

Furthermore, The Dearborn Academy may have specific academic prerequisites depending on the grade level, such as standardized test scores, previous academic records or transcripts, and recommendations from previous teachers or educators. These requirements help assess students' preparedness for the curriculum and ensure that they can thrive academically and socially within the school community.

School Tours

School tours at The Dearborn Academy offer prospective families an invaluable opportunity to explore the school's facilities, programs, and community atmosphere firsthand. These tours are typically scheduled and guided by knowledgeable staff or student ambassadors who provide insights into the school's educational approach, extracurricular activities, and support services.

During the tour, families have the chance to visit classrooms, libraries, sports facilities, and other campus areas to gain a comprehensive understanding of the school's resources and learning environment.

In addition to showcasing the physical aspects of the school, school tours also include information sessions where families can learn about the school's mission, values, academic curriculum, and admission procedures. These sessions often include Q&A opportunities, allowing families to ask questions, express concerns, and interact with school administrators, teachers, and staff members.

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