Understanding Fenn School Tuition and Financial Aid Opportunities

Fenn School, dedicated to educating boys in grades 4-9, recognizes that independent school education represents a substantial investment for families. Guided by the mission to educate the whole boy and cultivate young men of learning and character since 1929, Fenn offers a comprehensive financial aid program to make its enriching environment accessible to a diverse range of families.

Fenn School Overview

Fenn School is an academically challenging day school that prepares students for entrance into competitive secondary schools. Fenn primarily focuses on instilling in boys a true love of learning. The school balances the intellectual excitement of academics with arts and athletics, resting on a foundation of honesty, respect, empathy, and courage. The acceptance rate of The Fenn School is 25%, which is lower than the national average of 71%. The application deadline for The Fenn School is Jan.

Financial Aid Program: Making Fenn Accessible

Fenn demonstrates its commitment to socioeconomic diversity through a generous and thoughtful Financial Aid program. Over $1.4 million is awarded in need-based financial aid each year to 14% of the student body. The Fenn Financial Aid Committee uses the NAIS School and Student Services (SSS) Parent Financial Statement (PFS) to determine the tuition award percentage. Awards range from 3% to 100%, depending upon a family's resources and liabilities.

All families participating in the Fenn Financial Aid program must re-apply annually using the NAIS Parent Financial Statement online. Once awarded an aid package, a family may count on this package for the duration of their son's time at Fenn unless the financial circumstances for a family change.

Additional Benefits of the Financial Aid Program

In addition to tuition assistance, the Fenn Financial Aid program extends its support to cover various aspects of school life, ensuring that financial aid recipients can fully participate in the Fenn experience.

Parent Association Events: Parent Association events are fully covered for any family that participates in the Financial Aid program. This includes Gold & Blue Dinners for grades 4, 6, 8, and 9 for each boy, plus a guest, winter outings for boys in grades 4, 5, 6, and 7, and end-of-year party for each grade.
Discounted Items: Additional items which are discounted to the same percentage as tuition: iPad for boys entering grade 6 and above, transportation, if a student lives in one of the towns served by the program, Extended Day program, academic tutoring as deemed necessary by Fenn, overnight curriculum-related field trips (Washington DC, 8th and 9th grade camping), two weeks of Summer Fenn camp (base level), and annual band participation fees
Instrumental Music: Discounted rates are offered for instrumental music lessons, and Fenn maintains a small library of music instruments available for loaning out. Discounted rates do not apply to guitar lessons or small ensembles.
My Big Brother's Store: My Big Brother's Store in the Admissions office offers gently used, dress code clothing for free for families in our financial aid program (there are small fees for everyone else).

Technology Support: iPad Program

Recognizing the importance of technology in education, Fenn provides support for students requiring iPads. As a benefit of participation in Fenn’s financial aid program, Fenn purchases the device for your son and will apply the same financial aid percentage discount you receive against tuition to the purchase of the device, case and insurance. For example, if your family receives 50% financial aid award, your cost for the device, case and insurance would be $305. This cost will be invoiced to your Fenn account and you will own the device once the invoiced amount has been paid.

Expenses Not Covered by Financial Aid

While the Financial Aid program covers many aspects of school life, some fees are not included:

Incidental fees such as repairs to broken iPads, the cost to replace iPad accessories borrowed and not returned, and lost books at end of school year
Fees for participation in either hockey or tennis
Sports clothing, such as socks and t-shirts, issued by the Athletic Director for specific teams
Additional logo wear purchased during the school year above and beyond what Fenn offers and covers for new boys at the beginning of the school year

Abbott T. Fenn '34 Fund: Summer Exploration and Learning

Fenn School recognizes the value of summer experiences in a child's overall learning journey. The Abbott T. Fenn '34 Fund for Summer Exploration and Learning provides limited funding for external summer camps and programs for boys participating in Fenn's financial aid program. These scholarships are separate from school-year tuition scholarships and are intended for boys who need financial assistance to attend a camp, pursue a passion, or strengthen skills.

Summer Fenn Accessibility

Fenn strives to make Summer Fenn accessible to as many families as possible. Camperships are awarded based on demonstrated need. Fenn is also open to customized payment plans, transportation/bus tuition support, discounted extended day and other ways to make a Summer Fenn experience available to a more socioeconomically diverse community of families. Please fill out this simple Financial Aid Request Form (*this 2026 form will be available once registration is open)All Financial Aid requests must be received by April 1st, and then all applications will be evaluated, and offers sent out by April 30th. Fenn encourages families to ENROLL WITH THE DEPOSIT when registration opens, knowing we’ll REFUND YOUR DEPOSIT if your award decision is below what you need to make camp work for you this season.

Discounts for Summer Fenn

Sibling Discount: Each additional sibling gets $20 off their full tuition.
8 Week Discount: Register for all 8 weeks of the season and receive 5% off your full tuition.

If payment in full is not received by March 31st, your camper’s registration may be cancelled.

Read also: Job Skills for Students

The Value of a Fenn Education

Testimonials from parents highlight the transformative impact of a Fenn education:

Students are constantly challenged, both in terms of the freedom given to him to organize his day and show up to places on time and also academically.
Academic rigor, high caliber teachers, small class sizes, beautiful campus, coupled with integrity and values.
The teachers understand what teaching methods work for boys and how to tap into their natural curiosity.
Hands-on learning approach is the key.
Fenn has turned my son into a kid who loves to learn and didn`t want school to end for the summer.
The teachers challenge the boys and stand ready to work with them. The boys are pushed to expand their interests and talents and are encouraged to get out of their comfort zone.
The physical layout of the school allows the boys to burn off energy as they walk from building to building on the quaint campus. They enjoy daily sports and eating lunch at a communal table.
The teachers are amazing and the campus is beautiful and well resourced.
The school embraces boys, boy energy, and does an amazing job finding what makes each boy a special person.
Fenn is focused on building the character of our boys. It is not a class or a program, it is the culture of the school and the way each member of the faculty and staff behaves to bring out the best in a Fenn boy.
They create an atmosphere where it is safe to take risks in all areas of academics, arts and athletics.

Getting Started

Fenn welcomes a conversation with prospective families to kick off the admissions process. Complete an inquiry form today, and Fenn will be in touch shortly thereafter to schedule a call.

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