Understanding Lakeside School Tuition Costs and Financial Aid

Lakeside School, an independent, co-educational day school in Seattle, Washington, is known for its rigorous academic program and substantial endowment. Understanding the tuition costs and available financial aid options is crucial for families considering Lakeside for their children. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Lakeside School's tuition, fees, and financial assistance programs.

Lakeside School Overview

Founded in 1919, Lakeside School has a rich history of academic excellence and a commitment to diversity. With an endowment reaching $260 million as of March 2024, Lakeside offers a wide range of programs and resources for its students. The school maintains an average class size of 17 students and emphasizes a well-rounded education, including courses in English, mathematics, science, history, foreign languages, physical education, health and human development, and the arts. Lakeside also requires students to complete a one-week outdoor program and at least 80 hours of community service.

Tuition and Fees

Lakeside School's tuition is a significant investment for families. For the 2025-2026 school year, the tuition is $49,350. In addition to tuition, families should be aware of other potential fees:

New Student Application Fee: An initial fee is required when applying to Lakeside.
Registration Fee: All families pay a non-refundable registration fee per student.
Resource Fee: A yearly resource fee covers digital resources and support materials for students.
Student Insurance: All families are required to purchase a student insurance plan, with plans ranging in price from $20 to $30 annually. Families must supply proof of coverage for each student.

Payment Plans

Lakeside offers several payment plan options to accommodate families' diverse financial situations:

Annual Installment Plan: All tuition and fees remaining after the non-refundable pre-matricula payment are due on or before December 15th.
Semi-Annual Installment Plan: Tuition can be paid in two installments.
Monthly Installment Plan: The monthly installment option is available to all families, including those receiving tuition assistance, with a proven history of consistent and on-time payments with Lakeside. All fees and matricula are due with the first monthly installment.

A late payment fee may be applied to overdue payments.

Read also: Nurturing Growth at Lakeside

Tuition Assistance Program

Lakeside School is committed to making its education accessible to talented students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. The school offers a comprehensive need-based financial aid program to qualifying families.

Eligibility

Families with incomes under $250,000 may be eligible for need-based financial aid. Families with incomes over $250,000 may also qualify for assistance if there are extenuating circumstances or if there are multiple independent school or college tuitions within the family.

How to Apply

To apply for tuition assistance, families should contact the Office for a complete Tuition Assistance information packet. It is essential to complete and return all documentation requested.

Financial Aid Details

The average tuition for a financial aid recipient is $11,722. Financial aid and scholarships do not need to be repaid, but recipients are required to reapply for financial aid annually. In most cases, a student's tuition payment will remain at the same level, adjusting for tuition increases. The admissions and financial aid committees make decisions independently.

Information Sessions

The Admissions and Financial Aid Team hosts financial aid information sessions to explain the application process.

Read also: Decoding Lakeside Tuition

Lakeside Educational Enrichment Program (LEEP)

Lakeside launched one of the earliest continuously-operating free summer educational programs in 1965 called the Lakeside Educational Enrichment Program (LEEP), designed to promote diversity by enrolling its first Black students of color.

Lakeside's History and Evolution

The Moran-Lakeside School was established as an independent preparatory school for boys in 1919 by Frank G. Moran on the shores of Lake Washington in the Denny-Blaine neighborhood of Seattle. The school was intended to feed students to Moran's other school, the Moran School on nearby Bainbridge Island. The school was incorporated in 1923 by a group of parents and renamed to Lakeside Day School. A site near Northeast 145th Street in northern Seattle was selected in 1929 for a new campus for the Lakeside Day School, which had outgrown the Washington Park campus. Four buildings were constructed, including dormitories for 30 students and a refectory. Lakeside adopted stricter academic requirements for admissions in the 1950s and launched a zero-fee summer educational program in 1965 with Seattle Public Schools. The first Black students enrolled through the summer program, called the Lakeside Educational Enrichment Program (LEEP). The formal school uniform was abolished in 1969 by a vote of the student body. By 1971, the boarding program at Lakeside had also ceased. The school became co-educational in a 1971 merger with St. Nicholas School, a Capitol Hill private girls' school. Initially, the Lakeside campus was used by older students from both schools while the St. Nicholas campus was used by younger students.

Academic and Extracurricular Opportunities

Lakeside offers a comprehensive academic program with an average class size of 17 students. Most humanities classes utilize the Harkness method, encouraging student-led discussions and critical thinking. The curriculum includes courses in English, mathematics, science, history, foreign languages, physical education, health and human development, and the arts. Students must also complete a one-week outdoor program and at least 80 hours of community service.

Lakeside has over 80 official clubs, catering to a wide range of interests. The school's official newspaper is the Tatler, which additionally runs Imago, a literary arts publication.

Athletics

Lakeside's athletic program offers a variety of sports, including golf, football, soccer, volleyball, crew, wrestling, baseball, basketball, ultimate frisbee, tennis, swimming, diving, cross country, and track and field, as well as a strength and conditioning program.

Notable Alumni

Lakeside School has produced many accomplished alumni, including:

Lauren Selig (class of 1994): Film producer, entrepreneur, and investor (Hacksaw Ridge, Lone Survivor, American Made).

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