Understanding McDonogh School Tuition and Financial Aid

McDonogh School, located in Owings Mills, Maryland, is an independent, coeducational day and five-day boarding school. It serves students from prekindergarten through twelfth grade. A crucial aspect for families considering McDonogh is understanding the tuition structure and the financial aid opportunities available. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of McDonogh School's tuition, fees, and financial aid programs.

Tuition and Fees at McDonogh School

McDonogh School's tuition covers a range of services and opportunities that contribute to a well-rounded educational experience. Besides the outstanding academic program, tuition includes bus transportation and lunch for students. The school's unique five-day boarding program allows students to live on campus during the academic week while returning home on weekends. This program provides a balance between immersive school life and family time.

However, tuition does not cover all expenses. Upper School students are responsible for purchasing their books. Additional costs may arise for instrumental music instruction, fees related to squash and the equestrian program, and private tutoring. It is important to note that tuition and fees may vary depending on the grade level and boarding status (if applicable). These costs are subject to change each school year.

Financial Aid: Making McDonogh Accessible

McDonogh School believes that socioeconomic diversity enriches the educational environment and the overall student experience. Recognizing that tuition is a significant investment, McDonogh offers financial aid to families who would otherwise be unable to afford tuition. Financial aid is available for students in grades kindergarten through 12. It is not available for prekindergarten students. However, current prekindergarten students can apply for assistance when they enter kindergarten. Their applications will be reviewed alongside those of new students.

Applying for Financial Aid

The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete the Clarity Application. This application is mobile-friendly and typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete. Families can save their progress and return to the application at any time. There is a $60 fee to submit the application. However, families can share their application with other schools that accept the Clarity Application at no additional cost.

Eligibility and Award Determination

McDonogh uses an aid processing vendor to estimate the amount a family can contribute to educational expenses. This estimate is based on the information provided by parents in the financial aid application. McDonogh uses this estimate as a starting point to make fair and objective financial aid decisions. A student's financial need is recalculated annually, so parents must submit an aid application and current tax information each year.

McDonogh evaluates admission and financial aid applications separately. However, admission decisions do consider a family's financial need. Families can apply for assistance if there has been a significant change in their financial situation. However, there is no guarantee that they will receive assistance. It is important to apply for assistance before the designated deadline, as late applications will be waitlisted.

What Financial Aid Covers

In addition to tuition assistance, McDonogh offers additional support for books, trips, and transportation, as needed. This ensures that financial constraints do not limit a student's ability to participate fully in the McDonogh experience.

McDonogh's Financial Aid Philosophy

McDonogh's financial aid philosophy centers on creating socioeconomic diversity within its community. The school avoids merit-based aid because it can create a cycle of increasing tuition costs. This ultimately reduces resources for educational programs and support services that benefit all students. Instead, McDonogh focuses on need-based aid to make the school accessible to a wider range of families.

Payment Options

Families can set up an account with FACTS, McDonogh's online billing platform, through the McDonogh Business Office. All payments can be processed through FACTS via auto-debit or credit card.

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A LifeReady Education

McDonogh School aims to provide life-altering educational experiences that inspire personal and intellectual growth. The school believes that preparing children to be LifeReady learners will enable them to do the greatest possible amount of good in the world. McDonogh students emerge as young people of character who are exceptional communicators and who honor diversity in all its forms.

McDonogh is a welcoming community where young people become LifeReady under the guidance of talented and caring teachers. Opportunities abound for deep thinking, innovating, discovering passions, and helping others. The school's college counselors work with students to determine which colleges are right for their individual interests, personalities, and goals. Many McDonogh students are accepted by the most prestigious colleges and universities in the country.

Greatest Good Program

McDonogh's signature social impact program, Greatest Good, cultivates courage, confidence, and character in students. It helps them understand their potential and responsibility to engage with their local and global communities actively. McDonogh believes that a LifeReady education should teach students to become stewards of the democratic ideals that have set the United States apart for nearly 250 years.

Commitment to Health and Wellness

The health and wellness of the McDonogh community is paramount. McDonogh follows the Maryland Department of Health's Vaccination Guidelines and requires each student to submit records of an annual doctor's physical exam. Students who are not medically exempt must be fully vaccinated. Applications for medical exemptions are subject to the School's policies on exemptions.

Uniforms and Technology

Lower and Middle School students wear polo shirts and khaki pants and skirts. New uniforms can be ordered through the School Store. In alignment with the goal of preparing students for life beyond McDonogh, seniors may earn the privilege of keeping their digital devices during the spring semester.

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Communication

For urgent messages during school hours, parents/guardians should contact the Upper School Office.

Academic Excellence and Unique Programs

McDonogh School offers a college preparatory curriculum that includes English, world languages, social studies and history, mathematics, science and computer science, visual and performing arts, debate, wellness, and physical education courses. Honors or Advanced courses are available in all academic departments. Upper School students must also complete a community service requirement.

Roots Farm

A unique highlight of McDonogh is Roots Farm, a 10-acre farm where students experience hands-on learning. They harvest produce for The Maryland Food Bank, serve it in the School’s dining halls, and sell a portion to local restaurants. Proceeds from these sales support the school's seed-to-table program. Roots Farm also hosts Honey of a JamFest, an annual celebration usually held in late September.

Five-Day Boarding Program

McDonogh's five-day boarding program offers upper schoolers the opportunity to live on campus during the school week and return home for family time over the weekend. Living on campus makes it more convenient to participate in McDonogh’s many extracurricular activities and gives students opportunities to study, make new friends, and build community with campus residents.

History and Location

McDonogh School is located in Owings Mills, Maryland, about 10 miles from Baltimore. Baltimore is a historic city known for its role as a major seaport. It is also where the national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," was penned. The Inner Harbor features shops, seafood restaurants, and attractions like the USS Constellation and the National Aquarium.

McDonogh was established in 1873 as a semi-military school for orphan boys who worked on the farm in exchange for their tuition, room, and board. Paying students arrived in 1922, and day students in 1927. The first African-American student was admitted in 1959. The military traditions of the school were discontinued in 1971, and the school became coeducational in 1975.

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