Understanding Wilmington Christian Academy Tuition and Fees

Wilmington Christian Academy (WCA) is a private school located in Wilmington, NC, serving students from preschool through 12th grade. With a student population of 730 and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, WCA offers a comprehensive educational experience. This article breaks down the tuition structure, fees, and payment options available at Wilmington Christian Academy.

Tuition Overview

Wilmington Christian Academy's tuition structure varies depending on the grade level of the student. Tuition covers care from 6:45 am to 6 pm, lunch, snacks, and school supplies for preschool students. For older students, the academy provides several payment options, including monthly, bi-annual, and annual payments.

Preschool Tuition (Ages 2-4)

Tuition for preschool students (ages 2-4) is paid weekly through Brightwheel via auto-draft. This tuition includes care available from 6:45 am to 6 pm, lunch, snacks, and all necessary school supplies.

Annual Tuition (K5-12th Grade)

The annual tuition rates for students in kindergarten through 12th grade are as follows:

Elementary (K5-5): $9,500
Middle School (6-8): $10,260
High School (9-12): $10,700

Tuition may be paid monthly (August - May), bi-annually, or annually through Blackbaud Tuition Management.

Read also: UNC Wilmington Admission GPA

Payment Options and Discounts

WCA offers several payment plans to accommodate different family needs, managed through Blackbaud Tuition Management, which does not accept cash payments. Credit or debit card payments incur a 2.85% convenience fee. The available plans include:

10-month
12-month
Annual (August)
Semi-Annual (August and January)

Prepayment Credits

To encourage early payments, WCA provides credits for families who pay their tuition in advance:

Annual Payment: A $200 credit is given for each student if the tuition is paid in full on or before August 1st (split accounts do not qualify for prepaying discounts).
Semi-Annual Payments: A $100 credit is applied to each semi-annual payment per student if the first half is paid by August 1st and the second half by January 1st. These credits are awarded after the tuition is paid by the due date for that particular month.

Additional Fees

In addition to tuition, there are other fees that parents should be aware of:

Program Fee: A program fee of $330.00 per student in grades 1-12 and $220.00 per student in K5 was due on June 20th.
Capital Assessment Fee: A capital assessment fee of $275.00 per family was due on July 10th.

Before and After School Care

Wilmington Christian Academy offers before and after school care at a rate of $4.25 per hour for students in K5-12. Parents are billed monthly for this service. However, before and after school care for K3 and K4 students is included in the student’s full-time tuition rate.

Financial Aid

Currently, Wilmington Christian Academy does not explicitly state the availability of financial aid. For specific financial aid inquiries, it is best to contact the academy directly.

Read also: Paying for UNCW

Other Important Information

School Calendar and Communication

Wilmington Christian Academy integrates Sycamore and Google Calendar to keep everyone informed about school events, which may occasionally change. This digital calendar is the primary tool for disseminating information about school activities.

Dress Code

All students in grades 1-12 are required to be in school uniform, which must be purchased from Custom Logoware, located at 7213 Ogden Business Lane. Uniforms must have the school crest. The dress code includes specific guidelines for foundational garments, shirts, sweaters, shoes, and jewelry. Neatness, grooming, and proper hair care receive significant attention. Extreme hair styles and unnatural coloring are not permitted.

Dress Code Details:

Foundational Garments: Solid navy, black, gray, or khaki slacks without cargo pockets or embroidery. No skin tight pants. Undergarments should not be visible. Belts are to be worn when needed. Walking shorts may be worn year round at the discretion of parents- same colors and styles as above, must be fingertip length or longer. Girls may wear solid colored black, navy, gray, or khaki dresses, jumpers, skirts, skorts must be fingertip length or longer.
Shirts (K-12th grades): Solid color polo with a collar, oxford, or turtleneck shirt. Appropriate Logos are permitted, but the logo must be no bigger than the size of a credit card. WCA logos are permitted on shirts.
Sweaters/Sweatshirts: Solid color or WCA logo wear sweaters and sweatshirts (hoods must be worn off head), may be worn over the above mentioned shirt. Appropriate logos are permitted, but the logo must be no bigger than the size of a credit card.
Shoes: Shoes must cover the foot. Athletic shoes, dress shoes or boots are acceptable. Sandals are permitted as long as they wrap around the heel. Shower shoes and flip-flops are NOT permitted.
Jewelry: Jewelry is to be modest in nature, nothing that would be a distraction to other students. Hair: Neatness, grooming and proper hair care receive the same attention as student dress at Wilmington Christian Academy. Hair shall be neat, clean, and well groomed. Extreme styles are not permitted such as unnatural coloring (blue, green, etc.. )

Orientation and Retreats

The academy organizes orientation meetings and camp retreats to help students and parents get acquainted with the school environment. Elementary orientation nights are held for parents to meet teachers and discuss important information. Middle and High School students are expected to attend school camp retreats at the Anchorage Christian Camp at Lake Waccamaw. These retreats aim to foster fun, camaraderie, and spiritual growth.

Extracurricular Activities

Wilmington Christian Academy offers various extracurricular activities, including private piano, instrument, strings, and voice lessons for students in grades PK4-12. Additionally, the WCA intramural soccer league takes place from September 10th to November 5th.

Health and Safety

The academy carefully monitors students with allergies. If a student has an EpiPen, parents should inform Mr. Albright during school orientation.

Read also: Academics at UNCW

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