An Education That Lasts a Lifetime ~ Accessible to All
We believe that a commitment to a Whatcom Hills Waldorf School education is an investment in a child's lifelong capacity to think freely, feel deeply, and act with purpose. Our students become thoughtful, compassionate, and curious young people capable of making transformative contributions to the world around them.
As an independent school, we rely solely on tuition income and philanthropic support to sustain our educational program. We strive to keep tuition as accessible as possible while preserving the depth, quality, and richness of a fully accredited Waldorf education.
We also believe that a thriving school community reflects the diversity of the world our children will inherit. We welcome families from a wide range of ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds who share a commitment to Waldorf education and are dedicated to partnering with us in their child's learning journey.
Tuition Assistance
Through financial aid, we are committed to making Waldorf education at WHWS accessible to as many families as possible. Please feel free to speak with us openly about your needs when you inquire.
Need-based tuition assistance is available for students enrolled in five-day kindergarten through eighth grade and up to 40% of tuition may be offered. In the 2025–26 school year, Whatcom Hills Waldorf School awarded more than $321,000 in tuition assistance. Forty-one percent of families received financial aid, with an average award of approximately $5,000. In order to ensure objectivity, fairness and confidentiality, we use a third-party assessment service for financial aid awards.
2026-2027 Tuition Rates
A non-refundable fee of $450 is due upon enrollment or re-enrollment. In addition to tuition, an activity fee helps to cover the cost of our many field trips and regional activities. For grades 1-3 the activity fee is $250; for grades 4-8 it is $450. For the 7th and 8th grade class trips, costs will be supplemented through additional fundraising.
| Grade | Days per Week | Tuition | Aid Available? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-8 | 5 | $14,900 | Yes |
| Kindergarten (full day) | 5 | $13,600 | Yes |
| Preschool (full day) | 5 | $13,100 | No |
| Preschool (half day) | 5 | $11,000 | No |
| Preschool (limited full day) | 4 | $11,750 | No |
| Preschool (limited half day) | 4 | $10,200 | No |
| Nursery (full day) | 4 | $12,250 | No |
| Nursery (limited half day) | 4 | $10,800 | No |
Before School Care
Hours: Mon-Fri, 7:30am-8:30am
Cost: $4.00 flat rate per day (drop-in as needed)
After School Care
Hours: Mon-Thu, 3:00pm-5:30pm; Fri, 1:15pm-5:30pm
Cost: $8/hour (pre-registered rate); $10/hour (drop-in rate)
Please note: The pre-registered rate is for families who consistently need childcare on specific days every school week. Pre-registration is not for individual days or dates in a given month.