How does Menlo School's tuition compare?

I'm trying to gauge affordability and opportunities with Menlo School's tuition. How does it compare to similar schools, and are there any notable scholarships or financial aid options that make it more accessible for students?

Menlo School's tuition is on par with many other comparable private schools in the San Francisco Bay area. The school is known for its commitment to maintaining a diverse student body, and a significant part of that commitment entails ensuring that financial constraints do not bar talented students from attending.

A substantial portion of Menlo's annual budget is dedicated to providing financial aid. They offer need-based financial aid packages as their primary form of assistance, which can help considerably reduce the tuition based on a family's financial situation. Unlike merit scholarships, these need-based packages are determined entirely by the financial need of the student's family, not by any academic, athletic, or artistic achievements of the student.

If you're considering Menlo, I would strongly recommend that you look into their financial aid program. The financial aid application process is separate from the admissions application and is kept confidential. A useful tool to start with would be the school's online tuition calculator, which can give you a rough estimate of the amount of aid you might receive.

Also, keep in mind, while private school might seem expensive at first, the investment often comes with smaller class sizes, enriched academic opportunities, and more personalized attention, which might not be found in public schools.

Remember too, that applying for financial aid has no bearing on admissions decisions, as Menlo operates a need-blind admissions policy, which means future financial aid decisions do not influence whether a student is admitted to the school.