Tuition
Tuition for your family at EMS
Thanks to generous donors, no family pays for the full cost of an EMS education. Donor dollars cover the difference between tuition investment and the actual cost education.
Investing in an EMS education is just that - a valuable investment. Tuition for each division - elementary, middle or highs school - varies because we customize a tuition package for each student to make the investment possible for families.
Our goal is to respect each family’s unique needs while also providing an excellent education for students, compensating employees equitably, and investing wisely in operations and facilities.
Tuition at EMS:
- Personalized Assessment: The EMS business office collaborates individually with families during the admissions process to determine tuition.
- Need-Based Assistance: Families qualifying through the FACTS application may receive need-based tuition assistance. EMS participates in the Virginia Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credit Program for eligible families at our school.
- Church Support: Several churches provide EMS tuition assistance for their students, and members may receive tuition discounts.
- Sibling Discounts: Families with multiple children benefit from sibling discounts, and a tuition cap ensures large families pay a designated maximum each year.
- Scholarships and Other Discounts: Explore additional opportunities by consulting the Admissions Office.
FACTS and Need-Based Assistance:
- Eligibility Assessment: FACTS determines need-based tuition assistance eligibility by evaluating financial information, including income, assets, and expenses.
- Annual Application: Families must submit a new FACTS application each year, acknowledging potential changes in their financial situation. We encourage every family to complete an application.
- Your family’s investment: All families make a financial investment in their student's education and pay some portion of tuition.
Admissions and Tuition Assistance:
- No Separation: Admission applications are not affected by applying for tuition assistance.
- Meeting with Business Office Manager: Schedule a meeting with Chris Eberly, EMS Business Office Manager, to discuss tuition range, financial situations, and investment commitment.
Additional Fees:
- Student General Fee: Helps pay for co-curricular programs, including special programs, and yearbooks. Paid annually: K-5 ($375); Grades 6-8 ($425); Grades 9-12 ($500).
- Capital Improvement Fee: Helps pay for major facility repairs and improvements. Paid annually at $475 per family.
- Incidental Charges: Lunch, tutoring, transportation, after-school care, drivers education, summer trips and personalized co-curricular purchases may incur miscellaneous additional charges.
Eastern Mennonite School does not discriminate on the basis of any race, color, handicap, national or ethnic origin, and admits students to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.
Donor support covers the difference
Donor Support: Generous donor support covers the difference between tuition and the cost of an EMS education. Many parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends of EMS find ways to make EMS accessible for others.
- Ways to Support EMS:
- 2nd Century Annual Fund gifts support annual operations and financial aid.
- Contributors through the VA Tax Credit Program receive a 65% VA tax credit AND gives directly for financial aid for eligible students.
- Many endowment funds support financial aid and provide a tool for long-term support for the school.
Tuition Rates 2024-2025
Elementary
$10,625
Middle School
$13,875
High School
$15,625
2023-2024
- Percentage of students receiving tuition discounts - 71%
- Percentage of students receiving need-based aid - 27%
- Total tuition assistance awarded - $347,000
- Percentage of students benefiting from donor gifts - 100%
529 Savings Plans
Up to $10,000 per year may be applied to tuition for K-12 tuition per students.
Details, as well as online tutorials, can be found at the Virginia529 website. We encourage you to consult with your financial adviser.