Affording Gunston
An independent school education, with its high-level of personalization, small classes, high expectations, and focus on college preparation, is a significant investment in your child's future. The Gunston School understands that affording such an education is a concern for all families, regardless of income. Our Board of Trustees is committed to making Gunston education affordable for any motivated and talented students who meet our admissions criteria. Year after year, Gunston works to the best of its ability to meet the financial needs of each family through our generous financial aid program.
Tuition
Full tuition for the 2024-2025 school year is $29,850 (includes tuition and lunch).
Additional costs include:
1) Books: approximately $400-$600
2) Bay Studies Fee: $450
Optional fees:
Bus Transportation available from: (MD) Annapolis, Chestertown, Easton, Grasonville, Kent Island, and Severna Park. (DE) Middletown.
Need-Based Financial Aid
Gunston's financial aid awards are need-based grants, which result in reduced tuition for its recipients. Admission to Gunston is not dependent upon a family's ability to pay full tuition. Once students are admitted, the Financial Aid Committee meets to review the financial aid application and determines the amount of each grant. If a family qualifies for financial aid, award amounts will be included with a family's letter of acceptance. Therefore, financial aid applications will need to be submitted at https://app.clarityapp.com/sign-up no later than the dates posted for the application for admission to Gunston.
Financial aid awards are only for one academic year, so families must reapply each year. Adjustments to an award can occur because of a change in a family's financial situation. However, barring such a change, Gunston is committed to providing aid during the child's entire time at school.
Deadlines for financial aid applications:
Families new to Gunston:
Financial aid applications will need to be submitted concurrently with the application for enrollment to Gunston. If you are applying for "early decision," the financial aid form will be due by Jan 6; "regular decision" applicants will have the financial aid form due by Feb 1.
If applying for "rolling admission," the financial aid form will be due at the same time as the application for enrollment. Financial aid notifications are sent with decision offers of enrollment.
Returning Gunston families: Jan 31
Merit Scholarships
In addition to need-based financial aid, Gunston offers merit scholarships. These scholarships recognize exceptional students who demonstrate passion for and excellence in academics, arts, athletics, or leadership.
There are a limited number of new awards each year, and award amounts vary.
New students applying to Gunston are eligible. Both the Merit Scholarship applications and recommendation forms have a deadline that is the same as the deadline for admission: January 6 for "early decision" applicants; February 1 for "regular decision" applicants.
If applying for "rolling admission," merit scholarship applications are due at the same time as the application for enrollment, and may be reviewed on an individual basis.
For the 2024-2025 academic school year, $2.0M in financial aid & merit scholarship was awarded to 60% of our students.
“We love Gunston because we are confident that our son is being well prepared for college and being encouraged to explore the world around him along the way. We also love the strong sense of community with other parents and students modeled by excellent school leaders.”
– The Hallmark Family, P'24
“Our hope was that coming to Gunston would allow us to grow into who we are today. That we could make friends and be part of the community, no matter what sport we played or classes we took. Gunston makes the promise that it is a welcoming environment, and they deliver. In high school, there are so many opportunities for kids to be mean, but here, kids choose to be kind.”
- Abbey Miller ’22
Co-Valedictorian (pictured above with sister Maggie)
- Abbey Miller ’22
Co-Valedictorian (pictured above with sister Maggie)