Admissions

Affording Cathedral

Tuition

Cathedral School for Boys’ tuition is intentionally inclusive of the school expenses a family will incur over the course of the academic year. Tuition covers lunch and snacks, books, school supplies, materials, athletics, technology fees, field trips, outdoor education trips, and international travel.
 
Tuition for the 2025–2026 School Year:
  • $48,000 for Lower School (Kindergarten–Grade 4)
  • $49,500 for Upper School (Grades 5–8)

Adjustable Tuition

At Cathedral School for Boys, we believe that a strong learning environment is enriched by all forms of diversity. We are committed to attracting and retaining a socioeconomically diverse student body and to ensuring that qualified students can access a Cathedral education regardless of financial circumstances.
 
Cathedral maintains an Adjustable Tuition program for approximately 24 percent of the student body, providing approximately $2 million in need-based tuition assistance each year. Adjustable Tuition is awarded based on a comprehensive review of a family’s financial circumstances and available school funds.
 
If you are considering Cathedral School for Boys for your son, we encourage you not to self-select out because of cost. Families from a wide range of financial backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
 
We are here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 19 items.

  • What is Adjustable Tuition at Cathedral School for Boys?

    Adjustable Tuition is Cathedral School for Boys’ financial assistance program, designed to make a Cathedral education accessible and affordable for families from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds while maintaining fairness, consistency, and confidentiality.
     
    Adjustable Tuition is primarily awarded based on demonstrated financial need and does not need to be repaid. The program helps bridge the gap between what a family can reasonably contribute and the full cost of a Cathedral education, while also supporting the School’s enrollment and community goals.

  • Who qualifies for Adjustable Tuition?

    Families who demonstrate financial need may qualify for Adjustable Tuition. Recipients represent a broad range of income levels, including low-income and middle-income families, as well as higher-income families with particular financial circumstances, such as having multiple children in school.
     
    There are no preset income cutoffs or award tiers. Eligibility and award amounts vary based on a holistic review of each family’s circumstances, and Cathedral encourages families to apply even if they are unsure whether they qualify.

  • Does applying for Adjustable Tuition affect admission decisions?

    No. Applying for Adjustable Tuition does not affect admission decisions at Cathedral School for Boys.
     
    Admission decisions are made independently of financial aid considerations. Families are encouraged to apply for Adjustable Tuition if they believe they may have financial need, without concern that doing so will disadvantage their application.

  • Is Adjustable Tuition need-based or merit-based?

    Adjustable Tuition at Cathedral School for Boys is grounded primarily in financial need. Awards are not based on academic performance, athletic ability, artistic talent, or other traditional forms of merit.
     
    In determining awards, the School considers a family’s financial circumstances alongside broader enrollment considerations, always with the goal of building a balanced, mission-aligned community.

  • How does Cathedral determine Adjustable Tuition awards?

    Adjustable Tuition awards are determined through a comprehensive review of a family’s financial circumstances, available School funds, and overall enrollment considerations. Cathedral uses Clarity, a third-party financial assessment tool, as one component of this process.
     
    Final decisions are made by an internal committee that considers financial need, admissions context, and institutional priorities, striving to be fair, consistent, and equitable while balancing the needs of individual families with those of the broader School community.

  • Is Adjustable Tuition confidential?

    Yes. All Adjustable Tuition applications and decisions are treated as strictly confidential.
     
    Faculty and students are not informed of awards. Information is shared only with administrators who have a clear need to know, and families are trusted to maintain the same level of discretion regarding their awards.

  • Why does Cathedral School for Boys offer Adjustable Tuition?

    Since its founding in 1957, Cathedral School for Boys has been committed to attracting a diverse student body with strong academic potential. Adjustable Tuition helps ensure that families from a wide range of backgrounds can access a Cathedral education.
     
    The program supports Cathedral’s commitment to building an inclusive community that reflects varied experiences, perspectives, and socioeconomic circumstances.

  • Who should apply for Adjustable Tuition?

    Families are encouraged to apply for Adjustable Tuition if they believe they may have financial need, even if they are uncertain whether they qualify.
     
    Families who receive Adjustable Tuition represent a broad socioeconomic range, and Cathedral reviews each application individually rather than relying on fixed income thresholds.

  • How many families receive Adjustable Tuition?

    Approximately one-quarter of Cathedral students receive Adjustable Tuition. Each year, the School allocates significant resources to tuition assistance and related support.
     
    Because available funds are finite, awards vary based on demonstrated need and the overall applicant pool in a given year.

  • Is Adjustable Tuition available for Kindergarten through Grade 8?

    Yes. Adjustable Tuition is available to students in Kindergarten through Grade 8, subject to demonstrated financial need and available school funds.
     
    Families must reapply each year, as financial circumstances can change over time.

  • Does Adjustable Tuition continue each year?

    Families receiving Adjustable Tuition must reapply annually. Assuming a family’s financial circumstances remain relatively stable, funding is generally renewed at similar levels.
     
    Cathedral recognizes that attending an independent school is a significant investment and works with families to support continuity whenever possible.

  • What role does Clarity play in the Adjustable Tuition process?

    Cathedral uses Clarity as a trusted third-party tool to help assess a family’s ability to contribute to educational expenses.
     
    The Clarity report provides a baseline, but it is not the sole factor in determining an award. The final decision reflects additional review and consideration by Cathedral’s internal committee.

  • What documentation is required to apply for Adjustable Tuition?

    Families submit financial information through the Clarity platform. Required documentation typically includes tax returns, income statements, and other materials that provide a complete picture of a family’s financial circumstances.
     
    The School may request additional information if clarification is needed. Families are encouraged to meet all deadlines to ensure full consideration.

  • What financial information is considered?

    In reviewing applications, Cathedral may consider income, assets, household structure, educational costs for other children, debt obligations, and other relevant financial factors.
     
    The School also seeks to understand special circumstances beyond a family’s control, such as job loss or unexpected medical expenses.

  • What is the Adjustable Tuition review process?

    After an applicant is recommended for admission, financial information is reviewed by Cathedral’s finance team and, when appropriate, an external consultant.
     
    A committee then reviews the full financial profile and makes a final decision. The process cannot move forward until all required documentation is complete.

  • How does Cathedral ensure fairness in Adjustable Tuition awards?

    Adjustable Tuition decisions are guided by a consistent framework and reviewed by a committee to promote fairness, equity, and transparency.
     
    Fairness includes balancing individual family circumstances, available resources, admissions priorities, and the long-term health of the School community.

  • What happens if my child is admitted but Adjustable Tuition is not available?

    In some cases, Cathedral admits strong applicants for whom Adjustable Tuition funding is not immediately available.
     
    These families may be placed on an Adjustable Tuition waitlist and notified if funding becomes available.

  • How do families decide whether Cathedral School for Boys is “worth it”?

    Families often describe the value of a Cathedral education in terms of the whole child. Beyond academics, parents see growth in confidence, character, leadership, and communication.
     
    For many families, the decision ultimately comes down to fit: a learning environment where boys are known, supported, challenged, and prepared for life beyond school.

  • What value does Cathedral provide beyond academics?

    Beyond academics, Cathedral emphasizes character development, leadership, service, and belonging.
     
    Boys learn how to think critically, collaborate with others, communicate effectively, and lead with empathy and purpose, benefits that extend well beyond their years at Cathedral.

Application Process

List of 1 items.

  • Applying for Adjustable Tuition

    Step 1: Beginning September 2025
     
    To apply to participate in the financial aid program, begin by creating a parent account on the Clarity Tuition website. You will use this account to upload all of your financial aid application components. Please Note: If parents are divorced, separated, or never married and living apart, a separate financial aid application must be submitted for each household. [We will update the below guides for 2025–2026 this summer.]
     
     
    Step 2: By January 15, 2026
     
    • Submit your financial aid application through Clarity. Your 1040 and W2 documents from 2023 will be automatically transferred from the IRS when you complete the verification step, so you will no longer need to upload those documents manually. Please then upload any additional documents (if applicable) as indicated in the documents section of your Clarity portal account.
    • Optional: It is important for us to understand your specific family financial circumstances. Please use the “Other Considerations” section at the end of the Clarity application to share additional details you would like us to know to help inform your application.
    For more information, please review the Clarity Quick Reference Guide or the Family Application Guide.
     
    Step 3: By February 15, 2026, Upload the Following to Your Clarity Tuition Parent Account:
     
    • 2025 Form W2/1099
    • 2025 Federal Tax Return 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ with all documents
    • An informed estimate is sufficient for the 2025 tax return as we realize all documents may not be available in February; however, a 2025 W2/1099 and 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ must be completed and submitted.

Additional Resources & Support

Cathedral School for Boys partners with Clarity Tuition, a third-party financial aid platform designed to make the Adjustable Tuition application process clear, streamlined, and user-friendly. Clarity’s mission of reducing barriers for families aligns closely with Cathedral’s commitment to inclusion and belonging.
 
Adjustable Tuition is offered based on demonstrated financial need and available School funds. Cathedral School seeks to enroll academically qualified students independent of their financial circumstances.
 
Families who may be considered low-income by San Francisco standards are also encouraged to apply for BASIC Fund Scholarships, which can provide up to $2,500 toward tuition and help further close the cost gap for an independent school education. The BASIC Fund begins accepting applications in January on a rolling basis, so families are encouraged to apply early. For assistance, families may contact Kate Juergens, Chief Advancement Officer, or Daniel McOlvin, or visit the BASIC Fund website for more information.

Cathedral School for Boys

Located in San Francisco, California, Cathedral School for Boys is an independent elementary school for boys in Kindergarten – Grade 8. Our mission is to provide an excellent education through intellectual inquiry and rigor that is centered in the Episcopal tradition and is respectful of and welcoming to people of all religious traditions and beliefs.