The École and Whitby School are both in New York. Both schools offer IB programmes. The École also offers French and American, and Whitby School also offers Montessori. Published annual fees are close, at $41,000 - 50,500 for The École and $39,975 - 55,280 for Whitby School. The École takes pupils from 2 to 18, and Whitby School from 1 to 14.
The École is in New York City's Flatiron District, with two campuses a short distance apart. The Maternelle Building is at 206 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010. The Elementary & Middle School Building is at 115 East 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010. The campus is easily accessible by foot or bike, and a city bus service is available for eligible grades.
Location
Whitby School is located at 969 Lake Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06831, United States. Greenwich is in Fairfield County, about 45 minutes from New York City. The campus sits in a residential area of Greenwich and serves students from the local community and surrounding towns.
Stages
Stages
Maternelle (Pre-Nursery to Kindergarten), Elementary (1st to 5th), Middle School (6th to 8th), High School (9th to 12th); Léman High School with The École offers a French-American bilingual IB curriculum.
Stages
Stepping Stones through Grade 8.
School type
School type
Independent, French-American bilingual day school that teaches in French and English.
School type
Independent, co-educational private day school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
Diverse student body represents 27 countries and more than 22 languages.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Counseling Department includes a school counselor and a French psychologist; Educational Support Team (EST) provides assessments and interventions; STRIVE Department delivers differentiated instruction with both push-in and pull-out support, including support for newcomers to English or French.
Additional learning support
English as an Additional Language (EAL) program; Lower School Language Acquisition focuses on oral language development.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
France (fully accredited by the French Ministry of Education and a member of the AEFE network; affiliated with Mission Laïque Française).
Country affiliation
United States
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
Yellow School Bus is available for Kindergarten to 6th Grade; the service is provided by the City of New York and serves downtown, the Upper East Side, and the Upper West Side; OMNYCards are provided for eligible students living more than 0.5 miles from the Elementary & Middle School Building. Bus inquiries: bus@theEcole.org.
Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application fees and one-time enrollment fees
- Application fee: USD 300 per application. - One-time Enrollment Fee (first year only): - Pre-Nursery and Nursery: USD 1,000. - Pre-K to 8th Grade: USD 3,500. - Tuition deposit: USD 5,500 required at the time of enrollment or re-enrollment; this deposit is non-refundable and will be deducted from the overall tuition.
Tuition fees by year group (annual)
- Pre-Nursery and Nursery (full-year, full-day program): Tuition USD 46,500 per year. - Pre-K through 8th Grade (full-year, full-day program): Tuition USD 50,500 per year.
Per-term / per-installment equivalents (by year group)
- Two equal installments (each installment = 50% of the annual tuition): - Pre-Nursery and Nursery: USD 23,250 per installment. - Pre-K to 8th Grade: USD 25,250 per installment.
- Nine monthly installments (payments due monthly via FACTS): - Pre-Nursery and Nursery: gross installment ≈ USD 5,166.67 per month (9 payments). Note: the USD 5,500 deposit is deducted from the overall tuition when calculating the balance due. - Pre-K to 8th Grade: gross installment ≈ USD 5,611.11 per month (9 payments). Note: the USD 5,500 deposit is deducted from the overall tuition when calculating the balance due.
- Payment in full (single payment) – early payment discount: - A USD 500 reduction in tuition is applied when full payment is made by the early deadline. Example amounts before deposit consideration: - Pre-Nursery and Nursery: USD 46,000 if paid in full by the early payment deadline. - Pre-K to 8th Grade: USD 50,000 if paid in full by the early payment deadline. - The USD 500 reduction is not available to recipients of financial assistance and does not apply when an employer is responsible for payment.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Enrollment window referenced for the schedule: enrollment before April 30 (for the 2026–2027 schedule shown). The tuition-deposit is required at the time of enrollment or re-enrollment. - Payment-in-full option: single electronic payment due before the early-payment deadline (May 1). A USD 500 discount applies when paid by that date (subject to the exceptions above). - Two-installment option: first installment due before May 1; second installment due before October 1. Each installment equals 50% of the total amount due. - Nine-month plan via FACTS: payments due on the 1st of each month, beginning April 1 and ending December 1 (nine payments). - Mid-year arrivals: prorated tuition rules apply and must be paid in full before the student's start date: - Students beginning between December 15 and April 1: prorated tuition = two-thirds (2/3) of the full-year tuition, in addition to the one-time enrollment and application fees. Examples: Pre-Nursery & Nursery 2/3 = USD 31,000; Pre-K–8 2/3 ≈ USD 33,667. - Students beginning after April 1: prorated tuition = one-third (1/3) of the full-year tuition, in addition to the one-time enrollment and application fees. Examples: Pre-Nursery & Nursery 1/3 = USD 15,500; Pre-K–8 1/3 ≈ USD 16,833.
Boarding fees
- The École operates as an independent day school for Maternelle through Middle School in New York City; no boarding program or boarding fees are listed.
Other costs and optional fees
- Lunch program: The school's hot lunch program is provided by Little Green Gourmets; participation and pricing for hot lunch are arranged directly with that provider. Lunch program fees are not included in the standard tuition figures above. - Uniforms: All uniform items must be purchased from the school's designated retailer, Untold Horizons; a Uniform Guide is provided by the school. Uniform purchase costs are separate from tuition. - After-school activities, overnight field trips, and Camp activities: these are additional to the tuition and invoiced separately; some families may opt into a bundled “Global Tuition” that can include some of these options. Specific prices for after-school classes, trips, and camps are itemized separately from core tuition. - Transportation, specialty programs, supplies, or optional services where applicable may incur additional charges; these are not included in the base tuition figures above.
Refund information
- The USD 5,500 tuition deposit is explicitly stated as non-refundable and will be deducted from the overall tuition. No other explicit refund policy for withdrawals or mid-year departures is provided in the published tuition schedule. Mid-year arrivals are required to pay prorated tuition in full before their start date.
Fee payment options (methods and platforms)
- Payments may be made by electronic payment directly to The École for single or two-installment payments. FACTS is used for the nine-month payment plan (monthly installments). The early-payment reduction applies to electronic payments made by the early deadline. Specific payment instruments (for example, exact credit card or bank transfer acceptance) are handled through the school's electronic payment processes and through FACTS.
Brief note on information gaps found
- The published schedule provides clear annual tuition figures, enrollment/application fees, the USD 5,500 non-refundable deposit, payment schedules (dates and installment structure), the early-payment discount, and mid-year proration rules. Exact prices for uniforms, lunch, after-school activities, overnight field trips, and camp activities are not listed in the tuition schedule and are shown as separate costs (uniform vendor and lunch provider are identified). No additional refund/withdrawal policy beyond the non-refundable deposit is published on the tuition page.
Fee details
Application fees
- A student application fee is charged for each applicant; commonly listed as USD 75. - The student application fee is waived for families applying for financial aid.
Tuition fees (annual) — by year group
- Stepping Stones (18 months to 3 years): - Half Day Program (Mon–Fri mornings): USD 34,400 per year. - Full Day Program (Mon–Thu full days; Fri half-day): USD 42,300 per year. - Primary 1 (3 years by Aug 1): - Half Day Program (Mon–Fri mornings): USD 43,900 per year. - Full Day Program (Mon–Thu full days; Fri half-day): USD 51,100 per year. - Primary 2 (4 years by Aug 1): - Full Day Program: USD 51,100 per year. - Primary 3 / Kindergarten (5 years by Aug 1): - Full Day Program: USD 51,100 per year. - Lower School (Grades 1–4): - Grades 1–4 Full Day Program: USD 52,900 per year (Grades 1–2 and Grades 3–4 listed at this amount). - Middle School (Grades 5–8): - Grades 5–8 Full Day Program: USD 55,280 per year (Grades 5–6 and Grades 7–8 listed at this amount).
Per-term / billing note
- Tuition is published as annual amounts above; deposits, billing schedules and installment options are handled through the school's enrollment and billing process (Enrollment Contract / Finance Office and the Veracross Parent Portal). Families receive billing details and the formal payment schedule through the school's enrollment/billing process.
One-time and recurring additional fees (examples by grade)
- Parents' Association fee: USD 210 per student (annual). - Field trip / activity fees (one-time annual or trip-specific, by grade): - Grades 1–2: USD 300 per student (annual field trip fee). - Grade 3: USD 500 (one-time annual field trip fee). - Grade 4: USD 600 (one-time annual field trip fee). - Grades 5–6: USD 850 (one-time annual field trip fee). - Grades 7–8: USD 3,900 (one-time annual field trip fee; includes the international trip week). - Before-school and after-school program charges: Daily or seasonal rates apply for before-school and after-school care; published tuition above covers standard program hours only. - Spiritwear / optional uniform items: SpiritWear and uniform items are offered through the school's online store; spiritwear purchases are optional and sold through the school store.
Boarding fees
- Whitby is an independent co-educational day school for students ages 18 months through Grade 8; no boarding program or boarding fees apply.
Refund information
- Whitby makes available a Tuition Refund Plan (TRP) to reduce family financial loss in the event of withdrawal for covered reasons. The TRP terms include: - Medical withdrawal or medical absence due to injury or sickness: the Plan will pay 100% of unused yearly insured fees (less a four-day deductible) if withdrawal/absence exceeds four consecutive days. - Mental health withdrawal or absence: the Plan will pay 60% of unused yearly insured fees (less a four-day deductible) if withdrawal/absence exceeds four consecutive days. - Withdrawal for non-medical reasons (examples: move, change of objective, voluntary withdrawal): the Plan will pay 60% of unused yearly insured fees provided the student has attended more than 14 consecutive calendar days from their first day of attendance in the academic year. - Enrollment deposit refund related to financial aid: when financial aid is awarded, the enrollment deposit is computed as 20% of the tuition amount net of the financial aid award; that deposit is refundable if the family formally withdraws within two weeks of notification of the financial aid decision.
Billing schedule and payment terms (contract and deposit)
- An enrollment deposit is required as part of the Enrollment Contract; for families receiving financial aid the deposit is computed as 20% of tuition net of the award. Final billing terms, schedules and payment deadlines are set in the Enrollment Contract and administered by the Finance Office and the Parent Portal.
Fee payment options (documented options)
- Financial-aid application payments (Clarity/Parent Financial Statement) may be paid by credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express). - Spiritwear and uniform store purchases are processed through the school's online store (card payments). - The school's Admissions Center and Parent Portal (Veracross) manage enrollments, billing and the family account; deposits and tuition balances are processed and recorded through the school's Finance Office and parent portal.
Other notes on fees
- Tuition assistance (need-based financial aid) is available beginning in Primary 3 (Kindergarten); the student application fee is waived for families applying for financial aid. Family eligibility and award amounts follow the school's published financial aid process. The financial aid program does not reduce additional costs such as Parents' Association dues, trip fees, the Tuition Refund Plan premium, or after-school activity fees.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The École is an independent French-American bilingual school serving students aged 2 to 14 in New York City's Flatiron District. It offers a bilingual curriculum in French and English for preschool through middle school. The program develops bi-literate, bi-cultural thinkers who see the world from two perspectives. In 2022, a high school track was opened in partnership with Léman High School, offering a French-American bilingual IB curriculum for graduates and French-speaking middle-school students. There are two classes per grade from 1st through 8th grade, and in 2025 the Elementary & Middle School Building moved to 115 East 22nd Street.
Curriculum details
Whitby offers Montessori-based early childhood education (Whitby Montessori Children's House) for ages 18 months through early childhood years, with Lower School (Grades 1–4) and Middle School (Grades 5–8). The Middle School follows the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 5–8, and Spanish is taught beginning at 18 months.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
5:1
Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
Whitby graduates are accepted at their first choice of high school; they attend competitive secondary schools including Brunswick School, Greenwich Academy, Greenwich Country Day School, Greenwich High School, and other regional day and boarding schools.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
A simple admission process with three steps for all grades: 1. an Open House for parents, 2) an online application, and 3) an invitation for the whole family to meet the head of school. If you wish to apply for financial assistance, consult the Financial Assistance information. Maternelle age requirements for the 2026-2027 school year: Pre-Nursery two years old by September 1, 2026; Nursery three by December 31, 2026; Pre-Kindergarten four by December 31, 2026; Kindergarten five by December 31, 2026; from Nursery onward, potty-training is required before the first day of school. Required documents for online application: a copy of your child's birth certificate, a copy of your child's passport, a copy of your child's visa (if applicable), a picture of your child, report cards, and a confidential recommendation form completed by your child's current teacher. Admissions Calendar highlights: Quick Acceptance Applications from September 2025 to December 31, 2025 (decision in less than two weeks; if accepted, one week to sign the contract and pay the deposit); Standard Applications from September 2025 to January 11, 2026 (open houses encouraged; deadline to submit complete application January 11, 2026; decision notice February 2, 2026; deadline to sign the contract and pay the deposit February 9, 2026); If accepted but you prefer to wait, the child will be placed on a waiting list with the seat guaranteed only after the enrollment agreement and tuition deposit are paid; Late Applications after January 11, 2026 are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis; if spaces remain, you will be invited to a family interview; depending on the grade, the child may be accepted or placed on the waiting list; if accepted, three days to accept (sign enrollment agreement and pay tuition deposit); if on the waiting list, an enrollment agreement will be sent as soon as a seat becomes available. Language requirements: 1st through 8th Grade students must speak French. Start the online application by creating an account in the online tool and submitting the required documents.
Admissions
Step 1: Submit Inquiry Form. Submit the Online Inquiry Form to request information about Whitby School. The Inquiry initiates the admissions process. After submission, you receive a login to the Online Admissions Portal to continue with the application and supporting materials. Step 2: Schedule a Virtual Overview and/or Campus Tour. Schedule a Virtual Overview and/or Campus Tour. The overview introduces Whitby's classrooms, programs, and co-curricular activities and helps families learn about Whitby in a first-hand way. The Admissions Team coordinates these experiences as part of the process. Step 3: Apply. Submit an Application for Admissions after completing the inquiry. You will receive login access to the Online Admissions Portal to submit the online application and any required recommendations and transfer documents. Whitby uses the Standard Application Online (SAO) framework and rolling admissions begin in early March, space permitting. Step 4: Submit Records, Recommendations, and other Relevant Forms/Information. Submit Records, Recommendations, and other Relevant Forms/Information. These materials provide the Admissions Committee with a complete view of the applicant. The online portal is used to submit these documents and additional information as requested. Step 5: Schedule Candidate Visit and Assessment. Schedule Candidate Visit and Assessment. The candidate visit and assessment help evaluate readiness for Whitby's program. The Admissions Committee reviews the results as part of the file and moves toward a decision. Step 6: Candidate File Reviewed by Admissions Committee. Candidate File Reviewed by Admissions Committee. The committee reviews the complete file and determines placement. Whitby offers rolling admissions; decisions depend on space. Applicants with English as an Additional Language are assessed and placed according to Whitby's language-proficiency procedures (including interviews, language assessments, and appropriate placement).
Scholarships
Scholarships
Financial Assistance: For 2026-2027, The École will allocate $2 million to enable more students to benefit from the dual French-American curriculum. The amount awarded is based on demonstrated financial need, and both financial need and academic excellence are considered for Middle School applicants. About 20% of families receive financial assistance. Financial assistance is open to all families and can complement grants provided to French citizens attending French-government-accredited schools through the French Consulate in New York. The need assessment is processed through NAIS School & Student Services; applicants must submit via the family portal using the school code and pay a submission fee. Third-party payments do not affect eligibility, and families enrolled for less than two years are not eligible to apply until after enrollment. French citizens may also apply for a bourse through the French Consulate; applicants must be registered with the Consulate and meet with its Social Services. For help with the process, contact Mireille Desalm, Director of Admissions.
Scholarships
Financial Aid Options. Whitby School offers Financial Aid Options to support a diverse community. Financial aid is available for new and existing Whitby families and covers tuition costs based on need; the process uses Clarity for information collection. Tuition assistance is available beginning in Primary 3 (Kindergarten). The financial aid application must be completed through Clarity, including submission of required financial information; awards are determined by the Whitby Financial Aid Committee and are contingent on available funds and timely submission. The aid includes tuition remission and need-based awards; the enrollment deposit remains 20% of tuition net of aid and is refundable if withdrawal occurs within two weeks of notification.
Waitlist
Waitlist
If your child is accepted and you prefer to wait before enrolling, they will be placed on a waiting list; their seat will be guaranteed only when the enrollment agreement and tuition deposit have been paid. After January 11, 2026, late applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis; if accepted, you will be invited to a family interview; depending on the grade, the child may be accepted or placed on the waiting list. If accepted, you will have three days to sign the enrollment agreement and pay the tuition deposit; if placed on the waiting list, an enrollment agreement will be sent as soon as a seat becomes available.
