A Waldorf education, within reach.

We believe a great education shouldn’t depend on a family’s income alone. WSSD’s tuition is set well below comparable independent schools in San Diego, and our tuition-adjustment program is designed to bring a Waldorf education within reach for many more families.

Below you’ll find what tuition costs, how payment works, and how to apply for adjustment — all in one place, nothing buried.

2026–27 tuition:

Around $22,000 a year

That’s well below many of San Diego’s best-known independent schools — for an education that runs all the way from Pre-K to a high school whose graduates go on to college. And because tuition covers only part of the true cost of a WSSD education, every family’s tuition is, in a sense, already adjusted.

Tuition Adjustment: How families afford WSSD

Our Tuition Adjustment (TA) program exists to make WSSD accessible to more families. If your family demonstrates need, TA reduces your tuition directly — it isn’t a loan, and it isn’t funded by an outside source. It’s our commitment to an economically diverse community, and the process is grounded in fairness, confidentiality, and respect.

How to apply for Tuition Adjustment (five steps):

  1. Start your application at the FACTS platform (Online.Factsmgt.com). It takes 20–30 minutes and is mobile-friendly.
  2. Upload your documents — two recent months of checking account statements and your most recent tax documents.
  3. Talk with your TA Liaison. Once your application is verified, your liaison reaches out to connect and walk you through the process, in full confidence.
  4. Committee review. Your liaison prepares a redacted, confidential report; the TA Committee reviews it and votes on a recommended award.
  5. Award notification. Your liaison lets you know your award status, and your contract updates to reflect the adjusted tuition.

Have questions? Email us or call (619) 280-8016 x 210

Families at arts and crafts table.
Students play instruments in a concert.

Payment plans, fees, and key dates

All tuition is managed through FACTS, our billing platform. Setting up a FACTS account is required to secure your child’s place. WSSD doesn’t charge interest on monthly payments; FACTS applies a one-time setup fee depending on your plan:

  • One payment per year — no setup fee (covered by WSSD)
  • Two payments — $25 setup fee
  • Twelve payments — $55 setup fee

Fees at a glance:

  • Application fee: $150 for new students, reduced to $75 if you apply within 30 days of touring
  • Registration fee: $350 per student (non-refundable), with an early-bird rate during the re-enrollment window
  • Sibling discount: 10% off tuition for each additional enrolled sibling after the oldest

Common questions

How much does WSSD cost?

WSSD’s 2026–27 tuition is around $22,000 a year, which is well below many comparable independent schools in San Diego. Application and registration fees are listed above, and our Tuition Adjustment program can reduce tuition for families who demonstrate need.

Is financial aid available at WSSD?

Yes. WSSD’s Tuition Adjustment program reduces tuition directly for families who demonstrate need — it isn’t a loan and isn’t funded from outside the school. You can apply before, during, or after the admissions process through the FACTS platform.

Does WSSD offer payment plans?

Yes. Families can pay tuition in one, two, or twelve installments through FACTS. WSSD doesn’t charge interest; FACTS applies a small one-time setup fee that scales with the number of payments.

How does WSSD’s tuition compare to other San Diego private schools?

WSSD’s tuition is meaningfully lower than many of San Diego’s best-known independent schools. For a Pre-K-through-12 Waldorf education, with a high school whose graduates go on to college, we think that’s a strong value — and Tuition Adjustment can bring it lower still.

The best way to understand a Waldorf education is to see it.

Tours run regularly throughout the school year — about 60 to 90 minutes, with time to ask the questions a website can’t answer.