Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Our most often asked questions about Tuition (Financial Aid), Admission to Temple Grandin School, and our individualized learning Program for neurodiverse middle and high school students.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Tuition (Financial Aid)

    • What is the cost of tuition for neurodivergent students?
    • When are the due dates for tuition payments for neurodivergent students?
    • When are deadlines for financial aid enrollment?
    • Is financial aid available?
    • What documents are required to apply for financial aid?
    • How are aid awards determined?
    • Do you give aid to International students and students from other states?
    • What happens in cases of divorce, separation, single parents?
    • Do you offer interest-free payment plans?
    • Do you offer tuition payment installment plans?
    • Do we need to reapply for financial aid every year for my returning student?
    • Does tuition cover incidentals – laptop, books, field trips, food?
    • What does financial aid cover?
    • What is the % of TGS students who receive aid?

Program

    • What is IEQ?
    • What’s included in the TGS academic program for neurodiverse students?
    • Can students explore additional interests?
    • What is the average class size at this school for neurodiverse students?
    • Are neurodiverse students grouped by age/school year?
    • What courses are taught at TGS?
    • Does TGS focus just on academic education for neurodiverse students?
    • Does TGS offer executive function skills training for neurodiverse students?

Admissions

    • What types of students should apply?
    • What types of parents should apply?
    • When are deadlines for enrollment to this school for neurodiverse students?
    • When can I visit the school?
    • Is there an application fee?
    • What documents are required to apply to this school for neurodiverse students?
    • When is your admission deadline, and when are applicants notified of admission decisions?
    • How are admission decisions made?
    • What is the TGS enrollment size?
    • What is the average TGS class size?
    • What is the Student : Teacher ratio?
    • What degrees do TGS Instructors hold? (masters, phd, etc.)?

Tuition (Financial Aid) FAQ

What is the cost of tuition for neurodivergent students?
Tuition is $48,880 per year. Don’t let a price tag create a barrier to a life changing experience for your student – and you! We offer interest-free payment plans, installment plans, and need-based financial aid. Plus, we can offer advice on how to apply for additional aid programs. 23% of TGS students receive at least some financial aid.
When are the due dates for tuition payments for neurodivergent students?

Full Payment (standard due date): One payment, due August 1.
Installment Option 1: Two payments, 70 percent by August 1, 30 percent by January 1.
Installment Option 2: Twelve equal monthly payments beginning in April for the upcoming school year, beginning in fall.

When are deadlines for financial aid enrollment?
Applicants qualifying for financial aid are considered in the order their applications are submitted. We have rolling admissions, so you can apply any time throughout the year. Returning students receive first priority, followed by new students in the order they apply. The ideal time to apply for financial aid is between January 15 and April 15.
Is financial aid available?
We have interest-free payment plans, installment plans, and need-based financial aid to help bridge the gap between tuition and affordability. In some cases, families can use 529B and other programs to offset TGS tuition.
What documents are required to apply for financial aid?
We ask families to include their current tax return and copies of their W2s. Business owners must submit their business returns and other information relevant to the business. Parents and guardians who are not required to file taxes must submit documents showing all sources of income.
How are aid awards determined?
All financial aid decisions are made by committee. Each student application is reviewed with the whole student in mind.
Do you give aid to International students and students from other states?
Yes. We consider International students and students from other states in our financial aid process.
What happens in cases of divorce, separation, single parents?
For parents who share custody and are separated, divorced, or have never been married, an application, including tax documentation, from each parent is required. Single parents who have no contact with and receive no financial support from the applicant’s other biological parent should provide tax documentation and indicate that the other parent is no contact / does not contribute on their financial aid application.
Do you offer interest-free payment plans?
TGS offers interest-free payment plans to help bridge the gap between tuition and affordability. We’re committed to partnering with families to find solutions that make a TGS education accessible.
Do you offer tuition payment installment plans?
TGS offers two types of installment plans: Two payments, 70 percent by August 1, 30 percent by January 1 OR Twelve equal monthly payments beginning in April for the upcoming school year, beginning in fall. Students who enroll mid-year may have adjusted due dates for payment plans.
Do we need to reapply for financial aid every year for my returning student?
Yes. All current families must reapply for financial aid each year, to ensure TGS receives updated financial information to affirm their level of financial need for the next academic year. Returning families who receive financial aid will not be able to re-enroll a returning student without first completing the financial aid application.
Does tuition cover incidentals – laptop, books, field trips, food?
Tuition covers socio-academic courses, special events, transportation to off-campus activities, and use of an assigned Chromebook. Elective course fees and other incidentals are billed quarterly.
What does financial aid cover?
Financial aid includes assistance for tuition only. Assistance with elective fees may be available in some circumstances.
What is the % of TGS students who receive aid?
24% of TGS students receive at least some financial aid.

Admissions FAQ

What types of students should apply?
If you are a neurodivergent student who wants to learn more about the people, possibilities, and problems in our world; wants to learn more about neurodiversity, and how it applies to you; and wants to have meaningful, mutually supportive friendships with like-minded peers and caring adults then Temple Grandin School might be the right learning environment for you! But you have to want to be here, and be willing to accept support and guidance from adults who care about you and want you to succeed. Kids with autism and ADHD are a particularly good fit for our school for neurodivergent students.
What types of parents should apply?
If you are the parent of a neurodivergent student who sees your student’s potential, and are looking for flexible partners who can help them realize it; sees what’s not working in your student’s current school, and are ready to support your student in trying something new; seeks to share the joys and challenges of neurodiversity with other families traveling the same journey then Temple Grandin School might be the right community for your student and family. Talk with your student about TGS, and contact us to learn more about how we work with students and families like yours. We’re passionate about these students, and want them to find a school that works. If school’s got you stuck, our application process can help you move forward, even if you don’t choose to send your student to TGS.
When are deadlines for enrollment to this school for neurodiverse students?
We have rolling admissions, and students may apply at any time. It usually takes around 4 weeks to complete the full application process. The latest enrollment date for the current school year is the start of the fourth academic quarter, usually around March 20.
When can I visit the school?
We welcome visitors of all kinds – prospective neurodiverse students and their parents, prospective donors, community partners, school leaders, and more. Visits can include a building tour, interaction with our neurodiverse students and staff, and a brief classroom observation. Or attend one of our regular open houses. Our staff and student ambassadors are always eager to meet new friends and share what they love about TGS.
Is there an application fee?
The application fee of $250 covers the cost of admissions team review of applications, and the support and supervision provided for students during their three-day school visit.
What documents are required to apply to this school for neurodiverse students?
In addition to the admissions application, we request parents provide us with recent and past diagnostic, educational, or neuropsychological reports as well as current school records. We also request two teacher recommendations be completed by current teachers or other adults who know the student well and can speak to their engagement in educational settings.
When is your admission deadline, and when are applicants notified of admission decisions?
Generally, the admissions process takes 3-6 weeks to complete, and includes a school tour, written application, and 3-day school visit. Following the school visit, applicants can expect a decision within 1-2 weeks. Applicants who complete the admissions process prior to March 20 may be considered for rolling admissions during the current school year.
How are admission decisions made?
All admission decisions are made by committee. Each student application is reviewed with the whole student in mind, as well as the needs of currently enrolled students.
What is the TGS enrollment size?
We typically enroll 20-25 neurodiverse students.
What is the average TGS class size?
Four to eight neurodiverse students, depending on the subject, and current enrollment.
What is the Student : Teacher ratio?
From 4:1 with a max of 8:1, depending on the subject, and current enrollment.
What degrees do TGS Instructors hold? (masters, phd, etc.)?
TGS instructors are highly qualified, with a bachelor’s degree or higher in their content area. Most teachers have master’s degrees or other advanced training appropriate to their field of study. TGS instructors also receive annual training on working with neurodiverse students, and specific training on individual student support plans.

Program FAQ

What is IEQ?

Our Individual Education Quest (IEQ) is the foundation of all TGS programming. The domains of the IEQ include Identity (a core developmental task of adolescence), Intellect (academic content and skills), Interaction (social-emotional content and skills), and Independence (taking the next steps toward adulthood). A TGS education helps students shape their identity, hone their intellect, gain the interaction skills they’ll need to engage in meaningful relationships, and practice the independence skills they’ll need to hold a job and live independently.

What’s included in the TGS academic program for neurodiverse students?

Our academic program includes courses in the sciences and humanities. Guided by student interests, our courses cover the basics and beyond, and regularly incorporate community-based and active learning experiences. Students meet in classes of four to eight, supported in their explorations by a subject-matter teacher and a member of our student support team. In addition to math, science, social studies, and language arts, our academic program provides direct instruction in executive function skills so that students are well-prepared to take the next steps on their educational journeys.

Can students explore additional interests?

Yes. Our motto is Growth from Strengths, and we are always open to creating individual pathways for students to pursue strengths and interests, and explore new things. Students frequently engage in additional interests through our elective program, or through collaborating schools and organizations in the community.

What is the average class size at this school for neurodiverse students?

Four to eight students, depending on the subject, and current enrollment.

Are neurodiverse students grouped by age/school year?

Classes are multi-age, with differentiation as needed to accommodate student strengths and learning profiles.

What courses are taught at TGS?

In addition to math, science, social studies, and language arts, our academic program provides direct instruction in social communication and executive function skills so that students are well-prepared to take the next steps on their educational journeys.

Does TGS focus just on academic education for neurodiverse students?

No. TGS provides socio-academic curriculum and executive function skills training in addition to academic learning. We teach social communication, executive function, and relationship development through an academic lens, and encourage students to question the “why” behind any social topic we’re discussing. We make explicit the “soft skills” that underlie academic achievement, providing instruction and accommodation as needed to help students bridge the social gap between academic and workplace success.

Does TGS offer executive function skills training for neurodiverse students?

Yes. TGS provides socio-academic curriculum and executive function skills training in addition to academic learning. Our daily routines and instruction have executive function support embedded throughout the day.

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