Message from the School Board Chairman
Dear TFA Family,
The 2021-2022 school year was an exceptional season for The First Academy. We renewed our focus on our Gospel-centered culture and mission, experienced robust enrollment, invested in our teachers, celebrated the generosity of our school families, and strengthened our school community. My role as School Board Chair at TFA is to make viability-focused decisions for the next generation of students while also providing fiduciary oversight of the school’s finances and operations. As a School Board, we focus our work on three key areas: advancing the mission, funding the vision, and securing the legacy. Part of our work in assisting in carrying out the Strategic Plan and funding the vision is to set and approve tuition rates on a yearly basis.
2023-2024 Tuition Increase
For the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years, the School Board made the decision to freeze tuition rates as many families were impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was right to take this unprecedented action. For the 2022-2023 school year, the School Board made the important decision to reinstate an industry-standard increase in tuition and close the gap that existed from the season when tuition was frozen.
In the following pages, essential details regarding tuition rates and payment schedules for 2023-2024 are outlined, along with information about the upcoming Enrollment Change Period.
2023-2024 Tuition Increase Allocation
The revenue generated by the tuition increase will go directly to raise the base salary of faculty, increase allocations to the employee retirement program, provide for the increase in campus operating costs related to inflation, and expand campus facilities.
Please take some time to review the information about 2023-2024 tuition and reach out to The First Acad
2023-2024 Tuition Rates
For the 2023-2024 school year, the tuition increase has been set at 8% for TFA 5-day.
The School Board has made this important decision for three reasons.
Much of the tuition dollars from our families are directly funneled to our teachers. The increase in tuition will cover what The First Academy’s Leadership Team needs to keep our teacher pay above that of Orange County Public Schools and maintain a school of excellence.
Second, The 2022-2023 increase of 8% was still below what would have been expected had TFA not suspended tuition for the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finally, the inflation rate is currently 8.2% and is likely to increase. This impact will be felt on TFA’s expenses, especially teacher salaries and benefits.
2023-2024 Monthly Payment Schedule
12 Payments
Payments begin in April of 2023 and conclude in March of 2024
Continuous Enrollment Deposit Payment Options
Your student is already enrolled for the 2023-2024 school year (unless they are a graduating senior). Your family’s current enrollment, tuition payment plan, and Tuition Refund Program election will roll over to the 2023-2024 year in FACTS unless changes are made. If you would like to make changes to these elections, please do so during the Enrollment Status Change Period of February 15 through February 25, 2023. You will find frequently asked questions, facts, and contact information should you have any questions about this process on TFA’s website.
The deposit amount for the 2023-2024 school year will be $500. The $500 non-refundable deposit will be due on March 1st for our returning families and is applied towards tuition payments. As with prior practice, families may pay for the deposit through FACTS using a credit card.
Tuition Payment Options
For this upcoming school year, there will be a $250 monthly payment plan fee per student with the monthly payment plan selection for families. Families who elect to pay tuition in full will continue to receive a 1% tuition discount.
Tuition Refund Program
For families who select the Tuition Refund Program during the Enrollment Status Change Period, the timeline has been updated as outlined below.
If the Tuition Refund Program for 2023-2024 is selected during the Enrollment Status Change Period:
• Families who withdraw between February 26 - May 31, will be required to pay 25% of their tuition amount.
• Families who withdraw after June 1, will be required to pay 40% of their tuition amount.
• Families who withdraw August 9 and thereafter owe through the academic quarter for time enrolled and applicable percentage of unused tuition.
We pray that 100% of our families will remain in our school family at The First Academy for the 2023-2024 school year.
