27% of the student body receives aid, 109 students out of the total enrollment of 407 students.
Gordon awards financial aid at all grade levels, Nursery though eighth grade.
13% of the school's annual budget is dedicated to financial aid, and over $1.3 million was awarded for the 2011-2012 year.
Awards range from $1,000 to full tuition, and the average award is $12,640.
An independent school education is an investment and a major financial commitment. Gordon strives to meet the full need of families who qualify for financial aid. Within the limitations of the school's financial aid resources, Gordon actively seeks to build and maintain a community where socioeconomic diversity is supported.
Policies
Gordon awards financial aid to families to help cover the difference between educational expenses—especially tuition and fees—and a family’s ability to pay those expenses.
No predetermined gross income is used to determine financial aid.
Because of the demand for limited funds, not all applicants can be assisted, and an award may meet the full or partial need of a family.
Admission decisions are made without regard to a family’s ability to pay.
Families must resubmit financial information every year, and financial aid awards continue as long as the family demonstrates the same level of need.
Gordon asks that divorced and separated parents each honor the obligation to contribute to the education of their children.
The process
To determine a family's ability to pay, Gordon uses a service called School and Student Services (SSS). This service is owned by the National Association of Independent Schools and is used by over 2,400 K-12 schools nationally to provide an objective, consistent analysis of families' finances.
Families give financial information to both Gordon and SSS. SSS makes a recommendation to Gordon and, ultimately, Gordon makes the final decision on the financial aid award.
Financial aid step-by-step
One scenario