Tuition and Financial Aid
OUR GOAL:
Making an IB education accessible for your family
At West Sound Academy, we are committed to removing financial barriers so every student can access the full IB experience. Through our confidential partnership with a trusted third-party service, tuition is thoughtfully determined based on each family’s unique financial picture. Many families qualify for some level of support, so we encourage you to apply even if you are unsure whether you are eligible. If WSA feels like the right fit for your child, please reach out. We genuinely want to partner with you to make it possible.
What we offer
- Sliding-scale tuition model that determines need-based financial assistance
- Merit Scholarships
- Consideration for families with multiple students in tuition-based programs
Who may qualify
A family's need for financial assistance is based on its income and assets. Our Sliding Scale Tuition program is designed to support families with household incomes generally less than $250,000. We also recognize that every family’s situation is unique, and families earning more may still qualify when there are extenuating circumstances or multiple tuition obligations.
2026-2027 Tuition and Fees
Tuition Range $4,900 - $29,600
Homestay Fee $18,000 (if host family is needed)
Program Fee* $300 (Grades 6-8); $500 (Grades 9-12)
*Program fee covers all bound and digital textbooks, student planners and binders, online subscriptions, IB exam fees, club fees, and school trips.
Additional School Expenses
Required: Laptop or Chromebook, scientific calculator, and other basic school supplies.
Optional: Hot lunches (available two days/week), school spirit gear, van transportation, and admission fees to various events.
How it works
Applying for sliding scale tuition is optional. Families who do not apply will pay the maximum tuition. To apply for Tuition Assistance of any kind, families complete a confidential online application through Clarity, our independent third-party partner. The application is mobile-friendly, takes about 20 minutes to complete, and securely pulls tax information directly from the IRS, which reduces paperwork and manual entry. The application is available in your admissions checklist, and there is a $60 submission fee.
Families must reapply each year to ensure continued eligibility and equitable distribution of resources.
We’re happy to help you through the process; it is simpler than you might think.
Timeline
- October 1 – Applications for admission and Clarity sliding scale tuition for the upcoming school year open.
- December 31 - Priority deadline for Clarity sliding scale tuition applications for new and returning students. Families are still encouraged to apply after this date, and tuition placement will still be considered for applying families.
- February 15 - Priority admissions application deadline. Families are still encouraged to apply after this date, and applications will continue to be reviewed as space allows.
- By March 15 - Admissions decisions are released for new applicants who submitted a complete application by February 15.
We welcome applications beyond the priority deadlines and will continue making admissions decisions on a rolling basis as space remains available.
If a family is applying for sliding scale tuition, the admissions application is not considered complete until the sliding scale application is finished as well. We will not accept a sliding scale tuition application without an admissions application.
While the school makes a generous commitment to offering a sliding scale tuition model, the budget is finite, so we encourage families to apply and accept an offer of enrollment as soon as possible.
Questions or ready to apply? Contact us at 360-598-5954 or [email protected] or start your application here. We encourage every prospective family to reach out.