Explorations Academy celebrates a commitment to diversity and equity that comes from having our programs accessible to students of diverse economic backgrounds and financial means. To ensure that all admitted students have access to our programs, we offer indexed tuition rates for qualifying families.
What is the cost of tuition for the 2026-2027 school year?
$1,500 per month, or $15,500 for the academic year
To begin your financial aid application, complete a Family Financial Statement (FFS) and submit the required documents indicated on the FFS. The FFS is a comprehensive application that will take some time to complete. Give yourself the time you need by not waiting until our deadline approaches. You’ll need your most recent tax return before beginning the FFS. EA’s ability to accurately and quickly offer an indexed tuition rate is dependent on timely completion of the FFS.
We will communicate our financial aid decision to you in writing over email. To make our decision, we use the information from the FFS as a starting point, and consider our school policies, practices, and available budget.
If I applied for indexed tuition last year, do I need to re-apply?
Yes, families must reapply for indexed tuition each academic year.
What if my family cannot meet the indexed tuition minimum?
Explorations Academy is committed to working with families who are stretched to meet the minimum indexed tuition. In these cases, families can request additional tuition assistance by writing a letter addressed to the Financial Aid Committee, which includes the Board of Directors and key staff. EA will work with the family to determine a reasonable monthly tuition payment. We will also identify possible work trade positions for family members to help offset tuition costs. Finally, families may apply for a Tuition Assistance Scholarship through EA.
What are Tuition Assistance Scholarships?
These are scholarship funds built up through Explorations philanthropic efforts and are designed to provide need-based scholarships for students who: demonstrate growth and development through our programs, maintain specific academic standards, are consistent in their school attendance, actively participate in school field outings, and who through their unique contributions improve school culture and community.
How does Explorations Academy determine who receives a Tuition Assistance Scholarship?
Scholarships are awarded to students in the following order of priority:
What is the timeline for the financial aid process?
We ask that any family applying for indexed tuition complete their FFS and submit all documents to the school within 2 weeks of receiving our enrollment acceptance. We will review the FFS and communicate our financial aid decision to you in writing over email soon after. We intend to have tuition agreements in place for all students within 4 weeks of acceptance, or within 3 weeks of beginning attendance if applying mid-year.
Can my student attend Explorations Academy before the financial aid process is complete?
Yes, depending on the timing of application, a student may need to begin attendance before completion of the financial aid process. In these cases, attendance is provisional until the tuition agreement is completed and signed. Failure to complete and sign a tuition agreement will impact a student’s enrollment and ability to attend Explorations Academy.
Many families are unaware that outside scholarships exist for middle and high school tuition, just like college scholarships. Even better, there are many scholarships out there that prioritize project-based and solution-oriented activities, making EA students excellent candidates for these funding opportunities. Below we have compiled a few sites that can connect you with third-party scholarships that help offset tuition for your family. If there are others that you know about or find, please share them with us!
These sites compile a number of different programs and financial awards for middle and high school students, and many focus on environmental advocacy and service projects! Pay attention to the application deadlines, as these programs are spaced throughout the year.
Scholarships360 This list is organized by application deadline, making it useful for immediate financial planning.
MEFA.org This list includes some of the larger, nation-wide scholarship and award programs.
Finaid.org Scroll down to find scholarships for students ages 13 and under.
Saving for College Includes a very comprehensive list (dozens!) but requires some click-through research to find the deadlines, award amounts, and application requirements for each.
The Advancement Director is a key staff member in our small, nonprofit, educational organization. This person is responsible for taking the lead role in fund development and donor relations, while also supporting the outreach work of our organization. The Advancement Director (A.D.) interacts with other staff as well as volunteers, students, and parents, collaborating with and at times leading them to generate necessary philanthropic revenue. The A.D. will influence our organization through innovation, professional expertise, commitment, personal integrity, and a sense of humor. This 3/4 time position is an ideal platform for an energetic and experienced individual to deliver results and to earn the satisfaction of being a valued team member in a hands-on human service environment.
The successful candidate will be highly organized, efficient, skilled at handling multiple projects, and possess excellent interpersonal and administrative skills. The A.D. will manage major donor relations, grant writing, fundraising events, partnerships with businesses, and annual giving efforts. In each of these areas the A.D. will be supported by other staff and in many cases by volunteers. In addition, the A.D. will assist with promotional activities such as newsletters, public events, and outreach communications. The A.D. will also play an important role in supporting and contributing to our administrative team, working closely with the Administrative Manager and Executive Director. Further, this position involves being part of our overall staff team including faculty and program leaders. Flexibility, integrity, time management, and openness are crucial to successful performance in this highly dynamic and social setting.
About EA:
Our school was founded on three pillars of thought that a REAL education (Relevant, Engaged, Applied Learning) is personal, social, and global. Our mission is to ignite a passion for learning that inspires participants to collaborate effectively and take responsibility for positive global change. We value experiential learning, healthy individuals and communities, and environmental awareness. Since our founding, we have incorporated environmental education, field study, and ecological literacy into our core academics and summer programs. This helps students build an ethic of environmental stewardship and volunteerism into their life as a direct result of first-hand experiences where nature is the classroom. Community responsibility is also central to our mission, and students engage in service learning work with a variety of environmental, social justice, and other organizations.
Responsibilities
Fund Development: Take the lead role in developing philanthropic funding. This will include major donor cultivation and grant writing, maintaining and improving our Salesforce donor database, assisting in event coordination, and building partnerships with local businesses. Further, collaborating with the Executive Director, working with Board of Directors members as leading volunteers, preparing and delivering donor materials, coordinating annual giving, and donor acknowledgement and tracking are key components of this position. Ultimately the A.D. is our primary staff member responsible for leading fund development efforts and achieving fund development results.
Public Contact/Outreach: Help to increase the visibility of the organization through outreach activities, publications, and events; be present at community events, at times act as a spokesperson representing the organization. Assist in public contact and recruitment, at times answering phones and greeting visitors.
Communication: Website, & Newsletter: Provide leadership in writing, editing, producing and distributing publications. Assist with building our social media presence and with updating and expanding our website.
Staff Support: Provide assistance to other staff members as time allows. Tasks may include data entry, phone calls, running of errands, printing, and mailing.
Qualifications/Criteria
Reports to
The A.D. reports to the Head of School.
Contact
Before applying for this job please review our website, curriculum, mission, and program descriptions. This position requires incredible amounts of passion, dedication, flexibility, a high tolerance for adaptation, and a special measure of brilliance. Please provide an electronic resume and cover letter to jennifer@explorationsacademy.org. Applications received by May 20th, 2024 will receive priority. We maintain a nondiscrimination policy and are an equal opportunity employer.
Salary/Benefits
This is a .75 FTE salaried position (based on 30 hours/week), which may grow to 1.0 FTE. The salary range is $45,000- $60,000 per year depending upon experience. Work hours are somewhat flexible, and will include Fridays, and some evenings and weekends.
Expectations:
Employment under this contract is subject to all current policies, rules, and regulations and those that may hereafter be adopted or amended by the Board of Directors of GGI. Explorations Academy seeks individuals of all ethnic, socio-economic, geographic, and religious backgrounds to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and recruiting a team to reflect the diversity. Explorers Academy does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access as required by law.
Application Procedure:
Please submit an application by email by May 20th, 2024 to admin@explorationsacademy.org
The application should include: