Tuition & Financial Aid

Discovering Their Inherent Potential at Near North

Our Guiding Principles

NNM creates curious, motivated, and accomplished lifelong learners through an environment and Montessori approach unique to our school. We achieve these outcomes by adhering to the following principles:

“Near North has taught me everything that I need to know going into high school. They taught me how to advocate for myself, how to be independent, how to problem solve in uncomfortable situations, and how to be a great all-around human being by using integrity.”

—2020 NNM Alum

More Than A Monetary Investment

Family Education
Volunteer Opportunities
Governance and School Support
Classroom Partnership
Life-Long Community Connections

Tuition and Fees for the 2024–2025 School Year

For 2023-24, NNM granted aid to 18% of our student body.

Class	Age	Time	Yearly Tuition
Parent/Infant (6 months old by Sept. 1)	6-24 months	F \| 8:45-10:45am	$5,905
Young Children's Community (YCC); 4-Day, Half-Day (age 2 by Sept. 1)	2 years old	M-Th \| 8:30-11:50am	$18,369
Young Children's Community (YCC); 5-Day, Half-Day (age 2 by Sept. 1)	2 years old	M-Th \| 8:30-11:50am	$20,867
Young Children's Community (YCC); 5-Day, Full-Day (age 2 by Sept. 1)	2 years old	M-F \| 8:25am-3:30pm	$27,782
Primary; Half-Day (age 3 by Sept. 1)	3-6 years old	M-F \| 8:25am-noon	$21,310
Primary; Full-Day (age 3 by Sept. 1)	3-6 years old	M-F \| 8:25am-3:15pm	$24,034
Elementary	6-12 years old	8:25am-3:30pm	$24,034
Junior High	12-14 years old	8:25am-3:30pm	$25,723

Payments, Giving, and Financial Aid

Payments, Fees, and Charitable Giving

An independent school is an investment in excellence. Tuition and fees are vital sources of revenue to our school and along with charitable giving, fund its operating expenses. We strive to keep tuition as low as possible while continuing to attract and retain outstanding teachers and to provide the highest quality education for our students.

Payment Options

Other Fees

Charitable Giving

Tuition alone does not cover the cost of educating a student at NNM. Like all independent schools, NNM conducts annual fundraising programs that contribute to the operating budget and provide direct funding to our educational initiatives. At NNM we have two annual fundraising programs: The Near North Montessori Annual Giving Campaign and the Big Night Gala, a benefit for the Near North Scholarship Fund. All parents and guardians are encouraged to participate in both of these important initiatives each year.

Financial Aid and Economic Diversity

We believe that economic diversity contributes to a strong and healthy school community, and therefore NNM has committed to providing eligible families with financial assistance. Applications are reviewed confidentially by the Financial Aid Review Group and are considered separately from admissions.

Financial aid funding comes primarily from school fundraising activities, generous gifts from parents and other community supporters, as well as the school’s operating budget.

Financial Assistance Availability
Afterschool & Activity Credit

Financial Assistance Availability

Financial assistance is available to current families at the 3-6, 6-9, 9-12 and 12-14 programs based on need. Financial assistance may also be made available to families new to NNM if funds are available after meeting the needs of current families.

All families are expected to contribute some amount to tuition obligations. Financial aid is awarded to provide monetary assistance in meeting those tuition payments. In the past, awards for financial assistance have ranged from several hundred dollars to up to 70% of tuition costs, as needs warrant and funds permit. Financial need is determined based on a family’s total financial picture, which includes income and expenses, as well as assets, such as savings accounts, investments, home equity and real estate, and liabilities, such as mortgages, student loans and medical bills.

Afterschool & Activity Credit

Apply For Financial Aid

Families must apply for financial aid each school year with updated financial and family information and
all outstanding financial obligations for the current school year be paid in full. In a continued effort to more closely align our enrollment and financial aid processes, NNM will make preliminary awards based on 2023 tax filings subject to verification after the completion of 2024 tax returns. Applications for Financial Aid may be submitted beginning November 18, 2024, for the 2025-26 school year.

Questions regarding the financial aid process should be directed to the school’s Finance and Operations Director.

The Process

Beginning November 18, complete and submit the following:

Clarity online application
Instructions for creating a Clarity account and filling out the Clarity application can be found here.
Federal and State Income Tax Returns (W-2’s and related schedules)In a continued effort to more closely align our enrollment and financial aid processes, NNM will make preliminary awards based on 2023 tax filings subject to verification after the completion of 2024 tax returns.
Form 4506
Non-refundable application fee

Important Financial Aid Deadlines

Monday, November 18, 2024: Financial aid applications for 2024-25 school year opens.
Friday, January 10, 2025: Deadline for all returning families (non-staff) to submit financial aid applications for the 2023-24 school year.
Sunday, March 9, 2025: Final day for families new to NNM to submit financial aid applications for the 2024-25 school year.
Sunday, May 18, 2025: Final day for submission of 2023 tax documents for all NNM families receiving financial aid.

Additional Information

In cases of divorce, separation or separate households, both parents must submit all required forms. The family’s ability to contribute is based on finances of both parents.
Tax returns and Form 4506 need to be uploaded to your Clarity application.
If the application, tax return and Form 4506 from both parents are not received by the deadline, the application may be rejected and/or financial aid funds may not be available.
Information received from you or Clarity to the Financial Aid Review Group is kept confidential and cannot be released to any other person without your written authorization. No other person or committee has access to this confidential information.

Questions regarding the financial aid process should be directed to the school's Director of Finance and Operations or the Controller.