2026–2027 Tuition
Annual Tuition all grades 1 through 8: $15,000

We are committed to making Waldorf education accessible to all families. Thanks to Arizona’s robust scholarship programs, most of our families significantly reduce or even eliminate their out-of-pocket tuition costs. 

State Scholarship Opportunities

If your family qualifies as low income (please check your eligibility at the sites below: typically the family income threshold is 185% of the income required to qualify for the National School Lunch Program), we strongly encourage you to apply as early as possible to the following School Tuition Organizations (STOs):

1. ALF (Arizona Leadership Foundation)

• Up to $6,700 per year
• Deadline: Mid-June
• Completed taxes required
  Apply to ALF »

2. AAA Scholarship Foundation

• Up to $6,700 per year (3-year award!)
• Deadline: January-March
• First-come, first-served
• Completed taxes required
  Apply to AAA »

3. APESF (Arizona Private Education Scholarship Fund)

• Award varies; often based on your donor network efforts; often able to fill in the gap
• Rolling/Open Application 
•  A personal letter explaining your family’s need is highly recommended
  Apply to APESF »

4. ESA (Empowerment Scholarship Account)

• In Arizona, the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program provides financial support to parents and students who choose to pursue educational options outside of the traditional public school system. Apply here: https://www.azed.gov/esa/esa-support

Enrollment Steps

1. Schedule a Tour – Come experience our vibrant classrooms and meet our caring faculty. Schedule by filling out the admissions inquiry form.
2. Apply – All prospective families will need to fill out a one-time application to continue the enrollment process. The application fee is $40. The information will be shared with the classroom teacher in preparation for the next step.
3. Student Guest Visit – If school is in session, your child will join his/her class for a two-day visit for everyone to see if RRS is a good match for your child.
4. Enroll – Once the classroom teacher gives the go ahead families will complete the last steps online to officially enroll.

Other Admissions Information

• Open Enrollment: Running River School accepts new students throughout most of the school year as space allows. Please note that enrollment is typically closed during April and May.
  
• 1st Grade Admissions: Children entering 1st grade (or currently in kindergarten) do not participate in classroom visits. In some cases, a 1st Grade Readiness Assessment may be requested as part of the admissions process.
  
• Tuition Payment Options: Tuition may be paid annually, semi-annually, or monthly. Families choosing monthly payments participate in our 12-month tuition plan, with payments continuing through the summer months.
  
• Invoice Payments: Tuition invoices are due according to the payment schedule, regardless of the timing of ESA, STO, or other scholarship awards. Families are responsible for paying invoices as they are received.
  
• Scholarship Responsibility: Applying for scholarships and meeting all application deadlines is the responsibility of each family. Running River School is unable to adjust tuition or make up funding when scholarship deadlines are missed.
  
• Scholarship Support: Navigating scholarships can feel overwhelming. If you'd like to speak with a current Running River family about the ESA or STO process, we're happy to connect you with a parent volunteer who can share their experience and answer questions.