Annual Giving
The 2008-2009 Annual Fund
- Covers the gap between tuition and the real cost per student.
- Sustains and improves academic and athletic programs.
- Supports teachers' salaries.
- Preserves our small school environment.
What is the Annual Fund?
The Sharon Academy's Annual Fund is a giving program that invites TSA friends and families to give to The Sharon Academy on a regular, annual basis in order to help finance the operating budget at the Academy. All contributions to the Annual Fund are normally unrestricted and are allocated to our operating budget to cover expenses like teachers' salaries, building and grounds maintanance, program expenses, and school supplies.
Why does TSA have an Annual Fund?
As a small, independent school in Sharon, Vermont, The Sharon Academy depends on annual, voluntary giving from friends and families in order to help finance our operating expenses every year. Unlike public and private schools who are able to establish their tuition based on annual budgetary needs, The Sharon Academy is beholden to set tuition at the Vermont state average ($10,921 for the 2008-2009 school year) in order to offer financial accessibility to all families*.
Since our inception in 1996, The Sharon Academy has been dedicated to maintaining this low tuition in order to ensure financial accessibility for our families. We are proud that 83% of our current students are publicly funded and are able to access the educational opportunities and experiences we provide. This dedication to accessibility has undeniably shaped our community and makes TSA a truly unique model in education today.
While The Sharon Academy is committed to maintaining financial accessibility, our commitment comes at a price. TSA's current tuition only covers 90% of our operating expenses. In order to maintain our small class sizes, retain dedicated and engaged faculty, and offer the programs we do, The Sharon Academy is dependent on our friends and families to help cover the gap between tuition and the real cost of educating our students. Voluntary giving is essential to our sustainability.
We invite you to participate in this year’s Annual Fund, and help maintain the financial sustainability of The Sharon Academy.
*Vermont's education funding laws only require sending towns (towns that do not have a designated high school) to pay up to the state average tuition for any student who attends an independent school. So while public schools in the area, can and do charge more, The Sharon Academy has been committed to setting tuition at the state average in order to offer financial accessibility. By maintaining this low tuition, 83% of TSA students are entirely publicly funded.
TSA Financial Highlights:
- TSA’s tuition currently finances only 90% of operating expenses at TSA. The real per pupil cost is approximately $1,000 more than TSA’s set tuition (the state average tuition: $10,921 for 2008-2009).
- The average regional public school tuition ranges from $10,300 to $16,633 – on average, 14% higher than TSA's tuition.
- TSA has always maintained a balanced budget.
2007-2008 Annual Fund Highlights:
- The largest gift to TSA's annual fund was $24,000; the smallest gift was $2. Every Gift Counts!!
- TSA's Annual Fund has doubled every year in the last three years.
- 18% of current and former TSA parents gave to the Annual Fund in 2007-2008.