Tuition
A Carolina Day education is an investment that lasts a lifetime. CDS strives to make an independent school education available to families from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. We seek to admit determined and curious students who will thrive in a well-rounded liberal arts education that goes beyond the textbook, regardless of family resources.
2025-2026 Tuition and Fees
| Pre-Kindergarten (Full Day PK3 and PK4) |
$21,800 |
| Kindergarten |
$23,900 |
| Grades 1–3 |
$27,400 |
| Grade 4 | $28,700 |
| Grades 5–7 | $30,500 |
| Grade 8 | $34,100 |
| Grades 9–10 | $36,200 |
| Grades 11–12 | $37,800 |
| Key School Grades 2–8 | $52,100 |
2025-2026 Study Skills Tuition
| Middle School Study Skills |
$8,100 |
| Upper School Study Skills |
$8,800 |
*Financial aid is available to students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 and Key School students. CDS does not offer financial aid to students in pre-k.
*Barring any unusual change in circumstances, families should not plan to apply for financial aid in future years if they did not initially apply for and receive financial aid as part of their admission application to CDS.
*Study Skills Programs incur an additional tuition charge. to learn more, please speak with your admission associate (for applicant families) or division principal (for current families).
*our pre-kindergarten program is a full day program, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. Pre-kindergarten students can also participate in after school.
*Applicants to the Pre-Kindergarten program must be 3 years old, and applicants to Kindergarten must be 5 years old by September 1 of the year they matriculate.
Tuition Planning Resources
- What is and is not included in tuition?
- What kind of payment plans are available?
- What is the non-refundable deposit?
- Is Tuition Refund Insurance required?