Admission
Tuition and Affordability
Tuition and Financial Assistance
Lake Forest Country Day School seeks to enroll a talented and diverse student body and believes that the cost of an independent school education should not be a deterrent to families. We know that the decision to enroll your student in a tuition-charging school is a major financial commitment. It represents a serious investment, but one that will pay dividends over a lifetime: in high school, in higher education, in a fulfilling career, and most of all, in a life of purpose and meaning. Parents who are concerned about the cost of attendance should not hesitate to inquire about options to make an LFCDS education affordable for your family. We are committed to partnering with families as you explore this important educational decision.
LFCDS offers financial assistance to families on the basis of demonstrated financial need, as determined by the School and Clarity Tuition and Lake Forest Country Day School's Financial Aid Committee. In recent years, LFCDS has become increasingly sensitive to the needs of middle-income families, as well as families who might have suffered a job loss or other financial setback as a result of recent economic conditions. The committee takes these, and a myriad of other circumstances, into consideration when awarding tuition assistance grants. In addition to tuition assistance, LFCDS is pleased to offer merit scholarships to qualifying students, as well as support to children from military families and children of educators.
Financial aid decisions are independent of admission decisions. The School, first, seeks to admit mission-appropriate students regardless of financial need. Following the admission process, the School reviews a family’s Financial Aid application and determines whether a family qualifies for support and at what level. Families who start at LFCDS while receiving some level of financial assistance can expect that support to continue on an annual basis assuming there are no significant changes to financial circumstances. As part of this determination, families are required to submit an updated financial aid application on an annual basis. LFCDS prioritizes tuition assistance funding first to current families who receive financial support, then to current families in need of tuition assistance, and then finally to new families seeking admission to the School.
Click here for instructions on how to apply for financial aid for the 2025-2026 school year. If you have questions about the financial assistance process, please contact Director of Financial Aid and Associate Director of Enrollment Lisa Horstmann at (847) 615-6188 or lisa.horstmann@lfcds.org.
2024-2025 Tuition
| 1st STEP (Two-Day Program) | $6,195 |
| 1st STEP (Three-Day Program) | $8,550 |
| Preschool | $13,065 |
| Junior Kindergarten | $22,625 |
| Senior Kindergarten | $28,240 |
| Grade 1 through Grade 4 | $34,025 |
| Grade 5 through Grade 6 | $37,800 |
| Grade 7 through Grade 8 | $38,710 |
Financial Assistance Options
Merit Scholarships
Need-based Financial Assistance
Military Family Assistance
Educator Family Assistance
Need-based Financial Assistance
Military Family Assistance
Educator Family Assistance
A listing of 2024 - 2025 Tuition and Fees is provided as a Portable Document Format (PDF) file. Parents may also subscribe to the Tuition Refund Insurance Plan. This plan provides an allowance for a portion of the tuition in the event of medical absence, non-medical withdrawal or dismissal. There is an annual fee of 3.5% of the total tuition cost.
A co-educational independent private school for students age 2 through Grade 8.
Graduating students of strong character with a passion for learning since 1888.
Schedule a tour!
Graduating students of strong character with a passion for learning since 1888.
Schedule a tour!
