In the last few years, the administration has more than tripled the amount of financial aid offered—from $350,000 to over $1 million according to Repsher. 

The last series of large increases in tuition occurred between 2003-06, when tuition increased nearly 10 percent every year. The purpose then was to bring teachers’ salaries to benchmark levels.

The administration remains hopeful that despite the increase in tuition and the down economy, enrollment will remain high. 

“The numbers of contracts received by March 6 compare favorably to those received at last year’s due date,” Lonna Bloedau, director of admissions, said. 

Though enrollment contracts are due on March 6, families are often late when making the down payment on the next year’s education, she said.

“The challenge for the school is not knowing the precise enrollment until after we have to extend contracts to faculty and staff,” Repsher said.

At the same time, the community, especially parents, is expressing confusion as to why tuition is increasing in such a dismal economy. 

At a March 2 meeting about the new Newton Booth campus, Repsher began answering questions with a microphone. The first hour of questions was all about the tuition increase and financial aid. 

Parents complained about a variety of issues, including potential discounts for multi-student families, the future of tuition increases, and whether the increase in tuition will drive more families away from the school, causing Country Day to actually lose money.

Repsher fielded many questions from frustrated lower-school parents, who believe many lower-school families will leave because of the tuition increase. 

The administration held another informational meeting on March 12, this time focusing on tuition.

Scott Nichols, father of sophomore Case, attended the March 2 meeting but is still unclear as to what the increase is going toward.

“I’d like to see a specific breakdown or a pie chart,” he said.

Though the increase will generally cover expenses for the school’s operation, the administration is not sure what the specific breakdown will be, as return investments and operation costs fluctuate.

Repsher is unsure to what degree tuition will increase in the next few years, though he explained at the meeting that the objective of the steady increase—raising salaries and benefits, improving facilities, and expanding educational programs—has been achieved.  

Funds for projects such as the new lower school are raised from capital campaigns and a bond issue, whereas tuition pays for operations and salaries.