Schools

Pre-K Jump: 10 Percent Increase in Preschool Tuition Proposed

Increases would range from $200 to $300 annually for three- and four- half day a week students.

The head of the schools' preschool program is proposing a 10 percent increase for those children who spend 12 or less hours per week  – half days – from $9 to $9.90 per hour while keeping the rate unchanged for those students who attend all-day pre-K in the coming school year.

In a memo to Director of Student Services Ken Kramer, Peg Hamilton, the district's early childhood liaison, said the program "could tolerate" the increase "and continue to draw sufficient students," in the report presented to the Belmont School Committee on Tuesday, Nov. 12. 

Under the 10 percent increase, Belmont preschool parents will be shelling out an extra $200 (for three-day a week) to $300 an hour (for four-day a week). 

What they are now paying between $2,900 and $3,900 a year for preK will increase to $3,200 and $4,200. 

"Historically we try to stay competitive with area public schools and lower than community schools, who may offer a wider range of daycare options," wrote Hamilton.

She points to several private preschool tuition rates in comparison, including:

  • Kendall Preschool, Belmont (3.5 hrs/day) $13.30 an hour, $8,380 a year.
  • Belmont Coop, Belmont (2.75 hrs/day) $10.31 an hour, $6,450 a year.
  • Evergreen, Cambridge (5 hrs/day) $11.72 an hour, $8,440 a year.
Belmont would also be keeping up with public preschool services in surrounding towns – Lexington ($9.20 hr.), Wellesley and Arlington (both $9 hr.) – which are all considering 10 percent increases in the near future. 

The School Committee's Financial subcommittee will now mull over the suggested increase with Hamilton in the near future.

ClarificationCaroline Dupree, the director of the Belmont Cooperative Nursery School, wrote to say that tuition and hours used by Ms. Hamilton in her memo are incorrect.

"We run a 2, 3, and 4 day program with an annual fee of $2,419, $3,789 and $4,901. Classes run from 9 a.m. to noon for (all students)," said Dupree.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Belmont