The wellbeing of a community of people will be the greater, the more each individual works for the needs of others, and the more the individual’s needs are satisfied by the community as a whole
At SunGate, everyone works together to offer something to the community. Parents cook, garden, hike and help with fundraising. Monthly financial contributions meet the costs associated with the program.
Annual Contributions.
Giving in Freedom.
What's Needed to Create Our program
We strive to follow the principles of brotherhood and sisterhood in economics, equality in human rights, and freedom in culture, spirituality and education. In brotherhood and sisterhood we share the costs of the program, and families are invited to give as much as they can. We do not have a traditional tuition system. Financial contributions are offered at the beginning of each month so that teachers are free to teach. There is no fee for education.
The total requested financial contribution for the school year is $18,000 and includes a home cooked organic lunch each day. There are no extra fees. For additional children in a family, the requested contribution is $15,000.
Our fixed costs include rent, utilities, insurance and the cost of high quality supplies. All art supplies and musical instruments are included. Each family contributes a share of the fixed costs of the program. We estimate these costs to be $3,000 a year per family. We ask families to contribute this share of the fixed costs upon enrollment when possible. Payment plans are available and based on financial need.
Fixed Cost Share: $3,000.00 per family for the school year. This amount is prorated monthly and reduces $300 each month. For example, if the enrollment begins in December, the fixed cost share would be $2,100.
Contractual Agreement: $1,500 a month
Our teachers offer this program in freedom, out of an intention to engage in their life’s work, to build community, and to create a school for the children in the future. Payments toward teachers’ life-needs help to make this possible, and are considered gift-money, rather than a fee for service. The amount each teacher receives is based on financial need, rather than their hours of work, or area of work in the program. The contractual agreement is a pledged gift for the life needs of the teachers, and also includes costs for a healthy organic lunch each day.
We will strive to serve every family who comes towards us regardless of financial need, and do not require every family to contribute the same amount. We will meet with each family individually to discuss their contributions to the program. It is our intention to create a space for free giving out of each individual’s will to develop a healthy education for their children, and to support the future initiative of a school for all children.
Financial Contribution Form
The FCF is required once the enrichment admissions form is completed. It can be saved and resumed at any time. It is an online form. Read this Financial Contribution Guide (see below) first.
SunGate Educational Community Financial Contribution Guide
I have completed the admissions process, and I have received an acceptance letter.
Or
I am re-enrolling my child for the 2025/2026 school year.
What do I need to do next?
1. Complete and submit a financial contribution form.
2. Create an individual Financial Pledge which is informed by either a community financial meeting, or an individual conversation.
3. Set up a Payment Plan, and complete a contract for the school year.
What is the cost for the SunGate One Year (10-months) Microschool Program?
The full requested financial contribution for the 2025/2026 school year is $15,000 per child to cover the costs of the food program and the life needs of the teachers. An additional annual contribution of $3,000 is requested from each family to help cover a share of the fixed costs such as rent, utilities, equipment and supplies. We are committed to fundraising an additional $30,000 to meet the costs associated with the program.
How does SunGate meet the costs of creating the Microschool Program with a sliding scale contribution?
SunGate Educational Community is deeply committed to the accessibility of all its Programs. SunGate Educational Community uses a sliding scale to create payment plan agreements for each family. We strive to meet every family who comes towards us regardless of financial needs.
A sliding scale allows everyone to participate regardless of their financial situation. That said, there are significant costs that need to be supported if the program is to continue. Faculty support, facilities support, and materials are real costs associated with the Program.
In order to assure that these needs are covered we budget a contribution of $15,000 per student, plus an additional contribution of $3,000 per family. If you are able to pay more than the budgeted amount, your contribution will help not only sustain the Educational Community, but will support other families who can pay less.
How do I create an individual Financial Pledge?
Sometimes it is difficult to decide where you should fall on a sliding scale, few of us feel like we have plenty of money. The following sliding scale guide, combined with weighing your own financial situation, is a useful means to help you create a Financial Pledge that is significant for you in relationship to your financial situation and to what you are receiving.
See Sliding Scale Guide below.
If the lowest suggested amount still feels like too much of an obstacle, and you currently struggle to meet some of your basic needs, please discuss this with us and we will work to find other solutions.
SunGate Educational Community is committed to making the cultural, spiritual, therapeutic and educational realm accessible to everyone.
What are my Payment Plan options?
We request the $3,000 fixed cost contribution upon enrollment, and also offer the possibility to pay a portion of the fixed costs in a payment plan. The per student contribution may be offered in 10 installments of $1,500 per month, 2 installments of $7,500, or 1 payment of $15,000.
What forms of Payment are accepted?
● Cash or check made out to SunGate Educational Community
Please note that we only accept other forms of payment for fundraising activities.
Sliding Scale guide
Support Scale
$20,000 - $29,000 annual
($3,000 fixed costs contribution per family plus $2,000 - $2,900 per month per child)
Consider paying the support scale amount if you have access to financial security. If you own property, have savings, have investments, have retirement accounts, inheritance, are able to travel recreationally without creating financial strain, have access to family money and resources, work part time by choice, or choose not to work.
Full Scale
$14,000 - $19,000 annual
($3,000 fixed costs contribution per family plus $1,400 to $1,900 per month per child
Consider paying the full scale amount if imagining paying the support price deters you from participating, but you know you are not in need of a significant reduction in cost. You fall in this category if you have access to steady income, and are not struggling to make all your regular payments each month. Perhaps you have some family or other means of support that you are able to access.
Lowest Suggested Amount
$7,000 - $13,000 annual
($3,000 fixed costs contribution per family plus $700 to $1,300 per month per child)
Consider paying near the lowest suggested amount if your circumstances prevent you from accessing the community due to financial hardship, or if you have multiple children in the program. If making a full scale contribution would cause you to struggle to meet some of your basic needs such as food, shelter, medical care, or child care, you very likely need to contribute on this end of the payment scale.
