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.

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.

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.