Tailored Tuition
Our Tailored Tuition program for the 25/26 school year is reaching capacity. Please contact admin@portlandforestschool.org before applying in Clarity
What is Tailored Tuition?
Portland Forest School is committed to improving access to outdoor education. As part of that commitment our outdoor forest school offers Tailored Tuition.
Tailored Tuition is our approach to financial aid. Every family is considered a full-paying family at every level of contribution. Tailored tuition will be determined through an easy-to-use online application process facilitated by our partner, Clarity.
Portland Forest School is happy to be using Clarity to determine a family’s level of financial need based on the information that families share in the application which includes assets, income, expenses, and debts to foster a sustainable future for our school community
Apply to PFS and our Tailored Tuition program in two steps:
1. Submit an application for our school
Admissions are now open! Student enrollment for Portland Forest School is limited to maintain our small class sizes and uniquely low teacher/student ratios.
2. Submit a Clarity application for Tailored Tuition
Submissions are reviewed on a first come, first served basis. Tailored Tuition is limited. Please contact admin@portlandforestschool.org before applying in Clarity to confirm there is still tailored tuition available for the grade your student is in for the 25/26 school year.
Tailored Tuition Information:
Tailored Tuition for the 2025-2026 school year for K-8th grade ranges from $1,800- $17,950 based on the submitted Clarity application that includes information about income, assets, expenses, and debts.
New families submit an enrollment application and a Tailored Tuition (financial aid) Clarity application.
Tailored Tuition is limited. Please contact admin@portlandforestschool.org before applying in Clarity to confirm there is still tailored tuition available for the grade your student will be in for the 25/26 school year.
A $60 application fee may be required to submit the Tailored Tuition application through Clarity. This fee is waived automatically for families based on certain income and asset criteria.
Families are contacted with admission decisions.
Accepted families will receive enrollment contract, Tailored Tuition offer and pay a non-refundable tuition deposit to secure child’s place. Deposit amount will be determined based on your Tailored Tuition.
Paying your deposit and signing your contract ASAP will ensure your student’s enrollment.
Welcome to the forest!
FAQs about Clarity
Why does Portland Forest School use Clarity?
Portland Forest School is committed to improving access to outdoor education, especially for historically underrepresented groups such as female identifying and students of color. As part of that commitment our outdoor forest school offers Tailored Tuition (financial aid). We are confident that using Clarity as our Tailored Tuition application provider best serves our current and prospective families.
How does Clarity make it easier for me to apply for Tailored Tuition?
Clarity offers a streamlined, mobile friendly application that can be completed in as short as 20 minutes. Additionally, Clarity removes the need to upload your 2023 W2 and 1040 by transferring them directly from the IRS. This reduces the amount of information that you will need to enter manually and makes it possible to complete the application quickly and efficiently.
Is my information secure with Clarity?
Portland Forest School takes the privacy and security of your personal information very seriously. Clarity is certified for both GDPR and SOC2 and uses enterprise-level security standards including end-to-end encryption of all personally identifiable information. For more information, please refer to **Clarity’s Privacy Policy.**
Are there sibling discounts?
For families participating in Tailored Tuition the sibling discount will be built into your tuition amount presented with the enrollment contract. For families not participating in Tailored Tuition a 10% sibling discount will apply.
Will I need to apply every year?
Yes, you will need to submit a Clarity application each year in order to participate in the Tailored Tuition program; however, Clarity retains your information from previous applications, so it will be even easier to reapply. Current students get first priority of Tailored Tuition funds.
Can I complete my Clarity application on my phone or tablet?
Yes! Clarity’s application is fully mobile-friendly so you have access wherever you are.
When do I need to apply for the 2025-26 school year?
You can apply anytime but in order for your application to be reviewed, we must receive both your admissions application and your Tailored Tuition application through Clarity.
How is our student(s) spot ensured for the next school year?
Current families get first notice to re-apply in January. As soon as your information has been reviewed a contract and deposit information is sent. Signing that contract and paying the deposit ASAP is how you ensure your student’s position in the school.
If you need support during the process of completing your application, there is in-app support available through the “Help” button in the bottom left of the screen, as well as email and phone support at support@clarityapp.com or 206-210-3752, in both English and Spanish. The application itself is also fully translated into Spanish.
Join Us on the Journey
We invite you to join us on this extraordinary journey of education, community, and nature. At the Portland Forest School, we believe in the transformative power of holistic learning, we cultivate curious minds, compassionate hearts, and responsible stewards of the Earth.
Come, be a part of our thriving community, where the forest is not just a backdrop but an integral part of the academic classroom, and every student's journey is a celebration of growth, discovery, and connection.
