Cost should not be the first thing that rules us out.
We are a K3–12 Catholic college-preparatory school, and our mission calls us to an inclusive admissions process. Part of what that means, in practice, is that we work with families to find a number that works. Most families who enroll here pay something other than the published rate.
This page is a starting point. Below are the four programs available, what each one is, and where to go next.
Start Here: Variable Tuition
For most families, this is the first thing to look at.
Tuition at Montgomery Catholic is not one-size-fits-all. Any family, current or new, who is concerned about affording the full rate may apply. We consider income, assets, unusual expenses, and family size in determining what your family can reasonably pay.
Three things families often do not realize:
- It is confidential. Applications go to SmartAid, an independent third-party agency, rather than being reviewed by us directly.
- It does not affect admission. Applying for Variable Tuition has no bearing on your admission or re-enrollment decision. We make those separately.
- You do not need to be in financial hardship to ask. If the full rate concerns you, that is reason enough to apply.
→ Variable Tuition and Financial Assistance
The CHOOSE Act
Alabama’s Education Savings Account program, which allows eligible families to direct state education funds toward approved private school expenses.
Alabama Accountability Act Scholarships
Scholarship Granting Organizations operating under the Alabama Accountability Act award scholarships to eligible students. These are administered by the SGOs themselves, with their own eligibility rules and deadlines.
→ Alabama Accountability Act SGOs
MCPS Endowed Scholarships
Our own scholarships are funded by benefactors, alumni, parishes, and friends of the school. Many are endowed, meaning a single gift supports students year after year rather than once.
→ Montgomery Catholic Scholarships
What We Will Tell You Plainly
We would rather you hear these from us now than discover them in April.
Financial aid never covers 100% of tuition. Every family pays a portion of standard tuition as an investment in their child’s education, plus the annual $750 capital assessment fee.
Financial aid is not provided to students in K3 or K4. If you are enrolling a three- or four-year-old, plan for full tuition in those first years. Assistance becomes available in later grades — so if you priced us when your child was small and walked away, the math may be different now.
You must be enrolled to be eligible to apply. That means completing the online contract and paying the non-refundable $250 registration fee per student.
Aid is typically finalized in April or May. Once your award is determined, a revised contract reflecting it replaces your original.
Discounts That Apply Automatically
Separate from assistance, two reductions may already apply to you:
Multiple children. $1,000 off for a second enrolled child, $1,500 off for a third. Families with four or more students may qualify for a tuition cap. Ask our Business Office.
Registered parishioners. Registered, tithing parishioners at one of our nine partner parishes qualify for reduced parishioner rates, verified by your pastor.
The Order to Do This In
Getting the sequence wrong costs families time and sometimes money.
1. Apply for admission or re-enrollment first. Regardless of financial need, start as early as you can. Assistance cannot be finalized until a student is admitted.
2. Then apply for assistance. Variable Tuition through SmartAid, plus any state programs you may qualify for.
3. Watch for your revised contract in April or May.
Available at Every Campus
We are a regional K3–12 school, and these programs apply across all four campuses — so a family that finds a workable number in second grade can carry that relationship through graduation.
- Holy Spirit Elementary Campus (K3–6), 8580 Vaughn Road
- St. Bede Elementary Campus (K3–6), 3850 Atlanta Highway
- Middle School Campus (7–8), 5350 Vaughn Road
- High School Campus (9–12), 5350 Vaughn Road
For Military Families
We offer rolling admissions, so you can apply year-round, including summer and mid-year transfers. Our campuses are between 8.6 and 14 miles from Maxwell Air Force Base, and our teachers, faculty, and administrators have all been trained through the Military Child Education Coalition.
Talk to Someone
This is the step we most want families to take. Programs stack differently for different households, and a ten-minute conversation usually beats an hour of reading.
Julie Emerson, Director of Admissions (334) 318-3777 · jemerson@montgomerycatholic.org
Billing questions — MCPS Business Office David Schwarz · Lauren Huss · (334) 272-7220
If cost is what is holding you back, call before you decide against us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What scholarships and assistance does Montgomery Catholic offer? Four programs: Variable Tuition, The CHOOSE Act, Alabama Accountability Act SGO scholarships, and MCPS Endowed Scholarships. Separate multi-child and registered parishioner discounts may also reduce your rate.
Does applying for financial assistance affect our chances of admission? No. Admission and financial assistance are decided separately, and applying for Variable Tuition does not affect the admission or re-enrollment process.
Do we have to demonstrate hardship to apply? No. Any family, current or new, concerned about affording the full tuition rate may apply for Variable Tuition. Income, assets, unusual expenses, and family size are all considered.
Is our financial information kept private? Yes. Variable Tuition applications are confidential and are submitted to SmartAid, a third-party agency.
Will a scholarship cover the full cost? No. Financial aid never covers 100% of tuition. Every family pays a portion, plus the $750 capital assessment fee.
Is assistance available for K3 and K4? No. Financial aid is not provided to students in K3/4. Assistance options become available in later grades.
When will we know our award? Assistance is typically finalized in April or May, after which a revised contract reflecting your award replaces the original.
Is assistance available at every campus? Yes. These programs apply across all four campuses, K3 through 12.
How do military families apply? Through the same programs, with rolling admissions that accommodate summer and mid-year transfers. Our admissions team can help you align timing with your assignment.
Next Step
The most useful thing you can do is visit. Schedule a tour at the campus you are considering, and bring your child. When you are ready to apply, our Admissions Checklist lists what you will need by grade level.
Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.
Interested in funding a scholarship rather than receiving one? Our giving pages explain how benefactors support students through annual and endowed gifts.
