Admissions

Affording PCD

We believe that the cost of a PCD education should not be a deterrent to any family, regardless of income.

We know that the published cost of tuition can make it seemingly impossible for many families to consider independent schools as an option, and we have worked hard to change that perception.
At the Providence Country Day School, we believe that the advantages of an independent school—especially those at PCD (small class size, individualized instruction, abundant opportunities for leadership in the classroom, arts, athletics, and the community), should be available to as many academically qualified students as possible.

That is why financially qualifying families may be able to take advantage of financial aid, designed to increase access and give families the opportunity to pay according to their demonstrated need.

List of 1 news stories.

Applying for Financial Aid

Our financial aid program is designed to make a PCD education possible for all families based on demonstrated financial need and the availability of funds. We use the Clarity Financial Aid Platform 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.

If you need support during the process of completing your application, there is in-app support available as well as email support at support@claritytuition.com in both English and Spanish. The application itself is also fully translated into Spanish.

New families must submit their initial financial aid application by December 31.  Returning families must reapply for financial aid by December 1 of each year.

List of 4 items.

  • Completing the financial aid application online

    • To get started, please go to the Clarity Application and create an account.
    • The application typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete.
    • The Clarity Application is mobile-friendly so you can complete it from anywhere.
    • You are able to save your progress and return at any time.
    • At the end of the application, there is a $60 fee to submit. You may share your application with additional schools that accept the Clarity Application for no additional charge. Simply use the dropdown menu in the application to select those schools.
    • Please remember to return to your dashboard after you complete and submit your Clarity Application, as PCD may require you to upload additional tax documentation.
  • Additional Required Documents

    • 2022 federal 1040 tax form with all filed schedules, attachments, and W2 wage statement(s)
    • 2023 federal 1040 tax form with all filed schedules, attachments, and W2 wage statement(s)
    Recognizing that your 2023 tax documents will not be available by the December deadlines, the Admissions Office will make a preliminary determination based on your 2022 tax information received by the application deadline. Any offer of financial assistance will not be finalized until we receive your 2023 tax information.
  • Notification of the Financial Aid Decision

    We will communicate our financial aid decision to you directly with your admission decision (new families) or offer of re-enrollment (returning families). To make our decision, we use the information from the financial aid application as a starting point. We also consider our school policies and practices, as well as the budget we have available.
  • Note for Divorced/Separated Parents

    PCD requires that both the custodial and the non-custodial parent (or both co-custodial parents) complete and submit a financial aid application for review. Copies of both financial aid applications and the most recent tax documents must be submitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 3 frequently asked questions.

Red and Black Scholarships

Providence Country Day School scholarships are awarded to new Middle and Upper School students in recognition of their academic achievement, commitment to extracurricular and community service activities, leadership, and potential to be a strong PCD community member.

List of 4 items.

  • 1923 Scholarship

    Criteria
    The 1923 Scholarship is awarded to a limited number of students applying for admission to either grade five, grade six, or grade nine. A 1923 Scholar candidate demonstrates consistent academic excellence, strong character, commitment to extracurricular, club, and/or community service activities, and a capacity to contribute as an engaged citizen at The Providence Country Day School. Candidates will demonstrate commitment to academic achievement and excellence as reflected in classroom grades, teacher comments, and the student application essay. To ensure a fair process, the children of PCD administration, faculty, staff and Board of Trustees are not eligible for the 1923 Scholarships.

    How to Apply
    1. Apply for PCD admission by February 1.
    2. Submit a 1923 Scholar Nomination Form by February 1 (available here).
    3. Submit the Scholar Project by February 1 to parsons@providencecountryday.org.

    Scholar Project
    Demonstrate how one of PCD’s core values expresses who you are. The core values are: Commitment and Participation, Diversity, Hard Work, Honesty, Intellectual Curiosity, Respect, and Teamwork. We encourage creative, thoughtful, and unique projects. Please feel free to think outside the box!
  • 1991 Scholarship

    Criteria
    The 1991 Scholarship is awarded to new female students in recognition of PCD's commitment to co-education since 1991. A qualified candidate will demonstrate significant leadership potential, as well as achievement in one or more of the following areas: academics, arts, extracurriculars, and citizenship.

    How to Apply
    1. Apply for PCD admission by February 1.
    2. Respond to the following essay prompt: How have you used your voice to change the game? Responses should not exceed 300 words. Please submit your responses to to parsons@providencecountryday.org.
  • Core Values Scholarship

    The Core Values Scholarship is awarded to new students whose applications reflect excellence and commitment in one or more of PCD's core values: Commitment & Participation, Diversity, Hard Work, Honesty, Intellectual Curiosity, Respect, and Team Work. All applicants are automatically considered for this award.
  • Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships

    Criteria
    Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships are awarded to new students in each category who best display the qualities of a PCD student and whose artistic, musical, dance, or theatrical talents would enrich our school community.

    How to Apply
    1. Apply for PCD admission by February 1.
    2. Submit a letter of recommendation from an Art, Music, Dance, or Drama director, teacher, instructor, or conductor. Letters of recommendation should be emailed directly to Melanie Parsons, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, at parsons@providencecountryday.org.
    3. Visual Arts applicants: Submit digital photographs of 5-7 pieces of original artwork.
    4. Music applicants: Submit a musical sample of a piece of your choice (vocal or instrumental) not to exceed three minutes.
    5. Theater and Dance applicants: Submit a resume of performance experience. Videos or highlight clips are welcome, but not required.

    All submissions should be emailed to parsons@providencecountryday.org.

Scholarship Renewal Criteria

Scholarships are renewable each year through graduation. Recipients do not need to reapply, provided they have met all the academic, citizenship, and participatory requirements as follows:
  1. Upper School: academic honors for year-end grades.
    Middle School: academic citizenship honor roll for the year.
  2. Fulfilled the after-school participation requirement.
  3. Upper School recipients have completed 15 hours of community service during the academic year.
Academic scholarships range from $1,000 to $10,000 of the tuition in the award year. Students may qualify for need-based financial assistance in addition to a merit award. Notification will be included in an offer of enrollment at the end of February.

Tuition & Fees

PCD announced a major tuition reduction—called a tuition reset—for the fall of 2021. After listening carefully to the concerns of PCD parents and as a direct response to the skyrocketing tuitions of private education, we thought it was time to take a different path.

Why the big change? Learn more about PCD's tuition reset here.

Tuition Including Meal Plan (2024-2025 School Year)

 
Grades 5-8
Grades 9-12
Domestic
$23,700
$26,800
International
$27,700
$30,800

HBS Tuition Including Meal Plan (2024-2025 School Year)

Pre-K
Kindergarten
Grades 1-4
$18,950
$17,850
$16,800

Payment Plans

PCD offers three different tuition payment plans.
  • PCD Single Full Payment Plan: Due in full by July 31
  • PCD Monthly Installment Plan: 12 payments due on the last business day of each month beginning on May 31
  • 50/50 Payment Plan: two equal payments due by June 30 and November 30

List of 2 items.

  • Middle School Field Trip Fees

    • Grades 5 - 8: $550
  • Other Fees and Charges

    • New student enrollment fee: $500 (nonrefundable)
    • Books: $200–$500 (estimate)
    • Miscellaneous: Variable (Upper School Activity Day, AP exams, etc.) 
    • The Learning Center fee: Variable; for users only
    • Athletic fee: variable (covers off-campus facility rentals for applicable sports)

Contact Us for More Information

Please call 401-438-5170 x137 to speak with an admissions representative to discuss how you can afford a PCD education.

Please note: Tuition Refund Insurance (approximately 1.35% of total tuition amount) is required for all first-year students, families on monthly and 50/50 payment plans, and families paying a reduced tuition based on financial aid regardless of payment plan chosen. For those families receiving financial aid, the premium is based on the total amount of full tuition and not the amount of financial aid. Click here for more information.