Start with the total.
Ideal’s published annual tuition for 2026–27 is $8,290. The listed fees are $250 for enrollment, $175 for books and learning materials, and $125 for student activities. Together, the fees total $550 and the annual cost before scholarships is $8,840.
Families should ask which charges are due at enrollment, what payment arrangements are available, and whether any optional activities or individual circumstances create additional costs. Confirm the current fee schedule and written agreement before making a commitment.
Understand what a percentage covers.
The website’s 95% scholarship illustration applies to tuition, rather than the full tuition-and-fee total. Ninety-five percent of $8,290 is $7,875.50, leaving $414.50 in tuition. Adding the listed $550 in fees produces an illustrative annual family cost of $964.50.
This arithmetic explains one example; it is not an individual award. The school confirms each family’s eligibility, scholarship amount, and final charges. The tuition page includes a calculator so families can explore how different tuition-support percentages affect the total.
Prepare for the conversation.
Families receiving SNAP or WIC benefits, or living in DC public housing, can ask about automatic scholarship consideration. Consideration means review for support, not a guaranteed award. Ask what documentation is needed and how to provide it securely.
Before sharing sensitive records, confirm the correct recipient and submission process with the school. Bring questions about timing, renewal, changes in household circumstances, and any separate assistance with fees.
Leave with a written understanding.
A complete conversation should clarify the award, the remaining balance, payment dates, any conditions, and who can answer follow-up questions. If a figure is unclear, ask for a written breakdown rather than estimating from a percentage alone.
Read the full tuition page for the fee table and illustration. For questions that depend on your household, contact the school directly so your planning is based on your family’s circumstances.
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