Admission

Tuition Assistance & Scholarships

Throughout the years, Harborlight’s forward-thinking vision has driven the school to build a more diverse and representative community through a broad and innovative approach to tuition. The result is a model that allows for a customized tuition meeting the range of economic circumstances while also re-investing in our commitment to the Beverly community and our Montessori legacy scholars. More than 50% of our school-age students receive tuition reductions from one of the opportunities listed below.

Affording Harborlight

Affording Harborlight may be more manageable than you think. Many families take advantage of one or more of the following resources to help manage the investment in their child’s education: 
 
Harborlight’s commitment to ensuring for a wide range of families across the greater Beverly community can afford and attend the school is our priority. We request that families first seek alternative methods of tuition assistance prior to accessing the in-house Harborlight financial aid program. This helps Harborlight make every effort to collaborate with families’ individual circumstances.  

529 Plan Use for K-12 Independent School Tuition
The 529 Plan legislation was amended in 2018 to allow families to withdraw up to $10,000 per student per year to pay for K-12 tuition. We advise families to consult with a financial advisor prior to taking advantage of this option.

IRS Gift Tax Exclusions
Family members, grandparents, and friends can make annual gifts up to $17,000 directly to as many individuals as they would like, and these gifts are exempt from federal gift taxes. In addition, tuition payments made directly to a qualified educational institution are exempt from federal gift taxes. Harborlight is a fully accredited educational institution; however, we strongly recommend that you consult with a CPA regarding the tuition gift tax exclusion prior to making a tuition gift for the benefit of a Harborlight student.

Financial Aid & Tuition Assistance

List of 6 items.

  • Community Scholarships

    As part of our commitment to the Beverly community, Harborlight Montessori offers a $10,000 Community Scholarship to students who are enrolled in a Beverly public elementary school. Students must be new to Harborlight and be eligible for enrollment through the admission process. These scholarships are granted regardless of need and are awarded annually until the student graduates grade 8. A family may apply for financial aid in addition to the receipt of the scholarship. There are now unlimited Community Scholarship available each entry year to a graduate of each of the following schools:
    • Ayers Ryal Side
    • Centerville
    • Cove
    • Hannah
    • North Beverly
    For 2025-2026, students entering 4th through 8th grade may apply for the scholarships. 

  • Need-Based Financial Aid: Grades K-8

    A family’s eligibility is determined through an evaluative process beginning with the application.  FAST, Financial Aid for School Tuition, is a service of Independent School Management in Wilmington, Delaware. This secure online program (FAST) computes the parents’ financial statement and recommends an appropriate tuition contribution from the family. The Financial Aid Committee will review the recommendation and respond with a financial aid decision. Financial aid awards and decisions will be based on total tuition due taking into consideration other students (siblings) enrolled at Harborlight. Confidentiality of financial aid applications, records, and decisions is assured.

  • Need-Based Scholarship: Grades K-8

    The New England Biolabs Scholarship Fund provides tuition assistance to one North Shore student annually. The families must meet the income eligibility guidelines for this scholarship. For more information contact the Director of Finance, Jed Dickman at jdickman@harborlight.net.

  • Montessori Legacy Scholarships: Grades 1-8

    Harborlight offers the Montessori Legacy Scholarship to students who have attended the last year/grade level at another authentic Montessori School.

    Scholarships are granted regardless of need at each grade level in the amount of $4,000 and are awarded annually until the student graduates grade 8. Students may apply for financial aid in addition to the receipt of the scholarship. Harborlight has unlimited Legacy Scholarships available.

  • Need-Based Tuition Voucher Program: Grades Infant – PK-4 only

    Massachusetts provides tuition assistance vouchers to students enrolling Infant – PK-4 from families who meet the income eligibility guidelines through Child Care Circuit. Harborlight only accepts vouchers that are for one year and support a full-time schedule. Harborlight has limited spaces for tuition voucher students at each level.

  • Military Vouchers: Grades Infant – PK-4 only

    Harborlight is pleased to be partnering with our military families and accepts child care subsidies administered though the federal military administered programs. For more information contact the Director of Finance, Jed Dickman at jdickman@harborlight.net.

Contact

243 Essex Street
Beverly, Massachusetts, 01915
Phone: (978) 922-1008
Fax: (978) 922-0594

About Harborlight

Harborlight Montessori is a non-profit, private, independent, school for students from Preschool through Grade 8.

Middle School, Elementary, Preschool, Afterschool, Summer Programs, Vacation Week Programs
©2019 Harborlight Montessori. All Rights Reserved.