Options for Tuition Rates for 2016/17 Please select one from the following options, sign and return to the CFO Family Name Student(s) Name(s) Option #1: The Governors Club rate is $17,145 and reflects the true cost of tuition Option #2: The Non-assessed tuition rates are as follows (and do not require a family to disclose its family income) First Child $14,235 Second Child $13,585 Third Child $13,160 Fourth + Child $12,875 Option #3: Assessed rates: Discounted tuition rates are available and are based on 2 variables: Gross family income and number of kids enrolling in the school. These rates are detailed on the enclosed Tuition Fee Table. Families must disclose their gross family income to access these rates. Gross Family Income is defined as line 150 of your tax returns. Declared income must be verified by our CFO or your accountant every three years unless the family has a change in their financial circumstances. As such: all new families must select a method of income verification as per below Returning families must indicate whether they are in the same band on the tuition grid as they were for 2015/16 or whether they are in a different band because of a change in financial circumstances Families who have been enrolled at the school since September 2013 must re-verify their gross family income as the 3-year threshold will have been met Please choose from the following methods to verify your gross family income: Financial self-declaration certified by your accountant, or Financial declaration directly to school s CFO at no cost (submit copy of tax return including line 150) The Financial Self Declaration Form, if applicable, is to be returned in a sealed envelope to the school office where it will be delivered to the CFO s office. Financial declaration to the school s CFO can be done using the contact information below. Option #4: Tuition Assistance Program. This option requires full financial disclosure. Please submit the completed Application for Financial Assistance forms to the school s CFO Signature of parent: Shelley Crawford, CA Chief Financial Officer 21 Nadolny Sachs Private Ottawa, Ontario K2A 1R9 (613) 798-4696 ext. 244 scrawford@jewishottawa.com
What is the registration schedule this year? OJCS Tuition Increase FAQs 2016 / 2017 February 1 Re-registration opens, packets sent home with students February 5 New student registration opens March 21 Registration closes March 28 Deadline for TAC forms due to finance office March 31 Acceptance letters mailed May 11 TAC notifications sent from finance office to families June 1 Invoices mailed to all families Why is there a change to the tuition grid? Until three years ago, families at OJCS have paid tuition fees that are well below the real cost of educating our students. This gap led to annual deficits, which the Jewish Federation of Ottawa (JFO) funded from 2008/09 to 2011/12. In order to turn this unsustainable situation around, the school introduced a new tuition model as part of a five-year sustainability plan. In 2015/2016 the Finance Committee revised the model that will substantially reduce the first and second band tuition prices and offer deeper discounts for multiple children. The best way to combat increasing fees is by increasing the number of students at a school, which offsets fixed costs with higher revenues. Families that can afford to are now required to pay a greater portion of the true cost of such an excellent and unique education. Likewise, this year we have been able to reduce costs for families that are in need. Now in the fourth year of the sustainability plan, the focus continues on: Recruiting and increasing enrolment Increasing donations Increasing fundraising Do parents have to pay for past mistakes? No. The JFO was filling the financial gap in the past and financing the school s debt. The JFO can no longer fill the gap, and the revised tuition model, along with the assistance of donors and fundraising clearly places the OJCS on a path to success and sustainability. What exactly is the five-year sustainability plan? The five-year sustainability plan was created by the Board in collaboration with the Federation to ensure longterm financial sustainability of the school. It is a five-year plan that will gradually reduce the school s operating deficit.
Are these financial challenges unique to OJCS? Not at all. Jewish day schools across North America are wrestling with decreasing or stagnant enrolment numbers and are struggling with how to balance their books. Your Board and administration believe the OJCS five-year plan is the one that will put the institution on the path to financial health. But we need your support to make it happen. What are the expense projections for the next five years? We cannot predict inflation but the Board is committed to controlling costs. The administration is mindful of finances and operating expenses are closely monitored. See the chart below for basic expenses. OJCS Education Costs 2016/2017 12% 15% 4% 6% 63% Teaching Salaries Administrative Salaries Building Operating Costs Student Services Overhead/Other How is the school planning to increase enrolment? In the 2015/2016 school year, the school achieved 95% elementary school retention and enrolment has increased 5% and 3% respectively over the past two years. The school continues to create professional recruitment materials to advertise multiple points of entry at ADK, grade one, grade four and grade six level. Traditional and non-traditional marketing efforts are in place to attract enrolment. How does OJCS compare cost-wise to other private schools in Ottawa? Compared to Ashbury College ($24,000), Elmwood School ($23,000) and the Turnbull School ($20,000), our tuition is much less even though our costs per student are higher as the school provides services to students in three languages with multiple streams. In addition a charitable tax receipt is issued for a portion of the tuition in accordance with CRA guidelines. As a reference, in 2014 on average, parents received a tax receipt for approximately 65% of tuition paid.
What benchmarks does the school have to meet? The Board created this five-year plan so the school could become sustainable by 2018. The plan includes projections of conservative enrolment increases and fundraising, balanced with moderate tuition increases. The major donors and community leaders support this plan. This is why we are asking parents to become ambassadors for the school to help us increase the enrolment. What happens if we don t meet our numbers? The Board is reviewing enrolment progress regularly, and adjusting plans accordingly. We are asking parents to help. Parents can share how great our school is with friends and neighbors and encourage them to attend OJCS. Why did you adopt a tuition grid? The grid enables the school to charge tuition based on an affordability model that has been successfully used in other communities. We are continuing to further refine the tuition grid as we move forward. How did the Board and administration determine the tuition model? The Board and administration consulted with Federation leaders and PEJE (Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education) consultants and examined a variety of models in communities similar in size to Ottawa. Based on successful implementations of an affordability model in Winnipeg, Boston, and other schools, this model is thought to provide a way for families to pay based on what they can afford. Is the Grid different from last year? The grid bands are the same, with a modest change to Band 1 and 2. The optional band is called the Governors Club, which reflects the true cost of delivering the program. Families may opt to contribute at this rate to help the school reach financial sustainability. How were the tuition bands determined? The Federation provided community data including demographic information and tuition levels. They were created in consultation with community financial advisors who had information about the community. (Visit the Federation website www.jewishottawa.com to review the community study). How can you ensure my secure confidential information will be protected? The Board uses a professional and confidential process to perform the income tax verification for families identifying themselves in a tuition bracket below $250,000. Invoicing and tax receipts will be generated by the school s CFO with support from the accounting department, all of whom will agree to sign non-disclosure agreements. The school will not ask parents to participate in this verification process more than once in any three year period. We ask parents whose circumstances change to notify us. What if I don t want to disclose my income, regardless of how confidential the process is? You are welcome to choose that option. In that case you pay the unassessed tuition amount and no additional information will be required. How can you ensure the system will be foolproof? We cannot prevent those who are intent on manipulating the system but we do not believe this will be a major factor in the tuition application process.
What is the Hebrew Free Loan program? The Hebrew Free Loan is an interest-free loan available to families with children in ADK through grade 2. Families may borrow a maximum of $15,000 over three years ($5000 each year). The loan repayment begins once the student leaves the OJCS. The application form will be available on the website under Admissions, and a hard-copy is available in the registration package. What is the Tuition Assistance Program, and how do you apply? The Tuition Assistance program is made available to those who need assistance to pay for tuition. If a family has a particular circumstance that makes it difficult to afford Jewish day school, tuition assistance is there to help those who need it. A confidential Tuition Assistance Request Form is included on the Options for Tuition Rates Assessment Selection Form in the registration package. Upon receipt of a deposit and completed Application package, a tuition assistance package will be provided to you. We encourage you to contact Shelley Crawford, Chief Financial Officer for the Ottawa Jewish Community School, at 613-798-4696 ext. 244, or scrawford@jewishottawa.com if you have questions regarding this process. How long does it take to find out Tuition Assistance application results? TAC forms are due by March 27, 2016. TAC notifications are planned to be sent out to parents by the middle of May 2016 (for those who met the March 27 th submission deadline). We encourage you to contact Shelley Crawford, Chief Financial Officer for the Ottawa Jewish Community School, at 613-798-4696 ext. 244, or scrawford@jewishottawa.com if you have questions regarding this process. Is there still a Tax Credit available? A charitable contribution receipt is issued for a significant portion of the cost tuition based on Revenue Canada guidelines. The charitable contribution becomes a non-refundable tax credit (offset to taxes payable) at a 29% rate for federal taxes and 11% rate for Ontario provincial taxes. As a reference, in 2014 on average, parents received a tax receipt for approximately 65% of tuition paid. What can I do to support the school? There are many things parents can do including: Encourage friends, neighbours and family to register at OJCS. Highlight the quality education current students are receiving Support the school by speaking positively about the great things happening at OJCS. Write to your MPP and encourage them to support tax credits for Jewish day schools.