Admissions

Tuition & Fees

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A Lacordaire education is grounded in the Catholic Dominican tradition and defined by academic excellence, high expectations, and a deep commitment to each student. Tuition supports an education that challenges students to grow in knowledge and character within a caring and supportive community.
We are committed to making a Lacordaire education accessible to as many mission-aligned families as possible. To that end, tuition is intentionally structured to support our faculty's salaries only. 

The Lacordaire Fund and philanthropic leadership gifts provide critical support for all of the programs, technology, campus, and resources that enrich a Lacordaire education.

Enrolled families are expected to partner with us in advancing the Academy’s mission by supporting The Lacordaire Fund. We encourage families to consider giving at a level that is meaningful and possible for them. The generosity of our families directly sustains the excellence that distinguishes Lacordaire.

Please Note: Merit scholarships and limited financial aid are available only to students in the Upper School (Grades 9–12) and are awarded selectively based on available funds and eligibility. Please scroll to the bottom of this page for information about Upper School scholarships and financial aid.

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  • Uniforms

    Tommy Hilfiger is Lacordaire's uniform supplier. Uniform expenses vary by division. 

    Please review this ordering guide with all the details, or follow these quick and easy steps below:
     
    2. for School Code, enter LACO01
    3. from there enter your student's grade/gender/program, and you're set to order!
     
    For your convenience, we created an online "look book" so you can see the uniform items for each of our school divisions.
     
    Also, you may want to sign up for "latest news and special offers'' (read: discounts!) from Tommy Hilfiger. You can do so by going to www.globalschoolwear.com, scrolling to the bottom right, and entering your email address.

    Estimated cost breakdown:
    • Lower School: The total for formal uniforms (spring and winter) and physical education uniforms will average about $400.

    • Middle School: The total for formal uniforms (spring and winter) and physical education uniforms will average about $400.

    • Upper School: Total uniform costs are about $450. Students also follow a bring-your-own-device policy and are asked to bring a functional laptop or tablet to school. Our Director of Technology is happy to assist families in selecting a device that best fits both academic needs and budget.
    Lacordaire offers gently used uniform items year-round at $5 per item, subject to availability.

  • Transportation

    Though Lacordaire does not provide bus service, our campus is conveniently located just four blocks from the Upper Montclair NJ Transit train station and several bus stops along Valley Road. Many families also coordinate carpools to make daily travel simple and convenient.
     
    B6T Form: Each year, parents of private school students in New Jersey can complete a B6T form to request transportation or reimbursement from their local public school district. Eligibility depends on factors such as the student’s grade level, distance from home to school, and whether the resident district provides transportation services for its public school students. Please note that not all districts offer transportation or reimbursement, so submitting the form does not guarantee service. 

  • Before and After School Care

    We understand the needs of working parents and are proud to offer supportive care options:
    • Before-care: Complimentary, beginning at 7:15 a.m. each school day.
    • After-care: Available daily for an additional fee. Our after-care program is run by dedicated Lacordaire faculty members, ensuring a safe and familiar environment for students. Fees are based on usage and billed through each family’s tuition management system.

  • Lunch

    While Lacordaire does not have a traditional on-site cafeteria, students have flexible lunch options. Families may pack lunches from home or choose to participate in our optional delivery lunch program. The program is open to all grades, with meals available for purchase for the full year or on an à la carte basis.

2026-2027 Tuition

Tuition may be paid annually, quarterly, or monthly.

School Level Tuition Costs
Upper School (9–12) $21,000
Middle School (5–8) $17,200
Lower School (1–4) $16,500
Kindergarten $16,750
Pre-K 4 $16,750

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  • Required Fees

    • Graduation Fees:
      • 8th Grade: $250
      • 12th Grade: $350
    • Parent Association Fee (PK–12): $100
    • Upper School Activities Fee: $500

  • Family Considerations

    • Two Children: 5% tuition reduction for the younger student
    • Three or More Children: 10% tuition reduction for the youngest student(s)

Merit Scholarships Available to Incoming 9th Graders

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  • The Veronica E. James Scholarship

    Awarded annually to one exceptional 9th grade applicant, this scholarship provides four years of full tuition. Established in memory of Veronica James P'83, '87 it is reserved for a candidate who demonstrates outstanding academic ability and character, as well as significant financial need.

  • The Veritas Scholarship

    Granted to students of extraordinary academic promise, this award provides $1,000–$3,000 annually, renewable with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Selection is highly competitive and based on the Admissions Committee’s review of a candidate’s academic record.

  • The Dominican Spirit Scholarship

    Reserved for young women who exemplify Dominican values of leadership, service, and integrity. Recipients receive $1,000–$3,000 annually, renewable with a GPA of 3.0.

  • The Legacy Scholarship

    Honoring the strength of Lacordaire’s alumnae network, this $2,000 annual award is granted to daughters of Academy graduates or Middle Division alumnae.

Upper Division Financial Aid

Lacordaire is a need-aware school, meaning that a family’s demonstrated financial need may be considered as part of the admission process. As a small school with a limited financial aid budget, we are not able to provide assistance to every qualified family who applies. Financial aid is highly selective and is awarded to students who demonstrate significant financial need and whose academic achievement, character, and overall application reflect a particularly strong fit with Lacordaire. We are not always able to meet 100% of declared need. Awards are reviewed annually and may be adjusted if family circumstances change. An application for financial aid does not guarantee admission or an award.

Our Financial Aid Committee uses Blackbaud, an independent third-party service, to determine a family’s level of need. Blackbaud’s evaluation considers a range of financial factors, including total household income (taxable and non-taxable), assets, household size, and the number of children enrolled in tuition-based schools. Based on this review, Blackbaud calculates a reasonable family contribution toward educational costs. 

All required documentation should be uploaded directly to the Blackbaud platform. For questions about the financial aid process, please contact Saydi Callahan Keefe, Director of Advancement and Enrollment Management, at scallahankeefe@lacordaire.net.

Applicants must submit the Academy’s financial aid application by the priority December 2026 deadline, and are also required to apply to The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (S.F.I.C.N.J.), which opens in early 2027. Financial Aid applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Contact

155 Lorraine Ave. Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
(973)-744-1156
info@lacordaire.net

Our Mission

Empowering students to become confident decision makers and responsible leaders in a community of belonging, rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition
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