Seabury Academy-FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the campus located?
The campus is located at 4120 Clinton Parkway in Lawrence, KS. Clinton Parkway is a major thoroughfare and the campus is easily accessible from all parts of Lawrence and surrounding areas. The campus features sixteen classrooms, one classroom-laboratory, a library-computer lab, a gymnasium which can accommodate a regulation basketball court or two regulation volleyball courts, a large proscenium stage, the commons area, six outdoor tennis courts and a practice soccer field. All classrooms are spacious with high ceilings. The science laboratory is fully equipped for work in biology, chemistry and physics and includes appropriate safety features. The fully networked campus includes the library computer lab with fifteen work stations and the journalism lab with four work stations.

What will it mean to my child to attend an Episcopal school?
The historic relationship between the Episcopal church and American education is long and rich. Today about 150,000 students attend 1,200 Episcopal schools around the country. Yet only about 25% of those students are Episcopalians. Episcopal schools are called to provide an atmosphere in which there is an appreciation for the diversity and values of all religious traditions and beliefs. The Academy’s goal is to have its students recognize the spiritual dimension to life, to be guided by strong moral values, and to live their lives ethically.

Bishop Seabury Academy enrolls students of all faith backgrounds and does not seek to proselytize. Our daily Morning Meeting begins with brief prayers, and we say Grace before our family-style lunches. Once a week we have a Chapel Service led by the school Chaplain with the assistance of the Student Vestry. Generally, the service is consistent with the worship of the Episcopal Church. On occasion students of non-Christian backgrounds may lead worship in their own faith tradition. Students are expected to attend Chapel and be respectful, but no effort is made to require religious belief.

Is the Academy accredited?
Yes, the Academy is accredited by the Independent School Association of the Central States, a widely respected organization with the highest standards of accreditation. As an ISACS-accredited school, the Academy automatically receives accreditation from the North Central Association. The school is also a member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools, the Kansas Association of Independent and Religious Schools and the Kansas City Independent Schools Association.

How does the Academy feel about parent involvement?
Successful education today requires a trusting partnership among the student, teacher and parents. If each partner assumes the responsibility of his or her part well, the student will be successful. Bishop Seabury wants parents fully invested in the education of their child at the Academy. We want them to know their child’s teachers well and feel free to converse with them at any time. We need to have children come to school ready to learn and do well, and that begins in the home.

Parents may participate more formally in the school through our official parent organization, the Bishop Seabury Academy Parents (BSAP). BSAP sponsors various fundraising and social events and serves as the umbrella organization for various special-interest parent groups.

What are tuition and fees?
The Board of Trustees sets the lowest possible tuition and fees while still offering a high quality education. The tuition at the Academy only covers about 75% of the cost of educating each student. The difference is made up by annual giving and an auction. The following are the tuition and fees for the 2010/2011 school year:

Tuition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	$10,150.00
Book Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	$450.00
Equipment and Activity Fee. . .	$350.00
Semester Supply Fees . . . . . . .	$100.00 (per semester)

A non-refundable deposit on tuition of $900.00 is due with the signed contract to reserve the student’s space. This deposit will be applied to tuition.

The Academy offers the following three payment options for tuition:

Option 1:	Single Payment Option: One payment by cash, check or credit card due on or before July 20, 2010. You may receive a 2% discount on the 12-month total of tuition, less $900 deposit, less financial aid, and less sibling discount(s), if the tuition is paid in full by cash or check on or before June 20, 2010.
Option 2:	Semester Payment Option: Two payments by cash, check or credit card due on or before July 20, 2010 for first semester and January 20, 2011 for second semester. You may receive a 1% discount on the 12-month total of tuition, less deposit, less financial aid, and less sibling discount(s), if the tuition is paid in full by cash or check on or before June 20, 2010 and the second installment is paid by cash or check on or before December 20, 2009.
Option 3:	Monthly Payment Option: Tuition may be paid in 12 monthly installments by cash, check or credit card. The first payment is due on July 20, 2010; subsequent payments are due on the 20th of each month with the final payment made by June 20, 2011.

What other expenses should I prepare for?
The Academy Lunch fees are $62.00/month. Students choose to eat school lunch or bring a lunch from home on a monthly basis. There is a $17.00/month administrative fee for students who do not eat school lunch. This fee covers the cost of plates, napkins and cups that all students use.

Every spring students take an overnight class trip. Students leave on a Thursday and return to school on Friday. All trips have an academic component. These trips may entail a small additional cost.

Students may purchase dress code clothing anywhere so long as it conforms to Academy standards. This expense is dependent on the tastes and variety of each student.

There are two primary fundraisers for the Academy. The Annual Fund is aimed at making up the gap between tuition and the cost of educating each student. Parents are asked to contribute each fall. All donations to the Annual Fund are tax deductible. The auction occurs every spring. Revenues from the auction help to offset the school’s operating expenses. Participation in these events is voluntary. The Academy, however, would like 100% participation (no matter how big or small) in the annual fund. Strong participation helps to secure grants for the school.

Throughout the year, student clubs, sports teams and class officers will hold small fundraisers to generate money for school dances, class trips and uniform needs.

Every year, during spring break, the Academy conducts a voluntary trip abroad. Past destinations have included France, Great Britain, Italy, Greece and Belize. These are 10 day trips and include faculty chaperones. Cost for these trips can range from $1500 to $2500 depending on location. 20 to 25 students attend this trip annually.