IWS ENROLLMENT TERMS
Enrollment Terms
A. We (I) personally desire our child(ren) to attend IWS and attest that the information we (I) provided during and/or subsequent to the enrollment process is true and accurate. We/I (the undersigned) understand that the overhead expenses of the school do not diminish with the departure of students during the year. The obligation to pay tuition according to this agreement is unconditional.
B. We the undersigned understand that this agreement is a contract for the entire academic year, enforceable from the date of our (my) signature on this document. Upon submission of this signed contract, we(I) understand that if after the date of our(my) signature, our child(ren) is/are voluntarily withdrawn, suspended or dismissed, NO PART of the total tuition/fees amount paid to the school shall be refunded, and any unpaid balance for the entire school year is immediately due and payable to the IWS unless written notice of withdrawal is delivered to IWS strictly in accordance with the schedule below. However, under no circumstances will the Enrollment Deposit be refunded. It is understood that tuition payment is due in advance of the delivery of services, and that even though tuition/fees may be paid in installments, this does not constitute a divisible contract.
C. Written notice of withdrawal received by IWS Tuition/Fees owed to IWS:
On or before May 31, 2025: We are/I am responsible for the Tuition Deposit and the Supply Fee ● On or before June 30, 2025: We are/I am responsible for the Tuition Deposit and the Supply Fee, plus 10% of the Total Contract Amount ● On or before July 31, 2025: We are/I am responsible for the Tuition Deposit and the Supply Fee, plus 20% of the Total Contract Amount ● On or before August 31, 2025: We are/I am responsible for the Tuition Deposit and the Supply Fee, plus 30% of the Total Contract Amount ● On or before September 30, 2025: We are/I am responsible for the Tuition Deposit and the Supply Fee, plus 40% of the Total Contract Amount ● On or before October 31, 2025: We are/I am responsible for the Tuition Deposit and the Supply Fee, plus 50% of the Total Contract Amount ● On or before November 30, 2025: We are/I am responsible for the Tuition Deposit and the Supply Fee, plus 60% of the Total Contract Amount ● On or before December 31, 2025: We are/I am responsible for the Tuition Deposit and the Supply Fee, plus 70% of the Total Contract Amount ● On or before January 31, 2026: We are/I am responsible for the Tuition Deposit and the Supply Fee, plus 80% of the Total Contract Amount ● On or before February 28, 2026: We are/I am responsible for the Tuition Deposit and the Supply Fee, plus 90% of the Total Contract Amount ● Any date on or after March 1, 2026: We are/I am responsible for the Tuition Deposit and the Supply Fee, plus 100% of the Total Contract Amount
D. The school reserves the right to terminate this contract and require the child(ren) to leave school if the Board of Trustees and the Leadership Group, in their sole discretion, determines that the behavior of a student or parent is jeopardizing the functioning of the school or the education of the student.
E. We/I understand and agree to the following: a. If any payments required are delinquent on the first day of the school year, the student may not enter school and attend classes; and b. Once the school year commences, if payments become 30 days in arrears, a late fee of 2% of the payment amount will be applied. c. Once the school year commences, if payments become 60 days in arrears, the student may be suspended and may be subject to dismissal. d. In addition to all unpaid amounts and accrued late fees, the undersigned shall pay all costs of collection, including reasonable collection agency fees, attorney fees and court costs. IWS reserves the right to report unpaid accounts to national credit reporting services. d. Until all financial obligations have been satisfied in full, the school will not release interim or end-of-year records or transcripts.
F. If enrolling in AfterSchool care, we/I agree that points A through E above also apply to the AfterSchool program.
G. If enrolling a child who turns six (6) before December 1 in a part–time Kindergarten program, we/I acknowledge my/our sole responsibility for knowledge, and fulfillment, of the home-schooling requirements of the State of New York.
H. We/I understand that our/my child will only be permitted to attend the Ithaca Waldorf School on the first day of classes if, prior to August 1, 2025 (or within seven (7) days of enrollment, whichever is later), I/we have submitted the Tuition Deposit, Supply Fee, and all tuition payments due by that date according the schedule in (C), and all administrative and health paperwork.
I. We (I) agree that it is our responsibility to promptly notify IWS regarding any change of address, telephone number, legal custody or parenting time arrangements, and agree that IWS is not responsible for monitoring or enforcing such parenting arrangements.
J. Ithaca Waldorf School will make its best effort to maintain classroom continuity for continuing students but reserves the right to re-configure class composition and staffing to meet the needs of the class and based on enrollment. We (I) understand that information contained in promotional materials or statements such as curriculum/program offerings, class size, school accreditation, faculty/staff may change prior to commencement of classes or during attendance at IWS and does not invalidate or provide grounds to terminate this contract.
K. If IWS determines that assessment or testing is needed for our (my) child to: a. Attain or maintain grade level or b. Determine whether or not our (my) child’s continued enrollment is in the best interests of the student, class and school, we (I) agree to arrange and pay for this testing and to share the results with IWS. We (I) further agree to implement IWS’s written requirements for therapies/services/tutoring recommended as a result of testing/assessment by qualified professionals through the IWS policies governing enrollment, re-enrollment and dismissal of students.
L. We/I understand that our/my child(ren) (listed below) MUST be registered with the district in which they live in order to be fully enrolled at the Ithaca Waldorf School.
M. We/I agree to enroll our/my child(ren) for the academic year 2025-26 in the program(s) indicated above. This electronic form must be finalized with payment from the parent(s) or guardian(s) who are financially responsible for the above-named student(s).
N. For Financial Assistance (FA) applicants: We/I understand that any FA awarded is not final until thirty (30) days after we/I provide IWS with a copy of our/my most recent federal tax return, as well as any other documentation required by IWS. Should we (I) fail or refuse to provide a copy of the federal tax return as part of the FA application the school may revoke the FA in its entirety. We/I understand upon receipt and review of the tax return, the amount of the FA award may be revised if it is determined that the computation of FA awarded was a result of information provided in the application process that is incorrect, changed or unsupported. We/I further understand that failure to enroll, withdrawal, grade-level change or half-day/full-day roster switch of a student receiving a FA award may result in revision of the award to the student or to sibling students.
O. We/I acknowledge that there is a Family Handbook for IWS, which we/I are/am responsible to read and understand. We/I will strive to implement & support the Family Handbook guidelines to the best of our/my ability/ies.
P. We/I understand that enrolling our/my child(ren) encompasses involvement in our school community. We/I will be called upon to provide voluntary assistance in activities which contribute to the healthy functioning of the Ithaca Waldorf School. These may include (but are not limited to) festival and event support, beautification of the buildings and grounds, attendance at parent meetings, and service on committees which particularly suit our/my area of expertise and interest.
View Parent Engagement Request
Q. We/I have read the IWS media policy and agree to follow it to the best of our/my ability.
R. We/I have read the IWS dress code and agree to follow it to the best of our/my ability.
S. We/I have read the IWS attendance and tardiness policy and agree to follow it to the best of our/my ability.
View Attendance and Tardiness Policy
T. We/I have read the IWS After School policy and agree to follow it to the best of our/my ability. a) Should questions/conflicts arise during After School Program hours, we/I will inform the Director of School Administration and/or the Class Teacher (depending if the matter is Administrative or Pedagogical in nature) on the following school day. b. We/I will familiarize ourselves/ myself with the boundaries of the After School Program, and will stay within them. c. We/I understand that there are IWS AfterSchool programs (Grades/Early Childhood/Music Lessons/Other) which require their own spaces and levels of quiet. The IWS Faculty are responsible for supervision of solely those children enrolled in these programs.
View After School Program Policy
U. We/I understand that in the event of any failure or delay in IWS’ performance under the Enrollment Contract resulting from a force majeure event (unforeseeable causes beyond IWS’ control and occurring without fault or negligence on the part of IWS, including without limitation, Acts of God e.g., hurricane, tornado, floods, fire, pandemic, government restrictions, wars, and insurrections), the tuition and fee obligations under the Enrollment Contract shall continue, and IWS shall not be liable for any such failure or delay in its performance. In such circumstances, IWS’ obligations and duties may be postponed until IWS, in its sole discretion, may safely reopen. School schedules may be extended for a period of time equal to the time lost and/or classes may be conducted remotely, or under any other reasonable accommodation, at the school's discretion. IWS recognizes its duty to mitigate the loss/disaster and shall make all reasonable efforts to make up for gaps/losses as a result of any unforeseen disaster. We/I understand that in the case of a force majeure event which causes a student or students to be withdrawn from the school, tuition and fees will not be refunded.
The undersigned parent(s) or guardian(s) of the student named above represent and warrant the following: ● That we (I) have read this document in full before signing it. ● That we (I) have had every opportunity to ask questions regarding this agreement. ● That we (I) understand that it is a binding legal obligation. ● That we (I) are legally able to enter into this contract. This agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and representations, whether written or oral. It shall not be modified, nor shall any provisions hereof be waived, except by written agreement signed by an authorized agent for IWS.
Pre-Agreement Terms & Conditions (TADS)
By submitting your electronic signature on the School Forms, you understand and agree with the following statements: I have agreed to conduct my transactions, forms, and paperwork with The Ithaca Waldorf School by electronic means. I authorize the Ithaca Waldorf School to rely on my electronic signatures and I understand that they have legal binding effect. I understand and acknowledge that I can receive and retain a record of all Forms I am signing by printing them or storing them on my computer.
Terms and Conditions (TADS)
Agreement with TADS: The Responsible Party (You) agrees to be bound by the terms of this TADS agreement until the amount owed The Ithaca Waldorf School (School) and TADS are paid in full. Funds collected by TADS as agent for the School are remitted to the School. Any refunds will be handled by the School. All transactions involving funds must comply with provisions of U.S. and Minnesota law.
TADS Payment Terms: I authorize TADS to initiate payments from the account or card listed on my account to satisfy the amount owed to the School or to TADS for fees. This authorization will continue upon re-enrollment for subsequent years at the School in accord with the then current TADS Terms and Conditions. TADS will complete credit card and/or ACH payments from the account or card listed (or subsequently provided account or card) on the dates agreed (or the following business day if the agreed upon day falls on a weekend or legal bank holiday). TADS will initiate transactions on the due date and ACH transaction one banking day prior to the due date. A returned item fee will be charged to the account for each returned item. Any changes to the credit card and/or ACH payment must be communicated and agreed to by TADS two banking days prior to the due date. This agreement shall in no way be construed to be a lender-borrower agreement between the parties.
Invoiced Amounts: Invoiced amounts will be due as indicated on the invoices. Invoicing and fees will be assessed as indicated in this document.
Changes to the agreement: If You authorize the School to change the amount due them during the term of this TADS agreement, the total amount due and the installment payments will change to reflect the adjusted charges. The School may provide You a copy of any changes, but You will be bound to continue payments until the amount due and fees are paid in full without notification by TADS or the School. Inconsistencies in the information on the application will be resolved in invoices sent to You by TADS. Changes in the information will be incorporated when available for communication.
Termination: If You and the School agree to terminate your mutual agreement, TADS will process any change provided it is submitted at least 10 days before scheduled payment date.
Arbitration: Arbitration in Minnesota. Any dispute or claim arising or related to this TADS Agreement, its performance, breach, or interpretation (including issues about its validity or enforceability), shall be exclusively (except as provided below) resolved by final binding arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (AAA), utilizing its Commercial Arbitration Rules in conformance with the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States Code). One arbitrator shall be selected using AAA procedures. The arbitrator shall use all reasonable efforts to minimize discovery and to complete the arbitration proceedings as expeditiously as possible. The Arbitrator shall render a written decision within thirty (30) calendar days of the hearing. The arbitrator will not award attorney’s fees, or punitive,
incidental, consequential, treble or other multiple or exemplary damages, and the parties hereby agree to waive and not seek such damages. The arbitration shall be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota; both parties hereby give their irrevocable consent to jurisdiction of courts of or in the State of Minnesota, as well as processes of the AAA in Minnesota. Awards shall be final, binding and non-appealable (except on the minimal grounds required under the Federal Arbitration Act or other applicable law). All awards may be filed with one or more courts, state, federal or foreign having jurisdiction over the party against whom such award is rendered or its property, as a basis of judgment and of the issuance of execution for its collection.
Funding source: Any form of payment presented to TADS by You must be drawn on a U.S. financial institution.
Checks: Receipt of a check from You will be used as authorization for the check to be used as a source document for an Accounts Receivable Entry, whereby the check may be converted to an ACH debit entry for presentation to your financial institution. Any check returned unpaid by your financial institution may be collected electronically through ACH as a Re-Presented Check Entry. Payments are considered collected when items have cleared.
Notice of Privacy Policy: TADS provides tuition management services for institutions. While providing these services, TADS receives non-public information from their customers. This information is used only in providing such services. From time to time, TADS may share this information with You, our banking partners or with the School to enable the transaction. TADS does not sell any of this information, but may be reasonably required to disclose it under applicable law. TADS maintains appropriate safeguards on the information.
Ithaca Waldorf School Policy on Vaccination
The Ithaca Waldorf School (IWS) is committed to protecting and supporting all people in our community so that they may live healthy and rich lives. It is central to the school’s mission that each community member is respected, and that the school actively works to build a safe environment for all students and their families.
As required by the New York State Department of Health, IWS follows the New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance, which requires all school children to be fully vaccinated, unless a medical exemption has been granted. In addition, IWS follows the NYSED Immunization Guidelines for Schools, which explains the purpose of vaccination policy and procedures in schools, and makes best practice recommendations. Vaccinations are usually obtained through a child’s health care provider as part of routine health care. If that is not possible, the Tompkins County Health Department (607-274-6616) will provide vaccinations on a sliding fee scale if you meet their eligibility criteria.
Exemptions
Medical
If a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state certifies that any vaccination may be detrimental to a child's health, then a medical exemption can be requested. IWS requires an annual, written exemption request to be submitted that identifies the specific vaccination(s) and the length of time the vaccination(s) is(are) contraindicated, along with a current letter from the student’s physician confirming the exemption.
Please make sure that the acceptance letter
is signed by a medical doctor (apparently a practitioner 's signature is not sufficient)
includes a date-stamp, as medical exemptions are only good for one year
lists all the vaccines from which the child is medically exempt (see the 2019-20 NYS list of vaccinations required for school attendance)
Please see your primary health practitioner with further questions regarding medical exemptions.
If there are any vaccinations for which the child is NOT medically exempted, IWS will need to have proof of the current vaccination status. Please refer any medical questions to Nurse Gibbs, regarding the Department of Health requirements.
All exemptions to this policy will be reviewed by the Director of School Administration in accordance with review procedures recommended by the NYSED and Department of Health that were issued in March 2016.
Exclusion Protocol
Parents/guardians of medically exempt students must sign an acceptance letter which acknowledges that their child(ren) has(have) been granted an exemption, and will be excluded from school in the event of an outbreak of disease for which the student is not vaccinated or does not have a lab-confirmed immunity. Please check with the Ithaca Waldorf School School nurse for Tompkins County Health Department exclusion policies for specific illnesses.
The staff, parents, and children of the Ithaca Waldorf School thank you for your thoughtful care of the whole community. The IWS school nurse and/or the Director of School Administration are happy to discuss this policy further with you or to connect you with local health care providers who can work with your family to establish a catch-up vaccination schedule.