School Finances

Cost of a St. Sebastian Education

St. Sebastian is truly a parish school and we are unique in many ways including our approach to paying for a Catholic Education.

First and foremost – the school is a service offered to all parish members with school-age children. St. Sebastian asks all parish members to participate in a modified form of tithing. This reflects the generosity of parish members – those who have kids in school and those who don’t. It also reflects our parish’s extraordinary commitment to provide a Catholic education.

Parish Members

  • Tithe (contribute) 5% of gross income.
  • Complete and return a Financial Stewardship Commitment Form to the parish office each year.
  • Stay current with monthly payments based on the pledge. (Report Cards will be held for families more than one month behind in their pledge payments. Also, families will not be allowed to enroll in school for the following school year if they are not current in their pledge payments.)
  • Pay Program Tuition Fee – similar to registration fee or book bill. 2009 – 2010 Fees: $830 for the first child in a family, $400 each for the second and third child, and no cost for any child beyond the third. The fee covers expenses such as textbooks, school supplies and office supplies, and services such as copiers, telephones, etc. 
  • Additional per-family fees include: $40 playground supervision fee, $25 Home & School membership fee, and $40 technology fee.

Non-Parish Members – Three Options

Option 1: Nonparish Member

  • Nonparish members who wish to enroll at St. Sebastian School can choose to pay an education service fee equaling the cost of education (2009 – 2010 School Year = $3,700 for full day K5 – 8 / $1,850 for half day K4 - K5).  The Program Tuition fee ($830 for first child, $400 for second and third child) is included in the cost of education. 
  • File a Non-Parishioner Financial Commitment form.
  • Additional per-family fees include: $40 playground supervision fee, $25 Home & School membership fee, and $40 technology fee.

Option 2: Five Percent Pledge

Pledge an amount equal to 5% of the family’s gross income, and:

  • Pay the Program Tuition Fee – $830 for the first child in a family, $400 each for the second and third child, and no cost for any child beyond the third. The fee covers expenses such as textbooks, school supplies and office supplies, and services such as copiers, telephones, etc.  Additional per-family fees include: $40 playground supervision fee, $25 Home & School membership fee, and $40 technology fee.
  • File a Non-Parishioner Financial Commitment form, along with a copy of your prior year’s IRS Form 1040 with the parish office.
  • Stay current with monthly payments based on the pledge. (Report Cards will be held for families more than one month behind in their pledge payments. Also, families will not be allowed to enroll in school for the following school year if they are not current in their pledge payments.)

Option 3: Milwaukee School Choice Program

St. Sebastian School participates in the Milwaukee School Choice Program. It is open to parish members and non-parish members. Participants in the Choice Program do not make payments or pay fees. The state government pays those. To qualify for the Choice Program you must:

  • Live in the City of Milwaukee.
  • Qualify under a pre-determined income level (175% of the poverty limit).
  • Complete the Choice Program application form.
  • File a copy of your previous year IRS Form 1040 as proof of income with the parish office.

Contact the school office or 414-453-5830 for a additional information on PAVE, the School Choice Program or other questions you may have.