The proportions of 80-20%
From the beginning, we have placed great emphasis in our accession process on providing opportunities for families from as diverse social and financial backgrounds as possible.
All schools are funded by parental contributions from the community.
In order to accommodate families with different financial backgrounds, we have defined fixed proportions in two categories, with the result that 80% of families help the other 20% to learn. Applicants in either contribution category can participate in the accession process.
Places will also be vacated in our operating schools if someone leaves us. Vacancies will be filled by families from a similar financial background as the leaving ones to ensure the financial stability of the school by keeping the proportions of 80-20%. Thus, families offering a lower amount (scholarship category) can join us if a sufficient number of supporting families have already joined us. Scholarship and supportive families remain anonymous to the community.
Wherever you sign up, it is up to you to decide how much you wish to offer within the given range. The higher the amount you offer, the more you help the community. Schools intend to fill the places in both categories: our goal is to provide scholarship places for at least 20%.
Our selection principle will remain simple. A higher number of supporters means more scholarship. In addition to financial stability, we also take the children’s age and gender into account, so that our groups are also diverse in this respect.
Families pay contribution for 12 months, so plan for the whole year!
In the case of a school, this is the amount that covers the school’s monthly expenses. Nearly two-thirds of this goes to the teachers, while the remaining one-third is used to cover the rental costs of the community space, training programs that support the teachers’ work, as well as administrative and legal tasks related to operations, and meals. The costs for the entire year have been divided over 12 months, so the contribution amount does not change during the summer months.
Schools commit to filling the spots in both categories; our goal is to provide at least 20% scholarship places.
Our selection principle will remain simple: the more supporters there are, the more scholarships we can offer. In addition to financial stability, we also consider the age and gender of the children to ensure that our groups are diverse from these perspectives as well.
Families pay a 12-month contribution, so plan for the entire year!
The minimum monthly contribution per person for each school and category can be found in the tables at the bottom of the page.
One-time costs in addition to the monthly contribution
These one-time costs are primarily necessary for the sustainability of micro-schools. Teachers' salaries and property rental fees are constant expenses for the schools, so we aim to make revenues predictable as well. What we want to avoid: hiring teachers, renting properties, and then having families leave in March with unpaid contributions, stating, “We won’t pay for the summer,” which puts the community budget into deficit. Therefore:
- Everyone pays a two-month deposit, which remains the family’s money, just held by us. We agree that this amount can be applied to any outstanding debts. The deposit is refunded only if the family pays the parental contribution for the entire school year.
- For each new child, the micro-school receives one month’s parental contribution (school support fee).
How much should you pay?
How do you calculate how much to offer? Here are a few tips:
- Think about maintaining financial stability and ensuring you can sustain your current commitment in the long term.
- Remember that this is a community-funded school: the more you give, the better it works. The budget is nonprofit and transparent.
- If you have the financial means, consider contributing more: in return, you will gain a great community, and some members will only be able to join thanks to your support.
