Tuition rates for the upcoming school year are finalized and announced each April following a collaborative budget review involving the School Board Finance Committee, the Principal, and the St. Benedict Parish Finance Director.
As Lumen Christi receives no government funding, our school’s financial stability relies entirely on tuition, fees, grants, and the generous fundraising efforts of our parents and donors.
The remaining 25% is covered by five annual development and fundraising efforts. Each significant in their own way, these efforts include:
Annual Fundraising Gala:
Average annual tuition reduction: 10% of total tuition cost.
Held each year in February, the Annual Gala is a lively night of dinner and drinks, live and silent auctions and FUN! The success of this event is thanks to generous donors and guests would not be possible without through the time and talent of dedicated parent volunteers.
Archangel Attic:
Average annual tuition reduction: 7%
Located on the corner of Jewel Lake and 82nd on the Lumen Christi/Saint Benedict Parish campus, the Archangel Attic is one of Anchorage’s busiest thrift stores. One-hundred percent of proceeds go directly to the school’s operational budget – since 2010, these proceeds have totaled over $1.5 MILLION! The Attic is staffed throughout the year by community volunteers on Tuesday-Friday, and Lumen Christi parents on Saturday. The success of the Attic would not be possible without the generous gift of time by these dedicated volunteers.
LUMENary Annual Fund Drive:
Average annual tuition reduction: 4%
The LUMENary Drive is the school’s annual fund drive. Solicitations go out to school faculty, staff, parents, School Board members, and the greater community at large in September of each year. Faculty, staff and School Board giving rates are consistently at 100%. School family giving rates hover between 85-91% with an annual goal of 100%.
St. Benedict Parish Investment:
As a ministry of Saint Benedict’s, Lumen Christi has in the past received a portion of its’ budget from generous parishioners. Thanks to high enrollment numbers and the success of other fundraising efforts, we have been able to eliminate the need for parish support.
Athletics:
Average annual tuition reduction: 2%
Fees associated with Lumen Christi athletics, tournament fees paid by visiting teams and concessions sold at the Saint Scholastica Snack Shack (located next to the Lumen Christi gym) all contribute to this line item. The Snack Shack is staffed 100% by parent volunteers.
Grants/Other Income:
Average annual tuition reduction: 2%
Grant funding and other miscellaneous donations which support the school’s operating budget comprise this final category of tuition reduction.
The combination of these development and fundraising efforts help to keep tuition affordable for all families, regardless of need. Without these efforts in place, Lumen Christi would have to significantly raise tuition to balance its budget each year.
FACTS is Lumen Christi’s Student Information and Tuition Management System. For families who have been invited to apply for enrollment and who wish to apply for financial aid, the portal to do so is located will be located in their FACTS account. It is recommended that families submit their financial aid applications by May 15th of the current school year, to be considered for the following year.
Tuition rates for the following school year are normally set and announced during the budget process which typically concludes in early spring.