Rocky Hill Country Day Unveils Bold New Tuition Model,
Reducing Cost and Expanding Access to Premier Education
East Greenwich, RI – Rocky Hill Country Day School, a leading college preparatory school on the shores of Narragansett Bay, is introducing a new reduced tuition model designed to provide more families with the opportunity to experience its unparalleled academic environment. This strategic initiative, effective for the 2025-2026 school year, will lower tuition for grades Kindergarten through 12 by more than 25 percent, opening doors to more students who would thrive in Rocky Hill’s dynamic learning environment. Reducing tuition rates while maintaining the high-quality education it is known for sets Rocky Hill apart in the independent school market, offering families exceptional value by combining accessibility with excellence.
“This initiative is a natural extension of our core values,” said Dan Rocha, Interim Head of School. “We are committed to cultivating an inclusive and vibrant community where students of all backgrounds and talents come together to learn, collaborate, and create lasting impact—both in their communities and beyond, long after they graduate.”
To make this tuition reduction possible, Rocky Hill will leverage available campus space to grow its student body to approximately 360 students in the coming years. This growth will further enrich the social fabric of Rocky Hill’s community and create opportunities to expand extracurricular offerings while maintaining the School’s steadfast commitment to small class sizes. Rocky Hill will preserve the intimate, individualized, student-centered experience that defines its identity, ensuring that every student continues to thrive in a supportive and nurturing environment.
This groundbreaking tuition model will take effect as Rocky Hill Country Day welcomes its next Head of School, Christine Heine, on July 1, 2025.
Details of the New Reduced Tuition Model
The new tuition model—which reduces the cost to attend by approximately $10,000 —makes a Rocky Hill education more accessible to families throughout Rhode Island. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, tuition will be $24,000 for Kindergarten through Grade 2, $27,000 for Grades 3 through 5, $30,000 for Grades 6 through 8, and $33,000 for Grades 9 through 12. This transformative approach expands access to Rocky Hill’s top-tier learning environment while allowing the School to prioritize fit over finances. Rocky Hill will continue to offer need-based financial aid to families that qualify.
Rocky Hill’s Student-Centered, Experiential Approach
Rocky Hill Country Day School provides a student-centered, experiential college preparatory education on an 84-acre waterfront campus in Rhode Island’s West Bay. With small classes and an award-winning faculty, every student is known, supported, and challenged.
At the heart of Rocky Hill’s academic philosophy is the Harkness Method, a discussion-based, student-driven approach to learning that emphasizes collaboration and active participation. Developed at Phillips Exeter Academy, the Harkness Method centers on the Harkness table—an oval table that enables students to engage deeply in classroom discussions, with teachers serving as facilitators. This distinctive approach fosters critical thinking, enhances understanding, and encourages students to participate and to take ownership of their learning. Rocky Hill is proud to be a Harkness training school, with a certified Harkness Method trainer on staff, introducing the Harkness table in Middle School and fully integrating it throughout the Upper School. Rocky Hill is the only school in Rhode Island that incorporates the Harkness table in every Upper School classroom, ensuring that all students benefit from this transformative learning experience.
Beyond the classroom, Rocky Hill provides unparalleled opportunities for exploration and growth. Students participate in immersive curriculum-aligned trips, championship-winning athletics with opportunities for all, and cutting-edge initiatives that inspire leadership and innovation. By combining personalized instruction with engaging, real-world challenges, Rocky Hill not only prepares students for college but also equips them with the skills and confidence needed to thrive throughout their lives.
About Rocky Hill Country Day School
Rocky Hill Country Day School is a premier independent college preparatory school serving students from Nursery through Grade 12 in East Greenwich, RI. With small class sizes, a student-centered approach, and a breathtaking waterfront campus, Rocky Hill inspires curiosity, fosters innovation, and cultivates a commitment to lifelong learning.