Admissions

Tuition & Financial Aid

Making a Lake Ridge Academy Education Affordable

At Lake Ridge Academy, we believe cost shouldn't prevent academically qualified students from receiving a Lake Ridge education. We partner with families to ensure school is within reach for students who will thrive here. Many families receive financial assistance through need-based tuition assistance, scholarships, and Ohio's EdChoice Scholarship Program. 

You can find our 2026-2027 tuition schedule here.

Wondering what your family's tuition might be? 
 
Contact our Admissions Office for a confidential, personalized tuition estimate.  In many cases, we can provide a preliminary estimate based on your family's adjusted gross income (AGI) and household size, helping you estimate what your investment may be before beginning the application process.  
 
Request an Estimate

Tuition Assistance Opportunities

We offer several ways to help make our exceptional education more affordable. Explore the options below to learn more. 

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  • Need-Based Tuition Assistance

    We review each family's financial profile to determine an award based on demonstrated need and family size. This process ensures fairness and transparency, and helps extend access to a broader range of deserving students.

  • Scholarships

    Academic, leadership, and service scholarships are available for students starting in 6th grade. Scholarships may be renewed annually and are conditional upon maintaining academic and community standards.

  • EdChoice Scholarship

    Lake Ridge Academy participates in Ohio’s EdChoice program and the Cleveland Scholarship program. Students in grades K–12 who qualify through traditional or expansion pathways may receive state scholarship funding. All applicants for need‑based aid should also apply for EdChoice; awarded amounts will be applied toward their tuition assistance package.

Questions About Affording Lake Ridge Academy?

How It Works

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  • Inquire & Apply To LRA

    In your application for admission, indicate whether you plan to apply for need-based tuition assistance. 

  • Apply for Tuition Assistance

    Once enrolled, families applying for need-based tuition assistance will upload their most recent tax documents into the Parent Portal.  
    • If you are married, filing separately, please upload both parents' tax documents together.  
    • If there are two households, please contact Admissions at admissions@lakeridgeacademy.org for next steps. 
     

  • Receive Your Tuition Assistance Decision

    Once we receive the required information, we'll review your application for tuition assistance and notify you of your award. Your enrollment contract will reflect your tuition assistance and available payment plan options.  

FAQs

List of 4 frequently asked questions.

  • What is need-based aid?

    Financial assistance based solely on family need, determined through household(s) adjusted gross income, family size, and special circumstances.

  • How do I know if my family will qualify?

    Every family's situation is unique. We encourage you to contact our Admissions Office for a confidential preliminary tuition estimate. In many cases, we can provide an estimate based on your family's adjusted gross income (AGI) and household size before you begin the application process.

  • How is my tuition assistance determined?

    We align our need-based aid awards with federal poverty levels, which are based on household(s) adjusted gross income and family size.  Generally, if a student has parents who do not live in the same household but both have custodial rights, we consider both households' adjusted gross incomes.

  • Can tuition assistance, scholarships, and EdChoice be combined?

    Yes. Need-based aid, merit-based scholarships, and EdChoice awards are often combined to reduce total out-of-pocket expenses.

Scholarships

Scholarships provide additional financial support to exceptional students entering grades 6-11. Scholarships are awarded based on various factors, including but not limited to financial need, academic merit, community service, or leadership. Scholarship awards will continue through graduation and will not be altered, augmented, or replaced, provided the student maintains their academic and behavioral eligibility. To learn more about our scholarships and their criteria, read below:

Current Use Scholarships - Supporting Students for a Specific Term

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  • Kauffman Family Scholarship

    The Kauffman Family Scholarship is funded by a Lake Ridge family and is offered as a competitive award that supports students with financial need.

  • The Joyce B. Sommer Memorial Scholarship

    The Joyce B. Sommer Memorial Scholarship was established in 2001 by Ken Sommer and his family, who have been part of Lake Ridge Academy's community since its founding. The scholarship honors Ken’s late wife, Joyce, and is awarded to a deserving student each year without restriction.

  • The Sheerer-Filion Scholarship

    In honor of Evan Filion ‘16, the Sheerer-Filion Scholarship is a competitive scholarship awarded to one or more students with financial need in the Middle or Upper School. 

Endowed Scholarships - Supporting Students in Perpetuity

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  • Carol Klimas Scholarship Fund

    The Carol Klimas Scholarship Fund was created in 2018 at the time of President Carol Klimas’ retirement in recognition of her longstanding devotion to deserving students who can thrive at Lake Ridge Academy. The scholarship is awarded to entering students in grades 6-11 whose actions, community service, or other leadership suggest a high degree of integrity and respect for others.

  • Chloe Geiselman Scholarship Fund

    The Chloe Geiselman Scholarship Fund was established in 1992 for Lower School students by Chris Geiselman and Greta Lesher in memory of their daughter, Chloe.

  • Dresing Family Scholarship

    The Dresing Family Scholarship, created by Tom '83 and Janna Dresing, is a competitive award that supports students with financial need.

  • The Fauver Family Scholarship

    The Fauver Family Scholarship was funded by Cole M. Fauver ‘79 in 2020 to support students with financial need.

  • General Scholarship Fund

    The General Scholarship Fund was established in 1993 to support K-12 students with demonstrated financial need.

  • Herbert W. and Mildred N. Kaatz Scholarship

    The Herbert W. and Mildred N. Kaatz Scholarship supports students with demonstrated financial need. Herb and Don Kaatz, '70, established the scholarship in 1992 in honor of Mildred, their wife and mother, respectively, who was an active supporter of Lake Ridge Academy.

  • J.A.G. Scholarship

    The J.A.G. Scholarship supports students with the highest level of financial need and was established in 2014 with a gift by a former Lake Ridge mom in honor of her own mother and son.

  • Jane Maczuzak Scholarship Fund

    The Jane Maczuzak Scholarship Fund was created to honor former Lake Ridge Academy faculty member Jane Maczuzak and supports deserving Upper School students interested in science.

  • John W. Kemper Scholar Award

    The John W. Kemper Scholar Award was established in 1980 by John and Betty Kemper to support students entering grades 9-11 whose outstanding academic achievements could make an exceptional contribution to the school.

  • Michael Benjamins '94 Memorial Scholarship

    The Michael Benjamins '94 Memorial Scholarship was established in 2000 by William R. Litzler, President of C.A. Litzler Co., in memory of Lake Ridge Academy alumnus Michael Benjamins '94. It supports students with demonstrated financial need.

  • The Norton Family Endowed Scholarship

    The Norton Family Endowed Scholarship was created in 2022 by Ben and Brenda Norton to support students with demonstrated financial need. Preference is given to students who live in Lorain County.

  • Yanna Voutsiotis '05 Endowed Scholarship

    The Yanna Voutsiotis '05 Endowed Scholarship was created in 2012 by George, Vivy, and Alexia '07 Voutsiotis in memory of their daughter and sister, Yanna '05. The merit scholarship honors one or more students entering grades 9-12 who embody Lake Ridge Academy's core values and demonstrate extraordinary excellence in athletics, academics, and community service.

Questions?

Contact our Admissions & Financial Aid Office at 440‑327‑1175 or via email at finaid@lakeridgeacademy.org. We’re committed to working with you to make a Lake Ridge Academy education a reality.
37501 Center Ridge Road
North Ridgeville, OH 44039
Tel: (440) 327-1175
Fax: (440) 327-3641
Lake Ridge Academy is the only independent college preparatory school on Cleveland's west side. Our co-educational curriculum offers a unique blend of academics, extracurricular activities, and a focus on character development, all on our beautiful 93-acre campus. With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, our devoted faculty provides personalized attention to help every student thrive.