GSW Lowers Tuition!

Well met Friends, Wizards and Wizards-soon-to-be,

As always I hope that the day finds you all in Good Health and High Spirits!

Earlier this month, I called the school to assembly for a proper chat'n'chinwag, followed by a vote on a matter that has been sitting heavily in my thoughts for some time: tuition.

Months ago, in the face of mounting financial pressures, we made the decision to raise tuition. At the time, after hearing from those whose judgment I trust, it seemed the most prudent course.

The school could continue to operate on those rates, particularly when paired with the annual fundraiser, yet I have increasingly felt that in doing so, we may have edged away from our mission by making the path to becoming a wizard less accessible to those who wish to walk it.

This feeling was only deepened during the Summer Conclave at Highspire this past weekend. Across four days, I witnessed our pupils fully immersed in the life of the school, testing their limits, sharing their knowledge, forging friendships, and strengthening their skills as Wizards. The camaraderie, the determination, and the growth I saw were a reminder of what makes this place extraordinary.

I could not help but think that more people should have the chance to take part in experiences like these, for they are at the heart of what we do. That conviction was what led me to call the gathering last night, to speak openly about lowering tuition, and to place the matter before the school.

It was important to me that those who had already paid at the higher rate did not feel overlooked or disregarded, so the discussion was opened to everyone. The public channel on our Discord was made part of the process, and messages were read aloud to ensure all voices were heard. The vote that followed was decisive: tuition for the apprenticeship program will be lowered to $25 a month and $300 a year, with our other programs receiving similar adjustments. These figures were not chosen lightly. They are what I believe we can manage, provided we all stand united in our efforts to sustain this amazing school we call home.

In sharing my thoughts before the vote, I made clear that this change is an investment in our apprenticeship program and in the community it builds. Lowering tuition opens the doors wider, but it also means we will all need to do our part to keep those doors open. If I see us moving toward difficulty, I will not keep that to myself. The understanding is simple: we embrace greater accessibility, and in return we take on the shared responsibility to ensure the school thrives.

Looking further ahead, there is another step I would like us to take. If we reach two hundred enrolled apprentices by November 1st, we will begin work on a per-class payment option. This will allow those who cannot commit to the monthly rate to purchase individual classes for a one-time payment of five dollars each, taking one class at a time. While it will not replace the apprenticeship program, it will create an additional point of entry, enabling more people to benefit from our teachings and perhaps encouraging them to step further into our community over time.

Of course, lowering tuition is not without its risks. We are reducing our primary source of revenue, and the difference must be made up through increased enrollment and other means. The most effective way to do this has always been word of mouth. Share what you have found here. Invite friends, family, and acquaintances to a moot, a lecture, or a public event. Let them see for themselves what it means to be part of this school, and how the lessons learned here extend beyond the classroom into life itself. Remember my good Wizards that each person you bring into our circle strengthens us all.

It is not be the prevailing wisdom to cut tuition in times like these, but I believe that doing so will bring long-term benefits that far outweigh the immediate strain. There will be more fundraisers ahead, and I will call on each of you to contribute in whatever way you can, whether through resources, time, or effort. This will take diligence, creativity, and a shared commitment to the future of the Grey School. As we succeed, we will not only have sustained the school, but we will have made it stronger, more vibrant, and more welcoming to those who seek to learn within its walls. If we falter, we will address it together, as a community that values honesty and mutual support.

We stand at a turning point, and I believe we are choosing the course that honors our mission and our purpose. Let us meet this moment with the same energy and resolve I saw at the Conclave, confident in what we can achieve together.

Wizardly Regards,

Headmaster Nicholas F Kingsley ᛞ

Please Note: If you are currently enrolled, you will need to drop your current tuition and enroll under the new plans to be affected by this change.