FUNDING

Funding & Tuition | ExcelPrep Schools
Funding & Tuition

Investing in Your Child’s
Specialized Education

Three distinct funding pathways designed to ensure every neurodiverse learner can access the education they need — regardless of your family’s circumstances.

Questions about clinical ABA or therapy insurance? ExcelLearning handles clinical ABA, OT, and speech services separately from school enrollment. Contact info@excellearning.clinic or visit ExcelLearning.clinic to learn more.

Two ways to fund your child’s
education at ExcelPrep

We are committed to supporting access and equity for all families seeking specialized education for their neurodiverse learners. Understanding that families have different resources and circumstances, we’ve designed two distinct funding pathways for school enrollment.

1

School District Referral & Placement

Your child’s school district covers tuition as part of their special education services

Best for

Students with IEPs whose needs cannot be met in their current public school setting.

Cost to families

$0 tuition — district pays directly to ExcelPrep

How it works

  • School district evaluates your child and determines ExcelPrep is the appropriate placement
  • District contracts with ExcelPrep for educational services
  • District covers all tuition costs
  • Parents work with their IEP team to establish this placement

Parent advocacy tip

You have the right to request an IEP meeting to discuss alternative placements if you believe your child’s needs aren’t being met. ExcelPrep can provide documentation and participate in IEP meetings to support these discussions.
2

Private Tuition

Families pay tuition directly to ExcelPrep for educational services

Best for

Families who choose to privately fund their child’s specialized education.

Tuition rates

Tuition varies by campus location

Contact our admissions team for tuition rates at your campus of interest. We’re happy to walk you through costs, payment options, and any available discounts.

Payment options

  • Monthly: 10 payments, due July–April
  • Quarterly: 4 payments per year
  • Semi-annual: 2 payments per year

Automatic bank draft preferred for monthly and quarterly plans.

Discounts available

Multi-child discount for families with three or more children enrolled. University partner discounts available for families affiliated with UIC, Illinois State University, and UIUC.

Need-based support

ExcelPrep offers tuition support for qualified families who have been supported by ExcelPrep and demonstrate financial need. Contact our admissions team to learn more.

Payment options, fees &
what’s included

Monthly
10 payments
Due on or before the 15th, July through April
Quarterly
4 payments per year
Spread evenly across the school year
Semi-annual
2 payments per year
Due at the start of each semester
Tuition rates vary by campus location. Contact our admissions team at admissions@excelprepschools.org or 217-800-5210 to get rates for your campus of interest and discuss which payment schedule works best for your family.

What’s included in tuition

All of the following are covered by your tuition payment — no hidden fees.

Direct Instruction and Precision Teaching

Small group and individualized instruction

Ongoing progress monitoring and data-driven instruction

Highly trained educators and behavior specialists

School supplies and instructional materials

Snacks during the school day

Regular family communication and progress reports

Making ExcelPrep accessible
for every family

We recognize that families with multiple neurodiverse learners face significant educational costs, and that some families need additional support. We’ve built three programs to help.

Multi-child family discount

For families with three or more children enrolled, we offer a meaningful discount starting with the third child — recognizing the real costs families carry.

15% off
for 3rd child and each additional child enrolled
Contact admissions to discuss your family’s enrollment and calculate your discount.

University partner discount

ExcelPrep partners with select research universities to support faculty, staff, and students who are raising neurodiverse learners. Discounts are available for families with qualifying university affiliations.

University partner discount
Available for qualifying university-affiliated families — contact admissions to confirm eligibility at your campus of interest.
Contact admissions with proof of university affiliation to learn about discount rates and eligibility.

Need-based tuition support

ExcelPrep is committed to access and equity for all families. For families currently enrolled at ExcelPrep who demonstrate financial need, we offer meaningful tuition assistance.

Up to 50% off
Contact admissions for eligibility and application details
Eligibility: Available to families currently enrolled at ExcelPrep who demonstrate financial need. Contact our admissions team to discuss your family’s situation and learn about the application process.

Understanding the value of
specialized education

When considering private tuition, it’s helpful to understand ExcelPrep’s value in the context of specialized education. Unlike general private schools designed for typically-developing students, ExcelPrep is built from the ground up for neurodiverse learners — our entire philosophy, structure, and approach centers on their success.

Specialized expertise

Our staff includes Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), Speech-Language Pathologists, and educators trained in Direct Instruction and Precision Teaching — specifically for neurodiverse learners.

Individualized instruction

Students move through our learning continuum based on ability and mastery, not age or grade. Instruction is tailored to each child’s unique profile with small group and one-to-one support.

Data-driven approach

Continuous progress monitoring ensures no child falls through the cracks. We adjust instruction based on real-time data, not just quarterly report cards.

Evidence-based methods

Direct Instruction and Precision Teaching are research-proven methods for students with learning disabilities, autism, ADHD, and other neurodiversities.

Integrated support

Access to occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral support within the school setting — no need to coordinate separate appointments.

A community of belonging

Unlike general private schools where your child may be the only one who learns differently, ExcelPrep is a community designed entirely around neurodiverse students.

An investment in your child’s future

ExcelPrep’s tuition reflects the intensive, specialized nature of our program. For many families, this investment provides:

  • Progress that wasn’t possible in traditional settings
  • Confidence and academic skills that create lifelong success
  • Reduction in the need for outside tutoring and therapy services
  • A learning environment where children thrive rather than struggle
  • Peace of mind that their child is receiving expert, evidence-based instruction

Funding & tuition FAQs

No. Families must choose one primary pathway for school tuition: school district placement or private tuition.

Families who are privately funding school enrollment may separately use health insurance to support clinical therapeutic services through ExcelLearning, such as: Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech Therapy (ST), Social Groups, and Executive Functioning Therapy. These are handled entirely through ExcelLearning and are independent of school tuition.

Contact our admissions team to discuss your specific situation.

School districts are required by law to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to all students with disabilities. If your child’s needs cannot be met in their current setting, the district must provide an appropriate placement — including private schools if necessary. You may want to consult with a special education advocate or attorney if your district is resistant to considering ExcelPrep as a placement option.

Yes. ExcelPrep offers need-based tuition support for qualified families, a multi-child discount for families with three or more children enrolled, and a university partner discount for families with qualifying university affiliations.

Contact our admissions team to discuss your family’s situation and learn about the application process for any of these programs.

ExcelPrep is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, but tuition payments are generally not tax-deductible as charitable contributions since families receive direct educational services in return. However, some families may be able to claim tuition as a medical expense if their child has a diagnosed medical condition and the school is medically necessary. Consult with your tax advisor for specific guidance.

We require written notice of withdrawal. Tuition obligations and refund policies will be outlined in your enrollment agreement. Enrollment fees are non-refundable. Contact our administrative team to discuss your specific situation.

Yes, if your child’s school district agrees to the placement. Many families start with private tuition while working with their district to establish ExcelPrep as an appropriate IEP placement. We’re happy to provide documentation and participate in IEP meetings to support this process.

Clinical ABA, speech, and occupational therapy services are provided separately through ExcelLearning and are completely independent of school tuition. ExcelLearning works directly with families and their insurance on clinical service billing.

To learn more about clinical services or verify your insurance benefits, contact ExcelLearning at info@excellearning.clinic or visit ExcelLearning.clinic.

Tuition includes school supplies, snacks, and instructional materials. Families are responsible for their child’s lunch and transportation to and from school (unless provided by school district for district-placed students). Optional field trips or special activities may have additional costs, which will be communicated in advance.

We primarily offer monthly (10 payments), quarterly (4 payments), and semi-annual (2 payments) options. If you need a different arrangement, please contact our business office to discuss possibilities.

Questions about funding?

Our admissions team is here to help you navigate your options and find the right pathway for your family.

ExcelPrep — tuition & enrollment

For questions about private tuition, payment plans, financial support, or school district placement:

Email: admissions@excelprepschools.org

Phone: 217-800-5210

ExcelLearning — ABA insurance

For questions about ABA therapy services, insurance benefits verification, and in-network coverage:

Email: info@excellearning.clinic

Website: ExcelLearning.clinic

Ready to explore your options?

Schedule a conversation with our admissions team to discuss which funding pathway works best for your family.

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