By Brittney Hansen, Beginning School and Lower School Assistant Principal

When searching for the right school for students who are ready to be challenged academically, parents and caregivers have many options to consider.

Families consistently discover that investing in a private or independent school such as Rowland Hall is an ideal way to challenge their bright learners. That's because these schools—which offer small classes, high academic standards, and a distinct focus on authentic and applied learning—are best set up to support individual academic challenges, helping students thrive.

Independent schools offer bright young learners small classes, high academic standards, and a distinct focus on authentic and applied learning.

In addition to considering independent school education, families may also be taking a look at their local districts’ gifted and talented programs. These programs, including Salt Lake City School District's Magnet Gifted & Talented program (formerly known as the Extended Learning Program, or ELP), offer specialized educational opportunities for students. And while they can be great options for some families, it’s important that parents do their research to assess if they’ll meet their child’s learning style and family expectations.

Below, we provide four areas to consider when comparing a public school’s gifted and talented program to an independent school education.

1. Get a sense of each school’s curriculum and approach to supporting varied learning styles.

Parents should understand a school’s curriculum as well as its commitment to meeting the needs and learning styles of all of its students. Be sure to ask:

• Does the school place students in gifted and talented programs for all academic disciplines, or just those in which the child is ready for challenge? Students in programs that emphasize all academic disciplines may be under-supported in areas for which they could use a little extra support. Additionally, those who are particularly strong in only one academic area may not be admitted to the program under this all-or-nothing structure, and thus may experience less access to the challenge they need.
• Is there a focus on one subject in particular? Parents have reported that some gifted and talented programs focus primarily on one subject, such as accelerated math, and less on other areas. Be sure any focus meets your family’s expectations.
• Does the school reassess participants for good fit? Some programs use an initial assessment for placement, but don’t require reassessment. This can result in less well-aligned instruction as individual academic strengths and challenges evolve over the course of a student’s elementary and middle school years.

At Rowland Hall we prioritize intentional differentiation, giving teachers and learning specialists space to tailor their instruction to meet the diverse needs and learning styles of students. Teachers meet each child where they are: challenging students in the areas they’re ready for and providing a little extra support when needed. As a result, students’ academic growth, creativity, and critical thinking are continually nurtured in all disciplines, and their confidence grows.

Rowland Hall offers expanding opportunities for deep learning in all disciplines, and support structures to ensure each child gets what they need. We also utilize regular formative and summative assessments to guide instruction for individual students.

2. Ask about social-emotional learning. (It’s more important than you might think!)

A fairly common occurrence for academically talented kids is when their advanced cognitive skills outpace their ability to handle emotions or navigate complex social situations. This asynchronous development can sometimes lead to frustration or challenges fitting in, which is just one of the reasons why it’s important that schools have robust systems in place to support social and emotional growth. Be sure to ask:

• What is the school’s approach to social-emotional learning and how is it implemented? Because social-emotional learning has been emphasized in recent years, many schools have added this curriculum to their programs. However, not every school prioritizes social-emotional learning. Some parents report hearing about little, if anything, happening in this area, or find that implementation varies widely depending on the teacher.

We understand that when the whole child is supported, they’re better equipped to learn.

At Rowland Hall, we help students thrive as whole people, not just as academic learners. We prioritize social-emotional learning because we know that when the whole child is supported, they’re better equipped to learn. Our school uses Wayfinder, a research-backed and data-driven curriculum, in all K–5 classrooms to ensure consistent, reliable outcomes for kids. (And because we understand behaviors have meaning, we’re there to provide support when stumbles inevitably occur along the way.)

3. Learn about the makeup of gifted and talented classes or cohorts.

It’s important to know the kind of school experience you want for your child. Some parents prefer a neighborhood school because it fosters a close-knit community, making it easier to build relationships outside of the school day. Others prioritize schools that draw students from a broader geographic area, diversifying perspectives and experiences. Be sure to ask:

• How are the school’s gifted and talented groups created? In some districts, kids from across the area are bussed to a few schools that offer a gifted and talented program. Other districts offer services at your neighborhood elementary school.
• Do groups change over time? How does the school handle social challenges? Students in gifted and talented programs often stay with their individual class cohorts year after year. This works well when class dynamics are strong, but can be tricky when dynamics are not ideal or kids need a social reset.
• How big are classes? It’s important to consider class size, as larger classes offer less one-on-one or small group time per student.

As an independent school, Rowland Hall welcomes students from across the Salt Lake Valley, the Park City area, and cities north of Salt Lake. We are proud of the diversity of experiences, backgrounds, and ideas that are represented in our community.

We’re also proud of our intentionally sized classes. In our Lower School (elementary school), classes are capped at 16 students in first grade, 18 students in second grade, and 20 students in third through fifth grades. Students are intentionally remixed each year so they get to know their entire grade over their time in the Lower School.

4. Determine if the school community is the right fit for your whole family.

When you’re deep in school research, it can be easy to focus solely on classroom happenings, but it’s also essential to get a sense of the larger school community. A vibrant parent community can foster emotional security and model constructive social relationships for kids—both of which impact students’ growth and well-being.

Additionally, research consistently shows that strong parent communities, active parental involvement, and clear communication between home and school positively impact children’s academic and social development—so it’s important that you are an active community member too! Be sure to ask:

• What’s parent involvement like? Generally, public schools offer a less personal, school-driven, or cohesive parent experience. In fact, sometimes this work is fully handled by parents. As a result, some cohorts have very active communities and parent connectedness, while others have almost none. 
• How does the school communicate with parents? Parents have reported that public school communication can vary by teacher and is sometimes driven primarily by parents. Be sure the communication style and frequency is right for your family.

At Rowland Hall, we believe parents are critical partners in their child’s educational journey, so we strive to create a robust, active, and supportive parent community. Teachers and administrators get to know every family so they can best support kids’ academic learning and growth. By working together, we contribute to a greater sense of belonging for kids, leading to higher motivation and better academic outcomes.

Are you a parent deciding between a public school gifted and talented program and an independent school? We’re here to help! Contact our admission team for support.

Choosing a School

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About Brittney Hansen
Brittney Hansen is Beginning School and Lower School assistant principal at Rowland Hall, and was previously a Beginning School teacher at the Salt Lake City school. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social thought and analysis from Washington University in St. Louis and a master’s degree in education from Harvard University.

By Nicky C., Kyeran G., and Nora S.

Hi, and welcome to Rowland Hall. We’re so glad you’re considering our school!

First, let us introduce ourselves. We’re Nicky C., Kyeran G., and Nora S., and we’re all fifth graders at Rowland Hall.

We think Rowland Hall is a great school and want you to get an idea of why it’s so special here. As three kids who have been at the school for many years (Nicky started in kindergarten, Kyeran in 4PreK, and Nora in 3PreK), we know a thing or two about Rowland Hall—and we want to share them with you.

1. It’s easy to make friends.

We know the most important thing you’re thinking about is if you’ll make friends at Rowland Hall. The answer is yes! Making friends is easy at Rowland Hall—students are kind, and the school helps everyone feel like they belong. This is really important because it’s easier to learn when you have friends and feel safe at school.

2. Our community is welcoming.

One of the great things about Rowland Hall is that the adults are so nice. The teachers are very welcoming, and can help if you are having a hard day. They’re also understanding, and if you need help, they are always there to help you. And no matter who you are, you’re accepted at Rowland Hall. There is a place for everyone here. We even have affinity groups for students with divorced parents, learning differences, and other identifiers, so you’ll be supported by kids and adults who understand you.

3. You can attend Rowland Hall from preschool through high school.

At Rowland Hall, kids can start as young as three years old and attend all the way through high school. This means if you like the school, you can stay here! This is great because then you don’t have to start over at a new school that has its own ways of doing things, you can remain with your friends, and you can get to know the teachers better.

4. Our classes are small and we learn about a lot of fun stuff.

At Rowland Hall, our classes are small, so we get more focus from teachers. We also get to take specialty classes, which are a great way to find out about different subjects and exercise your brain. Specialties include science, art, music, Spanish, and TREC, which stands for technology, robotics, engineering, and coding.

5. Our playground is the best.

We love learning, but it’s also nice to have breaks. Rowland Hall has a great recess program, which is important because more recess helps your brain (it’s scientifically proven!). Our playground is so fun and has a basketball court, sandbox, playset, four-square courts, and a large field with enough room for football.

6. Students have lots of fun experiences.

There are many fun activities at Rowland Hall. We can’t name them all, but a few of our favorites include field trips to places like Timpanogos Cave, Little Cottonwood Canyon, and the Great Salt Lake (which you get to do with the 11th graders when you’re in fourth grade). We also love the Buddy Program, which connects kids in the lower and beginning schools, and the fifth-grade internship program.

7. We have a fun before-school and after-school program called Extended Day.

Extended Day is a great way to do some extracurricular activities, with lots of classes happening on all days of the week. Some of the classes/clubs include Pokémon Club, chorus, karate, fencing, and music lessons. If you aren’t there for classes, you can hang out in the dining hall or on the playground and do your homework if you really want. You can even go there if you’re in the Middle School. Extended Day is so much fun, and it’s also really helpful for families that need childcare before or after school.

We hope these examples helped you get a better idea of why Rowland Hall is such a great place. There’s so much more to learn about our school, so we definitely recommend you visit campus—you might even meet one of us while you’re here! Ask your parents or caregivers to reach out to our admission team for more information.

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About Nicky C.
Nicky’s favorite subjects at school are recess, math, science, and TREC. He also loves to play soccer and basketball, both during and after school, take chess lessons, and draw. His favorite places to travel are California, to visit his grandparents, and Mexico.

About Kyeran G.
Kyeran’s favorite school subjects are math and PE because he gets to learn so many new and fun games. When he’s not at school, he likes to skateboard and play with his dog, a Labrador whose DNA has been labeled 10% mystery.

About Nora S.
Nora’s favorite thing to do at school is to write, and her favorite thing to write is fantasy fiction. She also loves reading, playing volleyball, doing gymnastics, and going to the beach (especially in Oregon!).

Choosing a School

Like other private independent schools, Rowland Hall is independently funded, relying on tuition to offer an exceptional education to the PreK through 12th-grade students who attend our two Salt Lake City, Utah, campuses.

While tuition is a major source of funding for the school, Rowland Hall believes that an independent education should not be out of reach for families unable to pay the full tuition. As a result, we provide over $4 million in financial aid and scholarships to students each year. Rowland Hall financial aid awards are grants, not loans, and do not have to be repaid, and are available to students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

At Rowland Hall, we are committed to understanding each family’s individual circumstances to determine financial aid eligibility and appropriate awards. A family should never assume they are not eligible for aid, or that any financial aid examples they may see online are complete; the only sure way to know if you qualify, and how much you qualify for, is to work directly with a school financial aid professional. Rowland Hall Director of Financial Aid Rebecca Mueller Jones guides each family through the financial aid journey.

What to Expect When You Apply for Financial Aid at Rowland Hall

1. Explore Rowland Hall, Then Fill Out an Admission Application

Before you apply to Rowland Hall—including for financial aid—it’s important to determine if our school is right for your family. Begin by contacting our Admission Department via the inquiry page. After inquiring, you may also choose to attend an admission event or take a virtual tour to help make your decision.

If your family determines that you’d like to apply to Rowland Hall, please begin or complete an admission application before starting a financial aid application.

2. Prepare Your Financial Documents

Rowland Hall uses Clarity, a financial aid software used by many private and independent schools that award financial aid. To ensure the smoothest process, we recommend that you gather necessary financial documents—including W2s or 1040s, and mortgage interest, banking, and investment statements—before beginning the financial aid application.

3. Fill Out Your Financial Aid Application

After gathering financial documents, you are ready to begin the application.

• Create an account in Clarity. Keep track of login information, as you will need it to return to the system. (You can fill out an application over multiple sessions.)

• The application will first ask for basic demographic information to help determine eligibility. After completing these questions, eligible families will pay an application fee of $60, which can be done with a credit or debit card. (A fee waiver may apply in certain situations; please contact the director of financial aid with questions.)

• Clarity allows you to tie your tax information from the IRS directly to your application, so in most cases there is no need to upload additional documents.

After your application is submitted, it will be reviewed by Rowland Hall’s four-person Financial Aid Committee. Your personal information, as well as any awarded aid, is only shared with this committee and is always kept confidential. If necessary, the director of financial aid may reach out to you with follow-up questions that will help the committee make an informed decision.

Please be aware that financial aid priority for the upcoming school year is given to applications submitted by the admission deadline. The due date for admission and financial aid applications for 2025–2026 is January 31, 2025; both applications must be fully completed by this date.

4. Review Financial Aid Decision and Follow Up as Requested

All families receive communication regarding Rowland Hall’s financial aid decisions. Contracts and financial award letters for 2025–2026 will be available in Rowland Hall’s admission portal on March 1, 2025.

If your family receives a financial award letter, you’ll accept that award by signing the provided contract and returning it to Rowland Hall by the required date, along with a non-refundable deposit of 10% of your tuition amount. Receipt of a signed contract and deposit locks in your financial aid package and secures your student’s, or students’, place for the next school year. Families also choose a payment plan at contract signing.

Want more information on Rowland Hall’s financial aid process? Contact Director of Financial Aid Rebecca Mueller Jones at rebeccajones@rowlandhall.org or 801-924-5947 to get started. We also invite you to visit our admission RSVP page if you would like to attend a virtual open house or a small group tour of our Utah independent private school campuses.

Financial Aid

By Rowland Hall

In recent years, many families have been investigating private and independent schools when deciding on their children’s education.

As a result, financing private school tuition has become a top concern. While costs can seem staggering, paying for your child to attend a private school doesn’t have to be a stress-inducing process. From financial aid to scholarships, there are a variety of financing options available—and you might be surprised to find out that a private school education is more affordable than you think.

If you’re considering private school enrollment for your child, here are six ways to make it affordable for your family.

How to Make Utah Private School Education Affordable for Your Family

1. Take Advantage of Financial Aid 

Rowland Hall's need-based financial aid program considers every family’s unique circumstances, with the goal to match your financial means with a realistic tuition contribution.

In an Enrollment Management Association report, The Ride to Independent Schools 2020–2021, 47% of parents reported they did not apply for financial aid because they thought they would not qualify.

At Rowland Hall, all families with financial need are encouraged to apply for financial aid. Our need-based financial aid program considers every family’s unique circumstances, with the goal to match your financial means with a realistic tuition contribution. We currently provide more than $4 million per year in financial aid and scholarships to students in grades K–12, with most recipients receiving 50% or more in tuition assistance.

2. Apply for Need- and Merit-based Scholarships

Many private schools offer a variety of scholarships for qualifying students. Rowland Hall donors have established scholarships for students who possess both specific talents or qualifications and who demonstrate financial need.

As with any scholarship, be sure to carefully review all eligibility requirements, application dates, and application requirements to give your family the best possible chance to earn additional assistance.

3. Set Up a Payment Plan

The thought of paying full tuition all at once can be daunting, but there are often options to split tuition into multiple payments instead of paying one lump sum. Rowland Hall offers three payment options for families, including one-, two-, and nine-payment plans.

4. Look into a Loan

If you qualify for financial aid but need assistance with a portion of tuition, or if you have simply crunched your budget as much as possible and it’s still not balancing, consider applying for a tuition loan, which can help offset any remaining costs outside of your financial aid package.

A tuition loan may also be a good option for families that don’t qualify for financial aid.

5. Talk to Your Tax Expert

Recent changes to a new tax bill now allow parents to withdraw funds from a 529 account not only for college tuition but also for K–12 private education. Parents can withdraw up to $10,000 per year tax-free for tuition, and Utah residents may also earn a state tax credit for their contributions to the plan. Talk to your tax advisor for more information on 529 college savings plans.

6. Consider a School Voucher or Tax-Credit Scholarship

If you’re considering admission at a Utah private school, there are school voucher and tax-credit scholarship options for qualifying families, including the Carson Smith Scholarship, launched in 2005, which provides eligible families with vouchers to attend private schools.
No matter your financial situation, Rowland Hall is committed to making exceptional education affordable for every family, so be sure to explore every available opportunity.

Investing in Your Child’s Future

When families are considering private education, they are often seeking smaller class sizes, higher academic achievement, and college preparedness.

Placing students in small groups tends to foster close working relationships between teachers and students, thus enhancing learning.

At Rowland Hall, our student-teacher ratio is 9 to 1, and our average class size is 15 students. According to research from the US Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics, placing students in small groups tends to foster close working relationships between teachers and students, thus enhancing learning.

In the same piece of research, results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), showed that private school students performed higher than public school students on the NAPE:2000 tests. Additionally, their average scores were above those of public school students on the fourth-grade reading test and on the fourth, eighth-, and twelfth-grade science and mathematics proficiency tests.

Beyond intimate learning conditions and a commitment to academic achievement, our curriculum at Rowland Hall is enriched with experiential, hands-on, and inventive courses, as well as electives spanning everything from music, dance, and debate to robotics and competitive sports.

You Belong at Rowland Hall

At Rowland Hall, we are committed to empowering every student to reach their full potential in an inclusive school community. Since our founding in 1867, we have grown to occupy two urban campuses in Salt Lake City, where we support nearly 1,000 students in preschool through high school who are learning to become deep thinkers ready for a dynamic tomorrow.

Interested in learning more about Rowland Hall? Visit our admission page to contact our admission team and to hear from families who have made the decision to invest in an exceptional education.

Affordability