Despite the recession, Fort Worth Country Day School has experienced expansion during the current school year. 

FWCD held their final admission event for the 2012-2103 academic year, last Tuesday. Their “3 A's Every Day” dinner and open house took place from 6-8 p.m. The event was for families of prospective students entering grades 5-12.

The event was successful with around 70 guests in attendance, Yolanda Espinoza, the school's admissions associate, said.

According to FWCD’s website, the deadline for applying for the fall of 2013 was Feb. 1 for Kindergarten, March 20 for grades 1-4 and March 23 for grades 5-12.

Espinoza said that FWCD is “ahead from where they were last year” in terms of applications.

FWCD has also gotten ahead this year with classroom space and technology.

Shannon Allen, communications manager for FWCD, announced in an Aug. 17 Newsletter that the Paul W. Mason Middle School had opened after a yearlong building process.

“Expansion includes 10 new classrooms, an increased common area that will accommodate all-school gatherings and assemblies, and a state-of-the-art technology infrastructure,” Allen wrote.

FWCD also hired a record-high 19 faculty members.

However with this expansion, FWCD saw an increase in tuition.

This year’s tuition rose by $700 for Kindergarten and the Lower School (1-4), $730 for the Middle School (5-8) and $760 for the Upper School (9-12). Tuition rates are determined each January by the Board of Trustees for the following school year.

Tuition for Kindergarten through Upper School for the 2013-2014 school year ranges from $18,150 to $19,540. This does not include expenses for the meal plan or an activity fee.

According to FWCD’s website, more than $1.8 million in financial aid was awarded for the 2012-2013 academic year, and one out of every six students is a recipient of need-based financial aid.

1,110 students were enrolled this year.

Photos courtesy of Fort Worth Country Day School's website.