Understanding Cranbrook Schools Tuition and Affordability

Cranbrook Schools, located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, stand as a premier educational institution. Understanding the tuition structure and associated costs is crucial for families considering this school. This article breaks down the tuition fees, additional expenses, and financial aid options available at Cranbrook Schools.

Cranbrook Schools: An Overview

Cranbrook Schools is a private PK-12 educational institution located on a 319-acre campus in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. It encompasses a co-educational elementary school, a middle school with separate schools for boys and girls, and a co-educational college-preparatory high school with boarding facilities. Cranbrook Schools is part of the Cranbrook Educational Community (CEC), which includes the Cranbrook Institute of Science, the Cranbrook Academy of Art, and Cranbrook House and Gardens. Christ Church Cranbrook is also on campus. The Cranbrook community was established by publishing mogul George Booth, who bought the site of today's Cranbrook community in 1904. Cranbrook was designated a National Historic Landmark on June 29, 1989, for its significant architecture and design. In 1915, George and Ellen Booth opened a portion of their property to the general public with the construction of a small Greek Theatre. Subsequently, the Booths decided to build a middle school and a college preparatory school. Cranbrook School for Boys, which began operations in 1927, was designed by world-renowned Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen. Completed in 1928, it was Saarinen's first executed architectural work in the United States. The name "Cranbrook" was chosen since Cranbrook, England was the birthplace of George Booth's father. Kingswood School Cranbrook (for girls), also designed by Saarinen, opened in 1931. Cranbrook and Kingswood enrolled students from grades 7-12. Unlike the Cranbrook School for Boys, which has several buildings, the Kingswood School has only one building, which includes supporting facilities. It houses dormitories, a dining hall, an auditorium, classrooms, lounge/common areas, a bowling alley, and a ballroom. The education at Kingswood School Cranbrook was initially primarily viewed as a "finishing school". Today, Students take classes in English, History, Religion, and Art at Kingswood. In 1923, Booth founded an Episcopal church to serve the nascent Cranbrook community, as well as surrounding communities. He chose the firm of Goodhue Associates to design the church. Groundbreaking took place in 1925, and Christ Church Cranbrook was consecrated on September 29, 1928. Originally Cranbrook and Kingswood schools were affiliated with the Episcopal Church, but they have since secularized. Cranbrook School, Kingswood School, and Brookside School operated separately until 1970, when it was decided to govern them together. This was followed by the creation of the Cranbrook Educational Community. The middle school did not become co-educational; it was divided into gender-specific campuses in 1984. The Community acquired Vaughan School to house the boys' middle school. The basement of Kingswood was at one point the girls' middle school. A new Middle School building opened in 2010. For boys and girls of grades 6-8, all classes are separate. In 1985, Cranbrook School and Kingswood School were merged to create a coeducational upper school, the Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School. Frequently, the school is referred to as "CK" by its students, faculty, and alumni. Cranbrook Kingswood now lays claim to 70 athletic teams; both men and women's teams earned state championship titles in hockey, tennis, lacrosse, golf and swimming.

Tuition Fees

Cranbrook School is one of the top prep schools in the country, offering a robust academic and extracurricular program. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the tuition fee structure is as follows:

Boarding Students (Grades 9-12): Approximately $65,800.
Day Students (Grades 6-8): Approximately $31,900.
Day Students (Grades 9-12): Approximately $39,700.

According to Niche’s new 2026 rankings released Monday, the school’s yearly tuition is listed at $44,100, with boarding at $60,000.

What's Included in Tuition?

These tuition fees include instruction and certain school events. For boarding students, room and board are included. Lunches and snacks are included in tuition and are provided by Chartwells Dining Services. They are a nut-free organization that caters to Cranbrook Schools during the academic year. Special arrangements can be made for campers with food allergies.

Read also: The Cranbrook Legacy

Additional Costs to Consider

While the tuition covers the core educational expenses, it’s essential to budget for additional costs. These may include:

Textbooks
Uniform
Technology Fee
Student Health Insurance (All international students (F-1) are required to purchase Cranbrook’s health insurance.)
Student Activities Fee
Personal Spending Money

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Cranbrook Schools granted more than $12,000,000 in tuition assistance. The school does offer financial aid and has a commitment to ensuring that qualified students can attend, regardless of their family financial circumstances. The Financial Aid Office strives to accurately assess financial need and to equitably distribute grants to those families who demonstrate such need. We encourage any family who may need assistance to apply for financial aid. Grants of this size are only available to students in grades 9-12.

Need-Based Financial Aid

Cranbrook offers need-based financial aid to eligible students. Financial Aid (Access) Your gift helps keep tuition far below the actual cost and helps change the lives of talented students who would otherwise not be able to attend Cranbrook Schools.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Booth Scholarship: A full-tuition scholarship (including room and board) awarded to an exceptional new boarding student entering grades 9-11.
- Eligibility: New boarding students from the United States applying to grades 9, 10, or 11.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

The financial aid application process and instructions can be found on Cranbrook's Financial Aid Process page, located in the Affording Cranbrook tab.

Financial Aid Details

Aid is available based on calculated need and availability of funds. Awards range 0-50% of tuition and Extended Care; Excludes fees and other options. Awards are funded by Cranbrook and other camp families.

Net Price Calculators

It's always a good idea to utilize the schools' net price calculators to get a more accurate estimate based on your family's individual financial situation.

Payment Plans

One Payment (Early): This plan is for families who would like to make one payment for yearly tuition on or before April 20th.
Four Payments: This plan divides the total yearly tuition into four equal monthly installments beginning in August and ending in May.
Ten Payments: This plan divides the total yearly tuition into ten equal monthly installments beginning in August and ending in May.

Cranbrook Summer Camps Tuition

Cranbrook Schools Summer Camps are located on the Cranbrook campus in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Camps run from 9 AM to 3 PM, with the exception of Cranbrook Theatre School and Young Authors Day Camp, which run from 9:15 AM to 3:15 PM. Sessions are available in three lengths: Full Sessions (8 weeks), Half Sessions (4 weeks, either weeks 1-4 or weeks 5-8), and Partial Sessions (1 week). Full Sessions and Half Sessions are for a single camp. Additional options available during registration include AM Extended Care starting at 7 AM and PM Extended Care until 6 PM. After-Camp Activities, such as chess and coding, are also offered. Transportation Services are available with stops in Birmingham, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, and Troy.

A $50 per week enrollment deposit is required at the time of registration. Early Enrollment Discount: $100 off Full Sessions & $50 off Half Sessions. Use code EARLY26 until 1/1/2026.Multi-Session Discount: $30 off each additional session. Aid is available based on calculated need and availability of funds.Awards range 0-50% of tuition and Extended Care; Excludes fees and other options.Awards are funded by Cranbrook and other camp families.

Financial Aid for Summer Camps

Yes, financial aid is available for our summer camps based on calculated need and the availability of funds. Awards range from 0-50% of tuition and Extended Care costs but do not cover fees or additional options. To apply for financial aid, submit an application through Clarity.

What's Included in Summer Camps Tuition

For Cranbrook Schools Summer Camps, tuition includes lunch and two snacks per day if you select "Lunch from Cranbrook" during the registration process. The menu will be available via Nutrislice closer to the camp start date. If you choose "Lunch from Home," please pack a disposable, nut-free lunch and two nut-free snacks each day. Note that home-brought lunches and snacks are not able to be refrigerated.

Read also: Housing & Healthcare: BH-UCLA

Additional Information

Rankings

Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills is the best private high school in Michigan, according to Niche’s new 2026 rankings released Monday.

In Michigan, behind Cranbrook Schools, the top private high schools and their tuition are:

No. 2 Greenhills School, Ann Arbor - $33,540
No. 3 Detroit Country Day School, Beverly Hills - $39,300
No. 4 The Roeper School, Bloomfield Hills - $37,670
No. 5 Interlochen Arts Academy, Interlochen - $45,930
No. 6 University Liggett School, Grosse Pointe Woods - $38,765
No. 7 Academy of the Sacred Heart, Bloomfield Hills - $28,500
No. 8 Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit, West Bloomfield - $32,100
No. 9 Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, $24,910
No. 10 Spring Vale Christian School, Owosso - $5,500
No. 11 Detroit Catholic Central High School, Novi - $16,275
No. 12 Auburn Hills Christian School, Auburn Hills - $7,000
No. 13 University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy, Detroit - $18,300
No. 14 Brother Rice High School, Bloomfield Hills - $17,950
No. 15 Notre Dame Preparatory School, Pontiac - $21,450

Nationally, The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut (costing $71,170 a year), secured the No. 1 private high school spot, followed by Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire and Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut.

Campus Tours

Campus tours are available in late May and early June during our office hours, from 9 AM to 3 PM, Monday through Friday. Please note that due to school being in session, we are unable to access the camp spaces inside the buildings until the weekend before camp begins. Registered families will receive the Parent Welcome Packet in early June, which includes important information such as camp times, locations, phone numbers, policies, and a list of what to bring.

Academics and Extracurriculars

Cranbrook offers a uniquely comprehensive college-preparatory education. Here is the superb teaching and learning environment that cherishes and challenges the individual, that encourages creative, critical and independent thinking, and that offers the broadest possible range of study, artistic and athletic options. Cranbrook Kingswood now lays claim to 70 athletic teams; both men and women's teams earned state championship titles in hockey, tennis, lacrosse, golf and swimming.

A Historic Landmark

Known for its exquisite architecture, Cranbrook`s campus is on the National Historic Registrar. The latest building is the award winning Williams Natatorium, which was designed by a Cranbrook graduate. Right on campus is a Science Museum and an Art Museum that attract over 250,000 visitors each year. Cranbrook students enjoy the permanent collections as well as rotating exhibits.

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