How Much Does Private School Cost in Destin, FL? 2026-2027 Tuition Guide

Tuition is the first question most families ask when they begin researching private school in Destin, Florida, and it is a reasonable place to start. The Barrett School publishes its tuition structure transparently so families can evaluate the real cost, including scholarship options and payment plans, before making any decisions. This guide covers what tuition covers, what it does not, how payment works, and how the cost compares to other private school options in the Destin area.

Tuition at The Barrett School for 2026-2027

Barrett uses a tiered annual tuition structure based on division. For the 2026-2027 school year, tuition is $12,500 per year for Pre-K4, $14,500 per year for Kindergarten, and $16,000 per year for all grades from 1st through 12th grade.

Tuition covers classroom instruction across all core subjects, STEM integration at every grade level, individualised academic support from teachers who maintain class sizes of 8 to 12 students, and access to enrichment opportunities including robotics, coding, biotech, and digital media at the appropriate grade level. Full details on what each division includes are on our full academic programme page.

Families should budget separately for school uniforms, after-care and extended day programmes, enrichment clubs and field trips, and supply and activity fees. These costs vary by family and grade level and are not included in the annual tuition figure.

Payment plans and enrollment deposits

Barrett offers a 10-month payment plan running from August through May, with payments due on the first of each month. This structure spreads the annual tuition across the academic year and is the most common payment approach among enrolled families.

A non-refundable enrollment deposit is required upon acceptance to secure a grade-level seat. The deposit is $500 for new families and $300 for returning families. This is separate from and applied toward the annual tuition balance. A 3.12% processing fee applies to payments made by credit card. Late fees apply to payments received after the 5th of each month.

Scholarships and financial aid

Two Florida scholarship programmes can significantly reduce the out-of-pocket cost of tuition at Barrett for qualifying families.

The Step Up for Students scholarship is available to families whose household income falls within state-set eligibility thresholds. The Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship serves additional qualifying circumstances including unique learning needs, military family status, and foster or kinship care situations. Both scholarships are portable and apply directly to Barrett tuition.

Many families who assume private school tuition is beyond their budget discover through the scholarship application process that the actual cost after funding is considerably lower than the published tuition figure. Applications for both programmes are managed through Step Up for Students and should be submitted as early as possible in the calendar year since funding is allocated on a rolling basis. Full details on scholarship eligibility and payment structures are on the tuition and financial aid page.

How Barrett's tuition compares to other private schools in Destin

Private school tuition in the Destin area varies by institution and grade level. Compass Rose Academy in Santa Rosa Beach, which serves Pre-K through 6th grade with a Montessori-influenced approach, has a published tuition of approximately $9,000 per year. Rocky Bayou Christian School in Niceville, one of the largest private schools in the Florida Panhandle at approximately 920 students, publishes tuition figures in a similar range to Barrett for comparable grade levels. Gateway Academy in Miramar Beach, which serves Pre-K3 through 8th grade within a faith-based framework, falls in a comparable range.

Barrett sits within the typical range for private schools in the area while offering a programme that most local competitors do not: a complete Pre-K4 through 12th grade pathway on a single campus, class sizes of 8 to 12 students across every division, dual enrollment access through Arizona State University and the University of South Florida for Upper School students, and a secular, non-religious curriculum. For families who want the full range of those features without changing schools between primary and secondary education, Barrett is the only local option that delivers them.

What the tuition is actually paying for

Private school tuition reflects the cost of maintaining small classes, experienced faculty, and a curriculum that requires ongoing investment in materials, technology, and instructional development. At Barrett, the 8 to 12 student class size is the primary cost driver and the primary value driver. That ratio is what makes individualised instruction possible, what gives teachers the bandwidth to know each student's academic history and respond to it, and what produces the pace of academic progress that families who transfer from larger schools consistently notice within the first semester.

The dual enrollment programme in our Upper School programme adds further value for families with high school students. A student who graduates with transferable university credits from Arizona State University or the University of South Florida has already reduced their future tuition burden at the university level, which changes the return on the private school investment considerably when factored into the full picture.

Starting the conversation

The admissions overview covers how the enrollment process works from first inquiry through confirmed seat. The application process page outlines documentation requirements and timeline. Families with specific questions about scholarship eligibility, payment structures, or pro-rated tuition for mid-year enrollment are welcome to contact the admissions team directly at (850) 353-2153 or info@thebarrettschool.org.

Schedule a campus visit to see the programme in person before making a final decision. The admissions team can walk through the full financial picture during or after the tour.