IDS Merit Scholarship
The IDS Merit Scholarship of up to $5,000 per academic year is awarded to students applying to Grades 6-8, including current IDS students, and is renewable through to graduation, assuming that the student continues to thrive in the IDS environment by fulfilling academic and citizenship expectations. All prospective Middle School students are encouraged to apply for the IDS Merit Scholarship. Recipients are selected based on the following criteria:
- Good citizenship
- An outstanding pattern of academic achievement
- Commitment to learning
- Evidence of community engagement
Wallace Scholarship
The Dr. Edward and Elizabeth Wallace Scholarship is awarded to one sixth grader in overall good standing for his or her three-year Middle School tenure.
This scholarship of $6,000 per academic year is available to a student who demonstrates a passion for learning and discovery and whose family demonstrates substantial financial need.
Gauthier Family Scholarship
Established during the 2024-25 school year, the Gauthier Family Scholarship is awarded to a rising 5th Grader (current or incoming). This $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a student who exhibits academic excellence and our values of empathy, compassion, and respect. It is renewable until graduation as long as the student remains in good academic standing and upholds our values.
How to Apply
Student Checklist to Apply for an IDS Scholarship
STEP 1: Submit Written Essay
Please choose one of the topics below for your essay. Word Count 500.
- If you starred in a television show about your life, what would the show be called? What genre would it be? Summarize the plot of an episode.
- Who has been an influential person in your life and why.
- Describe a time that you helped someone or participated in a community service project.
Please send all submissions to admissions@independentdayschool.org.
STEP 2: Teacher Recommendation
Ask a teacher to submit a written recommendation in regard to the student’s citizenship and community service. This can be any teacher that the student has had in the last year.
Please send all submissions to admissions@independentdayschool.org.
STEP 3: Most Recent Report Card
Along with the essay and teacher recommendation, students must also submit a copy of their most recent report card.
STEP 4: Interview with Scholarship Committee
Once we have received all of your materials, we will contact you if the scholarship committee requires a brief interview.
Please direct all questions to admissions@independentdayschool.org.
Grant Opportunities
IDS grants are awarded regardless of financial need and renew automatically as long as the conditions of the grant continue to be met.
*Grant recipients may also apply for need-based tuition assistance. If need-based tuition assistance is requested, the student’s family must complete the Clarity application, which will aid the Tuition Assistance Committee in understanding the family’s financial situation.
The Founders Grant
On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, IDS initiated a special grant program to honor the historic relationships among three extraordinary communities. The Independent Day School Founders Grant was created to make IDS more affordable for Wesleyan and Choate faculty and staff families.
Any admitted or enrolled student whose parent works full-time at Choate or Wesleyan is automatically awarded the Founders Grant of $3,000 per academic year. Wesleyan and Choate families may also apply for additional support through need-based tuition assistance.
The Educators Grant
To show The Independent Day School’s support for educators in our surrounding communities, the Board of Trustees established the IDS Educators Grant.
Any admitted or enrolled student whose parent works as a full-time educator (teacher or administrator at an accredited K-12 or higher education institution) is automatically awarded an Educators Grant of $1,000 per academic year.