Private Schools
By Peter Tonguette
Young people in Greater Columbus—and their families—have a wide array of private and independent schools to choose from. In the pages that follow, we offer an alphabetical list of the most notable schools in the region. The information on enrollment, student-teacher ratio and tuition data are current as of December 2023.
Columbus Academy
This 112-year-old independent coeducational preparatory school has a storied history that continues with its individualized approach to incoming students, whose gifts and interests are nurtured and allowed to flourish.
“This is not a place where we’re making widgets,” says director of admissions and tuition assistant John Wuorinen.
“This is a very human, relational place.”
The campus stretches over 231 acres, where students can use a variety of means to develop their curiosity and enhance their learning, including outdoor areas that are used for classes as well as athletics. 4300 Cherry Bottom Road, Gahanna; 614-509-2220; columbusacademy.org
Grades: Age 3– grade 12
Enrollment: 1,168
Average student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Tuition: $14,700–$33,900
Columbus Jewish Day School
Located on 7 acres that incorporate woods, meadows and several bodies of water, this school stresses handson learning and standards-driven dual
curriculum, which includes Torah study and the Hebrew language. Leaders say that students leave their time at the school with the tools for the next step in their education, recognizing the importance of both intellectual growth and social responsibility. “Our students are supported, challenged and nurtured as they embark on their Jewish journey,” says admissions director and academic dean Sheri Gittins. “Each child is given the opportunity to discover and cultivate their unique gifts and talents in order to become the best possible learner and citizen.” 150 E. Dublin-Granville Road, New Albany; 614-939-5311; cjds.org
Grades: K–5
Enrollment: 60
Average student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Tuition: $18,000
Columbus School for Girls
Since its founding in 1898, Columbus School for Girls has been committed to the education and empowerment of girls and young women. That commitment plays out in the classroom, on the stage and on the athletic field across
its three-campus learning environment, leaders say. Under the direction of 14th head of school Camille Seals, the robust curriculum includes computer science, visual and performing arts, leadership programming and global studies opportunities. Sports, including basketball, field hockey, lacrosse and tennis, are pursued on a more than 70-acre athletics campus. 65 S. Drexel Ave., Columbus; 614-252-0781; columbusschoolforgirls.org
Grades: Pre-K–12
Enrollment: 508
Average student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Tuition: $12,300–$31,900
Harvest Preparatory School
This private, faith-based school combines a rigorous academic program, including honors, advanced placement and college credit plus courses, with an emphasis on community service and numerous athletic offerings. The results speak for themselves: The school has a college placement rate of 100 percent. “We believe we are the best-kept secret in Central Ohio,” says head of school Andrew J. Mills. “We
We teach like she’s one of a kind.
Because she is.
It’s our job to make sure she’s ready. We empower her to ignite her curiosity and develop an appetite for learning as well as the confidence to live with intention. It’s the difference between simply achieving and thriving.
We invite you to tour our world.
Ready to thrive.
Sonika Class of 2033
Private Schools
By Peter Tonguette
Young people in Greater Columbus—and their families—have a wide array of private and independent schools to choose from. In the pages that follow, we offer an alphabetical list of the most notable schools in the region. The information on enrollment, student-teacher ratio and tuition data are current as of December 2023.
Columbus Academy
This 112-year-old independent coeducational preparatory school has a storied history that continues with its individualized approach to incoming students, whose gifts and interests are nurtured and allowed to flourish.
“This is not a place where we’re making widgets,” says director of admissions and tuition assistant John Wuorinen.
“This is a very human, relational place.”
The campus stretches over 231 acres, where students can use a variety of means to develop their curiosity and enhance their learning, including outdoor areas that are used for classes as well as athletics. 4300 Cherry Bottom Road, Gahanna; 614-509-2220; columbusacademy.org
Grades: Age 3– grade 12
Enrollment: 1,168
Average student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Tuition: $14,700–$33,900
Columbus Jewish Day School
Located on 7 acres that incorporate woods, meadows and several bodies of water, this school stresses handson learning and standards-driven dual
curriculum, which includes Torah study and the Hebrew language. Leaders say that students leave their time at the school with the tools for the next step in their education, recognizing the importance of both intellectual growth and social responsibility. “Our students are supported, challenged and nurtured as they embark on their Jewish journey,” says admissions director and academic dean Sheri Gittins. “Each child is given the opportunity to discover and cultivate their unique gifts and talents in order to become the best possible learner and citizen.” 150 E. Dublin-Granville Road, New Albany; 614-939-5311; cjds.org
Grades: K–5
Enrollment: 60
Average student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Tuition: $18,000
Columbus School for Girls
Since its founding in 1898, Columbus School for Girls has been committed to the education and empowerment of girls and young women. That commitment plays out in the classroom, on the stage and on the athletic field across
its three-campus learning environment, leaders say. Under the direction of 14th head of school Camille Seals, the robust curriculum includes computer science, visual and performing arts, leadership programming and global studies opportunities. Sports, including basketball, field hockey, lacrosse and tennis, are pursued on a more than 70-acre athletics campus. 65 S. Drexel Ave., Columbus; 614-252-0781; columbusschoolforgirls.org
Grades: Pre-K–12
Enrollment: 508
Average student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Tuition: $12,300–$31,900
Harvest Preparatory School
This private, faith-based school combines a rigorous academic program, including honors, advanced placement and college credit plus courses, with an emphasis on community service and numerous athletic offerings. The results speak for themselves: The school has a college placement rate of 100 percent. “We believe we are the best-kept secret in Central Ohio,” says head of school Andrew J. Mills. “We
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Columbus School for Girls
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take great pride in creating strategies to help our students achieve their goals in the classroom, in the community and in their relationships with Jesus Christ.” 4595 Gender Road, Canal Winchester; 614-382-1111; harvestprep.org
Grades: Pre-K–12
Enrollment: 806
Average student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Tuition: $6,500–$9,200
Marburn Academy
On its 17-acre campus in New Albany, Marburn Academy prides itself on its program tailored specifically to those who learn differently due to dyslexia, ADHD and executive function difficulties. “We are proud to be the only school in the Midwest with a full academic program accredited by the Orton-Gillingham Academy,” says head of school Eldrich Carr. “Through this approach, Marburn Academy supports all students as they acquire the skills, self-knowledge, and strength of character needed to be successful in school and life.” Financial aid options are available, and the school is a Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Provider. 9555 Johnstown Rd., New Albany; 614433-0822; marburnacademy.org
homeschooled child. “Red Oak takes a new approach to elementary education for your whole child,” says school manager Cheryl Ryan. “We focus on academic and social/emotional skills, we take advantage of the benefits of both indoor and outdoor learning, and we value student-led and educator-led learning.” 93 W. Weisheimer Road; 614362-9776; redoakcommunityschool.org
Grades: K–5
Enrollment: 70
Columbus School for Girls is an only girls’ school in central Ohio and the premier independent college preparatory day school for girls and young women ages 3 through grade 12.
Only at CSG can you experience a place where being a girl is a position of honor. You will leave CSG confident in yourself and your abilities, with the courage to take risks, the resilience to overcome obstacles, and the drive to effect positive change in your world. She will know her power. It’s not just a statement, it’s a promise
Her story starts here. Scan the QR code and submit an inquiry to take the first step towards enrolling at Columbus School for Girls.
Grades: 1–12
Enrollment: 213
Average student-teacher ratio: 8:1 (grades 1–8); 16:1 (grades 9–12)
Tuition: $31,760–$33,065
Red Oak Community
School
Social justice, the natural world and the power of speaking for oneself are among the values nurtured in this school, which offers programs for fulltime students as well as families wishing to augment the education of their
Average student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Tuition: $4,221–$9,541
Tree of Life Christian Schools
Multiple schools—consisting of three elementary schools, a high school and, in the fall of 2024, a new middle school—make up the portfolio of this faith-based school. “Tree of Life Christian Schools is committed to the education of our students in the truth of God’s word,” says chief advancement officer Yohana Hill. “Our philosophy of education is centered around the development of the whole child in this truth.” Leaders emphasize that their approach involves parents, who bring their students to the school from across the region. “We partner with families from 59 different ZIP codes throughout Central Ohio to help students think Biblically, love passionately and serve generously,” Hill says. 50 Westview Ave., Columbus; 935 Northridge Road, Columbus; 2150 East Powell Road, Columbus; 2900 Martin Road, Dublin; tolcs.org
Grades: Pre-K–12
Enrollment: 980
Average student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Tuition: $8,184–$10,308
Columbus Jewish Day School
Columbus School for Girls
The Wellington School
The Wellington School was breaking barriers from its inception: When it was founded in 1982 by several local entrepreneurs, Wellington was Columbus’ first coeducational independent school. Then and now, the school is defined by placing students’ goals and interests first. At all grade levels, students are free to pursue the topics that spark them as individuals while being supported by a great academic foundation. Leaders emphasize the importance of diversity and assuring that every student has a deep sense of belonging. 3650 Reed Road, Columbus; 614-457-7883; wellington.org
Grades: Pre-K–12
Enrollment: 697
Average student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Tuition: $19,300–$29,900
Welsh Hills School
The words of Katherine Naul, the founder of Licking County’s only independent school, still resonate with leaders today: “We believe that education must exceed the limits of the mere accumulation of information by extending
the child’s education to include the creative, experimental and practical use of knowledge.” Nearly 45 years later, the school remains committed to those principles, which are reflected in its STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) program, which allows students to acquire knowledge in those areas through hands-on applications. “Our students are provided with myriad opportunities to creatively
apply what they are learning in a project-based approach and to increase their depth of knowledge through the pursuit of interest-driven learning,” says interim head of school Shelli Drumm. 2610 Newark-Granville Road, Granville; 740-522-2020; welshhills.org
Grades: 18 months–12
Enrollment: 92
Average student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Tuition: $11,200–$14,250
Harvest Preparatory School
