Tuition & Affordability

Lower School (Explorers – Grade 5)

Explorers Program 
*Tuition assistance is not available for our Explorers Program
5 Mornings (required): $16,100
5 Mornings (required) with M-W-F Afternoons: $20,900
5 Mornings (required) with 5 Afternoons : $23,800

Pre-Kindergarten
5 mornings (required) Semester #1 and 5 Full Days (required) Semester #2: $20,700
5 mornings (required) with M-W-F afternoons Semester #1 and 5 Full Days (required) Semester #2: $24,000
5 mornings (required) with 5 afternoons Semester #1 and 5 Full Days (required) Semester #2: $25,700

Kindergarten: $30,500
Grades 1-2: $31,400
Grades 3-4: $31,800
Grade 5: $32,400

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Grade 6: $33,000
Grade 7: $33,300
Grade 8: $33,500

Upper School (Grades 9-12)

Grade 9: $34,300
Grade 10: $35,200
Grade 11: $36,800
Grade 12: $37,100

MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES

Tuition covers the major portion of instructional and academic costs as well as the cost of lunches, the cost of most instructional materials, routine diagnostic testing, assemblies, programs, newsletters and mailings, films, audio visual materials and library supplies.

Tuition does not cover the cost of specially arranged individual diagnostic or psychological testing, or the administration of externally administered testing programs like SAT, ACT, or AP exams. Enrollment in our after-school program, CASE, entails additional fees. Some athletic accessories and instructional supplies will be the responsibility of each family.

Special field trips, as well as materials for special art and science projects, are generally not covered by tuition. These items are billed separately on a prorata basis of actual costs. Parents or guardians of students responsible for breakage or loss of school equipment or furnishings will be assessed the repair or replacement costs as defined by the school.

TEXTBOOKS

There is a charge for textbooks and expendables in the Lower, Middle, and Upper School. Some of our textbooks are provided at state expense. Some faculty members may request that students purchase other textbooks, paperback books and review materials for their courses, and most Upper School textbooks are purchased directly by parents from outside suppliers. Textbook charges are billed periodically and are due upon receipt of the invoice.

ENROLLMENT DEPOSIT

Enrollment deposits are applied to accounts pursuant to the payment plan selected within the Enrollment Contract. 

At Columbus Academy we understand that to be one of the premier independent day schools, we must enroll students with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. This includes talented and motivated students from families, some of whom are not able to afford to pay full tuition. We believe our diversity enriches every member of the Academy community. Tuition assistance is not available to those entering or currently enrolled in our Explorers Program.

If you have any questions about need-based tuition assistance, please contact Director of Enrollment Management Adriana Matzke by emailing matzkea@columbusacademy.org, calling 614-509-2221 or click here to schedule a conversation.

Columbus Academy uses Clarity to determine a family’s level of financial need. Need-based grant determinations are made based on the information that families share about assets, income, expenses and debts.

Important deadlines
Current families: December 15, 2025
New families: February 1, 2026

The application for tuition assistance is available here (deadline for new families is February 1, 2026).

Clarity Family Support (available in English and Spanish)

• In-app support through the “Help” button in the lower left corner
• Email support: support@claritytuition.com
• Phone support: 206-210-3752

All family support is available in Spanish and English. The Financial Assistance Application is available fully translated into Spanish using the drop-down in the lower-left corner.

View the Clarity Quick Reference Guide in English or Spanish

Clarity Family Information Webinars

Register to attend a live webinar hosted by Clarity. These webinars include details about key aspects of the application, things to look out for, materials to gather, how to get help, how the tax verification process works and a robust Q&A. Click on a date/time listed below to register for an upcoming webinar.

• September 23rd at 10:00 PM
• September 24th at 6:00 PM
• October 21st at 10:00 PM
• October 22nd at 6:00 PM
• December 9th at 8:30 PM

Columbus Academy offers merit scholarships to new incoming Grade 9 students who embody the abilities and values that represent the excellence of the Academy community and mission. Merit selection is based upon test scores, transcripts, recommendations and a review of all Grade 9 first-round applications, the Upper School Admissions Committee will select a group of merit scholarship finalists from among those students whose applications will be accepted. All grants are renewable through graduation while the recipient maintains a solid academic and social record.

Malone Family Foundation Scholarship

Columbus Academy is honored to be one of only a select group of independent schools nationwide — and the only school in Ohio — chosen by the Malone Family Foundation to offer this prestigious scholarship. The Malone Family Foundation Scholarship supports academically gifted students in grades 7–12 who demonstrate financial need and exceptional promise. Malone Scholars are curious, motivated, and engaged learners who enrich our classrooms and campus life. The foundation’s mission is to ensure that top students with limited financial resources can access the transformative opportunities available at leading independent schools like Columbus Academy. Recipients benefit from robust financial support as well as enrichment opportunities designed to help them thrive at Columbus Academy and beyond.

Tom Morris '54 Alumni Memorial Scholar Program

Originally established in 1948 to honor Columbus Academy alumni who gave their lives in service to our country, the Alumni Memorial Scholarship was later renamed in memory of Tom Morris ’54 — an exemplary recipient whose life embodied the spirit and values of the award. A proud member of Columbus Academy, Tom was known for his leadership, academic achievement, and unwavering commitment to community. This merit-based scholarship is awarded each year by a committee of Columbus Academy alumni to a rising 9th-grade student who reflects Tom Morris’s legacy and demonstrates the potential to make a meaningful impact within and beyond the Academy community.

Note: Merit Scholarships are not awarded based on athletic interest, involvement or excellence. The Ohio High School Athletic Association’s (OHSAA) bylaws forbid athletic scholarships.

If you have any questions regarding our Merit Based Scholarships, please contact Director of Admissions Patrick Skahan by emailing skahanp@columbusacademy.org or calling 614-509-2234.

Click here to learn more about bus transportation to our campus and view a map of bus stops.

What effect does tuition assistance have on a child’s application for admission to Columbus Academy?
Decisions regarding a student’s admission application are made by an admissions committee and members of the admissions committee do not have access to a family’s financial assistance application if applicable. 

When will I receive information about our application for tuition assistance?
Tuition assistance decisions are communicated at the same time as admission decisions. 

Who has access to my financial information provided on my application?
Tuition assistance applications are reviewed by the tuition assistance committee and held in confidence from other school personnel. 

What if I am a single parent, separated or divorced?
In cases of divorce or separation, both parents or legal guardians are required to fully complete the financial assistance process and file separate forms. Awards are made per student not per household. If there is a parent with whom the contact information is unknown please contact the Director of Enrollment to discuss other supplementary information that can be submitted. 

What does tuition assistance cover?
Tuition assistance is granted for tuition only. Occasionally there can be partial financial assistance for other expenditures for larger priced items such as the 8th grade trip to D.C., Junior/Senior Prom, etc. For questions regarding financial assistance for fees outside of tuition please contact Adriana Matzke, Director of Enrollment Management at matzkea@columbusacademy.org or by phone at 614-509-2221.

Can I apply for more than one child on the application? 
Yes! One application can be submitted for multiple children, and to multiple schools. 

Is there a fee to apply for tuition assistance?
Yes. Clarity charges a per application fee of approximately $65. However, if your reported income is below a specified threshold the Clarity system will automatically waive the required fee. The fee waiver is done through Clarity.

Do I have to re-apply for tuition assistance every year?
If your child is offered admission and enrolls at Columbus Academy, with a tuition assistance award, yes, you must reapply every year. However, if your financial information remains relatively the same it is reasonable to expect that your award will also stay relatively the same. 

How are tuition payments made?
Tuition payments are made through automatic transactions from your elected bank account. You have the option to make your tuition payment(s) as follows:

1. 100% in July
2. 60% in July and 40% in December
3. 10 Months - July through May
4. 11 months - June through May
5. 12 months - May through May

If I still have questions related to tuition assistance who can I talk with?
For any questions related to tuition assistance you can contact Adriana Matzke, Director of Enrollment Management at matzkea@columbusacademy.org or by calling 614-509-2221.