Applying to Columbus Academy

Admissions Process for Early Childhood 

Explorers (3YO), Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten

Thank you for considering Columbus Academy for your child’s education. Components of the admissions process are outlined below and we encourage families to schedule a time to tour our 231-acre campus.

Age Requirements for Early Childhood 

Explorers • Age 3 by August 20th
PreK • Age 4 by August 20th 
Kindergarten • Age 5 by August 20th

Admissions Process

1. Inquiry Form 
   In order to begin the admissions process, you must first click here to create an Inquiry through our web portal. Once your Inquiry is processed, you will receive an email with login information to set up your Blackbaud account.
    
2. Application 
   After your account is established, log in to Blackbaud. You'll see a Checklist of the Admissions Process, which includes the application. The application is complete once all required fields and the application fee are submitted. The application deadline is February 1, 2026, in order for your child to be considered for first-round enrollment decisions. A reduced application fee ($75) is available if application is submitted by December 15.
    
3. Parent-Admissions Conversation
   Login to Blackbaud and use the Calendar to schedule your parent conversation with Lisa. This is an opportunity for you to share with us what you’re looking for in your child’s education. It is also a time for us to answer questions about Columbus Academy. Please allow approximately 30 minutes for this meeting.
    
4. Teacher Report  
   Beginning December 1st, login to Blackbaud to email our Teacher Report Form to your child’s current teacher. If your child does not currently attend a preschool/daycare, the report can be waived.
    
5. Admissions Screening Visit
   In January/early February, you will bring your child to Columbus Academy for an admissions screening visit. This is an opportunity for us to learn more about your child and his/her development in a play-based setting. Beginning December 1st, log in to Blackbaud to review our pre-selected screening dates and schedule your child’s visit.
    
6. Age Verification
   Log in to Blackbaud to upload a copy (photograph) of your child’s birth certificate.

Tuition Assistance 

*Please note that tuition assistance is not currently available for our Explorers program.       

Affordable and accessible education is important to us. Academy offers the largest tuition assistance budget of Central Ohio independent schools. Approximately 26% of Columbus Academy students receive need-based assistance. We provide payment options to assist families in managing tuition costs. Families who would like to apply for tuition assistance need to do so by February 1, 2026. More information can be found on our Tuition & Affordability page.

Admissions Contact for Early Childhood

Lisa Spolter • Associate Director of Admissions for Early Childhood 
Email: spolterl@columbusacademy.org • Phone: 614-509-2283

Admissions Process for the Lower School 

Grades 1-5 

Thank you for considering Columbus Academy for your child’s education. Components of the admissions process are outlined below, and we encourage families to schedule a time to tour our 231-acre campus.  

Admissions Process 

1. Inquiry Form
   To begin the admissions process, click here to create an inquiry through our web portal. Once your inquiry form is processed, you will receive an email with login information to set up your Blackbaud account. 
    
2. Application
   After your account is established, log in to Blackbaud. You'll see a Checklist of the Admissions Process, which includes the application. The application is complete once all required fields and the application fee are submitted. The deadline for first-round decisions is February 1, 2026. A reduced application fee ($75) is available if application is submitted by December 15. 
    
3. Parent-Admissions Conversation
   Log in to Blackbaud to schedule your parent conversation with Lisa (Grade 1) or Elizabeth (Grades 2-5). This is an opportunity for you to share what you’re looking for in your child’s education. It is also a time for us to answer questions about Columbus Academy. Please allow approximately 30 minutes for this meeting. 
    
4. Teacher Report & Transcript 
   Beginning December 1st, log in to Blackbaud to request a current teacher recommendation (for applicants Grades 1-5). Starting January 6th, log in to Blackbaud to request student transcripts (for applicants Grades 2-5).  
    
5. Admissions Screening & Classroom Visit 
   In January/early February, you will bring your child to Columbus Academy for an admissions screening visit. This is an opportunity for us to learn more about your child and his/her development in a play-based setting. Beginning December 1st, login to Blackbaud to review our pre-selected screening dates and schedule your child’s visit. 
    
6. Age Verification
   Please submit a birth certificate or passport to the admissions portal.

Tuition Assistance

For Students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12

Affordable and accessible education is important to us. Academy offers the largest tuition assistance budget of Central Ohio independent schools.  Approximately 26% of Columbus Academy students receive need-based  Assistance. We provide payment options to assist families in managing  tuition costs. Families that would like to apply for tuition assistance need to do so by February 1, 2026. More information can be found on our Tuition & Affordability page.

Admissions Contacts for Lower School (Grades 1-5)

Grade 1 Applicants 
Lisa Spolter • Associate Director of Admissions
Email: spolterl@columbusacademy.org • Phone: 614-509-2283

Grades 2-5 Applicants 
Elizabeth Sinclair • Associate Director of Admissions
Email: sinclaire@columbusacademy.org • Phone: 614-509-2233

Admissions Process for the Middle and Upper School

Grades 6-12

Thank you for considering Columbus Academy for your child’s education. Components of the admissions process are outlined below and we encourage families to schedule a time to tour our 231-acre campus. 

Admissions Process 

1. Inquiry Form
   In order to begin the admissions process, you must first click here to create an Inquiry through our web portal. Once your inquiry form is processed, you will receive an email with login information to set up your Blackbaud account. 
    
2. Application
   After your account is established, log in to Blackbaud. You'll see a Checklist of the Admissions Process, which includes the application. The application is complete once all required fields and the application fee are submitted. The deadline for first-round decisions is February 1, 2026. A reduced application fee ($75) is available if application is submitted by December 15.
    
3. Student Application Supplement
   In order to get to get to know your student better, we ask that they complete a student application supplement prior to scheduling their interview/shadow day.
    
4. Shadow Day, Student Interview and Parent Conversation
   Please log in to Blackbaud to schedule your child’s shadow day. When your child visits, they will have a brief on-site interview with a member of the admissions team. As part of your student’s shadow day experience, we will schedule approximately 30 minutes for a parent admission conversation. This is an opportunity for you to share what you’re looking for in your child’s education. It is also a time for us to answer questions you may have about Columbus Academy.
    
5. Admissions Screening
   Students take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) which Columbus Academy offers a few times on campus. For more information on the ISEE please visit: erblearn.org
   
   ISEE Testing Dates (School Code 32126): December 6th, January 10th, January 24th and February 7th
    
6. Official Transcripts and Teacher Recommendations
   Beginning December 1st, log in to Blackbaud to request a current teacher recommendation from your current Math and English teachers. Beginning January 6th, log in to Blackbaud to request official transcripts.

Tuition Assistance

For Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12.

Affordable and accessible education is important to us. Academy offers the largest tuition assistance budget of all Ohio-area independent schools. Approximately 28% of Columbus Academy students receive Tuition Assistance. We provide payment options to assist families in managing tuition costs. Families that would like to apply for tuition assistance need to do so by February 1, 2026. More information can be found on our Tuition & Affordability page.

Admissions Contact for Middle & Upper School

Patrick Skahan • Director of Admissions
Email: skahanp@columbusacademy.org • Phone: 614-509-2236