Your child might need more academic challenge and individual attention than the typical school classroom can offer. Guided by the caring teachers at Columbia Independent School, your child will become a confident student who is prepared for college and life beyond.
Quick Facts (2025-26)
- Top Ranked MO School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 400 students
- Yearly Tuition: $15,950
- Average class size: 16 students
- Application Deadline: Mar. 1 / Apr. 6 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Columbia Independent School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Missouri for:
Category
Attribute
ACT Score
Student Body
Extracurriculars
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Mild Learning Differences
Year Founded
1998
Colors
Blue, Gold
Summer School Offered
Yes
School Calendar
Campus Size
7 acres
Student Body
Total Students
400 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
16%
State avg.: 20%
Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
43 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
77%
Average Class Size
16 students
Number of AP Courses
13 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
and United States HistoryArt
Calculus ABEnglish Language and Composition
English Literature and CompositionEuropean History
Latin (Vergil)Psychology
Spanish LanguageStatistics (online course)
United States Government (online course)
Average SAT score
1410
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
30
(Out of 36)
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Collared shirt and khakis
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Mar. 1 / Apr. 6 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$15,950
Tuition Notes
Lower School (JK-5) tuition: $14,250Middle/Upper School (6-12) tuition and fees: $15,700
% on Financial Aid
40%
Admissions Director
Kari Stockwell
Admissions Associate
Enola-Riann White
Application URL
Sports
Total Sports Offered
9 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
25 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Academic TeamClub Cube
Drama ClubGeography Bee
La Mesa LatinaLatin Club
Lower School ClubsMath Club
Math CompetitionsMusic Competitions
National Honor SocietyNational Junior Honor Society
Poetry Out LoudScience Olympiad
Spelling BeeStudent Council
Writing Club
Arts and Music Programs:
ArtBand
Choir
Recreational Athletic Programs:
BasketballCross Country
SoccerTennis
Track and Field
School Notes
- School Motto: to guide students in the pursuit of excellence through academic, physical, and creative achievement while exemplifying a commitment to integrity, trust, and responsibility.
- School Mascot: Leo The Lion
- Columbia Independent School guides students in their pursuit of excellence, beginning with children at the earliest stages of development in junior kindergarten and creating a seamless educational experience through graduation. Our intentionally crafted curriculum is designed to stretch the mind of every child and provide exemplary support for students throughout the lower, middle, and upper school divisions.CISprepares students for the rigorous academic life in college and success in the global world. This preparation is achieved through small class sizes, a committed faculty, a safe and close-knit community built on diverse backgrounds, and lively and engaging classrooms, which exude the joy ofliving.
- The faculty and staff atCIScreate an intimate learning environment where students receive personalized, quality instruction and guidance throughout their academic journey. Students are engaged with a strong liberal arts curriculum, which includes courses in the fine arts, foreign languages such as Latin, and many others. In addition, the Center for Inspiration, Innovation, and Investigation enhances a student`s natural curiosity through hands-on experiences that build problemsolving and collaboration skills.CIShas the unique opportunity to bring students together at all grade levels through cross-divisional class projects, assemblies and socials, and all-school communityevents.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Columbia Independent School cost?
Columbia Independent School's tuition is approximately $15,950 for private students.
What sports does Columbia Independent School offer?
Columbia Independent School offers 9 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Golf, Mountain Biking, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball.
What is Columbia Independent School's ranking?
Columbia Independent School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Missouri for: Highest average ACT score, Largest student body and Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for Columbia Independent School?
The application deadline for Columbia Independent School is Mar. 1 / Apr. 6 / rolling (applications are due on Mar. 1 / Apr. 6 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
School Reviews
5 6/15/2024
We love CIS! The teachers are excellent and love what they do. My kids talk about what they learned throughout the day on the car ride home & over dinner. They love to challenge each other by making & decoding notes in Latin. CIS offers all the sports (and partner with local schools if we don't have enough for a team). Both of my middle schoolers were able to participate in track this year. Neither kiddo is a super athlete, so it's amazing there is so much encouragement for Quiz Bowl, E-Sports, Model UN, Music, Theater & Art!!! My son is very into coding, and his teachers have really inspired him to continue experimenting and helped him find resources that he can continue after hours & over the summer. My daughter's art teacher has sought me out to tell me how much she enjoys having her in class & helped me to find additional local programs & camps to challenge her. There is no better feeling in the world than to see your kids really come out of their shells into confident & incredible people. Can't say enough good things about our school! As about their Flexible Tuition!!!!
5 4/28/2022
Best school in Columbia hands down, teachers are top notch and the small class sizes make you very close with your classmates. The only downside is the lack of sports, but everything else is great!
5 4/6/2019
My child started CIS in 6th grade in Fall 2018. Our family cannot say enough good things about how wonderful the experience of being a part of the CIS community has been;, or how the positive learning environment has impacted our student. He loves school and learning and could not be happier. As a gifted child other schools found our student problematic rather than a positive. asset. The social/human environment ( students and staff) in conjunction with high academic expectations, with support for every child, is impressive. Making the choice of CIS has been the best decision.
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