The Colorado Springs School (CSS) is a premier independent day school serving students from PreKindergarten through 12th grade on a beautiful 28-acre historic campus. Our mission is to prepare students to meet the challenges of a dynamic world through superior academics and a commitment to leadership, ingenuity, and personal integrity. A Limitless Classroom What truly distinguishes CSS is our distinctive experiential education philosophy, where learning is defined by "doing". We utilize our campus and the world beyond as a living laboratory, moving far beyond traditional desk-bound instruction. Early Childhood & Lower School: Young learners thrive in small class sizes and self-directed discovery, eventually embarking on signature Colorado Expeditions (CoEX) that connect classroom study with real-world heritage and nature.
Middle School: Students explore complex topics through immersive Seminars and the defining 8th Grade Walkabout, a transformative 10-day coming-of-age journey through the canyons and rivers of the American Southwest.
Upper School: Our hallmark Experience-Centered Seminars (ECS) provide intensive local, national, and international experiences-ranging from woodcarving in Alaska to ecology in Patagonia-giving graduates a collegiate-level edge in both experience and perspective.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Top-Ranked CO School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 214 students
- Yearly Tuition: $24,500
- Acceptance rate: 75%
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / Mar. 1 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
The Colorado Springs School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Colorado for:
Category
Attribute
Acceptance Rate
Student Body
AP Courses
Extracurriculars
School History
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Mild Learning Differences
Year Founded
1962
Colors
Navy, Light Blue, White, Grey
School Calendar
First Day of School
Thu. Aug 20, 2026
Last Day of School
Thu. May 27, 2027
Campus Size
28 acres
Student Body
Total Students
214 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
30%
State avg.: 25%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
60 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
4:1
National avg.: 11:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
70%
Average Class Size
12 students
Number of AP/Advanced Courses
17 courses
List of Courses Offered
AP/Advanced Courses
AP BiologyAP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BCAP Comparative Government & Politics
AP Computer Science AAP English Literature & Composition
AP French Language & CultureAP Macroeconomics
AP MicroeconomicsAP Psychology
AP Spanish Language & CultureAP Statistics
AP US History
Average SAT score
1250
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
23
(Out of 36)
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Jan. 15 / Mar. 1 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$24,500
Tuition Notes
Tuition ranges from $24,500 (PreK), $27,200 (Lower School), $31,300 (Middle School) to $34,500 (Upper School)
% on Financial Aid
65%
Acceptance Rate
75%
National avg.: 82%
College Acceptance Rate
100%
Admissions Director
Brooke Kelly Rawls
Admissions Associate
Rachel Eichelberger
Application URL
Sports
Total Sports Offered
7 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
17 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Art ClubBook Club
Forum (Student Body Association)MatchWits
National Honor SocietyOutdoor Adventure Club
Poetry ClubRobotics Team
UpstagersWorld Cultures
Arts and Music Programs:
ArtBand
CeramicsGlass
Pep BandTheater
Vocal Ensemble
School Notes
- School Motto: Through superior academics and mentoring, The Colorado Springs School prepares students to think independently and to meet the challenges of a dynamic world with leadership, ingenuity, problem-solving skills, and personal integrity.
- School Mascot: Kodiak
- Recognized as the best private school byNiche.comand nestled in the shadows of Pikes Peak, The Colorado Springs School`s distinctive educational philosophy strikes a balance between innovation and tradition.
- CSS is a PreK-12th grade school of approximately 220 students. Founded 60 years ago, The Colorado Springs School offers a hands-on education with balanced concern for students' academic, social, emotional, and physical growth.To learn more, visit Discover the CSS Difference.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does The Colorado Springs School cost?
The Colorado Springs School's tuition is approximately $24,500 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of The Colorado Springs School?
The acceptance rate of The Colorado Springs School is 75%, which is lower than the national average of 84%. The Colorado Springs School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Colorado with low acceptance rates.
What sports does The Colorado Springs School offer?
The Colorado Springs School offers 7 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Tennis and Volleyball.
What is The Colorado Springs School's ranking?
The Colorado Springs School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Colorado for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most extracurriculars offered and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for The Colorado Springs School?
The application deadline for The Colorado Springs School is Jan. 15 / Mar. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 / Mar. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
School Reviews
5 11/9/2017
We moved to Colorados Springs so that our two high school aged daughters could attend the Upper School. We chose this school for its academic rigor and amazing experiential learning program. We wanted our girls to be well rounded, develop their soft skills and meet life with kindness and integrity. The school community embraced us immediately. Both of my daughters ran cross country for the first time in their lives and their team went to state. One of my daughters is going to try basketball. The kids are encouraged to participate no matter their prior experience. Our daughters are thriving academically and socially and we could not be happier parents.
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