Allendale Columbia is a leading independent school for students age 18 months through grade 12.
Allendale Columbia's Centers for Entrepreneurship; Global Engagement; and Invent Center for STEM & Innovation provide students with opportunitites to engage locally and internationally.
Our students come from 26 school districts, 42 zip codes, and 9 nations abroad.
We operate two international houses near campus to provide housing for international students and to supplement our host family stay option.
Allendale Columbia is the most diverse school in Rochester, according to recent data in the Rochester Business Journal's Annual School Report.
AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP European History, AP French Language and Culture, AP Physics 2, AP Physics I, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Statistics, Computer Science (Post-AP Course), Science Writing and Research (Post-AP Course)
Club or Organization: Advocacy Clubs, Best Buddies, Community Service, Debate, Entrepreneurship, Gardening, Global Engagement, Literary Magazine, Robotics, STEM, Student Leadership, Summer LEAP, TEDx, Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs: Acting, Band, Ceramics, Choir, Creative Movement, Digital Photography, Drama Production, Filmmaking, Graphic Design
Recreational Athletic Programs: Intramural Sports, Ski Club
School Notes
Leading, independent, co-ed day school
Students ages 18 months - Grade 12
Diverse international residential program
Student-to-teacher ratio of 6:1
Center for STEM and Innovation
Center for Entrepreneurship
Center for Global Engagement
"Academically speaking, there is no better preparation for the
future than Allendale Columbia education. Beyond the
classroom, the values and life skills taught at Allendale Columbia
are applicable to every aspect of life.' Rob C. '11, Harvard
University '15.
"This is my first year, and I've never had this much fun at
school." Megan C. '17
"Here, we teach students to reach out to their teachers, to
initiate further conversation, to dig deeper. Student-teacher
relationships are cherished and as a result, every student is known
and challenged." Mick Gee, Former Head of School
"Actively participating in class can sometimes be challenging,
but because it was so encouraged at AC, it has become infinitely
easier for me." Sarina S. '11, Princeton University
'16
"I find myself well-prepared for the challenging courses
offered in college compared to other students in my classes."
Yunmei Z. '12, Cornell University '16
Grades: 6-12 | 799 students2.1 miles 1437 Blossom Road Rochester, NY 14610 (585) 288-7120
2.1
6-12
799
School Reviews
5.00 out of 5(6 reviews)
58/5/2021
Our grandchildren attend Allendale Columbia and we are staunch supporters of this School of Excellence. Although it is noteworthy for its creative and rigorous Academics we are most impressed with the family atmosphere, inclusion, and fostering of school, community, and worldwide focus and development. It takes a Village to Raise a Child and AC embodies that concept. As grandparents, we have always felt welcomed and included. We recall fondly many Grandparent days, Strawberry Breakfast, Innovation Days, and fundraising Galas, etc. We would come to AC weekly for lunch with our grandson. The farm-to-table, locally sourced organic food was always delicious and how food should be provided to growing children. What was most impressive was AC's handling of the Pandemic. The school the first one to close in Monroe County on Friday in March 2020 opened that Monday in virtual classrooms. Our grandson said the only difference with this time online was that he could not whisper in his classmate's/friend's ears. In the Fall of 2020, the students returned to 5 days in-person 8 am-3 pm providing students with the education, connection, and camaraderie they need. Our grandsons treasure this school so much they would gladly go year-round with no summers off. I cannot express with words the depth of appreciation and gratitude I have for all the faculty, staff, and administrators that demonstrate such commitment to this school and its students. Thank you for all you do to make AC the special school it is!!!
- Posted by Parent - Cheryl Bianchi
57/24/2015
Allendale Columbia is a school that is evolving - I love what the school is doing with May Term offerings, and it allows for my two children to be seen as individuals with individual needs. They are both actively involved in music, and extra-curricular activities, like the Lego Robotics teams and pit band. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that the sports program is a no-cut policy, where my kids can feel like they can try a sport and be part of a team without being cut out of the process from the start. I highly recommend this school for anyone who wants a unique, student-centric, and high quality education for their child.
- Posted by Parent - duvet
57/24/2015
Allendale Columbia is a completely different school than it was two years. Thanks primarily to the arrival of Mick Gee, the new Head of School in 2012 and John Sullivan, the new Head of the Lower School in 2011, AC is being restructured and set on a new path. The school has freed itself from standardized testing and bureaucrat regulations to instead enable it to quickly respond to new educational trends and the are responsible for the fine strokes. The students feel like they are part in school seven days a week if she could. Another key item that makes AC noteworthy is their ability to serve children with needs on both ends of the spectrum. They have employed math and reading stimulation. At the beginning of the 2012 school year, AC responded to a need in a matter of weeks to implement their new STEM program
- Posted by Parent - 11
54/23/2013
As it concerns the Lower School, Allendale Columbia is a completely different school than it was two years. Thanks primarily to the arrival of Mick Gee, the new Head of School in 2012 and John Sullivan, the new Head of the Lower School in 2011, AC is being restructured and set on a new path. The school has freed itself from standardized testing and bureaucrat regulations to instead enable it to quickly respond to new educational trends and the individual needs of the students. Lower School education is now project and inquiry based learning with real world relevance. The faculty paints the broad strokes of the curriculum, but the students are responsible for the fine strokes. The students feel like they are part of a higher purpose and can participate in projects that they are passionate about, have a stake in, and can help make a difference. Learning is now interesting and fun.
- Posted by Parent - chris
54/16/2013
Parents are involved and have many opportunities to connect with other parents to discuss their child(ren) and to support each other. This spirals into students who benefit from this community atmosphere and who develop into mature adults.
- Posted by Parent - maryb
54/14/2013
The teachers are amazing and extremely supportive . The environment is safe and nurturing and children are allowed to blossom to their fullest potential. Amazing school. We are here to stay!
- Posted by Parent - Shann
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At last we have a dedicated phone number for suicide and crisis support. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is 988. More about it and suicide prevention here.
Seemingly never-ending school shootings prompted me to find out whether private schools were safer than public schools. Some answers and opinions on the matter here.
