Cincinnati Country Day School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026)

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Quick Facts (2026)

Top Ranked OH School
Grades: Nursery/Preschool-12
Enrollment: 854 students
Yearly Tuition: $24,555
Acceptance rate: 65%
Average class size: 15 students
Application Deadline: Dec. 1 / rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School News

Learning Beyond the Books: Pre-K Classes Adopt Pets for Real-World Lessons - 09/02/2025
At Cincinnati Country Day School, learning goes beyond the classroom, thriving through hands-on experiences that engage students' hearts and minds. During the 2024-25 school year, Pre-K I and Pre-K II ...moreclasses engaged in a furry and quite adorable lesson in experiential learning.
At the beginning of the school year, rather than simply introducing a classroom pet, the teachers asked the students, "What pet should we get?" This driving question allowed the Pre-K students to actively participate in every stage of the class pet selection process. Together, the classrooms explored what kinds of animals could be pets, considered the costs and responsibilities involved, and decided on a class pet. hide
Country Day Launches Cincinnati’s First Inspirit AI Program: Students Innovate, Inspire, and Prepare for the Future - 07/28/2025
During the summer of 2025, Cincinnati Country Day School (CCDS) led the region by becoming the first school to host the nationally recognized Inspirit AI program in Cincinnati, bringing cutting-edge ...moreartificial intelligence education to the Queen City."The future isn't coming, it's already here; and thanks to our partnership with Inspirit AI, it's being built in Cincinnati," says Rob Zimmerman `98, head of school. For two transformative weeks, 21 middle and high school students from schools across the region including Seven Hills, Mariemont City Schools, Mason Public Schools, Covington Catholic, and Cincinnati Country Day School immersed themselves in college-level AI curriculum, hands-on coding labs, and real-world problem solving. The program culminated in a student showcase where teams presented original AI-powered projects tackling major global and societal issues. hide
A Tasty Lesson in Entrepreneurship - 07/22/2025
With ample trees across our 60 acres, an annual treat for fourth-grade students in their outdoor education class is the pancake party, during which they get to celebrate and taste ...moremaple syrup sourced from Country Day's sugar maple trees. Lower School students begin tapping the trees in January and help collect, filter, and boil the sap throughout the maple season, which lasts until the beginning of March. While learning about the process, Gavin Terhar `33 had an idea: What if the school bottled and sold the maple syrup? hide
Cultivating Sustainability: Student-led recycling and community partnerships help further our mission by bettering the world around us - 04/01/2025
Environmental stewardship has long been a priority at Cincinnati Country Day School, a commitment that continues to thrive through significant strides in sustainability, leadership initiatives, and partnerships with organizations like ...morethe Cincinnati Recycling and Reuse Hub, New Life Furniture Bank, Last Mile Food Rescue, and Green Tree Plastics.
For over 25 years, Country Day has been committed to curbside recycling. In the fall of 2019, the school expanded this initiative to further its dedication to environmental sustainability by partnering with Green Tree Plastics, a company in Evansville, Indiana that creates new products out of 100% recycled plastic caps. Rick (aka "Recycling Rick" or "Captain Trashy") initially brought the partnership possibility to Country Day and has since led efforts for the community to collect bottle caps and other plastic lids, which are recycled directly to Green Tree Plastics in a closed-loop recycling process. hide
Pushing Each Other to New Heights: CCDS Boys Golf Team Celebrates Landmark Season - 12/09/2024
It was a special year for the boys golf team. They started the season off strong by winning the first tournament of the year, the Talawanda Invitational. Then, in a ...morematch versus Elder High School, the team set a new school record for the lowest team score in a nine-hole match! hide
Two Country Day Grads Make the 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 Lists - 12/06/2024
Michael Barton `13 and Alexandra Pohl `19 (known professionally as "Xandra") have both been named to the 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30. This prestigious list showcases and celebrates the achievements ...moreof talented industry leaders under the age of 30. hide
...read more

School Rankings

Cincinnati Country Day School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Ohio for:

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Other school association(s)

Grades Offered

Grades Nursery/Preschool-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Cincinnati Country Day School
Nursery	70
Pre-K	94
Kind	49
1	41
2	45
3	41
4	49
5	54
6	48
7	65
8	49
9	62
10	61
11	68
12	58

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ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Year Founded

1926

Colors

White, Blue, Navy Blue

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Awards

Blue Ribbon School - Selected in 2003

Campus Size

60 acres

Student Body

Total Students

854 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

34%

State avg.: 25%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

130 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

7:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

78%

Average Class Size

15 students

Number of AP Courses

19 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Average SAT score

1360

(Out of 1600)

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Uniform K-4; Dress Code 5-12

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Dec. 1 / rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$24,555

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Tuition ranges from $6650 to $26380 depending on the grade/program.

% on Financial Aid

30%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$14,400

Acceptance Rate

65%

National avg.: 82%

Admissions Director

Aaron B. Kellenberger

Admissions Associate

Jennie Bedel (ECH-Grade 4)

Endowment Size

$43 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

16 sports

Sports

BaseballBasketball

CheeringCrew

Cross CountryFootball

GolfGymnastics

LacrosseSoccer

SoftballSwimming

TennisTrack and Field

VolleyballWrestling

School Notes

Founded in 1926, Cincinnati Country Day School is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory school serving early childhood (18 months) through grade 12 students.
The school emphasizes educational excellence, character development, extracurricular involvement, and integrated technology. With a rich academic curriculum and superior technology program, CCDS inspires a passion for learning and independent thinking through a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, personal integrity, and service to others.

School Motto: Creating leaders who kindle the potential of others.
School Mascot: Nighthawks

Lower School (18 months-grade 4; including pre-kindergarten, Montessori, and kindergarten)
Middle School (grades 5-8)
Upper School (grades 9-12)

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Rob Zimmerman - 1998 - Current Head of School. -

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Cincinnati Country Day School cost?

Cincinnati Country Day School's tuition is approximately $24,555 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of Cincinnati Country Day School?

The acceptance rate of Cincinnati Country Day School is 65%, which is lower than the national average of 85%. Cincinnati Country Day School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Ohio with low acceptance rates.

Who are famous alumni from Cincinnati Country Day School?

Cincinnati Country Day School famous alumni include: Rob Zimmerman - 1998 - Current Head of School..

Does Cincinnati Country Day School offer a summer program?

Yes, Cincinnati Country Day School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What sports does Cincinnati Country Day School offer?

Cincinnati Country Day School offers 16 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Crew, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling. Cincinnati Country Day School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Ohio for most sports offered.

What is Cincinnati Country Day School's ranking?

Cincinnati Country Day School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Ohio for: Highest average SAT score, Highest average ACT score, Lowest average acceptance rates, Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Cincinnati Country Day School?

The application deadline for Cincinnati Country Day School is Dec. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Reviews

5.00 out of 5 (5 reviews)

5 3/14/2023

We love this school and the community that comes with it. Our son is in his second year. We expect he will graduate from high school here. Outstanding!

- Posted by Parent - NA

5 2/15/2023

My daughter transferred to Country Day in second grade and is beyond happy. The community welcomed us immediately and warmly. She is academically challenged, engaged with learning, and a joyful little human. I love how she is encouraged to pursue her passions and get involved. She is trying new things and honing her skills in ways we never could have imagined. I think my favorite thing is that she is supported by everyone on campus and known and nurtured by both her friends and the adults. I could not ask for anything more for my child's educational experience.

- Posted by Parent - Josephine McKenrick

5 2/15/2023

Actually, a grandparent. My granddaughter thrived at CCDS, and was admitted to an outstanding college where she was prepared to do rigorous college academic work. She thrived, too, in the extracurricular arts program.

- Posted by Parent - Larry Kellar

5 2/15/2023

Our daughter transferred from a parochial school to CCDS in 2nd grade and the teachers and faculty made the transition incredibly smooth. She is now in 3rd and we couldn't be happier with the CCDS experience. The teachers are amazing, and helpful and strive to challenge the students academically. The campus is beautiful and the community is very welcoming as well. Our daughter is a curious learner and we can see the results over the past few years. She comes home happy every day and seems to love her time at Cincinnati Country Day School.

- Posted by Parent - Andrew McKenrick

5 5/17/2016

The teachers know the kids so well. They are able to individualize instruction and include emotional and social growth in our childrens'' development plans. Classes are fun for the kids because the teachers use inventive means to teach what must be learned. Students have art, phys ed, swimming, science, library and language pull-out in the lower school. Middle school (grades 7 and 8) require participation in school sports each season as a phys ed requirement. It's a great way to get the kids to step outside their comfort zone and find a new interest.

- Posted by Parent - gbecr

Endorse Cincinnati Country Day School. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Cincinnati, OH is $8,487 for elementary schools and $17,834 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Cincinnati, OH is 88% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).