Christian Fellowship School Photo - One of our favorite traditions is the elementary Christmas program.

Best Columbia Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 21 private schools serving 9,959 students in Columbia, MO (there are 39 public schools, serving 18,789 public students). 35% of all K-12 students in Columbia, MO are educated in private schools (compared to the MO state average of 12%).
The top-ranked private schools in Columbia, MO include Mizzou K 12 Online/mu High School, Christian Fellowship School, and Christian Chapel Academy.
The average tuition cost is $8,882, which is lower than the Missouri private school average tuition cost of $13,089.
38% of private schools in Columbia, MO are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Top-Ranked Columbia Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Christian Chapel Academy
Christian Chapel Academy Photo - We LOVE our teachers!
(Disciples of Christ)
(1)
3300 S Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 874-2325
Gr: NS-8 | 334 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 14 Tuition listed
Christian Fellowship School
Christian Fellowship School Photo - One of our favorite traditions is the elementary Christmas program.
(Christian)
(7)
4600 Christian Fellowship Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 445-8565
Gr: PK-12 | 478 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 10 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
City Garden School
City Garden School Photo - We spend each Friday and two 3-week nature intensives outside. Students learn about science, physics, natural history, and more through outdoor play.
Special Program Emphasis
(24)
606 Ridgeway Ave.
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 356-1141
Gr: K-8 | 91 students Sports: 1 | Extracurrculars: 5 Tuition listed
Columbia Independent School
Columbia Independent School Photo - Columbia Independent School is a JK-12th grade college preparatory school with enrollment of almost 400 students. We look forward to having your child become a CIS Lion!
(3)
1801 N Stadium Blvd
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 777-9250
Gr: PK-12 | 476 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 24 Tuition listed
136 Clark Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 884-9173
Gr: 6-12 | 6,961 students
817 Bernadette Dr
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 445-6516
Gr: K-8 | 640 students Avg. class size: 22 students
Apple School
Daycare / Preschool
5155 S Providence Road
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 449-7525
Gr: NS-PK | 80 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
1200 E Broadway
Columbia, MO 65215
(573) 876-7260
Gr: PK-5 | 102 students Avg. class size: 10 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Childrens House Montessori Of Columbia
Montessori School
915 Tiger Ave
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 443-2825
Gr: NS-K | 83 students Avg. class size: 16 students Tuition listed
College Park Christian Academy
College Park Christian Academy Photo
(Seventh Day Adventist)
1114 College Park Dr
Columbia, MO 65203
(209) 499-4147
Gr: K-8 | 63 students Avg. class size: 15 students Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition listed
Columbia KinderCare
Columbia KinderCare Photo
Daycare / Preschool
2416 West Ash St.
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 445-9488
Gr: NS-PK
Columbia Montessori School
Montessori School
3 Anderson Ave
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 449-5418
Gr: PK-K | 71 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition listed
Fr Tolton Catholic High School
(Catholic)
3351 E Gans Rd
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 445-7700
Gr: 9-12 | 252 students Tuition listed
Heritage Academy
Heritage Academy Photo - 2016-2017
Alternative School
2900 Barberry Ave
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 449-2252
Gr: K-12 | 89 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 4 Tuition listed
High Road School Of Boone County
Special Education School
409 Vandiver Dr Bldg 7
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 442-2418
Gr: K-12 | 39 students
Islamic School Of Columbia-missouri
(Islamic)
(1)
408 Locust St
Columbia, MO 65205
(573) 442-1556
Gr: PK-5 | 63 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition listed
La Petite Ecole
Special Program Emphasis
1111 S Fairview Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 999-9237
Gr: PK-5 | 57 students
Mizzou Academy
303 Townsend Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(855) 256-4975
Gr: 9-12
The Playground
Daycare / Preschool
2401 Thornberry Dr
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-0343
Gr: K-1 | 20 students
Shalom Christian Academy
(Christian)
312 Ridgeway Ave
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 256-4824
Gr: PK-12 | 20 students
Windsor Street Montessori School
Montessori School
1616 Windsor St
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 441-9767
Gr: PK-6 | 40 students Tuition listed

Overview

This Town (Columbia)
This State (MO)
# Schools
21 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
9,959 Students
120,053 Students
% Average Students of Color
18%
20%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
327 Teachers
9,946 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
30:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
40%
56%
Average Class Size
15 students
16 students
Average Number of AP Courses
10 courses
15 courses
Average SAT score
1410
(Out of 1600)
1291
Average ACT score
26
(Out of 36)
26

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$8,882
$13,089
Average Summer Program Cost
$225
$288
Average % on Financial Aid
33%
36%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$6,000
$6,130
Average Acceptance Rate
96%
85%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.59
0.55
# American Indian Students
30 Students
284 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
481 Students
3,152 Students
% Asian Students
5%
3%
# Hispanic Students
49 Students
5,342 Students
% Hispanic Students
n/a
5%
# Black Students
448 Students
7,611 Students
% Black Students
5%
7%
# White Students
5,263 Students
73,272 Students
% White Students
53%
62%
# Hawaiian Students
12 Students
218 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
3,636 Students
27,399 Students
% of Others Students
37%
23%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
11 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
5 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Columbia, MO?
The top-ranked private schools in Columbia, MO include Mizzou K 12 Online/mu High School, Christian Fellowship School, and Christian Chapel Academy.
How many private schools are located in Columbia?
21 private schools are located in Columbia.
How much do private schools cost in Columbia?
The average tuition cost is $8,882, which is lower than the Missouri private school average tuition cost of $13,089.
How diverse are private schools in Columbia?
Columbia private schools are approximately 18% minority students, which is lower than the Missouri private school average of 20%.
What percentage of students in Columbia go to private school?
35% of all K-12 students in Columbia are educated in private schools (compared to the MO state average of 12%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Columbia?
38% of private schools in Columbia are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).
Which private schools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?

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