The College School

The College School engages children, ages 3 to 14, in experiential curriculum that is both rigorous and reflective.
Learning through experience is how students master academic and personal skills. Student/teacher ratio is 8:1.
Specialist teachers in Drama, Art, Music, Spanish, PE and Greenhouse Science. The Early Childhood Program incorporates the Reggio philosophy, drawn from the internationally renowned schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • School Type: School with Special Program Emphasis
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Yearly Tuition: $24,745
  • Average class size: 20 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 31 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Upcoming Events and News

  • The Kindergarten Marble Run Project at The College School - 07/24/2024
    In the heart of education lies the idea of fostering curiosity and creativity, instilling skills that transcend the classroom and shape lifelong learners. At The College School, innovation met education ...morethrough an emergent project that captured the imagination of Kindergarten children and educators alike: marble run hide

Top Rankings

The College School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Missouri for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Year Founded
1963
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Student Body

Total Students
n/a
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
30%
State avg.: 20%

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
30 teachers
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
60%
Average Class Size
20 students
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Jan. 31 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
$24745– Kindergarten – Eighth Grade$20815– Full Day Preschool – 5 Days$14145– Full Day Preschool – 3 Days (Limited spaces in four/five, priority to current families)
% on Financial Aid
28%
Admissions Director
Jill Pampel

Sports

Total Sports Offered
4 sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
15 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
ABRA-KID-ABRA, Archery Club, Chess Club, Critical Thinking Class, Mad Science, Robotics Club, Sewing Club, Singing Club

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Basketball, Climbing Club, Dance, Flag Football, Girls on the Run, Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee

School Notes

  • From analyzing ecosystems to conducting experiments in the woods and becoming investigative journalists in local neighborhoods, students do more than learn in a traditional classroom setting. They becomecollaborators, risk-takers, and problem-solvers who believe they can change the world.
  • The College School is committed to fostering each student`s individuality and voice. Through a caring and inclusive environment, students feel comfortable sharing their perspective, while also seeking to understand and value the perspectives of others in the community.From their Reggio Emilia-inspired Early Childhood Program, where students learn to advocate on behalf of themselves, to the Student Service Leadership Program in Middle School, students learn and grow into active and aware global citizens.
  • Parents are partners in the TCS journey and share that they love seeing their children discover how powerful their minds, ideas, and words can be. And with three buses, two vans, and odometers clicking more than 10,000 miles a year, TCS goes where the action is. They believe learning happens everywhere.
  • Schedule a personal tour today to see our students in actions, meet our teachers, and learn about our newest programs and facilities, including our state-of-the-art Jan Phillips Learning Center on our second campus.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The College School cost?
The College School's tuition is approximately $24,745 for private students.
Does The College School offer a summer program?
Yes, The College School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does The College School offer?
The College School offers 4 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Soccer, Softball and Volleyball.
When is the application deadline for The College School?
The application deadline for The College School is Jan. 31 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 31 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (8 reviews)
5  
i have two kids at TCS, now 7th and 8th grade and both have been there since pre-K. TCS offers a rigorous curriculum integrated into a unique, one-kind in area outdoor, adventure, and experiential education program. Experienced and dedicated teachers. Great facilities and equipment including outdoor gear and a second campus at the LaBarque conservation area. We love TCS!
- Posted by
5  
We have two children at The College School and have had a wonderful experience with both of them. One thing I appreciate is the outdoor experiences and trips the kids get to take each year. There is a second campus on several acres with a farm-like feel that classes visit regularly. The teachers are also very engaged and have always been helpful if I've had questions or needed help with the children`s learning. TCS is genuinely a special school, and I know my kids are better people from attending.
- Posted by
5  
My child's learning experience has been joyful, and the natural curiosity remains intact, which means the world to me. When you know better, you do better, and we must do better for our children in this society. I wish all children could have the experiences that The College School offers. A holistic and healthy approach to in-depth learning. The schools' response to the pandemic has been spot-on, and I am pleased with their safety response. I feel like this school protects childhood's by providing learning on the go with a life lived outdoors. That means the world to me. I am thankful for teachers who go above and beyond with their mentorship for their students.
- Posted by
5  
I strongly recommend this school! We were attracted by their Reggio Emilia approach. But it was better than I could imagine. The teachers were so nurturing and took so much time to get to know each child. Also, the art my child did in preschool is unbelievable that I have framed so much of it and created books. As they progressed to elementary school, they get to try more challenging experiences. Each of their themes and activities has so much thought behind them and without the children knowing they are learning math, science and empathy.We`re overall very happy. With the pandemic they struggled as everyone, but in the end have been tremendously successful keeping kids at school and recognizing that's essential for their development. I appreciate the teachers and the current leadership from the head of the school.I can`t forget mentioning the amazing lunch program that the school has put in place. We have a chef!!! She creates nutritious meals for the kids and has adapted to covid as well. If you value diversity, critical thinking and believe kids should not only learn in a classroom, this is the school for you!
- Posted by
5  
The College School is amazing. I love dropping my child off and seeing all of the smiling kids who are excited for school. I highly recommend checking out this school.
- Posted by
5  
Sending my children to The College School has been one of the most important decisions we ever made. I have two very different kids with different personalities and learning styles. TCS has helped them become problem solvers, critical thinkers and each have confidence and a true love of learning. The teachers are kind and deeply engaged and challenge them to always do their very best work and thinking. The outdoor experiences and challenges they have had have really rounded out the very solid academic program. I see both of my children being very prepared for high school and what is beyond.
- Posted by
5  
This is a wonderful school and very unique in its approach to learning. It is very "hands on". The children learn to love the outdoors and know how to be good citizens. They even have a 28 acre property about 45 minutes from school that can be used for a multitude of purposes.
- Posted by
5  
As a former student of five years, I would definitely recommend The College School. The teachers were always kind, and it was like they really wanted to get to know me as a person, not a student. They were very understanding, and the classes were usually hands-on activities, not just sitting in a classroom listening to a teacher give lectures. The classrooms were always neat and well-supplied, as well as being big enough. Specialists were always my favorite classes, especially drama and PE. But there was music, and art also. In drama, come springtime, you would learn 'Circus Skills'. That consisted of Poi, balancing feathers, then clubs on your hands and chin, juggling, balancing on a ball, tightrope, and a bunch of other things, all in a safe environment. There is a gym, and an outside field area for PE, as well as a blacktop, and every year, starting in 1st grade, classes would take overnights, in various places, depending on what they were studying. For example, the 5th grade goes caving for multiple nights, as well as going on many field trips to catch, tag, and study monarch butterflies. They let them go, of course. In conclusion, I would recommend TCS to any fun loving, hands-on kid who loves to learn by doing!
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • School Type: School with Special Program Emphasis
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Yearly Tuition: $24,745
  • Average class size: 20 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 31 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Saint Louis, MO is $15,726 for elementary schools and $18,140 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Saint Louis, MO is 85% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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