The Colorado Springs School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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About the School

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.
Mentorship and Wellness CSS fosters a supportive community of belonging where every student is deeply known, challenged, and inspired.
This commitment to the whole child is anchored by our innovative Kodiak Compass framework, which provides holistic support across academics, relationships, and well-being.
We prioritize growth and accountability through restorative sessions that teach students essential life skills for resolving conflict and building resilience.
Proven Excellence and Outcomes Voted the #1 Best Private K12 School in Colorado Springs by Niche.com, CSS delivers exceptional academic results.
A hallmark of the Upper School is our personalized college counseling, where our Director of College Counseling spends 5075 hours with every student to ensure they are fully supported in finding their ideal path beyond graduation.
At The Colorado Springs School, we don't just teach students; we empower them to discover, explore, and pursue their unique passions.

Quick Facts (2026-27)

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

School Rankings

The Colorado Springs School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Colorado for:

School Facts

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	The Colorado Springs School
Pre-K	25
Kind	12
1	16
2	20
3	15
4	15
5	14
6	20
7	12
8	14
9	18
10	7
11	6
12	20

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ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Learning Programs Supported

Mild Learning Differences

Year Founded

1962

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Last Day of School

Thu. May 27, 2027

Campus Size

28 acres

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.

Student Body

Total Students

214 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

30%

State avg.: 25%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

60 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

4:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

70%

Average Class Size

12 students

Average SAT score

1250

(Out of 1600)

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Number of AP Courses

17 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

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

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

Jan. 15 / Mar. 1 / rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$24,500

View national tuition avg.

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

Online Application

Sports

Total Sports Offered

7 sports

Sports

BasketballCross Country

Mountain BikingRock Climbing

SoccerTennis

Volleyball

Colors

Navy, Light Blue, White, Grey

School Mascot

Kodiak

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

17 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

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

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.

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

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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.

- Posted by Parent - JThompson

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Colorado Springs, CO is $8,854 for elementary schools and $15,149 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Colorado Springs, CO is 70% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).