Columbus Monthly Special Section: Get Schooled

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Get Schooled A look at notable private education options in Central Ohio

By Sarah Steimer

illustration: istock.com/Anastasia_Stoma

Private and independent schools in and around Columbus are as varied as the students they serve. This alphabetical list highlights a variety of Central Ohio options. Enrollment, studentteacher ratio and tuition data are for the 2020–21 school year.

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Bishop Watterson High School The largest Catholic high school in Columbus opened in 1954 and boasts a college matriculation rate of 98 to 99 percent. The school’s 160-member class of 2020 was offered more than $15 million in college merit scholarships, and the class accumulated more than 10,700 hours in service to the community. Bishop Watterson has dozens of extracurricular programs, athletic teams and community service efforts to support student growth.

“Our staff endeavors to reinforce the virtues, values and morals that a young person needs to develop into a good person, whether Catholic or not,” says deacon Chris Campbell, the school’s president and a 1977 graduate. 99 E. Cooke Road, Columbus; 614-268-8671; bishopwatterson.com Grades: 9–12 Enrollment: 927 Average student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Tuition: $10,175–$11,465

Columbus Jewish Day School For the second year in a row, Columbus Jewish Day School was voted the No. 1 private school in Columbus by readers of The Columbus Dispatch. The New Albany school sits on 7 acres of meadow, creek, pond and woods. Families of all denominations choose CJDS for the academic and social tools it provides students to become

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Columbus Academy

independent, socially responsible and ethical humans.

CJDS teachers work to implement the school’s “curricular integration” method, helping students connect the dots between the classroom and their own lives. The interaction between school and the outside world is reflected in the physical institution itself, as students learn in spacious classrooms with picture windows that provide views of the nature surrounding the school. 150 E. Granville Road, New Albany; 614-9395311; cjds.org Grades: K–5 Enrollment: 61 Average student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Tuition: $17,475 Dublin Montessori Academy Dublin Montessori has encouraged students to grow through self-motivation for more than 30 years. The Dublin preschool and kindergarten academy approaches education holistically, emphasizing sensory learning and development.

Students learn and explore math, language and cultural studies while building interdependence, academic excellence,

creativity, self-regulation and self-esteem.

“We follow the Montessori philosophy, and we follow the child to their potential,” says director and owner Mary Jill Roshon. 10465 Sawmill Road, Powell; 614-761-2020; dublinmontessoriacademy.com Grades: Pre-K–K Enrollment: 65 Average student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Tuition: $5,600–$10,211 Harvest Preparatory Academy This faith-based private school educates students of all races and Christian faiths.

“Students are taught by qualified teachers who have a Christian worldview, while the school’s athletic programs are excellent in skill-building and development and reflect championship quality,” says head of school Dr. Kenneth Grunden.

The graduating class of 2020 was offered $5.2 million in academic and merit-based scholarships, and the school has a 100 percent college placement rate each year.

Harvest students also experience weekly chapels, community service opportunities, Spiritual Emphasis Weeks, instrumental and choral music ensemble, and fine arts courses

photo: courtesy columbus academy

Columbus Academy The independent, coeducational college preparatory school in Gahanna boasts the largest campus in Central Ohio. Facilities underwent extensive renovations to safely conduct in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Updates included 19 additional classrooms to spread out its youngest students and 15 outdoor classrooms to help teachers and students take advantage of the 231-acre campus.

“A Columbus Academy education is rooted in developing students who are informed, bold, ethical and ready to participate as citizens in the world,” says head of school Melissa Soderberg. “From a child’s earliest years to when they are high school seniors, we engage each mind in the life of inquiry, engagement and problem-solving with excellent facilities and expansive opportunities to grow.” 4300 Cherry Bottom Road, Gahanna; 614-509-2220; columbusacademy.org Grades: Age 3–grade 12 Enrollment: 1,162 Average student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Tuition: $12,500–$29,800

—undeterred.

Starting at age three, Columbus Academy students in our Lower School run, play, think and grow, exploring every inch of our 231-acre campus. Spacious classrooms — indoors and out — and daily health protocols provide a safe and energetic learning environment.

– Sarah B, Kindergarten parent, Fall 2020

Visit us in person or online and see how we teach to the individual child, from our 3-year-olds to our seniors in high school, across all the dimensions of their personalities and learning styles. admissions@columbusacademy.org 614-509-2220 Or complete an inquiry form at: columbusacademy.org/inquire

Columbus Academy, 4300 Cherry Bottom Road, Gahanna, Ohio • Age 3–Grade 12, coeducational, independent

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and programs. 4595 Gender Road, Canal Winchester; 614-382-1111; harvestprep.org Grades: Pre-K–12 Enrollment: 734 Average student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Tuition: $4,100–$6,700

St. Charles Preparatory School During its nearly 100 years as an all-boys educational institution, St. Charles has helped young men prepare for advanced study and develop as well-rounded individuals. The experience includes a college preparatory curriculum, modern facilities, a robust athletic program and numerous extracurricular activities.

Principal James Lower says the school celebrates diversity and excellence. “We believe our college preparatory curriculum and expansive extracurricular offerings provide an environment that builds leaders who will live their faith and helps every young man reach his potential.” 2010 E. Broad St., Columbus; 380-209-2222; stcharlesprep.org Grades: 9–12 Enrollment: 541 Average student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Tuition: $9,595–$10,625 St. Francis DeSales High School Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, St. Francis DeSales High School has twice been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as an Exemplary Blue Ribbon

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School. Last year, the school shared plans to update its former convent space, now known as the Sisters of St. Francis Student Service Center. It transformed more than 10,000 square feet of existing space, where students now connect with their school counselors and campus ministry team.

“For 60 years our mission has not changed; we continue to provide a holistic educational experience in the Catholic tradition, which prepares the mind, body and spirit of each student,” principal Dan Garrick says. “Faith always comes first; we are able to give our students a foundation of faith that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.” 4212 Karl Road, Columbus; 614-2677808; sfdstallions.org Grades: 9–12 Enrollment: 885 Average student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Tuition: $9,995–$10,595 St. Joseph Montessori School St. Joseph, a Catholic Montessori community founded in 1968, is located in the historic Italian Village neighborhood of Columbus.

Students learn core subjects alongside art, Spanish, music and religion classes—all taught with the creative, sensory, experiencebased approach of Montessori education.

“St. Joseph Montessori School has been living Dr. Maria Montessori’s words, ‘to educate the human potential,’ by means of scientifically prepared environments,” says head of school Brenda Huth. “The oppor-

tunity to participate in one’s own education provides the child with a context for growing academically, socially and emotionally. At St. Joseph Montessori School, the child’s ability to direct his or her own learning is guided by the Montessori belief in freedom with responsibility.” 933 Hamlet St., Columbus; 614-291-8601; sjms.net Grades: 3 years–grade 8 Enrollment: 210 Average student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Tuition: $11,500 The Wellington School Founded in 1982, The Wellington School was created by a group of local entrepreneurs to provide an alternative to the conventional private school experience. The independent, coeducational, college-preparatory day school features small classes so students may take a deep dive into their knowledge of the world and themselves.

Wellington’s independent science and humanities research programs allow students to pursue projects that match their areas of interest. Every upper school student participates in the four-year Wellington International Student Experience, which culminates in an international learning experience at no additional cost. 3650 Reed Road, Columbus; 614-457-7883; wellington.org Grades: Preschool–grade 12 Enrollment: 696 Average student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Tuition: $12,850–$26,800

photo: courtesy st. francis desales high school

One School Formerly Gahanna Christian Academy, One School has realigned itself with a new mission: “to ignite the power in every child to change the world.” The school’s vision includes reaching more children as it focuses on growing to new sites in the future.

“It’s more important than ever that students of all ages have access to high-quality, research-based instruction that creates opportunities for students to explore their unique passions and be fully engaged in their learning and development,” says head of school Dr. April Domine. “At One School, students master academic content while participating in design thinking and projectbased learning that leads to real-world work products and presentations.” 817 N. Hamilton Road, Gahanna; 614-471-9270; oneschool.education Grades: Infant–grade 8 Enrollment: 154 (K–8) Average student-teacher ratio: 12:1 (K–8) Tuition: $5,500–$9,000

St. Francis DeSales High School

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