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Class Act A look at area private schools
PHOTO: COURTESY WESTERN RESERVE ACADEMY
By Peter Tonguette
Central Ohio is home to a number of private, independent schools. This alphabetical list includes many of the area’s most noteworthy examples. (Enrollment, student-teacher ratio and tuition data are for the 2018–19 school year.) Western Reserve Academy FEBRUARY 2019 COLUMBUS MONTHLY
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Columbus Academy
With its rigorous college-preparatory curriculum, Columbus Academy is all about breadth and depth. The 118-year-old coeducational school’s 231-acre campus in Gahanna is the largest in Central Ohio, while academic offerings are as diverse as its student body. “When you come to our campus, you start seeing a multitude of different ways that you can take art or be in performing arts,” says head of school Melissa Soderberg. “We have more options for sports.” Despite the school’s size, leaders strive to create small, individualized corners for students to thrive, ranging from makerspaces for STEM-focused students to soundproof rooms for budding musicians. “We have an outdoor classroom which becomes a space that kids gravitate to,” Soderberg adds. “The idea is to have the world of learning be an invitation.” 4300 Cherry Bottom Rd., Gahanna; 614-475-2311; columbusacademy.org Grades: Pre-K through 12 Enrollment: 1,100 Average student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Tuition: $11,500–$27,500
Columbus Jewish Day School
Entering its 21st year, the Columbus Jewish Day School in New Albany seeks to blend
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Jewish education with secular subjects. “The two words that really best describe our school are ‘integrated’ and ‘experiential,’ ” says Rabbi Tali Zelkowicz, the head of the school. To that end, the school encourages its students to roll up their sleeves. “That’s as true in math as it is in the study of Torah and Jewish texts,” Zelkowicz says. Students are also asked to use all of their senses to learn. A signature program is environmental education, in which every student engages in gardening projects. “Today, the entire school smells like kale chips,” Zelkowicz says. When students enter other schools to finish their educations, they carry with them the skills they have honed. “The Jewish rabbinic tradition has a unique methodology, and it’s basically very similar to a classical literary-criticism model,” Zelkowicz says. “They’re able to apply that stamp of inquiry and of asking questions to everything in their lives.” 150 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., New Albany; 614-939-5311; cjds.org Grades: K through 6 Enrollment: 60 Average student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Tuition: $16,900
Columbus School for Girls
Since 1898, the Columbus School for Girls
has promoted the advantages of samegender learning. “Graduates of girls’ schools have a higher sense of their own capabilities,” says head of school Jennifer Ciccarelli. “They have greater career aspirations and are more confident relative to their coed peers.” At the Bexley-area school, students are instilled with the knowledge that they can navigate a demanding curriculum. They also have no shortage of female role models, including their own peers. “The girls are the entire student council; they are the editors for the yearbook; they are the captains of all the teams,” Circcarelli says. Furthermore, by the very nature of the school, girls participate in courses in which they are sometimes underrepresented in coed environments, such as math and physics. “They get the message from pretty early on that women can do anything,” Ciccarelli says. In addition to its main campus near Bexley, the school boasts a 66-acre athletic facility and a 100acre nature preserve in Gahanna. 65 S. Drexel Ave., Columbus; 614-2520781; columbusschoolforgirls.org Grades: Pre-K through 12 Enrollment: 564 Average student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Tuition: $13,945–$26,885
PHOTO: CYNTHIA WILSON
Columbus Academy
What if she were equipped to challenge systems, to claim space at the table, to create what doesn’t exist, and to live fully and comfortably in who she is? At Columbus School for Girls, we know that what the research shows is true: girls thrive in an environment created specifically for them. Your daughter deserves the tools, support, and every opportunity to boldly pursue her unlimited potential.
She will know her power
Columbus School for Girls Age 3 to Grade 12 • Schedule your visit today
www.columbusschoolforgirls.org/admission
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Dublin Montessori Academy
For more than 30 years, Dublin Montessori Academy has set students on the right academic path through a unique atmosphere that prioritizes freedom. The school’s prekindergarteners and kindergartners are encouraged to learn and grow through selfmotivation—and just by being themselves. “All children carry within themselves the person they will become,” says director Mary Jill Roshon. “In order to develop physical, intellectual and spiritual potential to the fullest, the child must have freedom—a freedom to be achieved through order and self-discipline.” Students proceed at their own pace through subjects that include math, language and cultural studies. Teachers emphasize the use of sensorial materials. 10465 Sawmill Rd., Powell; 614-761-2020; dublinmontessoriacademy.com Grades: Age 3 through K Enrollment: 115 Average student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Tuition: $5,145–$9,097
Grove City Christian School
Since its founding nearly 30 years ago as a ministry of the Grove City Church of the Nazarene, Grove City Christian School has experienced dramatic growth. From an initial kindergarten class of 15, the school has grown to 630 students. Leaders strive to mix faith and learning. “Most of us were educated in what I call academic silos, where we learned history, we learned language, we learned math and science, and some of us were fortunate enough to have people teach us about God and the Bible,” says director of education David Arrell. By contrast, the school asks students to compare, connect and contrast the world to what is taught as part of their faith. To that end, last summer the school achieved a dual accreditation from the Association of Christian Schools International and AdvancED. Among the 14 sports offered are football and rifle, and student clubs, organizations and retreats abound. 4750 Hoover Rd., Grove City; 614-8753000; grovecitychristian.org Grades: K through 12 Enrollment: 630 Average student-teacher ratio: Not available Tuition: $5,430–$6,400
Marburn Academy
Students from 37 school districts—some traveling from as far away as Cincinnati and Yellow Springs—study on the 17-acre cam-
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Learning happens everywhere. Starting at age three, Columbus Academy students in our Lower School run, play, think and grow, exploring every inch of our 231-acre learning environment. Visit us 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. To arrange a personal tour, contact us at admissions@columbusacademy.org or 614-509-2220.
Columbus Academy, 4300 Cherry Bottom Road, Gahanna, Ohio • Age 3–Grade 12, coeducational, independent
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pus in New Albany that is home to Marburn Academy. Established in 1981, the school tailors its programs to students with learning differences, including dyslexia, ADHD and executive function difficulties. Many started their educational journeys elsewhere. “A big part of the work that we do has to be reparative,” says head of school Jamie Williamson. “We want to make sure that our families and our kids understand that they have strengths and that they’re capable of learning.” As an Apple Distinguished school, technology plays a large part in catering to students’ needs. “We’ll have kids access text through speech-to-text or text-to-speech programs,” says Williamson, in addition to the full complement of athletic and arts activities. 9555 Johnstown Rd., New Albany; 614433-0822; marburnacademy.org Grades: 1 through 12 Enrollment: 282 Average student-teacher ratio: 8:1 (lower and middle division); 16:1 (high school) Tuition: $27,540–$28,960
St. Charles mission trip to Nicaragua
St. Joseph Montessori School
Tradition is honored at St. Charles Preparatory School, Central Ohio’s only all-male Catholic high school. In fact, some academic requirements have remained unchanged since the school’s formation 96 years ago on 23 acres near Bexley. “Our boys still have to take two years of Latin,” says principal James Lower. In readying students for college, the school also requires four years of classes in mathematics, science, English and religion. Much is asked of students outside of the classroom, too. During their first three years, students must participate in community service, with opportunities ranging from working with Meals on Wheels to serving in a soup kitchen. “You hope that those experiences that you make them do become experiences that they want to do,” Lower says. Students can also participate in 15 varsity sports, a robotics team, a mentoring club and a ski club. 2010 E. Broad St., Columbus; 614252-6714; stcharlesprep.org Grades: 9 through 12 Enrollment: 625 Average student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Tuition: Practicing Catholic, $9,995; nonpracticing, $10,325
St. Joseph Montessori School
Having recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, St. Joseph Montessori School in Italian Village is home to students who pride
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themselves in being self-sufficient learners. “They like to follow through and start at the beginning and finish a project,” says head of school Matt Brenner. “They don’t want anyone else to complete their work.” In addition to core subjects, art, Spanish, Band & Bells and religion classes are offered. “We allow the student to pick and choose different things,” Brenner says. Making such decisions at an early age prepares students for future years of education. “It gives them the self-confidence and the desire to learn and the love of learning,” Brenner says. 933 Hamlet St., Columbus; 614-291-8601; sjms.net
Grades: Pre-K through 8 Enrollment: 232 Average student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Tuition: $1,600–$11,400
Village Academy
Formed in 1976, Village Academy wants its students to develop into fully rounded individuals. “We are affording all of our students the opportunities to be surrounded by a diverse population of learners from all socioeconomic walks of life, as well as from other countries,” says head of school Tres Marangoni. “They can embrace and nurture and learn tolerance, and all the things that
PHOTOS: TOP, COURTESY ST. CHARLES PREPARATORY SCHOOL; BOTTOM, MICHELLE DANIELS PHOTOGRAPHY
St. Charles Preparatory School
We help shape those who will shape the world. We think education can and should be better. More agile, personal, active, and potent. When we teach students how to learn, the process becomes more exciting, purposeful, and life-changing.
The ďŹ rst independent co-ed school in Columbus. Catalyzing the lives of children in preschool through grade 12. Schedule a tour at www.wellington.org
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come along with being a global citizen.� The school eschews a “core curriculum� in favor of letting students draw on their individual interests to add endorsements to their diplomas. “Take more fine and performing arts and get a fine and performing arts endorsement,� Marangoni says. “Students have a lot of independent time here and a lot of autonomy.� 284 S. Liberty St., Powell; 614-841-0050; villageacademy.org
What do you seek? Columbus Catholic Schools education.columbuscatholic.org
Grades: Pre-K through 12 Enrollment: 326 Average student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Tuition: $11,000–$18,645
The Wellington School
It’s Not Magic, It’s Montessori! Join us for an Open House January 25 at 9:00 am www.sjms.net |614-291-8601 933 Hamlet St. | Columbus
10465 Sawmill Rd. | Powell, OH 43065 (614) 761-2020 www.dublinmontessoriacademy.com
“We serve the future by protecting the present. The more fully the needs of one period are met, the greater will be the success of the next.� -M. Montessori
Licking County’s Only Independent School Educating infants through grade 12
Rooted in the Montessori tradition. Focused on the whole child.
740.522.2020 welshhills.org
€ ‚ | ƒ | „ Accredited by ISACS
Independent School Association of the Central States
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Since its establishment in 1982, The Wellington School has prepared students to master the fundamentals while at the same time following their personal enthusiasms. In its approach, the coeducational school emphasizes agility over standardization. “We really are trying to get at every individual’s excitement around learning,â€? says head of school Robert Brisk, who points to the upper school’s independent science and independent humanities research programs. With the help of faculty and outside mentors, the students can delve into research about an area of interest. Meanwhile, middle-schoolers can partake in “deep-dive electives,â€? including constitutional law and advanced singing groups. “We want every student to have all the skills they will need in the traditional world, but be able to take those skills ‌ into directions that schools generally don’t anticipate,â€? Brisk says. 3650 Reed Rd., Columbus; 614-457-7883; wellington.org Grades: Pre-K through 12 Enrollment: 660 Average student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Tuition: $12,300–$24,250
Welsh Hills School
Leaders at the Montessori-style Welsh Hills School in Granville advocate an approach to education that downplays the importance of tests and emphasizes the power of hands-on, “demonstrated� learning. “It’s very projectbased, and they have a great many opportunities to invest in areas of specific, individual interest,� says head of school Michelle Lerner, who points to a continent project in which a region of the world is studied throughout the curriculum. Students look at culture in those areas of the world by studying the art, music and drama of the region. In the process, students become teachers, too. “They will build
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Welsh Hills school
Marburn is... a safe place. engaging. potential.
me.
something as a group that represents their specific learning and then teach it to the rest of our school population,” Lerner says. 2610 Newark-Granville Rd., Granville; 740-5222020; welshhills.org Grades: Infant through 12 Enrollment: 116 Average student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Tuition: $9,775–$10,500
Marburn Academy is a school where students who learn differently are CELEBRATED. Attend our next Admission Info Session on March 12th. Details at MarburnAcademy.org 614.433.0822
MARBURN AC ADEMY
PHOTO: COURTESY WELSH HILLS
Western Reserve Academy
You don’t have to venture far from Central Ohio to get the boarding-school experience. “We look very much like a New England boarding school,” says head of school Christopher Burner. On 190 acres close to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Western Reserve Academy is home to 400 students, two-thirds of whom are there as boarders (the remaining one-third are day students from Hudson and nearby towns). With dormitories, facilities for arts and athletics, and a large dining hall with seated meals, the experience promotes maturity in students. “A student has an opportunity to develop decision-making skills, time-management independence, academic curiosity—all on their own, without their parents,” Burner says. The school recently implemented its own curriculum to equip students for the road ahead. “We think there’s more of an opportunity for in-depth learning rather than teaching directly to a test,” Burner says. 115 College St., Hudson; 330-6504400; wra.net Grades: 9 through 12 Enrollment: 400 Average student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Tuition: $38,250–$58,500
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