She will know her power.
Welcome to CSG I am thrilled to introduce you to Columbus School for Girls, the only girls’ school in central Ohio and the premier independent college preparatory day school for girls and young women. Since 1898, we have helped generations of girls find and know their power, giving them the tools to become leaders and changemakers around the world. From the age of three, our students thrive in an inclusive environment with a curriculum that educates the whole girl. Guided by top faculty members from across the country, CSG girls have access to a robust curriculum and experiential learning opportunities that enlighten and challenge them. Our comprehensive curriculum sets our students up for success in an ever-changing, global society that demands resilience and flexibility. Gaining mastery of vital skills for college and the careers of tomorrow, CSG girls achieve academically and also develop crucial social-emotional habits of mind they will carry with them throughout their lives.
At Columbus School for Girls, our mission is to empower girls to discover their distinct potential as learners and leaders.
For 125 years, CSG girls have embodied our motto of forte et gratum—strength and grace. With grit and determination, they take healthy risks that shape them into resilient, capable women. No matter what challenges they undertake, our graduates are supported by the foundational skills they nurtured in an institution that puts girls first. Nowhere is the joy and potential of girlhood celebrated quite like it is at CSG. I invite you to discover the magic for yourself. Sincerely,
Camille J.L. Seals Head of School
An Anchored Legacy for a Bold Future. In 1898, Mary Bole Scott and Florence Kelley dared to demand something different, creating a college preparatory educational program to give girls and young women agency they lacked elsewhere at the time. CSG had its beginnings at 662 E. Town St., west of Parsons Avenue. In 1901, CSG was moved to the corner of East Town Street and Parsons Avenue, where it was known as Parsons Place. In 1927, it was incorporated as a nonprofit institution and continued a reputation for academic excellence in language, math, arts, and sciences. Following the mid 1940s, the school moved from its location at Parsons Place to its current location at 65 S. Drexel Ave. in Bexley. As the decades progressed, CSG grew from one to three campuses, comprising over 180 acres. In addition to the main academic campus, the school added Kirk Campus, a 70-plus-acre athletic facility, and Cynthia’s Woods, a 100-acre nature preserve and outdoor classroom. Today, CSG is the premier school for girls in central Ohio and remains fiercely committed to helping girls and young women find their voice and know their power. Since our founding, we have remained dedicated to these enduring principles. Much has changed since Mary and Florence first opened CSG’s doors in 1898, but our school remains dedicated to our 125-year mission to empower girls to discover their distinct potential as learners and leaders.
Founding Principles
Our Vision We work tirelessly to give every girl the knowledge and the tools to learn, to lead, and to change the world.
• Academic
• Justice
Excellence
• Respect
• Honesty
• Friendship
• Fair Play
• Service
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging CSG celebrates diversity. We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community built upon a culture of belonging and in support of a girl-centered vision.
Her story starts here. Our core values define how we educate our students and how we carry out our mission of empowering girls to discover their distinct potential as learners and leaders.
Core Values
Girls First We prioritize the needs of girls and young women and keep them at the center of everything we do.
Academic Excellence
Lifelong Learning
Community
Inclusivity
We create premier programming to empower girls to think critically, lead confidently, and innovate courageously.
We continuously evolve our curriculum and augment it with ongoing professional development to best meet the needs of tomorrow’s students.
We build a supportive sisterhood that celebrates the innate power and potential of girlhood.
We commit to ensuring that all our community members feel safe, connected, and respected.
Growth Mindset We challenge ourselves and our girls to achieve beyond expectations and persevere through difficulty.
Five reasons why all-girl is life changing:
1.
Girls become better leaders. Of girls’ school graduates, 93% say they were offered greater leadership opportunities than coeducated peers and 80% have held leadership positions since graduating from high school.
2.
Girls excel in and out of the classroom. Nearly 80% of girls’ school students report most of their classes challenge them to achieve their full academic potential compared to only 44% of girls at coeducational public schools.
3.
Girls defy gender stereotypes. Girls’ school graduates are six times more likely to consider majoring in math, science, and technology compared to girls who attended coeducational schools.
4.
Girls speak confidently. Nearly half of all women graduating from girls’ schools rate their public speaking ability as high compared to only 39% of women graduates from coeducational schools.
Columbus School for Girls is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) and is a member of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
5.
Girls aim high. More than two-thirds of students at girls’ schools expect to earn a graduate or professional degree.
Information cited from The International Coalition of Girls’ Schools.
Experience a place where being a girl is a position of honor. Research shows that girls do better in an environment created specifically for them, where they can develop the skills they need to navigate adeptly in a world that still presents many challenges for women. Girls’ schools give girls the opportunity to speak out more, gain more confidence, and see themselves as leaders. Girls’ schools provide a space for students to operate free from gender stereotypes, which can often negatively affect how they see themselves and their world. In a space created for them, girls are empowered to define themselves and their abilities free from expectations or limitations. Girls’ schools are designed based on girls’ unique learning styles and preferences, resulting in higher academic achievement, greater self-awareness, and a stronger sense of resilience in the face of challenges.
“CSG challenges you while also helping you along the way. It is a very tight-knit community, and we challenge each other to not just be better students, but to be better people.” —Lanie ’23
Feel the power of a CSG education. From an early age, CSG girls are taught they can do hard things. Our rigorous academic program empowers girls to think critically, meet challenges with calmness and confidence, and take agency over their learning experiences. Inquiry-based teaching in our Program for Young Children and Lower School helps our students adopt a curious approach to learning that they nurture throughout their educational career. As they grow, students explore an expanding selection of courses that allow them to dive more deeply into their learning and diversify their interests and skills. They benefit from premier curricula that push them to achieve at the outer edge of their ability. Small class sizes allow teachers to provide personalized experiences to help students understand their distinctive strengths and opportunities. Unique, project-based programming and unparalleled experiential learning opportunities help students grow into adept problem solvers, innovative thinkers, and capable leaders.
CSG offers the best in Central Ohio:
CSG is the only school that provides a preschool-through-grade-12 holistic Computer Science curriculum.
Program for Young Children: She will explore.
Lower School: She will inquire.
CSG is the only place that offers the Institute for Innovation & Leadership, featuring specialized projects, programming, and advanced courses of study in six core areas.
Our three-campus learning environment includes a 100-acre nature preserve that serves as our outdoor classroom, as well as a comprehensive athletic campus that features a state-of-the-art turf field, 8 tennis courts, 4 playing fields, and a regulation track.
Middle School: She will discover.
Upper School: She will lead.
Our faculty are experts in their fields with advanced degrees, and many are also renowned authors and public speakers.
At CSG, she will succeed. When students enroll at CSG, they have access to a comprehensive curriculum that is designed to educate the whole girl. At each stage of development, girls build on key foundational skills and academic habits of mind that ensure they reach their full potential as learners and leaders.
Lead Confidently
Solve Problems Creatively
Students exhibit integrity, honesty, fairness, and respect with the wellbeing of themselves and the larger community in mind.
Think Globally
Students employ informed and diverse perspectives to shape their interactions with ideas, individuals, and situations.
Students draw from many disciplines to define problems and design innovative responses and solutions.
Communicate Effectively
Think Analytically
Seek Balance & Wellness
Students express ideas confidently and clearly in oral, visual, and written forms.
Students gather and use evidence to analyze, draw conclusions, and support ideas.
Students engage in healthy social, emotional, and physical behaviors.
See the CSG difference for our youngest learners:
Reggio Emilia
The PYC views teaching and learning through the lens of the Reggio Emilia Approach, which holds that children are competent and born ready to learn.
Cynthia’s Woods
Cynthia’s Woods is a 100-acre nature preserve that students use as their outdoor classroom during day trips that weave distinctive outdoor learning experiences into core curricular activities.
Art Studio
Designed as a creative makerspace, our studio helps students communicate, clarify, and deepen their thinking and knowledge through multimodal art.
Program for Young Children: She will explore. The Program for Young Children (PYC) is a time for discovery. Girls are figuring out who they are and investigating their world. They’re learning how to solve problems and think creatively while building foundational skills that will serve them in the classroom and beyond. In the PYC, teachers facilitate critical thinking by encouraging students to ask big questions and practice self-reflection. As they move through introductory curricula in reading, literacy, numeracy, science, and social studies, students’ interests guide their exploration and augment the ways they understand key concepts and learn new skills. By being an active participant in their own learning, girls learn from a young age the importance of having agency over their education. A passion for lifelong learning is born in the PYC, a unique space designed to foster independence and confidence that girls carry with them for the rest of their lives.
See the CSG difference for our bold questioners:
Innovation Lab
This state-of-the-art space provides students with the resources to create digital, robotic, and physical projects while learning how to program and problem solve.
Literacy
Our newly renovated library is a hub for our language arts curriculum that promotes strong connections between reading, writing, and word study with cross-curricular projects.
Numeracy
Our Singapore-based curriculum challenges students to build strong critical thinking skills and better understand the concepts behind their problem-solving methods.
Lower School:
She will inquire.
The Lower School’s unique curriculum allows students to expand their minds and explore new ways of thinking and learning. Through an inquiry-based teaching model, girls are encouraged to think critically and creatively and dive deeply into their learning. As they learn how to trust their instincts and grow more confident in their abilities, students grow into resilient and discerning investigators with the capacity to think deeply and critically about what they are learning and reading. Teachers are trained in Responsive Classroom, a student-centered, social and emotional learning approach to teaching and discipline that uses evidence-based practices to create safe, joyful, and engaging classrooms. This research-informed practice uniquely positions students to develop strong social-emotional and academic skills in a supportive atmosphere in which they can truly thrive.
See the CSG difference for our resilient scholars:
Social Institute
Middle School partners with the Social Institute to offer a robust social-emotional wellness curriculum in which girls learn effective ways to combat the negative effects of social media.
Experiential Learning
Overnight trips to historical landmarks and premier scientific research laboratories allow students to immerse themselves in their coursework and apply their learning to real-world scenarios.
World Languages
Girls have the opportunity to choose from Spanish and Mandarin to build foundational skills in language study.
Middle School:
She will discover.
In Middle School, students cultivate a strong sense of self by embracing opportunities and taking chances. At each grade level, students become increasingly independent and assume more responsibility, taking on leadership roles and projects that challenge and inspire them. Block scheduling gives girls more time to problem solve, collaborate with their peers, and dig into their subjects. It also prepares them for the type of academic environment found in high school and college. Cross-curricular projects help girls continue to build on their critical thinking skills, while group work encourages effective communication, collaboration, and leadership. A robust social-emotional learning program gives girls the tools they need to adeptly move through this period of mental and physical change with strength and grace. Middle School is a crucial time for growth, and students thrive in an inclusive environment that champions and celebrates the power of being a girl.
See the CSG difference for our fierce leaders:
May Program
Seniors design a comprehensive internship or self-study program based on their personal interests.
Global Studies and Citizenship
Experiential learning programs to cities within the U.S. and around the world give students the opportunity to participate in a carefully constructed, in-country curriculum while building global competencies.
College Counseling
Our individualized College Counseling Program ensures our students have the resources they need to complete strong and effective applications and essays to get into college.
Upper School:
She will lead.
Student-driven choice and inquiry are at the heart of our Upper School program. Guided by faculty, advisors, counselors, and coaches, students develop a four-year pathway based on their interests, strengths, and growth areas. Rigorous curricula, research projects, and unique opportunities help girls master the skills they need to be successful in college. Every student and her parents or guardians receive personalized college counseling, and our graduates consistently report being well-prepared for college. Our robust curricular and co-curricular offerings, including Advanced Placement and honors courses as well as diverse electives, prepare students for discourse in leading colleges. At CSG, we transform our students’ lives. In Upper School, our demanding academic curricula and extracurricular programs ensure that every student grows intellectually, personally, and socially during their final four years here.
The Institute for Inn A signature CSG program, the Institute for Innovation & Leadership is designed to empower our students through advanced courses of study, specialized projects, internships, and more. The Institute serves as a framework to deliver original programming, coursework, curricular resources, and experiential learning opportunities through its six Centers. Unparalleled opportunities for expansive learning exist at every grade level. Girls are empowered to pursue a wide range of interests in and out of the classroom, broadening and deepening their knowledge while continuing to build on foundational skills in areas including critical thinking, innovation, and leadership. As they grow, students have increasing agency over the programming they choose to pursue within each core subject area.
The Center for Mathematical Reasoning
The Center for Girls’ & Young Women’s Leadership
The Center for Science Research & Engineering
The Center for Mathematical Reasoning (CMR) uses mathematics in a variety of real-world contexts to increase students’ ability to reason abstractly, problem solve, and prove and justify their solutions.
The Center for Girls’ & Young Women’s Leadership (CGYWL) provides research-driven programming and experiential learning to cultivate confident, poised, healthy, and capable young women.
The Center for Science Research & Engineering (CSRE) empowers students to innovate and create through exposure to a diverse range of scientific and engineering endeavors.
novation & Leadership She owns her future.
The Center for Equity & Belonging The Center for Equity & Belonging (CEB) develops opportunities for students to learn about themselves, their classmates, and their communities as they grow their understanding of and respect for a diversity of cultures and backgrounds.
The Center for Artistic & Creative Expression The Center for Artistic & Creative Expression (CACE) encourages the exploration of creative and artistic expression in a variety of forms to enhance students’ cognitive development.
The Center for Global Studies & Citizenship The Center for Global Studies & Citizenship (CGSC) enhances students’ global education through programming, cultural exchanges, and CSG’s global travel program.
Preparing tomorrow’s leaders in STEM The world is changing—it is necessary for the next generation of students to be proficient in a variety of technical fields. CSG understands this paradigm shift and has been at the forefront, serving as a leader in science, technology, engineering, and math education for girls. CSG has the only integrated Pre-K-through-grade-12 computer science program in the country, making us the largest hub for fostering the next generation of women in STEM. Our computer science curriculum and partnership with HER (Her Educational Revolution) Academy piques girls’ interest early and keeps them curious for years to come, introducing them to a variety of experiences and career opportunities. As a result of this strong foundation, 59% of CSG’s recent graduates are majoring in STEMrelated fields, with 14% of them planning to study computer science. Compared to other all-girl institutions nationwide, CSG students are nearly four times more likely to pursue computer science in college and in their careers. Our curriculum is leading a culture change that celebrates women in the field of technology—and it all starts at CSG. Our world needs more women leaders in STEM, and CSG has the expertise to prepare them.
She is an artist and she is an athlete. At CSG, girls are the drivers of their school experience. As agents of their own learning, they are free to explore our diverse range of artistic and athletic offerings and discover the pursuits they love. Whether they are in the photo lab, on the stage, or on the soccer field, girls learn that they can try it all in a supportive community of teachers, coaches, and peers. At CSG, she can do it all. Through these activities, girls build crucial skills that they will carry with them through their formative years and into their careers and communities once they reach adulthood. Working with others, they grow their ability to communicate, cooperate, and lead effectively. Through trying new things, they become more resilient and better able to combat perfectionism. And as they challenge their physical and mental abilities, girls learn that there is no limit to what they can do.
Our campus is built for her success.
1.
Agnes Jeffrey Shedd Theater
2.
Turf Field
3.
Ceramics Studio
4.
Natatorium
5.
Photography Dark Room
6.
Tennis Courts
Our premiere space for music and theatrical performances offer students a space to showcase their talents.
Our state-of-the-art turf field hosts athletic events for field hockey, lacrosse, and soccer.
Our ceramics studio is a comprehensive space that includes all things necessary to create one-of-a-kind pottery pieces.
CSG offers an Olympic-grade pool for competitive swim and dive as well as for swimming lessons and special events.
CSG has a professional-grade photography lab for students to hone their photography skills as they develop their photos.
CSG’s Kirk Campus sports eight regulation tennis courts.
1. 2.
3. 4.
5. 6.
Discover the power of CSG sisterhood. An overarching sense of sisterhood is a crucial aspect of the girls’ school experience that can’t be found anywhere else. Immersed in a space that celebrates and champions girls and young women, girls can truly thrive. From early on, girls learn from their teachers and older peers the value of lifting up and supporting each other. Within this inclusive environment, girls find their voices. They build the confidence necessary to lead effectively. They form relationships that will blossom into lifelong friendships. And when they move into the next chapter of their lives, they take with them the powerful knowledge that women are strong and capable of anything they set their minds to.
What I like most about going to an all-girls school is that the community is very close, and it is easy to feel like myself. —Reese ’27
We are a Community by Design
Our Traditions Bind Us Together
Friendships that Last a Lifetime
She will be known.
She will be celebrated.
She will be respected.
CSG students flourish in an inclusive environment designed to best meet the social and emotional needs of girls and young women.
From Red and Gold games to Big/ Little Sis and Senior Day, CSG builds connections across generations of girls and women.
CSG graduates join an expansive network of alumnae who connect with and support each other in a variety of ways.
We are a vibrant community of Unicorns: CSG STUDENTS COME FROM MORE THAN
50
ZIP codes
40%
OF CSG’S STUDENT BODY IDENTIFIES AS A
student of color
CSG’S COMMUNITY REPRESENTS ALL
5
major religions
Community:
She will be known.
Community is an intrinsic part of being human—it’s where we are known, and where we know each other. A school is one of the first communities a girl experiences in her life, and as such serves as a crucial component of her social and emotional development. A child who feels safe and supported is more easily able to learn and more likely to build the confidence necessary to pursue new interests and hobbies. A nurturing environment where a child feels she belongs is paramount to a positive academic experience. CSG celebrates diversity and continuously strives to be an equitable, inclusive community in which all members feel safe, connected, and respected. We believe that this work is core to an excellent education, and we support it through culturally relevant teaching and curriculum, programming and learning opportunities for all community members, and by attracting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff, and student body. We aim to ensure that every member of our community experiences a deep sense of belonging at CSG.
Our rich history guides our bold future:
Big/Little Sister Program Since 1904, our Big/Little Sister Program has helped older and younger students bond in meaningful ways.
Red Team/Gold Team
Beginning in 1924, a system was created that placed alternate classes in Red or Gold camps for friendly competition to build school spirit.
Scholarship Walk
Each fall since 1972, the school has held a Scholarship Walk to support The CSG Scholars Fund, which provides financial assistance for approximately 20% of the student body.
Traditions:
She will be celebrated.
Our rich traditions that have evolved since CSG’s founding 125 years ago are a vital way our students connect with each other and form lasting friendships. Generations of alumnae know the words to our school songs and hold in their hearts cherished memories of school assemblies and celebrations. Our traditions come alive when we gather together, and they help us mark important milestones in our students’ educational careers. These practices help students feel rooted in community and create a true culture of belonging. Seasons at CSG are marked by special programs such as Convocation, Thanksgiving, and Senior Day. These celebrations are woven into the fabric of the CSG experience and balance long-cherished practices with new traditions that speak to our ongoing mission to best meet the needs of our students.
Once a Unicorn, Always a Unicorn:
51%
OF ALUMS HAVE EARNED
master’s or doctorate degrees
OUR ALUMNAE HAVE ATTENDED OVER
255
colleges and universities
CSG STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO A
3,000+ alumnae network
Alumnae:
She will be respected.
Generations of CSG alumnae are making a difference every day all around the world. Located in 24 countries and 49 states plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, they lead Fortune 500 companies, direct award-winning films, create life-changing nonprofits, lead as women in STEM, and so much more. Many of our alumnae remain connected to CSG, participating in Alumnae Weekend events, taking on leadership roles on our Alumnae Association Board, and serving as mentors to students in our Alumnae in the Classroom program. Our alumnae are our greatest ambassadors. They celebrate the school and ensure that CSG continues to inspire the next generation of women leaders in our city, region, nation, and world. Our alumnae serve as impressive reminders of the lifechanging power of a CSG education.
“There is nothing better than being a unicorn and every day is a great day to be a unicorn!” —Sammy ’25
“When you see these girls out in the world, they hold their heads high. They can answer a question with such certainty and confidence. It is remarkable.” —Leah Wagenbrenner P’17’19’23
“Like most everything in life, the growth and development of each girl is not a destination—it’s a journey. As teachers, we cherish the time we spend helping your daughter reach her distinctive potential.” —Betsy Gugle,
Lower School Division Director
“Being a unicorn means the world to me. CSG gave me the ability to seek truth and the know-how to effect change.” —Krissy Fenner ’97
“Teachers bring you into the conversation. We can have fun, but also learn at the same time.” —Khyan ’29
“I want our students to have the confidence to lead themselves and others. I want them to know, deep down in their bones, who they are and never, ever apologize for it.” —Dr. Emily Krichbaum,
Director of the Center for Girls’ & Young Women’s Leadership
Only at CSG can you experience a place where being a girl is a position of honor. This is the space where you will be challenged academically through a rigorous curriculum that will help you build foundational skills you will use throughout your life. This is the space where you will find a sisterhood of girls and young women who will become lifelong friends. This is the space where you will learn to trust your inner voice and recognize the strength you hold within your heart. You will leave CSG confident in yourself and your abilities, with the courage to take risks, the resilience to overcome obstacles, and the drive to effect positive change in your world.
You will know your power.
It’s not just a statement, it’s our promise.
Are you ready to start your journey?
She will know her power. Office of Admission 65 S. Drexel Avenue Columbus, OH 43209 614.252.0781 admissions@columbusschoolforgirls.org
Learn more and apply!