Invest in Your Child’s Future
Families who choose CIS do so because they want more for their children – a more challenging curriculum, more attention from teachers, and a more supportive environment.
How tuition is spent
Our students are prepared for college and life beyond, and a world of opportunity awaits them. Families see the cost of tuition as in investment in their child’s future.
Tuition includes the cost of lunch and most books. The tuition paid by families, supplemented by annual fundraising efforts, pays faculty and staff salaries, facilities and maintenance, technology, and other operational costs.
Standard Tuition
Junior Kindergarten 3
(Three year olds)
2025-26: $12,750
2026-27: $12,750
Lower School
(Grades JK – 5th)
2025-26: $15,750
2026-27: $16,200
Middle & Upper School
(Grades 6th – 12th)
2025-26: $17,650
2026-27: $18,175
Flexible Tuition Program
Our desire is that families who are committed to the philosophy and values of Columbia Independent School are able to attend.
To achieve this, families can choose to apply for tuition discounts through our Flexible Tuition program. Your tuition will be set based on your family’s income, expenses, family size, and other factors, and determined through a financial application process administered by FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment. Parents requesting Flexible Tuition consideration are asked to complete an annual, confidential application.
While you must apply via FACTS in order to receive a specific tuition rate, families are typically asked to pay 10-14% of their adjusted gross income (AGI), a number you can find on your tax return. All students will pay some tuition – the minimum amount is $3,500.
Please note that admission decisions are made before, and separately from, Flexible Tuition decisions.
Applications for the 2026-27 school year will open on February 2, 2026. The priority application deadline is April 3, 2026. Offers will be sent to families via email in mid-May.
CIS will continue to accept applications after this date, as long as funds remain in this program.
New Family Fee
In addition, all newly admitted families are asked to pay a one-time New Family Fee. This is a non-refundable $1,000 fee, which cannot be waived or covered by scholarships and is in addition to the tuition amount set for your family. The fee may be paid when the enrollment agreement is returned or spread over multiple payments.
The Pride Fund
All CIS families are encouraged to make a meaningful donation to the Pride Fund, an annual giving campaign that provides funds to support our personalized educational experience. From subsidizing performing arts and athletics, providing professional development to support our talented faculty, and enhancing technology and curriculum, the Pride Fund is a key component of our budget.
Learn more about the Pride Fund
