Basic Facts

7825 Big Bend Blvd / Webster Groves, MO 63119
Phone 314.962.9355 / Fax 314.962.5078
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Our Graduates
On this page you can read some basic facts about The College School. However, facts alone cannot tell of the majesty, excellence, and beauty of The College School.  In addition to the facts here, we invite you to listen to an 8th grader's reflections upon her time at The College School.  Every graduate delivers such a speech at graduation.

Philosophy
The College School engages children in learning through a challenging, thematically-integrated, experiential curriculum. The school encourages risk-taking, builds confidence, nurtures creativity, fosters collaboration, celebrates diversity, develops leadership, and inspires life-long learning.

History
The College School was founded in 1963 as the Webster College Laboratory School. The school became independent in 1978 and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS). The school is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

Enrollment
260 Students, preschool through eighth grade, come to us from 40 St. Louis area zip codes. 25% students of color.

Student / Faculty Ratio
- Early Childhood 10:1
- Primary and Middle School Classes 13:1
- Upper Grade Adventure Trips 6:1

Average class size is 24. 29 full-time teachers with an average of 10 years teaching experience. 62% hold advanced degrees.

2012-2013 Tuition
- Kindergarten-Eighth Grade: $14,800
- Full Day Preschool: $12,400 (Available in both 3/4 and 4/5 preschool classrooms)
- Three Full Days Preschool: $7900 (Available in 3/4 classroom on Tues, Wed, Thurs to any interested family. Only 5 three day slots available in the 4/5 classroom, with priority given to current families.)
- Three 1/2 Days Preschool: $6900 (Available in 3/4 classroom only on Tues, Wed, Thurs to any interested family.)
- Activity Fees Vary by grade level: $240 (Pre-K) to $1,400 (Grade 8)

Tuition for the next school year is set at our January Board Meeting.

Financial Aid & Scholarships
The College School is a welcoming, inclusive community. We strive to offer financial aid to families who need assistance. To be considered, families must complete a financial aid application online through FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment (www.factstuitionaid.com). Diversity scholarships are used to supplement need-based financial aid for families who qualify. We recommend that families apply for aid soon after they apply to the school for admission. We continue to process financial aid applications until all allocated funds are depleted on a first-come, first-served basis. We are committed to helping families provide their children with a College School education. 25% of current students receive financial aid.

2012-13 School Hours
8:15 AM - 3:15 PM

2012-2013 Dates
- Aug 21: School  Year Begins
- Nov 19-23: Fall Break
- Dec 20-Jan 3: Winter Break
- March 18-22: Spring Break
- May 23: Graduation
- May 24: Last day of school

Auxiliary Programs
- Before School Program: 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: No Charge
- After School Program (ASP) 3:15 to 6:00 PM: $6 per hour or a maximum of $185 per month. (Included in activity fees for grades 6-8 until 5:30 PM.)
- Vacation/No School Camp (Pre-K-Grade 5) Offered on vacation days when school is closed; $45 per child (8:00 AM - 5:30 PM). 12 student minimum to hold camp. Half-day option: $30 (8:00 AM - Noon)
- One-week Interim Camp: Bridges gap between end of school year and start of summer camp program.

Summer Camp
Nine-weeks of on-site camps and activities offered for children ages 4-11 in mostly 2-week blocks. For students in fourth grade and up, we offer a variety of four- to seven-day outdoor adventure camps. The Summer Camp brochure will be available on this site in late January.

High School Placement
Our graduates leave TCS prepared for their high school careers. In a recent alumni survey, 95% of respondents strongly agreed that The College School prepared them well for their futures.  In general, our graduates are able to attend the high school of their choice and of best fit. On average, one-third of our graduates attend Independent Secondary Schools (John Burroughs, Whitfield, MICDS, Thomas Jefferson, Crossroads College Prep.), one-third attend Parochial High Schools (SLUH, Nerinx, Cor Jesu, CBC, Villa, Visitation, Chaminade, Westminster) and another one-third enroll in public high schools (Clayton, Ladue, Webster, Kirkwood primarily). They also attend an impressive list of undergraduate and post-graduate university programs.

Admissions Time Line
Although our main admissions cycle takes place January-March, we continue to accept applications year-round for classes that have openings.

Year-round: Call school and schedule a tour

Early February: Official Main Cycle Application Deadline for following fall

January-Early March: Prospective students visit classrooms

Mid-March: Admission letters mailed to families

Early April: Contracts and deposits due for upcoming school year

March-August : School moves to rolling admissions. Applications accepted for classes with openings