The Cleveland Council of Independent Schools currently has thirteen member schools in the Greater Cleveland metropolitan area. On the list below are schools which offer a variety of programs including college prep, Montessori, and special needs. The CCIS website is informative and useful. It also has an employment section worth bookmarking if you are looking for a teaching or administrative position in one of their member schools.
Andrews Osborne Academy, Willoughby, OH
Founded in 1910
Number of students: 336
Grades PK-12, day. Grades 7-12, boarding. Coeducational
Religious Affiliation: Nonsectarian
Andrews Osborne Academy is situated on a 330 acre campus about 20 miles east of Cleveland just outside the charming suburban city of Willoughby. The school offers a 6:1 student-teacher ratio. The course catalog lists 104 academic courses and 11 AP courses. For complete details regarding curriculum, sports, extracurricular activities, costs, and other information, see the Andrews Osborne Academy profile.
Birchwood School, Cleveland, OH
Founded in 1984
Number of students: 202
Grades PK-8, day. Coeducational
Religious Affiliation: Nonsectarian
Birchwood School is located in Cleveland convenient to I-90, I-480 and I-71. The school offers gifted education as well as a comprehensive series of signature programs such as Speech Fest and Woodmath. For complete details regarding curriculum, sports, extracurricular activities, costs, and other information, see the Birchwood School profile.
Gilmour Academy, Gates Mills, OH
Founded in 1946
Number of students: 653
Grades PK-12, day. Coeducational
Religious Affiliation: Roman Catholic
Gilmour Academy is situated on 133 acres about 23 miles east of downtown Cleveland in the village of Gates Mills. The school offers a Montessori program for infants age 18 months through Kindergarten. The Lower and Middle Schools lay the foundations for the college prep curriculum used in the High School. For complete details regarding curriculum, sports, extracurricular activities, costs, and other information, see the Gilmour Academy profile.
Grand River Academy, Austinburg, OH
Founded in 1831.
Number of students: 114
Grades 8-12, day. Boys.
Religious Affiliation: Nonsectarian
Grand River Academy is located approximately 50 miles east of Cleveland on a 300 acre campus in the rural community of Austinburgh. The average class size is 8 students. The school offers learning support for students with learning challenges such as ADHD and mild to moderate learning disabilities. For complete details regarding curriculum, sports, extracurricular activities, costs, and other information, see the Grand River Academy profile.
Hathaway Brown School, Shaker Heights, OH
Founded in 1876.
Number of students: 857
Grades NS-12, day. Girls.
Religious Affiliation: Nonsectarian
Hathaway Brown School is located just minutes from downtown Cleveland on a 16 acre campus in the suburb of Shaker Heights. The Lower and Middle School divisions lay the foundation for the comprehensive college preparatory program in place in the Upper School. Hathaway Brown offers an extensive arts program as well. For complete details regarding curriculum, sports, extracurricular activities, costs, and other information, see the Hathaway Brown School profile.
Hawken School, Cleveland, OH
Founded in 1915.
Number of students: 959
Grades PK-12, day. Coeducational.
Religious Affiliation: Nonsectarian
Hawken School has two campuses located about 25 miles east of Cleveland in the village of Gates Mills. The Lower School occupies a 45 acre campus in Lyndhurts, while the Upper School is located in Gates Mills on 325 acres. Students benefit from the University Circle Extension Center's experiential and service learning programs. For complete details regarding curriculum, sports, extracurricular activities, costs, and other information, see the Hawken School profile.
Laurel School, Shaker Heights, OH
Founded in 1896
Number of students: 650
Pre-Primary: Coed. Grades K-12: Girls. Day.
Religious Affiliation: Nonsectarian
Laurel School has two campuses. The Lyman Campus located about 10 miles east of downtown Cleveland in suburban Shaker Heights and houses the Pre-Primary, Primary, Middle and Upper Schools. Just seven miles away is the 140 acre Butler Campus which features facilities for outdoor and experiential learning in addition to a fitness and welness center. For complete details regarding curriculum, sports, extracurricular activities, costs, and other information, see the Laurel School profile.
Lawrence School, Macedonia, OH
Founded in 2007
Number of students: 225
Grades PK-12, day. Coeducational.
Religious Affiliation: Nonsectarian
Lawrence School has two campuses. The Lower School is located on 6.5 acres in Broadview Heights. The Upper School is situated on 47 acres in Sagamore Hills. Both campuses are within easy reach of the Cleveland-Akron metropolitan areas. The school's program serves bright students with language-based learning differences and attention deficits. For complete details regarding curriculum, sports, extracurricular activities, costs, and other information, see the Lawrence School profile.
The Lillian and Betty Ratner School, Cleveland, OH
Founded in 1963
Number of students: 189
Grades NS-8, day. Coeducational.
Religious Affiliation: Jewish
The Lillian and Betty Ratner School campus is located about 11 miles east of downtown Cleveland. The school uses the Montessori approach in its Pre-Primary grades. The Primary and Middle School programs are Montessori-influenced. For complete details regarding curriculum curriculum, sports, extracurricular activities, costs, and other information, see The Lillian and Betty Ratner School profile.
Montessori High School at University Circle, Cleveland, OH
Founded in 2008
Number of students: 89
Grades 9-12, day. Coeducational.
Religious Affiliation: Nonsectarian
Montessori High School's campus is located about 6 miles east of downtown Cleveland. The school offers academic preparation for the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Students engage in a two year internship program involving work experience both off campus in professional settings as well as on campus. For complete details regarding curriculum, sports, extracurricular activities, costs, and other information, see Montessori High School profile.
Ruffing Montessori School, Rocky River, OH
Founded in 1959
Number of students: 309
Grades PK-8, day. Coeducational.
Religious Affiliation: Nonsectarian
Ruffing Montessori School is located about 7 miles east of downtown Cleveland in the small city of Rocky River. The school is the second oldest Montessori school in the nation. The school adheres to Maria Montessori's educational philosophy and methods. For complete details regarding curriculum, sports, extracurricular activities, costs, and other information, see Ruffing Montessori School profile.
University School, Shaker Heights and Hunting Valley, OH
Founded in 1925
Number of students: 880
Grades K-12, day. Boys
Religious Affiliation: Nonsectarian
University School is housed on two campuses. The Lower School is situated on the 32 acre Shaker Campus in Shaker Heights. The Upper School is located on the 221 acre Hunting Valley Campus about 6 miles from the Shaker Campus. The high school curriculum is comprehensive and academically demanding with a full complement of AP courses in the core subjects. For complete details regarding curriculum, sports, extracurricular activities, costs, and other information, see University School profile.
Western Reserve Academy, Hudson, OH
Founded in 1826
Number of students: 396
Grades 9-12, boarding & day. Coed.
Religious Affiliation: Nonsectarian
Western Reserve Academy is located on a 190 acre campus about 30 miles southeast of downtown Cleveland in the small city of Hudson. In addition to a comprehensive college preparatory academic program, the school offers study abroad and exchange opportunities in its Signature Programs component. For complete details regarding curriculum, sports, extracurricular activities, costs, and other information, see Western Reserve Academy profile.
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