City Garden School Photo - We spend each Friday and two 3-week nature intensives outside. Students learn about science, physics, natural history, and more through outdoor play.

Top 5 Best Columbia Private Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 21 private schools serving 9,883 students in Columbia, MO (there are 39 public schools, serving 18,789 public students). 34% of all K-12 students in Columbia, MO are educated in private schools (compared to the MO state average of 12%).
The top ranked private schools in Columbia, MO include Columbia Independent School, Christian Chapel Academy, and Christian Fellowship School.
The average acceptance rate is 96%, which is higher than the Missouri private school average acceptance rate of 89%.
38% of private schools in Columbia, MO are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Top Ranked Columbia Private Schools (2025)

School
Location
Grades
Students
Christian Chapel Academy
Christian Chapel Academy Photo - We LOVE our teachers!
(Disciples of Christ)
(1)
3300 S Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 874-2325
Grades: NS-8
| 334 students
Christian Fellowship School
Christian Fellowship School Photo - One of our favorite traditions is the elementary Christmas program.
(Christian)
(7)
4600 Christian Fellowship Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 445-8565
Grades: PK-12
| 478 students
City Garden School
City Garden School Photo - We spend each Friday and two 3-week nature intensives outside. Students learn about science, physics, natural history, and more through outdoor play.
Special Program Emphasis
(24)
606 Ridgeway Ave.
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 356-1141
Grades: K-8
| 91 students
Columbia Independent School
Columbia Independent School Photo - Columbia Independent School is a JK-12th grade college preparatory school with enrollment of almost 400 students. We look forward to having your child become a CIS Lion!
(3)
1801 N Stadium Blvd
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 777-9250
Grades: PK-12
| 400 students
136 Clark Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 884-9173
Grades: 6-12
| 6,961 students
817 Bernadette Dr
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 445-6516
Grades: K-8
| 640 students
Apple School
Daycare / Preschool
5155 S Providence Road
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 449-7525
Grades: NS-PK
| 80 students
1200 E Broadway
Columbia, MO 65215
(573) 876-7260
Grades: PK-5
| 102 students
Childrens House Montessori Of Columbia
Montessori School
915 Tiger Ave
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 443-2825
Grades: NS-K
| 83 students
College Park Christian Academy
College Park Christian Academy Photo
(Seventh Day Adventist)
1114 College Park Dr
Columbia, MO 65203
(209) 499-4147
Grades: K-8
| 63 students
Columbia KinderCare
Columbia KinderCare Photo
Daycare / Preschool
2416 West Ash St.
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 445-9488
Grades: NS-PK
| n/a students
Columbia Montessori School
Montessori School
3 Anderson Ave
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 449-5418
Grades: PK-K
| 71 students
Fr Tolton Catholic High School
(Catholic)
3351 E Gans Rd
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 445-7700
Grades: 9-12
| 252 students
Heritage Academy
Heritage Academy Photo - 2016-2017
Alternative School
2900 Barberry Ave
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 449-2252
Grades: K-12
| 89 students
High Road School Of Boone County
Special Education School
409 Vandiver Dr Bldg 7
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 442-2418
Grades: K-12
| 39 students
Islamic School Of Columbia-missouri
(Islamic)
(1)
408 Locust St
Columbia, MO 65205
(573) 442-1556
Grades: PK-5
| 63 students
La Petite Ecole
Special Program Emphasis
1111 S Fairview Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 999-9237
Grades: PK-5
| 57 students
Mizzou Academy
303 Townsend Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(855) 256-4975
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
The Playground
Daycare / Preschool
2401 Thornberry Dr
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-0343
Grades: K-1
| 20 students
Shalom Christian Academy
(Christian)
312 Ridgeway Ave
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 256-4824
Grades: PK-12
| 20 students
Windsor Street Montessori School
Montessori School
1616 Windsor St
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 441-9767
Grades: PK-6
| 40 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in Columbia, MO?
The top ranked private schools in Columbia, MO include Columbia Independent School, Christian Chapel Academy, and Christian Fellowship School.
How many private schools are located in Columbia?
21 private schools are located in Columbia.
How diverse are private schools in Columbia?
Columbia private schools are approximately 17% minority students, which is lower than the Missouri private school average of 20%.
What percentage of students in Columbia go to private school?
34% of all K-12 students in Columbia are educated in private schools (compared to the MO state average of 12%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Columbia?
38% of private schools in Columbia are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).
Which private schools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?

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