Private Schools in Columbia

Classical Christian: hybrid K4–12
Focus on chronological history cycles, grade-specific math/LA/science, plus Bible, art, music, PE and STEM.
The school blends home education with in-house learning.
Small classes, college-prep focus.
Tuition is around $250/month with fees.

Ben Lippen Schools: A Christ-centered school
Highly rated with academic, arts, specialized programs, and athletics
Ages: PreK -12th grade
Tuition and Financial Aid information is available
Tuition rates are between $10k and $18k depending on grade level

Ben Lippen has three campuses in the Columbia, SC area.

• Monticello Road Campus: Pre-K3 through 12th Grade
  7401 Monticello Road, Columbia
• Northeast Campus: Pre-K4 through 4th Grade
  3513 Hard Scrabble Road, Columbia
• St. Andrews Road Campus: Pre-K3 through 4th Grade
  500 St. Andrews Road, Columbia

Jubilee Academy: Private Montessori, Christian-based school
Ages infants through 5th grade (with leadership opportunities for ages 9-12)
Their curriculum is year-round and utilizes a
4 program approach: Academic Program, Extended Day Program, Summer Program, and Parent Program.

Christ-centered private school in Columbia, SC that offers admission from K-5 – 12th grade.

High school home school students can register for part-time classes.

Abner Montessori School is a Montessori curriculum with hands-on academics & Godly Play Biblical foundations for ages 3–12; primary & elementary programs

Timmerman School: SCISA Accredited private school in Columbia, SC offering academics, athletics, and fine arts.
Ages: grades K – 12.
Tuition: ~$5K – $7K annually (extended care rates available)

The high school program receives its education through Connections Academy with on-campus private teacher assistance.

Grace Christian School: Christ-centered, traditional education.
Academics, athletics, fine arts, and spiritual development programs.
Ages: PreK – 12th grade.
Grace Christian School also has an Early Learning Center for infants (6 weeks old) – 2 years old.
Tuition: ~ $5.5K-$7K for Kindergarten – 5th grade annually
~$8K – $8.5K for Middle/High School annually
Scholarships are available

St. John Neumann Catholic School: Catholic teachings blended with traditional education courses.
Grades: Preschool – 6th grade
Programs in advanced math and instructional technology are available
Tuition: Rates begin at $8.8K annually for Elementary and up
Financial aid available
The school also offers extended care, advanced math, community service opportunities, and special interest courses.

Saint Joseph Catholic School offers a traditional education with cutting-edge teaching techniques combined with Catholic teachings based on the Diocese of Charleston.
Grades: 4K- 6th grade
In addition, they offer enrichment courses such as art, music, physical education, guidance, technology, and Spanish

Edge Christian Academy offers K3 – 9th grade.  They offer a Christ-centered education, along with extracurricular activities. Edge Christian Academy is accredited by the South Carolina Independent School Association.

Heathwood Hall Episcopal School is a highly rated Episcopal private school
Rigorous academics, character development, and a supportive community are part of the curriculum
Ages: 2 – 12th grade.
Tuition: ~$18K-$24K for elementary – high school; ~$12.5K for ages 2-4
Financial Aid is available in addition to several scholarships

The campus is situated on 122 acres of wooded wetlands and has incorporated natural “outdoor” education into its curriculum.

Northside Christian Academy: Christ-centered education with academics, athletics, and arts.
Ages: K -12
Tuition: ~$7.9K – $10.4K annually (depending on grade level)

They also have an Early Education Center for children ages 6 weeks old through kindergarten at their West Campus. 742 Kitti Wake Drive, West Columbia

Heritage Christian Academy is a private school located in Lexington County.
It offers a Christian-based education for grades K4 – 8th grade.

Heritage Christian Academy is more than just academics – we are a family who comes together in a variety of ways: chapel, a fall festival, welcome back to school parties, field trips, Grandparents’ Day, just to name a few.

Classical, Christian education teaches students how to think critically, write and speak persuasively, and apply their trained minds to reclaiming knowledge for Christ. Dorothy Sayers, an Oxford professor, outlined the classical model of learning in her 1947 speech, “The Lost Tools of Learning” encouraging educators to pursue this time-tested method. The classical model occurs in three stages of learning known as the trivium, which is Latin for “three roads.” The Trivium is the foundation of Classical Education and comprises three phases of learning. Phase 1- the Grammar Stage teaches young children knowledge, Phase 2 – the Logic Stage teaches teens
understanding and Phase 3 – the Rhetoric Stage teaches young adults wisdom.

Heritage Christian Academy currently offers educational programs for students in Pre-K through Class 8 that encompasses the first 2 phases of the Trivium, the Grammar Stage, and the Logic Stage. Our curriculum is carefully chosen and regularly reviewed to ensure we stay true to the classical, Christian model of education. At Heritage, our advanced curriculum sets the academic bar high, but when students are provided with a learning environment that is structured, challenging, and supportive, they can thrive and achieve at high levels.

CFL is an Independent Early Childhood Program offering care for children 12 months to 4 years of age in their Child Development Program.

CFL also offers kindergarten through 5th grade in their academy program.
Curriculum: Standards-aligned CFL curriculum with STEAM plus Spanish & Mandarin.

Hope Christian Academy is a private, nonprofit school for children with diagnosed learning disabilities.
Grades: late elementary – 12th
The academy offers functional and occupational education for the students. The school is located on the campus of Grace Christian School in West Columbia.

Glenforest School is an independent, nonprofit day school for grades K – 12 located in West Columbia, SC. The school also offers several after-school extracurricular activities.
Financial aid and scholarships are available for prospective students.

Sandhills School:  Secular private school that offers small student-to-teacher ratios and a large campus
Specializes in students with diagnosed learning differences, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.
Grades: 1st – 12th 
The school is “one of nineteen model in the nation that are accredited by the Orton Gillingham Academy (OGA) for using the Orton Gillingham approach to teach students who learn differently.” Orton Gillingham schools

Sandills School Tuition and financial aid information is available, and students can apply for financial aid.

Kiddie Academy of Columbia is an early learning academy serving infant – school age (3rd grade) with a nationally recognized curriculum. We offer top quality education for early learners.

They also offer after-school care for school aged children from ages 5 – 12.

King Academy offers a traditional Christian education
Emphasizing reading, math, science, social studies, Bible, Spanish, art, PE, music and library
Small classes; college-prep
Ages: PreK–12
Tuition: ~ $6,324/year
Financial aid available

Hammond School: Secular private school
Considered one of the top-performing private schools in the Columbia area.
Ages: PreK – 12th grade.
They offer after-school programs, athletics, and arts programs.

• Tuition and financial aid information- Hammond School
• Academic information- Hammond School
• Athletics information- Hammond School
• Arts information- Hammond School

Covenant Classical Christian School is a private, Christ-centered, classical school for grades K – 12. The education curriculum focuses on grammar, logic, and rhetoric in addition to classical education standards.

Sonlight Heritage Academy: Christ-centered education through a whole-child approach
Ages: K – 12th grade
Tuition rates are available

Culter Jewish Day School: Traditional education and Jewish education for grades K-5th grade.
Full-day care, from 7:30 am to 5:45 pm.

Cutler Jewish Day is highly accredited, earning NAEYC accreditation, serving as the only PITC demonstration site, holding a top AA rating on South Carolina’s Quality Rating System, and accredited by SCISA.

Montessori Early Learning Center is a private school with an education curriculum based on Montessori-style learning.
The facility has 6 primary, multi-aged classrooms. The facility has observation mirrors installed in every classroom door for parent use at any time without an appointment.

Pre-Kindergarten (4K)

Heritage Christian Academy’s Kindergarten Prep program offers your child the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe, loving, Christ-centered environment. Our classical approach to education concentrates on the 3 essential elements of phonics, handwriting, and math with the integration of Biblical teachings. Students are given the opportunity to build skills through hands-on learning activities and real-life experiences. Our program is designed to develop students academically, socially, and emotionally to ensure they make a smooth transition into kindergarten.

Our school functions as a nurturing community in which students are respected as unique individuals created in the image of God. Biblical integration is an important part of instruction. We have amazing teachers who love God’s word and seek ways to integrate it in all aspects of the school day. You can rest in knowing your kindergarten student will be taught by skilled and knowledgeable teachers who love children and are dedicated to helping them realize their greatest potential.

Daily activities consist of the following:
• read-a-loud stories
• art and music experiences
• building relationships
• exploring God’s world

Harmony School: A secular private school offering
Blended curriculum inspired by Waldorf, Montessori, and Inquiry-based learning.
Ages pre-K – Elementary school
After-school care is available
Tuition rates: School Day runs 8:30 AM–2:30 pm (drop-off from 7:30 am), with Preschool (2.5 years–PreK) at $700/month and Elementary (K–5th) at $750/month

Their preschool is offered for ages 30 months to 5 years.

Soaring Eagles Christian Academy is a private Christian school in Columbia, SC
Rigorous curriculum in combination with Bible studies.
Ages: K-4 – 6th grade
Tuition: ~$6000 annually