Admissions & Tuition
The Children’s School welcomes families from all backgrounds and seeks a student body that reflects the diversity of San Diego. We encourage students with a variety of interests, learning styles, personalities, and talents to apply.
Our Admissions Office is here to help you. Reach out to us to speak with a member of our admissions team, take a campus tour, and learn more about our program. For over fifty years, families from around San Diego have become part of The Children’s School family. We look forward to learning about your family and sharing more about our progressive education traditions and modern approach.
2025-26 Tuition
Toddler Program
T/Th, Half Day
9:00AM-12:00PM
$9,000
MWF, Half Day
9:00AM-12:00PM
$13,500
M-F, Half Day
9:00AM-12:00PM
$17,000
Preschool
TTh, Full Day
9:00AM-3:00PM
$12,000
MWF, Half Day
9:00AM-12:00PM
$16,300
MWF, Full Day
9:00AM-3:00PM
$17,900
M-F, Half Day
9:00AM-12:00PM
$19,800
M-F, Full Day
9:00AM-3:00PM
$23,000
Prekindergarten
Prekindergarten
$24,800
Elementary
Kindergarten - Third Grade
$28,900
Fourth - Fifth Grade
$29,700
Middle Years
Sixth - Eighth Grade
$32,000
Kids' Club Extended Care
Before school
7:00 - 8:30AM
$15.00/hour
After school
3:15 - 6:00PM
$15.00/hour
Financial Assistance
The Children’s School is committed to serving a diverse student body and to offering tuition assistance to qualified families. To learn more about our tuition assistance programs, please download our Affordability Brochure. Families with children entering Prekindergarten-8th Grade may apply for tuition assistance by clicking here. We are still accepting applications.
Monthly Payment Plan
On the Children's School monthly payment plan, administered through FACTS Management Company, one-tenth of tuition is due each month from June through March of the next year. The Children's School administers the plan, and requires that monthly payment plan families enroll in Dewars Tuition Insurance as described in the enrollment contract. For more information, please contact our business manager at business@tcslj.org.
Important Dates
We are accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year through February 1, 2025.
December 20, 2024: Financial Assistance Deadline for current families for the 2025-26 school year
February 1, 2025: Priority Application deadline for all new students
March 7, 2025: Acceptances and Financial Assistance Decisions Communicated to New Families
March 21, 2025 at 11:59pm: Due Date for Enrollment Contracts and Financial Assistance Acceptances for New Families
The Children's School does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid or other school-administered programs or activities.
Age Requirements
Toddler Program
Children must be at least 25-months old by September 1 of the year in which they are applying to attend school. The toddler program meets from 9:00 - 12:00 p.m.Preschool
Children must have reached their third birthday by December 1 of the year in which they are applying to attend school. All children must be potty trained by the time they begin preschool.- The half-day preschool program meets from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- The full-day preschool program meets from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Preschool morning drop off begins at 8:30 a.m. for both programs.