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

$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.

Prekindergarten

Children must have reached their fourth birthday by September 1 of the year in which they are applying to attend school.

Kindergarten

Children must have reached their fifth birthday by September 1 of the year in which they are applying to attend school.

First-Eighth Grade

Assessments are used to determine the best placement for new students. For transfer students, the school relies heavily on information regarding the child’s success in previous schools.