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 virtual campus tour, and learn more about our distance learning program. For over forty 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.

2022-23 Tuition

Toddler Program

T/Th, Half Day
9:00AM-12:00PM

$6,490

MWF, Half Day
9:00AM-12:00PM

$11,120

M-F, Half Day
9:00AM-12:00PM

$13,530

Preschool

TTh, Full Day
9:00AM-3:00PM

$10,800

MWF, Half Day
9:00AM-12:00PM

$14,700

MWF, Full Day
9:00AM-3:00PM

$16,150

M-F, Half Day
9:00AM-12:00PM

$17,880

M-F, Full Day
9:00AM-3:00PM

$20,090

Prekindergarten

$22,290

Elementary

Kindergarten - Third Grade

$26,080

Fourth Grade

$26,920

Fifth Grade

$27,010

Middle Years

Sixth - Eighth Grade

$28,990

Kids' Club Extended Care

Before school
7:00 - 8:30AM

$10.00/hour

After school
3:15 - 6:00PM

$10.00/hour

Financial Assistance

The Children’s School is committed to serving a diverse student body and to offering financial assistance to qualified families. To learn more about our financial assistance programs, please download the 2023-24 Affordability Brochure. To apply for financial assistance for the 2023-24 Academic Year, complete a Parents' Financial Statement, a service of Community Brands in collaboration with the National Association of Independent schools.

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

November 3, 2022: Open House 5:00-6:30 p.m. (Please RSVP by emailing admissions@tcslj.org)
January 19, 2023: Open House (Please RSVP by emailing admissions@tcslj.org)
February 1st, 2023: Priority Application and Financial Assistance Deadline for Applicant Families
March 10, 2023: Acceptances and Financial Assistance Decisions Communicated to New Families
March 27, 2023: 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 26-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.