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.

2023-24 Tuition

Toddler Program

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

$6,690

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

$11,460

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

$13,940

Preschool

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

$11,130

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

$15,150

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

$16,640

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

$18,420

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

$20,700

Prekindergarten

$22,960

Elementary

Kindergarten - Third Grade

$26,890

Fourth Grade

$27,730

Fifth Grade

$27,830

Middle Years

Sixth - Eighth Grade

$29,860

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 our Affordability Brochure. Families with children entering Kindergarten-8th Grade may apply for financial assistance by clicking here. The due date for current family applications is December 15th, 2023.

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 8, 2023: Open House 5:00-6:30 p.m. (Please RSVP by emailing admissions@tcslj.org)
January 18, 2024: Open House 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. (Please RSVP by emailing admissions@tcslj.org)
February 1st, 2024: Priority Application and Financial Assistance Deadline for New Families
March 8, 2024: Acceptances and Financial Assistance Decisions Communicated to New Families
March 21, 2024: 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.