Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School

What Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School does

Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School (CGPS) is a private, non-sectarian, co-educational independent school serving approximately 1,300 students from Pre-K through Grade 12 at a single campus on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Founded in 1764 as a preparatory school for King's College (now Columbia University), CGPS is the oldest non-sectarian independent school in the United States and operates as a New York State non-profit (non-profit status achieved in 1941). The academic program is structured across three divisions — Grammar School (Pre-K to Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), and Prep School (Grades 9-12) — and emphasizes a balanced college-preparatory curriculum with over 25 AP offerings, signature programs including Advanced Science Research (ASR), a nationally recognized chess program, the Sophomore Seminar in the Humanities, and the Advanced Senior Seminar in History. Athletics, performing arts, world languages (French, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin, Spanish), and nearly 100 student-led clubs supplement the academic core, with college counseling beginning in ninth grade.

The school's underlying technology stack is built on standard independent-school vendor platforms rather than proprietary systems: Finalsite powers the public website, Veracross handles admissions applications and the student/family portal, Clarity processes financial assistance applications, and standardized admissions testing is administered via ERB (ISEE) and SSATB (SSAT). Classroom tools include SeeSaw for early-grade portfolios, Quizlet for vocabulary review, and Lichess for chess practice. The technology footprint is operational and administrative; there is no disclosed AI, proprietary platform, or developer-facing API.

CGPS generates revenue primarily through recurring annual tuition, priced at $66,340 (Pre-K), $68,910 (K-8), $69,560 (Grades 9-11), and $69,960 (Grade 12) for the 2026-2027 academic year on a fully bundled basis that includes books, lunch, athletics, and trips. Approximately 17% of families receive need-based financial assistance, and supplementary revenue is generated through annual giving (CGPF), a summer camp program, athletics store sales, and institutional advancement. The go-to-market is a traditional private-school admissions process — inquiry, application, standardized testing, interview, and ISAAGNY-aligned notification — supported by open houses, campus tours, digital marketing, and a network of access partnerships (Prep for Prep, Oliver Scholars, Breakthrough NY, A Better Chance, REACH Prep, TEAK Fellowship) that broaden the applicant pipeline.

Name

Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School

Legal name

Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School

Website

https://cgps.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1764

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School is a 260-year-old non-sectarian independent school on Manhattan's Upper West Side, serving approximately 1,300 students from Pre-K through Grade 12 through tuition-based college preparatory education with signature programs in STEM research, humanities, and chess.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)

Keywords

• Private K-12 education
• College preparatory school
• Independent school education
• Preschool through grade 12
• Private secondary education

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: Annual tuition-based revenue from Pre-K through Grade 12 students. Tuition ranges from $66,340 (Pre-K) to $69,960 (Grade 12). Financial assistance provided to 17% of families. No additional fees beyond tuition - covers books, lunch, class trips, athletics, and all required activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School (CGPS) is the oldest nonsectarian independent school in the United States, providing private college-preparatory education from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 across three divisions: Grammar School (Pre-K-5), Middle School (6-8), and Prep School (9-12). The school delivers a balanced academic program covering English, mathematics, science, history, and world languages, complemented by signature programs such as Advanced Science Research, Chess, Sophomore Seminar in the Humanities, and Advanced Senior Seminar in History, along with athletics, performing arts, and four-year college counseling.

Product overview

Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School is a Pre-K through 12th grade private school offering a comprehensive college-preparatory educational program structured across three divisions: Grammar School (Pre-K to Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), and Prep School (Grades 9-12). The school provides core academic programs in English, Mathematics, Science, History, and World Languages, complemented by signature programs including the nationally acclaimed Chess Program, Advanced Science Research (ASR) program, Advanced Senior Seminar in History, and Sophomore Seminar in the Humanities. The Prep School offers hundreds of electives, over 25 AP courses, and supports nearly 100 student-led clubs alongside a robust performing arts and athletics program. The school also provides College Counseling services beginning in ninth grade and a Learning Resource Center for individualized student support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grammar School (Pre-K to Grade 5) Early childhood and elementary education program for students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5, located in brownstones on West 94th Street. The program emphasizes balanced, student-centered learning with a minimum student-teacher ratio and small group instruction in literacy and mathematics.
• Middle School (Grades 6-8) Middle school program for grades 6-8 that cultivates inquiry, resilience, and independence. Features a STEAM-focused Innovation Lab, rotation through five world languages (French, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin, Spanish) in 6th grade, and interdisciplinary learning across subjects.
• Prep School (Grades 9-12) College preparatory high school program for grades 9-12 offering hundreds of elective courses starting in ninth grade. Features include over 25 Advanced Placement offerings, college-level Advanced Science Research program, signature Advanced Senior Seminar in History, and nearly 100 student-led clubs.
• Advanced Science Research (ASR) Three-year science research program in the Prep School where students conduct original research. Culminates in an annual symposium and students have presented projects at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.
• Sophomore Seminar in the Humanities (SSH) Research program for Prep School sophomores featuring semester-long research projects culminating in an annual showcase presentation.
• College Counseling Comprehensive four-year college counseling program starting in ninth grade, guiding students and families through the college admissions process with a dedicated College Office.
• World Languages Program Language education program offering Chinese, French, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish. Sixth graders rotate through all five languages before selecting one for focused study.
• Chess Program Nationally acclaimed chess program integrated from Kindergarten through Grammar School, developing strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Athletics Program Athletic program with over 60% student participation rate, featuring more than 40 teams across various sports with multiple consecutive league championships.
• Learning Resource Center Individualized academic support program providing highly individualized instruction, explicit teaching, and remediation for students with learning differences.

Named customers7 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ISAAGNY (Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York)coreOthersMember of ISAAGNY, aligning admissions notification dates and processes with other independent schools in the Greater New York area.
• NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools)coreOthersMember of NAIS, the leading national organization for independent private schools.
• NYSAIS (New York State Association of Independent Schools)coreOthersMember of NYSAIS, underwent NYSAIS accreditation process under Head of School Rey Fernández.
• Parents LeagueminorOthersMember of the Parents League of New York.
• Early Steps ProgramminorOthersMember of Early Steps Program for early childhood admissions.
• AISAPminorOthersMember of the Association of Independent School Admissions Professionals.
• RIISEminorOthersPartner of RIISE (Recruiting for Independent Schools Equity).
• The Equity ProjectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization supporting educational equity and access.
• Boys and Girls Club of AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational partnership supporting youth development and educational access.
• A Better ChanceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational organization providing access to independent school education for students of color.
• Prep for PrepminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFellowship program creating pathways to independent school education.
• Oliver Scholars ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram identifying and developing exceptional students for elite independent schools.
• Breakthrough NYminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram supporting high-potential students from underserved communities.
• REACH PrepminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAcademic enrichment program for motivated students from underserved communities.
• TEAK FellowshipminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFellowship program supporting academically talented students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Spence School: Elite NYC independent girls' K–12 school on the Upper East Side with comparable tuition scale, nonsectarian heritage, and strong college placement. Directly competes for Manhattan families seeking premium private K–12 education.
• Friends Seminary: Independent K–12 Quaker-affiliated school in lower Manhattan with comparable tuition band, college-preparatory curriculum, and downtown NYC family market. Overlapping applicant pool at the Manhattan family segment.
• The Brearley School: Elite NYC independent girls' K–12 school on the Upper East Side; comparable in tuition scale, college placement outcomes, nonsectarian independent heritage, and signature academic programs. Competes for the same Upper Manhattan family cohort.
• The Dalton School: Premier NYC independent K–12 school on the Upper East Side, comparable in scale, tuition, college placement outcomes, and signature program philosophy (e.g., House system, advanced research). Competes directly for the same Manhattan family demographic.
• Collegiate School: Elite NYC independent boys' K–12 school on the Upper West Side with comparable nonsectarian heritage, advanced academic programs, and college outcomes. Competes for same NYC family segment and offers similar signature programming.
• Trinity School: Elite NYC independent Pre-K–12 school on the Upper West Side, widely regarded as the benchmark peer for CGPS in college-preparatory academics, selectivity, and tuition scale. Directly competes for the same Upper West Side family pool.
• Fieldston School: Elite NYC independent K–12 day school in Riverdale, sharing comparable tuition scale, college-prep curriculum, and selective admissions profile. Competes in the same NYC independent school market for top-tier college-bound families.
• Horace Mann School: Riverdale-based elite NYC independent K–12 day school with comparable scale, nonsectarian independent status, signature academic programs (e.g., advanced science research), and tuition band. Overlapping applicant pool among NYC families.
• Chapin School: Elite NYC independent girls' K–12 school on the Upper East Side with comparable tuition scale, college placement outcomes, and nonsectarian independent heritage. Competes for the same Manhattan family demographic.
• Buckley School: Elite NYC independent boys' K–9 school on the Upper East Side, comparable in tuition scale and nonsectarian independent heritage, feeding into peer schools for grades 9–12 — particularly relevant to CGPS's Middle School competition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cgpsnyc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/cgpsnyc
• Instagraminstagram.com/cgpsnyc
• Xx.com/cgps

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School