Instructional hours are 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM Monday through Friday. AM preschool is 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM with options for before and after school care, as well.
Tuition for full day (Monday through Friday 8:30 am - 3:30 pm) preschool and Kindergarten-8th grade is $8,100 for a ten month school year. Preschool tuition is dependent upon program options parents choose:
| Monday through Friday | Monday-Wednesday-Friday | Tuesday and Thursday |
| AM - $4,374 | AM - $2,781 | AM - $2,050 |
| Full Day - $8,100 | Full Day - $5,175 | Full Day - $3,020 |
The Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception will drive our Catholic culture and serve as a model for religious education at Ave Maria Academy. Alongside faithful lay teachers, the religious sisters’ charism will bring a sense of deep compassion, practical help, and spiritual grounding to Ave Maria Academy fostering an environment where each child feels valued, empowered and connected to God’s love, encouraging service, dignity and growth through Gospel values.
As a child's most important teacher, parents will be required to donate volunteer time to the school (details being planned). All parent volunteers must be BCI background checked and have taken the "Protect God's Children" child protection course required by the Diocese.
Kindergarten through 8th grade classes will have class sizes of 25 students. The adult to child ratio is 1:12 in all Kindergarten - grade 8 classes with one licensed teacher and one licensed educational aide assigned to each classroom. Preschool classes and Multi-age preschool classes with 3 year old students will have a 1:12 adult to child ratio and preschool classes with 4 -5 year olds will have a 1:14 adult to child ratio. Each preschool class will be staffed with one teacher and one educational aide.
Families will be required to pack their child’s lunch at home. Students in full day classes will be given nutritious snacks which will be provided by Ave Maria Academy.
Students entering preschool must be aged 3 or 4 prior to September 30 and be potty trained. Preschool programming options include full-time and morning:
Monday through Friday - 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM or 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Monday and Wednesday and Friday - 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM or 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Tuesday and Thursday - 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM or 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
See FAQ #2 for pricing.
Through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-inspired, experiential approach to the religious
formation, the children will explore elements of Practical Life, Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, The Sacraments, The Incarnation, The Paschal Mystery, And much more!
We believe that a deep bond already exists between God and the young child. Our classroom, called “The Atrium”, is the prepared environment which invites children to enter into this interpersonal relationship through hands-on materials. CGS fosters contemplation and enjoyment of the spiritual life from an early age.
Through play and exploration, students at Ave Maria Academy will be exposed to a curriculum aligned to the Ohio Department of Children and Youth standards for early learning using the framework of the Creative Curriculum Guidelines also used by the Diocese of Columbus.
Ohio's Early Learning Standards
These guidelines meet the needs of the young children, the educational objectives of Early Childhood Education and are consistent with the philosophy of Catholic Education. Our program is designed to guide the spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional development of the child. Our teachers are required to prepare weekly lesson plans, which follow the guidelines and incorporate the concepts therein, through appropriate techniques and experiences.
All Ave Maria Academy staff will all be trained in first aid, Heimlich Maneuver, seizure response, prescription medication distribution, emergency action planning and handling bloodborne pathogens. A nurse supervisor from the Office of Catholic Schools will work with Ave Maria Academy in the capacity of a consultant, especially for students who may have more complex medical needs. A nurse will be on call should we need them, however there will not be a school nurse on site full-time.
Ave Maria Academy is committed to the full inclusion of students with special needs. We recognize their inherent dignity as made in God's image and will ensure equal participation and to build inclusive communities where each child thrives. This will be accomplished through utilization of the Jon Peterson and Autism Scholarships ensuring robust partnerships with the public school district, families, the diocese and other local providers.
Yes. Ave Maria Academy will support special needs students through compliance with the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act) which requires public district-provided services via a Services Plan (not IEP), offering equitable services funded through proportionate share, and utilizing scholarships like Jon Peterson. Ave Maria Academy is committed to fostering the spiritual and academic growth of each child and will implement the IEP by partnering with the public district who develops and manages the overall special education framework for the child to ensure FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education) for eligible students.
Yes! Sports and other activities offered through the Columbus Catholic Youth Organization as early as kindergarten.
At Ave Maria Academy, daily prayer and weekly Mass are at the heart of our school day and flow naturally from our identity as a Catholic school in the Diocese of Columbus. Students will be invited into a rhythm of prayer that is reverent, joyful, and age appropriate. Each day will begin and end by turning our hearts to God through traditional Catholic prayers, Scripture, and moments of quiet reflection, helping students grow in gratitude, trust, and awareness of God’s presence in their lives. As a school community, we will gather weekly for the celebration of the Holy Mass, where students learn to participate prayerfully and respectfully in the Church’s liturgy, deepen their understanding of the Eucharist, and grow in love for Christ. Through prayer that reflects the liturgical year and the life of the Church, Ave Maria Academy will form students who know how to pray, why we pray, and how prayer shapes a life of faith, virtue, and joyful discipleship.
While we haven’t yet created the daily/weekly school schedule, weekly opportunities for family Mass in the morning is a priority.
Yes, as a chartered non-public school, the public school of the child’s residence is legally obligated to provide transportation for students in Kindergarten through grade 8 from home to Ave Maria Academy IF the child lives in excess of two miles from the school AND if the bus ride is less than 30 minutes from the school. In some scenarios, the district may offer compensation for transportation where transportation could be deemed impractical. Parents must request yellow bus transportation through their public school district.
Yes. Before and after school care will be offered at an additional cost. While in the planning phase, it is believed before school care will begin at 7:30 AM and after care will end at 5:30 PM.
We recognize parents as a child's primary teacher and understand the desire to feel welcomed and connected to life at Ave Maria Academy. In order to provide a safe and secure learning environment for all staff and students, we follow school safety protocols recommended by The Columbus Diocese, US Department of Homeland Security and the Ohio School Safety Center that guide how and when adults may enter the building during the school day. All parents will be required to participate in the Virtus "Protecting God's Children" class and volunteers will need to have a BCI background check. Parents and visitors are always welcome for scheduled events, meetings, and volunteer opportunities, and all visits are coordinated in advance through the school office. When entering the building, visitors are asked to check in at the main office, present identification, and wear a visitor badge while on campus. These procedures help us ensure that every child is protected while also fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and hospitality. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together to keep our students safe while maintaining a warm and welcoming school community.