COLUMBIA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL 1801 N. Stadium Blvd., Columbia, Mo. 65202 Phone: (573) 777-9250 Fax: (573) 777-9251 CEEB Code: 26072 Head of School: Adam Dubé Director of Upper School: Jason Bricker Director of College Counseling: Elizabeth Buko
2017-2018 School Profile
Columbia Independent School (CIS), an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory day school of 341 students from junior kindergarten through grade 12, is in mid-Missouri near the University of Missouri, Stephens College and Columbia College. Founded in 1998, CIS fosters superior academic, artistic, athletic and social growth for each student.
Students: 343 total, with 214 in the Lower School (JK-grade 5), 94 in the Middle School (grades 6-8) and 35 in the Upper School (grades 9-12). Students come from various socio-economic, religious, ethnic, and racial backgrounds within and around Columbia, as well as from China, South Korea and Italy. Students of color comprise 26% of the CIS population.
Faculty: 46 (37 full-time; 9 part-time); 77% with advanced degrees, including one with a PhD; 7:1 students to faculty ratio. Average upper school class size: 10.
Accreditation: Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS).
Facilities: CIS’s academic building includes all three divisions, providing interaction among the entire student body and faculty.
Professional memberships: National Association of Independent Schools, Independent Schools Association of Central States, National Association for College Admission Counseling, The College Board, Educational Records Bureau, and National Honor Society.
Grading System: A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, F = 0-69.
Class rankings and grade-point averages: In accordance with its mission and policies, CIS neither ranks students nor weights grades. Individual cumulative GPAs reflect coursework completed at CIS from grade 9 through 12. All academic courses are honors level or Advanced Placement.
Advanced Placement and student performance: AP courses, depending upon enrollment and scheduling, include Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Human Geography, Latin (Vergil), Physics, Psychology, Spanish Language, French Language, Statistics, and U.S. History. All students in grades 9-12 may enroll in AP courses and take the AP exam associated with the course.
From 2013-2017, 86% of AP exams taken were scored 3 or higher.
Standardized testing: CIS students take the ACT Aspire in grades 8-10 and the PSAT in grades 10-11. Students take the SAT and ACT in grades 11-12.
SAT mean: Graduates from 2013 through 2017 averaged 665 in critical reading, 654 in math and 641 in writing.
ACT composite mean: Graduates from 2013 through 2017 averaged 30 overall.
National Merit: The National Merit Scholarship Program consistently recognizes CIS students, with 10 National Merit finalists, 13 National Merit semifinalists, and 5 Commended Scholars in its history. In 2016-17, one CIS student earned a National Merit Scholarship and another was recognized as a National Merit qualifier.
FEATURES OF THE CIS CURRICULUM
Global Perspectives: The Global Perspectives program at CIS is fully integrated into the curriculum and school culture. All CIS students, grades 1 through 12, are introduced to the beauty and complexity of international cultures. Classes in modern languages, global issues, the arts, and cultural exchanges raise awareness of the issues and opportunities facing countries around the world.
Off-campus study programs: CIS faculty offer special travel abroad opportunities for students, including trips to Germany, Italy, and Spain. Juniors also can apply to participate in the humanitarian service organization Be the Change, traveling with faculty to Papua New Guinea, Peru, Guatemala, India, and Malawi, Africa.
CI3: Columbia Independent School’s Center for Inspiration, Innovation, and Investigation (CI3) nurtures and grows students’ natural curiosity through hands-on projects focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (the STEM disciplines). CI3 encourages students to harness an inclination to learn and investigate while building important skills such as problem solving and collaboration.
Spring intrasession: Students in grades 9-12 supplement formal coursework with a week of intensive enrichment just before Spring Break. Courses are geared toward specific interests, such as food science, engineering, architecture, forensics, sustainability, entrepreneurship and personal finance.
Community service: All CIS students volunteer with myriad service organizations, including Columbia’s Rotary Interact, Central Missouri Food Bank, Central Missouri Humane Society, PET International, Rainbow House and the Voluntary Action Center.
Groups and clubs: Students apply their knowledge and skills in practical ways through CIS Ambassadors, Academic Team, Math Club, Programming Club, National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, Science Olympiad, Student Council, Writing Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Athletics: The CIS athletic program develops well-rounded scholar-athletes who exhibit a solid work ethic and outstanding sportsmanship in practice and competition. About 60% of the Upper School students participate in at least one of the sports offered in interscholastic athletics: soccer, cross-country, basketball, tennis, and track and field.
Performing arts: An integral part of the curriculum, the performing arts program offers rich opportunities in mixed and girls choir, jazz band, string quartet and orchestra, plays, and talent shows. UPPER SCHOOL ACADEMIC PROGRAM
The typical academic course sequence is outlined below. All courses are taught at an honors level; however, they are not titled as honors courses on the transcript. Total credits: 26.5.
Department Requirement Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior
English 4.0 credits World European AP English AP English Literature Literature Language Literature History 4.0 credits World AP Human AP AP U.S. History Geography Psychology History Science 4.0 credits Chemistry Biology Anatomy and Physics /AP Physiology AP Physics Chemistry AP Biology (elective) (elective)
Mathematics 4.0 credits The math sequence is determined by success in previous courses and/or an assessment. The required math sequence is: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus (with trigonometry). Elective math courses are AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC and AP Statistics. Students often enter the Upper School having completed at least one math credit in Middle School. World 4.0 credits French, Latin and Spanish are offered from level 1 through Languages Advanced Placement and Seminars. Students may also take Mandarin. The credits do not have to be in the same language, but students are encouraged to study at least one language in depth. Students often enter the Upper School having completed at least one language credit in Middle School. Fine Arts 1.0 credits Students can choose from numerous offerings in music, art and performing arts. Physical Ed. 0.5 credits Students must take at least two semesters of alternating- day Physical Education. Electives 5.0 credits Students earn elective credits through courses taken beyond department requirements as well as History of Western Art, Principles of Economics/Finance, Innovations in Programming & Design, to name a few. In addition, some students take online courses through approved programs; these are listed on the transcript. Seniors may also opt to complete a research study or internship in their Senior Seminar class.
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS: 2002 – 2017
These colleges and universities offered admission to CIS graduates, 2002-2017. Institutions listed in bold enrolled one graduate during this time; institutions in bold and followed by an asterisk enrolled two or more graduates during this time.
American University Northwestern University* University of Southern California* The Art Institute of Chicago Olin College of Engineering University of Texas at Austin Austin College* Ouachita Baptist University University of Tulsa Barnard College Pennsylvania State University University of Utah Baylor University* Pittsburg State University University of Washington—Seattle Belmont University Point Loma Nazarene University University of Wisconsin Boston University Princeton University Valparaiso University Bradley University Purdue University Wake Forest University Brown University Reed College Washington University* Carleton College Regis University Western Kentucky University Carthage College Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Westminster College Case Western Reserve University Rhodes College William Jewell College* Central Methodist University Rice University* Wofford College Clemson University Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Worcester Polytechnic Institute Colorado College Rutgers University Xavier University (New Orleans) Columbia University Saint John’s College Cornell College Saint Louis University* Dartmouth College St. Olaf College DePauw University Sewanee, University of the South Drury University Southern Methodist University* Duke University Southwest Baptist University Earlham College Southwestern University* Eckerd College Stevens Institute of Technology Elon University Syracuse University Emory University Texas A&M Flagler College Texas Christian University Florida Institute of Technology Truman State University* Fordham University Tulane University Furman University U.S. Air Force Academy Gardner-Webb University University of Alabama Georgia Tech University of Arizona George Washington University University of California-Berkeley Georgetown University University of California-Los Angeles Goldsmiths University (UK) University of Chicago Goucher College University of Colorado-Boulder Graceland University University of Denver Guilford College University of Evansville Grinnell College University of Georgia Hamline University University of Illinois Harding University University of Indiana Hofstra University University of Indianapolis Kettering University University of Kansas Knox College University of Massachusetts-Amherst Lawrence University University of Mary Washington Loyola University-Chicago University of Maryland Loyola University-New University of Michigan Orleans University of Minnesota Luther College University of Missouri* Marquette University University of Nebraska McGill University University of North Carolina Missouri Univ. of University of Notre Dame* Science/Technology* University of Oklahoma Montana State University University of Pennsylvania New York University University of Richmond Northeastern University University of Rochester Northwest Missouri State University of San Francisco