Understanding Chattanooga Christian School Tuition: A Comprehensive Guide

Chattanooga Christian School (CCS) stands as a private, college-preparatory Christian school serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Located at 3354 Charger Dr in Chattanooga, TN, CCS is known for its academically challenging environment and distinctively Christian education. The school aims to nurture students' unique gifts, encouraging them to love God with both their hearts and minds, and to see themselves as vital contributors to God's story. With a total enrollment of 1,372 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11:1, CCS offers a personalized educational experience.

Academic Excellence and College Preparation

CCS prides itself on providing an education that prepares students not only for college but for life. The school's faculty is committed to equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to reach their full potential and to lead with purpose in college, career, and community. The average GPA at CCS is 3.5, and the school boasts a 100% graduation rate. Standardized test scores are impressive, with an average SAT score of 1260 and an average ACT score of 27.

One former student shared, "I attended school there from kindergarten through my senior year of high school, and it was the best thirteen years of my life. I feel like the level of education I received was incredible and I feel extremely prepared and ready for college this fall. CCS is a great school with plenty of academic challenge."

CCS is dually accredited by Cognia and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).

Tuition and Fees: An Overview

Understanding the costs associated with a private education is crucial for families considering Chattanooga Christian School. For the 2025-2026 school year, tuition rates vary depending on the grade level.

Here's a breakdown of the tuition rates:

High School (9-12): \$17,750 (First Child), \$17,250 (Additional Child)
Middle School (6-8): \$15,250 (First Child), \$14,750 (Additional Child)
Lower School (K-5): \$13,200 (First Child), \$12,700 (Additional Child)
PreK 5-Day (2-year-olds): \$15,800 (First Child), \$15,300 (Additional Child) - Includes extended care, summer camp when school ends, daily lunch, and two snacks per day.
PreK 5-Day (3-5-year-olds): \$12,200 (First Child), \$11,700 (Additional Child)
PreK 3-Day (3-5-year-olds): \$8,500 (First Child), \$8,000 (Additional Child)
PreK 2-Day (3-5-year-olds): \$6,100 (First Child), \$5,600 (Additional Child)

Additional Fees

In addition to tuition, families should be aware of other potential fees. A one-time, non-refundable application fee of \$100 is required. There is also an enrollment fee of \$185 per student, payable each year.

Other common fees include:

Lunch Program: Lower School (\$895 per student), Upper School (\$1,295 per student). This is an all-inclusive program with a flat yearly rate.
Class Trips: End-of-year trip fees are required for 5th, 8th, and 12th grades.
Uniforms: Prices vary.
Laptop (5th-12th): Prices vary.
Extended Care: CCS provides extended care on full school days from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM for PreSchool through 8th grade. A registration fee of \$20 is charged during the first month of usage. Extended Care rates for PreSchool include after-school care until 5:15 PM, with an additional \$10 charge for students staying after 5:15 PM. Charges are billed monthly, with rates of \$10 from 3:30-4:30 PM and \$20 from 4:30-6:00 PM for both Lower and Upper School. The maximum charge is \$20 per day if picked up by 6:00 PM.

Payment Plans

CCS offers flexible tuition payment plans, including annual, semi-annual (two payments), 10-month, or 12-month options.

Financial Aid and Tuition Assistance

Chattanooga Christian School recognizes that private education is a significant investment for families. The school is committed to making Christian education accessible by dedicating a substantial portion of its budget to financial aid. It is the policy of CCS to provide need-based financial aid to families who demonstrate a genuine need.

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Application Process

The financial aid application period for new families is October 1 through January 31. Current CCS families have a deadline of December 31. Families must apply each year and submit all required tax documents by the deadline to be considered in the first round of awards. CCS cannot guarantee financial aid for applications submitted after the deadline.

To apply for financial aid:

Submit an online application for admission to CCS.
Follow the Financial Aid Application Instructions.

Resources for Financial Aid

CCS provides several resources to guide families through the financial aid process:

2025-2026 Family Application Guide
Clarity Application quick reference guide
Video introduction to Clarity for families

Other Tuition Assistance Programs

Families may also explore other tuition assistance programs, such as:

The Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) program: A statewide school choice program available to all Tennessee families.
Tennessee ESA (Educational Savings Accounts) Program: Offered to families with students zoned for Hamilton County Schools.
Individualized Education Accounts (IEA) program: Offered to families with students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and are zoned for a public school district.

The Glenwood School Partnership

Chattanooga Christian School partners with The Glenwood School (TGS), a small, neighborhood K-5th elementary school located at New City Fellowship. TGS uses the same standards-based curriculum as CCS with integrated Bible instruction. The cost to attend TGS for the 2024-2025 school year was \$9,275 per student, and financial aid is available by application. Qualifying individuals may also receive tuition assistance through Tennessee Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs).

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Admissions Process

To begin the admissions process at CCS, families are encouraged to fill out an inquiry form. This allows the school to stay in touch about the application process and upcoming admissions events. Once the application is submitted, families gain access to the Parent Portal, where they can view a personalized admissions checklist.

Applications open on September 1 each year for the following school year. To be considered in the first round of decisions, applications must be submitted by January 31. Admissions decisions for applications completed by January 31 are sent on March 1.

For applications completed after the first-round deadline, decisions are released according to the following timeline:

Checklist Completed By March 15 → Decision Released April 1
Checklist Completed By April 15 → Decision Released May 1
Checklist Completed By June 1 → Decision Released June 15
Checklist Completed By July 1 → Decision Released July 15

Because many classes fill during the first round, later applications are considered as space allows.

Visiting CCS

CCS encourages families to visit the campus firsthand. Scheduling a visit involves:

Completing the Inquiry Form.
Scheduling a visit.

Admissions Events

CCS hosts several admissions events designed for prospective families, including:

Lower School Preview Day: For rising Preschool and Kindergarten parents.
Group Tours: Available for rising 1st-5th grade parents.
Middle School Student Preview Day: Rising Middle School students are invited to spend an afternoon on campus.
Middle School Parent Preview Day: For parents of rising Middle School students.
High School Parent & Student Preview Day: For rising 9th-12th grade students and their parents.
Kickball Under the Lights (Rising 6th-8th): A fun-filled evening for Middle School families.
Football Tailgate (Rising 9th-12th): High School families are invited to join for food, fellowship, and a chance to meet the Admissions Team.
Robotics Tournament (Rising 6th-12th): See robotics teams in action.
Middle School Musical (Rising 6th-12th): Enjoy a performance and get a taste of the energy and creativity in the theater department.
House of Clubs Showcase (Rising 6th-12th): Spend the morning exploring all the clubs CCS has to offer.

A Glimpse into Campus Life

CCS offers a vibrant, active community with numerous opportunities for individuals and families to grow. Students participate in weekly chapel services, fostering spiritual development. The school also offers a variety of athletic events and theatre productions.

While CCS seems to have adequately prepared one former student for college, they noted that prospective students shouldn't come with the hope of getting a Christian experience, as the leadership focus hasn’t slipped from academics and has been wrongly subdued in athletics with a desire to grow to that of Baylor, GPS and Mcallie.

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