About

Founded: 1982 by a group of local entrepreneurs

Grades: Preschool through grade 12

• Early Childhood: Preschool-kindergarten
• Lower School: Grades 1-4
• Middle School: Grades 5-8
• Upper School: Grades 9-12

Students: The Wellington School has a diverse and inclusive student body.

• 750 total students (128 in early childhood, 201 in lower school, 216 in middle school, and 205 in upper school)
• Coeducational
• 40% identify as students of color

Mission and Values: We help students find their purpose and realize their potential for tomorrow's world.

• Be Curious
• Be Yourself
• Be Ambitious
• Be Empathetic
• Be Responsible

Governance: A 21-member Board of Trustees that includes parents and alumni. 

Major Dates: Major dates for the 2025-26 school year can be found here.

Program Guides:

• Early Childhood & Lower School
• Middle School
• Upper School 

Average Class Size and Student-to-Teacher Ratio:

• Early Childhood & Lower School: 14-18 students in each class
• Middle School: 15 students in each class
• Upper School: 15 students in each class
• The student-to-teacher ratio is 7:1

College Counseling and Matriculation: Our College Counseling program is distinctive in its empowerment of students to search for, identify, and enroll in colleges that are strong fits based on their individual passions and circumstances. The College Counseling team is comprised of three experienced counselors and staff who provide support to students and families throughout the college search and application process. View our matriculation list.

Beyond the Bell: Our Beyond the Bell programs help keep our students engaged outside the classroom before and after school. The program runs Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. We've designed this time around themed activities while allowing our parents the added benefit of flexible drop off and pick up times. Learn more. 

Dining: We partner with Aladdin Campus Dining to provide balanced and delicious meals to our community, including many allergy-friendly options. Lunch is included in tuition for all grades. The Thomas Family Dining Room features numerous options including a fresh salad bar, yogurt bar, deli bar, soup, hot sandwiches, and a daily plated hot entree and plated salad. 

Location: The Wellington School is centrally located in Upper Arlington, close to downtown Columbus and The Ohio State University.

Hours:

• Early Childhood and Lower School (preschool-grade 4): 8:20 a.m.-3:25 p.m.
• Middle School (grades 5-8): 8:25 a.m.- 3:45 p.m.
• Upper School (grades 9-12): 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
• Before and after school care are available for early childhood, lower school, and middle school students.

Facilities: Our 19-acre campus includes flexible academic spaces, commons spaces in each division, library, MakerSpace, 400-seat performing arts center, light-filled dining room, two gardens, outdoor learning spaces, walking paths, turf field and athletic pavilion, two gymnasiums with four full-size basketball courts, newly resurfaced tennis courts, and newly outfitted athletic training and locker room spaces.

Offerings: Wellington offers classes and programming in music, theatre, and visual arts. Beginning with our youngest learners, students in each grade have the opportunity to learn, grow, and perform multiple times throughout the year.

Facilities: The 400-seat Blanchard Performing Arts Center hosts music and theatre performances throughout the year, including grade-level plays that foster independence and public speaking skills in early childhood and lower school. 

Each division has developmentally appropriate visual arts classrooms. 

Mascot: Duke the Jaguar. Fun fact: Did you know that a group of jaguars in the wild is called a leap?

Teams;

• 34 middle and upper school teams
• Varsity competition includes: boys baseball, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls bowling, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls golf, girls lacrosse, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls tennis, boys and girls track and field, boys and girls swimming and diving, and sideline cheer.
• 84% of upper school students and 71% of middle students play at least one sport.

Facilities: Athletic facilities include a turf field and athletic pavilion, two gymnasiums with four full-size basketball courts, newly resurfaced tennis courts, and newly outfitted athletic training and locker room spaces.

Application Process: The application for the following school year is available on September 15 each year. Learn more about the process.

Tuition: Tuition ranges from $22,500 in early childhood to $33,000 in upper school. View the complete tuition schedule. 

Tuition Assistance: Families received a total of $2.3 million in tuition assistance last year.

Wellington Summer Program: The Wellington Summer Program provides children entering prekindergarten through grade 12 the opportunity to discover new talents, learn essential skills, tackle new obstacles, and build lasting friendships.  

Wellington was conceived of by a group of entrepreneurs with the goal of creating the first co-ed, independent school in Columbus.

Wellington opened with 137 students and 19 employees as the first co-ed, independent school in Columbus, Ohio.

First graduating class - 32 students.

New building opened - 76,000 sq ft.

3 year-old Little Jags preschool began

Wellington celebrated its 40th anniversary.

Wellington opened the new middle school and early childhood wing, thanks to generous support of the Believing Campaign. 

Wellington welcomed its sixth head of school, Eliza McLaren, and achieves record enrollment at 718 students. 

Wellington opened the Croft Family Kindergarten Wing and achieved a second consecutive year of record-setting enrollment with 750 students enrolled.