CIS upper school students work to become independent learners who are ready for college and life beyond.

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What makes CIS upper school exceptional?

Us 1

Personalized, four-year college counseling

We demystify and humanize the college search, focusing on each individual, the “best fit” school, and what it means to live well.

Us 2

Rigorous college-prep curriculum with expert teachers

Students have the opportunity to stretch themselves academically, creatively, and physically, through challenging courses including 13 AP classes and a Global Perspectives curriculum and complementary STEM, performing arts, and athletics.

Us 3

Unique experiences, deep relationships

Students build wide-ranging, collaborative relationships with peers, faculty and staff and participate in international travel, a fellowship program, service learning, the Intersession enrichment program, and more!

Us 4

Student ownership of learning and community leadership

Students are trusted and given opportunities to work collaboratively with others in and out of school to become wise citizens and create positive change

Admissions Process

Get to Know CIS Upper School

CIS PREPARES YOUR TEEN FOR COLLEGE AND BEYOND

2023-24 Upper School course catalog

The culmination of our intentionally crafted college preparatory curriculum, the upper school years offer students an opportunity to experience rigorous courses that challenge each student, provide instruction, and practice and promote mastery in foundational knowledge and skills. Core classes include math, social studies, English, science, world languages. We offer exciting semester-long and year-long electives such as Personal Finance & Economics, Introduction to Film, and Computer Science. We offer 15 Advanced Placement courses, in which students may enroll beginning in 10th grade.

CIS offers unique experiences for upper school students, including the weeklong Intersession program. Intersession provides intensive enrichment opportunities in courses geared to specific interests and are refreshed each year. Past courses have included topics such as forensics, food science, engineering, art and architecture, entrepreneurship, and athletics.

Upper school students begin working with our college counselor in 9th grade, and each year they focus on the work of self-discovery, identifying goals, and ultimately finding a college that is the best fit for them. By their junior year, students are enrolled in college counseling classes that assist students and their parents with the work of the college search and application process. 

CIS works to build student character through leadership opportunities, volunteerism, and a dialogue with students about character traits such as respect and responsibility. Students are asked to grow in their independence, curiosity, and self-advocacy so they are prepared for life in college and adulthood.

Want to know what a typical day at CIS might be like for your upper school student?

Access a sample class schedule
CARE
Progress Report Competencies
CIS Graduates can…
Citizenship
– Teamwork/Collaboration
-Class Leadership
-Conduct
-Respectful Interactions
-Problem Solving
– Possess the understanding and voice to responsibly discharge their civic duties in a democratic society. 
– Make connections, raise questions, and problem-solve to devise novel solutions. 
– Understand and value differences among individuals and groups and avoid stereotypes.
– Work effectively in cooperation with others in multiple contexts, both as leaders and as group members.
–  Live in an interconnected global society and be participatory members of an international community. 
– Think beyond their own interests and reflect on the ways in which they can serve the broader community. 
– Feel capable and empowered in a variety of situations.
Academics
-Communication
-Analysis
-Research
-Persistence
– Are lifelong learners in the classical liberal arts tradition, with passion for learning and problem-solving and the skills to accomplish them. 
– Research and analyze information from a variety of sources, recognize what is important and relevant, and synthesize it in ways that can be used to make and evaluate decisions. 
– Think well and communicate clearly in the major disciplines of English, mathematics, science and history. 
– Speak and write critically, concisely, and creatively for a variety of audiences and purposes.
– Demonstrate financial and technological literacy, independence, and responsibility.
– Communicate accurately and effectively in more than one language.
Readiness
-Timeliness
-Preparedness
-Thorough Work Completion
-Self Regulation
-Self-Awareness 
-Organization
– Use executive functioning skills to independently navigate the complexities of everyday life in our society.
– Maintain a professional and respectful appearance and demeanor in a wide variety of situations.
– Are aware of and cultivate balance among various endeavors and priorities. 
– Identify situational and environmental problems and challenges and make plans to address them.
– Embrace responsibility for their actions and choices and for their community’s well-being.
– Recognize productive struggle and cultivate habits of resilience and problem-solving.
Make choices that conform with their values and goals and use resources wisely.
Engagement
-Participation
-Effort
-Attentiveness
-Reflection
-Goal Setting
– Value and cultivate a sense of curiosity and interest in the world around them.
– Appreciate and make the most of possibilities open to them and maintain a mindset of growth.
– Understand that there are valuable lessons to be learned from failure, mistakes, and disappointment and from perseverance in the face of adversity. 
– Are present in their environments with empathy, kindness, accountability, cooperation, and leadership.
– Articulate what personal success and failure mean and pursue appropriate goals for progress. 
– Create habits of reflection based on principles common to the great philosophical traditions. 
– Appreciate aspects of life that bring joy to living, such as creativity, the arts, and physical wellness.

The application process is designed to ensure we’re a good fit for your child! Get started by applying online and paying the $50 application fee, and the admissions office will help you with the rest of the process (requesting school records, requesting math and English teacher evaluations, scheduling the entrance exam, and scheduling a shadow day visit and interview).

Apply Online

Full tuition for students in grades 6-12 is $16,850 for the 2023-24 school year. There is a one-time $1,000 New Family Fee that is assessed per family, not per student, in the first year the first child is enrolled.

Our desire is that families who are committed to the philosophy and values of Columbia Independent School are able to attend. To achieve this, families may choose to apply for a lower tuition rate through our Flexible Tuition program.

Learn more about Flexible Tuition

Merit scholarships are available for students in grades 6-12. These scholarships are designed to recognize students for their intellectual curiosity, exceptional academic achievement, commitment to local and global citizenship, and leadership in academic, physical or creative endeavors.

Learn more about Merit Scholarships

Upper school students can participate in academic competitions like Academic Bowl (we’re the state champs!), organizations like Kindness Club and Interact, and athletics like volleyball, basketball, and track. Check out our 2022-23 extracurricular activities list – the 2023-24 list is coming soon!

2023-24 Extracurricular Activities

CIS faculty models the lifelong learning that it aspires to for our graduates. As an institution, CIS supports the faculty’s professional development both through fiscal resources and through time for collective planning and reflection.

Upper School Faculty

Morched Ben-Ayed

Morched Ben-Ayed

MS Math/US French

Cindy Bullard

Cindy Bullard

MS/US Mathematics

Michael Burden

Michael Burden

MS/US Social Studies

Joel Dittmer

Joel Dittmer

MS Science & Math Specialist

Mr. Dittmer has a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in philosophy, and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, all from Mizzou. He wanted to be a teacher when he was a kid, and taught college for over 15 years, first at Mizzou and Westminster College during grad school and then as an assistant professor at Missouri University of Science & Technology. He started at CIS in 2020 and teaches middle school science, high school math, and some electives in the humanities. He is also the head coach for the Science Olympiad team.

Maggie Dittmer

Maggie Dittmer

MS/US English

Maggie Dittmer holds a B.F.A. in theater from Stephens College, and an M.A. from Mizzou. She enjoys teaching at CIS because she is able to develop long-lasting relationships with colleagues and students. The smaller class sizes make it easier to move through content or pause content in order to follow a student’s interest in a topic. She also loves the freedom she has to create different learning opportunities for students. One extracurricular activity she enjoys is directing the fall musical and the spring play. Additionally, she helps run the Literary Magazine with Mrs. Floyd and Ms. Stott, and occasionally helps (behind the scenes) with the Science Olympiad.

Chris Dodig

Chris Dodig

MS/US Latin Teacher

Christopher Dodig has a bachelor’s degree in Classical Languages from the College of Arts and Science at the University of Missouri. He coaches the Middle School Quiz Bowl and is the dungeon master for the Upper School Dungeons & Dragons Club. He enjoys clearing the way for students to pursue their goals in their own idiom and handing them the tools to build what they will.

Samuel Fessehaye

Samuel Fessehaye

Middle/Upper School Band Director

Amy Floyd

Amy Floyd

MS/US English Teacher

Donnie Howell

Donnie Howell

MS/US Life Sciences Teacher

Donnie Howell has an associate’s degree in theatre, a bachelor of arts in psychology and master’s degree in biomedical science. He earned his degrees from Central Methodist University, Columbia College, and Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mr. Howell is the CIS Aquarium Club sponsor. He enjoys teaching at CIS because he gets freedom to make his own curriculum and autonomy to teach in his own style.

Christine Jarquio

Christine Jarquio

MS/US Choir Director

Celia Keyser

Celia Keyser

Spanish Teacher

Jami Knight

Jami Knight

MS/US Art Teacher

Wally Luther

Wally Luther

MS/US Cube Instructor/Coordinator

Walter Luther has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in geosciences. He attended Missouri State University and Mississippi State University. He coaches the Middle School volleyball team. He enjoys teaching at CIS because of the ability to collaborate with other teachers. Mr. Luther said “CIS is special because of the community. All levels of students are learning and growing together at one campus. Everyone has the opportunity to be involved and have a voice.”

Lisa McClary

Lisa McClary

MS/US Social Studies

Monique Mendoza

Monique Mendoza

US Spanish Teacher

Neetu Nair

Neetu Nair

Upper School Physical Sciences Teacher

Dr. Nair has a bachelor’s in electronics and biomedical engineering from India, a PhD in Neuroscience from Mizzou and a postdoctoral fellowship in Sleep Medicine from Mizzou. Having worked in the field of medical research for over 10 years, she was ready for a break and an opportunity to teach upper school science at CIS, where her daughter had been studying since kindergarten, came around at just the right time. Dr. Nair loves the small class sizes and the opportunity it provides to give specific and detailed feedback to every student.

Daniel Radkowiec

Daniel Radkowiec

MS/US PE Teacher

Daniel Radkowiec has been teaching and coaching at CIS since 2022. He coaches the cross country and track teams. He has a bachelor of education in physical education and a master’s degree in athletic administration. He likes CIS because of the positive attitude of the students and the dedication of the teachers and administrators.

Bryson Sewell

Bryson Sewell

Middle/Upper School Latin Teacher

Victor Soria

Victor Soria

MS/US Mathematics Teacher

Valérie Thaalbi

Valérie Thaalbi

MS/US French

Valérie Thaalbi is a native French speaker who started teaching in 2011 and joined CIS in 2022. She has a multidisciplinary background, starting her career in marketing. She has a masters degree in education from the University of Toulouse, a bachelor’s degree in quality management from the University of Toulouse, and an associate’s degree in marketing from EPHEC (Brussels, Belgium). She has a passion for languages: fluent in English, she can also speak Dutch, Spanish, Italian and German. She came to CIS because she always wanted to teach abroad and experience living in the USA. Her favorite memory at CIS is at the upper school retreat where she got to experience her very first bonfire and s’mores!

Lisa Weil

Lisa Weil

US Social Studies & Fellows Coordinator


Support Specialists

Elizabeth Buko

Elizabeth Buko

College Counselor

Hello! My name is Elizabeth Buko. I’ve been with CIS since 2015. I hold a BA in Writing Intensive English & Theology, a MA in English, and a M.Ed in Counseling. The students are always the absolute best part of my day and my job as a whole. Teenagers are tremendous teachers for adults, and I learn something new from them every day. I’ve traveled extensively and lived in different parts of country as well as worked in other independent schools, and with all those years of experience and exposure, I find CIS to be a truly special place where individuality is celebrated and the sense of belonging is palpable.

Jamie Blake

Jamie Blake

School Counselor

My name is Jamie Blake, and I’ve been at CIS for two years now. I have a BA in Psychology and a M.Ed in Counseling. I love helping others understand that mental health matters and that academic, social, and future success stem from having an understanding of how our internal thoughts and feelings affect our attitudes and behaviors.

Cassidy Crew

Cassidy Crew

MS/US Learning Support Coordinator

Hello! I’m Cassidy Crew, and I’ve been working at CIS for four years. I hold a BA in Psychology – Health and Development and a JD in Law. Something I’ve always been passionate about is synchronized swimming – I was on the varsity synchronized swim team at Stanford, winning the National Championship, then helped coached teams from my graduation until my move to Missouri. I am now a national judge, and travel to meets around the country a few times per year to judge meets and give clinics.

Sarah Primmer

Sarah Primmer

LS Learning Support Coordinator

Sarah Primmer has been with CIS for 8 years and holds a BS Elementary Education and a M.Ed Cross Categorical Special Education K-12. She is currently working on an Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. Sarah is passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Ensuring that everyone is able to learn and grow as students and people is very important to her, regardless of age, ability, gender, religion, or race. She is passionate about learning more in this area as well as helping others learn and grow with her.

Jordan Pruis

Jordan Pruis

LS Math Support & Enrichment Coordinator

Hi! I’m Jordan Pruis, and I’ve been at CIS for six years now. Something I’m passionate about is appropriate math education for all! One of my favorite math educators said, “Not everyone needs to be a professional mathematician but math shouldn’t get in the way of anyone’s future path.” I truly believe every child, male or female, can achieve in math. That way the possibilities for their future are limitless!

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