Admissions
City River High School
Work Hard. Show Up. Be Kind.
Opening Fall 2027 • Cleveland
These three values are at the heart of everything we do at City River. Our admissions process is built around them. We are not looking for the students with the highest test scores or the most awards. We are looking for students who are ready to commit, to show up fully, and to be part of a community where every person is valued.
City River Students
Arrive on time and show up ready to learn, every day
Are kind, curious about others, and open to different perspectives
Want to grow as learners, movers, and people
Are eager to be part of a community that works hard and lifts each other up
Are willing to commit to taking care of their physical and mental health
Ready to Join Our Community?
To apply or to learn more, email us at admissions@cityriverhs.org.
Our Commitment to You
We commit to meeting each student where they are and giving our very best to help them grow. City River works when students and families match that commitment, showing up with consistency, care, and belief in what is possible.
We can’t wait to meet you.
Frequently Asked Questions
City River will open in Fall 2027 with its inaugural ninth-grade class.
City River is an independent, private high school.
Applications open in January 2027, with admissions decisions released in March 2027. Admissions are rolling and include an application, family questionnaire, review of academic records and financial information, and an admissions conversation or interview.
Yes. All families pay tuition. City River uses a sliding scale tuition model based on each family’s income and household expenses. Our goal is to make City River accessible to families across the income spectrum so students from different backgrounds can learn together. We are finalizing our tuition structure and will share specific amounts soon. Ohio state scholarships and vouchers can be combined with tuition to further reduce out-of-pocket costs.
City River offers rigorous, college-preparatory coursework. As the school grows, honors and Advanced Placement courses will be introduced, with an emphasis on depth of learning and conceptual understanding rather than memorizing facts and procedures.
Yes. All students participate in daily movement beginning at 8:00 a.m. during the school day. This includes competitive sports teams, structured workouts, and developmental athletic programming. City River is not a school exclusively for athletes, but competitive athletics are an important part of the program.
City River does not provide daily transportation to and from school. However, the school does provide transportation from morning movement or athletic programming to the school campus, ensuring all students can participate in the start-of-day program.
City River is currently vetting multiple facility options on Cleveland’s west side to ensure our location fully supports our daily rhythm of academics, movement, and the arts. We expect to announce our location ahead of our Fall 2027 opening.
You may support our work and contribute here: https://givebutter.com/city-river-high-school-0mebco