Acceleration is not required but is one of CLS's many distinctive characteristics. Educational institutions have the responsibility to place students in courses that meet their individual needs. Research confirms that the notion that age equals grade overlooks individual differences and that academic ability and inclination are much more accurate determinants of placement. Roughly 65% of incoming Prep 7 students skip at least one grade level.

Coursework for a CLS student is challenging but reasonable for students.  As part of our commitment to educating the whole child, Covington Latin School has adopted a Homework Policy that allows students to be challenged yet still able to participate in extracurricular activities.  The Prep and Freshman Study Skills courses, Academic Support Services office, study halls, and close personal attention from the faculty help by teaching time management skills, good study habits, and executive functioning skills. CLS also offers assistance for students needing accommodations with Alternative Learning Plans and social/emotional support.

CLS is one of the most diverse private schools in the area and draws extensively throughout Northern Kentucky (7 counties), Greater Cincinnati and Indiana. Students come from an array of educational backgrounds: 52% previously attended Catholic schools, 37% attended public schools, 8% were home-educated and 3% attended non-Catholic private schools. Students of color constitute nearly 15% of enrollment. We maintain a deep and abiding commitment to our Catholic identity while welcoming students of other faiths (nearly 30% of our students are non-Catholic).

The Prep years are the 7th and 8th-grade years available to students admitted while in or after completing 5th or 6th-grade year (thereby accelerating two years or one year, respectively). The Prep year eases the transition into Latin School by acclimating students to our expectations and culture, prior to the more rigorous Form I (Freshman) year.

In line with Bishop Howard's founding vision for our school, we believe that no deserving student should be denied a Covington Latin education due to demonstrable financial need. The generosity of our alumni and parent donors enables us to offer tuition assistance to nearly half of CLS students, across a broad spectrum of financial circumstances.

During the first two weeks of the new school year, an extensive and comprehensive orientation program is offered that helps each student meet new friends, adjust to the routine, and get involved in class and student body activities. The House System also allows incoming students to form relationships not only with students in their year but throughout all grades. CLS also hosts a summer enrichment program for incoming students. During this two-week program, all new students experience a mini-schedule of classes including English and Math, get important executive functioning skills, meet their future classmates, and get a feel for the school well before day one.  We also host a Green & Gold Day each August as our New Student & Parent Orientation, complete with scavenger hunts, team building, and even demonstrations on how to open your combination locker!

In alumni surveys, the vast majority report exceptional academic success and normal social adjustment. At all levels of schooling, readiness, responsibility, and emotional maturity are much stronger predictors of success than age. Indeed, 98% of our graduates hold bachelor’s degrees and 48% hold master's or terminal degrees (MD, JD, Ph.D., etc.).  CLS has students attending colleges and universities across the nation!

In 2024-2025, 103 AP examinations were taken by 62 CLS students in 14 subject areas.  

Test (# Taken) - Average Score

• 2-D Art and Design (5) - 2.8
• Biology (9) - 2.56
• Calculus AB (10) - 3.7
• Calculus BC (1) - 3
• Chemistry (11) - 3.73
• English Language (13) - 3.54
• Enclgish Literature (14) - 3.71
• European History (1) - 4
• Government and Politics (1) - 2
• Latin (6) - 2.5
• Statistics (1) - 2
• US Government and Politics (11) - 4.09
• US History (7) - 3.57
• World History (16) - 3.25

As a note, with our new affiliation with Thomas More University, more dual credit courses are being offered each year. While we do not expect AP classes to go away, we do expect that more students will be choosing to take the dual credit courses available to them through this new partnership in the years to come.

The school day begins at 8:00 am and ends at 3:00 pm. The campus is open from 7:15 am until 5:00 pm every day (our vestibule is open to students needing to stay later).

Given the geodiversity of our students, many families choose to join (or create) carpools by using our zip code-sorted CLS family contact list, which is mailed to all parents mid-summer.