Last updated: August 4, 2026
Privacy Policy
This policy explains how Columbia Academy handles information on this website (cacougars.com). We aim to collect as little as possible and to be plain about what we do.
Website statistics (anonymous by default)
We keep basic, anonymous statistics about how this website is used — such as which pages are viewed, where visitors arrive from, what they click, how far they scroll, and how long they spend on a page. By default this does not use cookies, does not store your IP address, and does not identify you or track you across other websites. It is used only to understand and improve the site.
Recognizing returning visitors (only if turned on, and only with your consent)
Columbia Academy can optionally enable a feature that recognizes a returning visitor across separate visits. When it is turned on, a notice appears at the bottom of the site and this feature only begins for you after you click "Accept." If you decline, or ignore the notice, you stay fully anonymous and can use the site normally. Even when you accept, we never store your actual IP address — only a one-way code derived from it that cannot be reversed to identify you. Accepting or declining is remembered using a single small setting stored in your browser for that purpose only. This feature is off by default.
Information you give us
When you contact us or submit a form on this site — for example a contact message, an admissions inquiry, a document acknowledgment, a visit or tour request, or a membership/booster form — we collect the information you provide (such as your name, email, and message) and use it to respond to you and to provide the service you requested. We do not sell your personal information.
Payments
If you make a payment through this site, it is processed by our payment provider (Square). Card details are handled by that provider; we do not store full card numbers on our systems.
How we use information
We use the information above to operate and improve this website, respond to inquiries, and provide school services and communications. We do not sell personal information, and we do not use it for third-party advertising.
Service providers
We use trusted service providers to run this site — including website and database hosting, email delivery, and payment processing (Square). They handle information only as needed to provide their service to us.
Children's privacy
As a school, we handle student and family information in accordance with applicable law and our school policies. This public website is not designed to collect personal information from children.
Data retention and security
We keep information only as long as needed for the purposes described here or as required by law, and we take reasonable measures to protect it.
Your choices
If the returning-visitor feature is on, you can decline it on the notice, or clear your browser's stored settings at any time. To ask about information you have given us, contact us using the details below.
Contact
Questions about this policy or your information? Please reach us through our Contact page.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will change the "Last updated" date above.
Social media content
We may display news and announcements on this site by importing public posts from Columbia Academy's own official Facebook page. We only access our own page's public content for this purpose; we do not access your personal Facebook account or your private information.