Alumni
- Jeffrey Toobin - Legal analyst for CNN
- Murray Gell-Mann (valedictorian) - Nobel Prize winner for the discovery of quarks and other subatomic particles.
- Sarah Michelle Gellar - Actress (attended through 8th grade)
- Herman Melville - Author of Moby-Dick (attended through 6th grade)
- John Podhoretz - Political columnist and film critic
- Gary Winick - Director of Tadpole (film), 13 Going on 30, Charlotte's Web (2006 film)
- Marvin Terban - (Not Alumni) Latin and grammar teacher at CGPS. Writer of several grammar books. Some have even sold over 1 million copies.
- Rod Thorn - President of the Philadelphia 76ers (attended through 8th grade)
- Ally Sheedy - Actress known for her role of Allison Reynolds in the The Breakfast Club
- Lorenz Hart - Composer who worked with Richard Rogers
- Noel Ashman - film producer/club owner
- Soren Anders - (Not Alumni) Music teacher at CGPS member of the bands The Staves and Shimmer Planet.
- The Postelles - Indie rock band, whose members attended Columbia Prep.
- Steve Ross - Former CEO of Time Warner
- David Wolper - Television Producer, Roots and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
- Hamilton Holt - Former president of Rollins College
- John Erskine (educator) - Professor at Columbia University
- Felix Adler (Society for Ethical Culture) - Jewish Leader who founded the Ethical Culture movement.
- Oscar Straus - United States Secretary of Commerce and Labor under Theodore Roosevelt
- Scott Goldstein - Television & Film Writer, Producer and Director
- Joe DiRosa - Owner of the New York Artist Series, L. A. Artist Series and Miami Artist Series.
- Michael Bass - Wild Tuna
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