Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School

Rabun Gap

Georgia

United States

Overview

Founded in 1903, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School brings culture and community to the mountains of Northeast Georgia, with students and faculty from 56 countries and 15 states. Rabun Gap is located on a tranquil mountain campus just 90 miles from Atlanta, GA, Asheville, NC, and Greenville, SC. The school serves boarding students in grades 7-12, with a total day and boarding population of 680 across three divisions. In the Upper School, boarding students make up 70 percent of the student population. Boarding students live and learn with local day students in Pre-K-12th grade. Rabun Gap has a strong, hands-on, college-prep curriculum offered in classes of 12 or fewer students, with honors and Advanced Placement courses available. The 1,400-acre mountain campus provides many opportunities for experiential, outdoor learning, as well as arts and athletic activities. Rabun Gap students graduate ready for college — 100% attend the top colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the world. The Rabun Gap community nurtures and challenges students from diverse backgrounds as they prepare for college, careers, and a lifetime of service. A Rabun Gap education can be a reality for all families through the school’s commitment to affordability.

Academics

Summary: Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School offers a classical liberal arts curriculum and a wide array of cultural engagement to our global community of learners. We encourage natural curiosity through holistic teaching and demonstrate that discovery and learning are lifelong pursuits. The academic curriculum extends beyond the classroom. Utilizing our mountain campus grounds, students engage in collaborative research with local universities and research laboratories. And students are always surrounded by adults who care. Rabun Gap has a dedicated Teaching & Learning Center with faculty who offer one-on-one tutoring and support for any student who needs extra help. Eighty percent of our faculty live on campus which means help is never far away.

Department Director Erika Farr

Student/Teacher Ratio: 7:1

Average Class Size: 12

Summer Programs: Not Offered

Full Time Teachers: 80

Number of AP Courses Offered: 20

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 62%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

Learning Support

Evening Study Assistance
Learning Center
Peer Tutoring
Study Skills Assistance
Subject Tutoring
Writing Center

English

Classics
Creative Writing
Honors
Literature
Poetry

History

Classical History
European History
Honors
Medieval History
United States History
World History
Art History

Foreign Languages

Chinese-Mandarin
French
Spanish

Religion / Philosophy

Ethics
Religious Studies
The Bible
World Religions

Humanities / Social Sciences

Economics
Psychology

Sciences

Anatomy
Biology
Botany
Chemistry
Earth Science
Environmental Science
Genetics
Health
Physical Science
Physics

Math

Computer Studies

Computer Science

Music

Band
Choral Music
Electronic Music
Orchestra
Recording
Voice

Performing / Visual Arts

Acting
Architecture
Art History
Ballet
Ceramics
Dance
Debate
Design
Directing
Drama
Drawing
Fiber Arts
Journalism
Lighting Design
Metal
Painting
Photography
Portfolio
Pottery
Printmaking
Publications
Public Speaking
Screenwriting
Sculpture
Silkscreen
Stagecraft
Studio Art
Textiles
Theater Arts
3-D Art
Modern Dance

Special Programs

Study Abroad
Community Service
Exchange Programs
Independent Study
Leadership
Outdoor Education

Distinctive or New Programs

Rabun Gap is one of the only schools in the United States with a Cirque (cirqus arts) program

Campus Life

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 7

Average Students Per Dorm: 40

Number of Girls Dorms: 3

Number of Boys Dorms: 4

Dorm Amenities

Game Room
Laundry Facilities
Lounge
Vending Machines
Wireless Internet
Full Kitchen
Refrigerator

Other Dorm Amenities

Student Life

Rabun Gap isn’t just an education – it's a way of life! Our dedicated Student Life team, residential life team, and faculty and staff are dedicated to helping students experience life at Rabun Gap to its fullest. Developing interests -- both new and well established -- is a key goal of the Rabun Gap educational experience. In an effort to promote student well-being, the School's After School Activities program provides students the chance to explore new horizons, develop their talents, and make friends in other classes as they play soccer, paddle in Indian Lake, act as stewards to our beautiful surroundings or learn to balance on air in Cirque. Rabun Gap also offers student leadership positions in Student Government, Admissions, Residential Life, Honor Council, Tutoring, and Counseling.

Facilities

Baseball Field
Basketball Court
Fitness Center
Football Field
Indoor Basketball Court
Indoor Pool
Pool
Sand Volleyball Court
Technology Center
Volleyball Court
Soccer Field
Tennis Courts
Weight Room
Athletic Fields
Outdoor Track
Outdoor Climbing Wall
Cross Country Trails
Lacrosse Field

Other Facilities

Tennis Courts
Climbing Wall
Ropes Course

Clubs & Organizations

Astronomy Club
Chess Club
Community Service
Debate Club
Diversity Club
Dorm Proctors
Environmental Club
Food Council
Foreign Language Clubs
Future Business Leaders of America
Honor Council
International Club
Investment Club
Literary Magazine
Math Club
Mock Trial
Model UN
National Honor Society
Newspaper
Outing Club
Peer Counseling
Peer Tutoring
Photography Club
Student Activities
Student Government
Student Publications
Theater Club
Weightlifting Club
Yearbook
Ultimate Frisbee
Recycling Club
Tutoring Prefects
Outdoor Activities

Arts & Athletics

Summary: At Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, the student experience doesn’t stop in the classroom. The school has both thriving arts and athletic programs that develop the whole student both in the academic day and after class. The Rabun Gap Athletic Program is both competitive and inclusive, with more than 20 competitive teams. In an environment where all students are encouraged to get involved, young athletes have the opportunity to learn and hone your skills to develop a competitive edge in a way you wouldn’t in a larger program. Rabun Gap’s award-winning arts program includes classes in instrumental and vocal music, dance, performing arts, and visual arts. Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is one of the only schools in the United States to offer Cirque, a circus arts program for students. Modeled after the popular Cirque du Soleil shows, Cirque at Rabun Gap combines theatre performance, acrobatics, and dance. Student perform on apps including the Spanish web, aerial silks, trapeze, German wheel, and aerial lyra. The program is led by our arts faculty and draws on the expertise of regional cirque trainers and performers.Each year, students are involved in producing the Cirque mainstage performance for a sold-out audience. Rabun Gap’s world-class Arts & Technology building houses the Rearden Theater, dance studios, art studios, and a MacLab for graphic design and film production.

Arts Department Director: Terri Manoogian

Athletics Department Director: Dale Earnhardt

Notable Achievements: Nationally recognized Cirque and musical theatre programs 2020 state runner-up in football and boys soccer. Individual state championships in track and wrestling. Playoff appearances in baseball, boys and girls basketball, volleyball, cross country, golf, and tennis.

Arts

Acting
Architecture
Art History
Ballet
Ceramics
Dance
Debate
Design
Directing
Drama
Drawing
Fiber Arts
Journalism
Lighting Design
Metal
Painting
Photography
Portfolio
Pottery
Printmaking
Publications
Public Speaking
Screenwriting
Sculpture
Silkscreen
Stagecraft
Studio Art
Textiles
Theater Arts
3-D Art
Modern Dance

Interscholastic Sports

Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country Running
Football
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball
Wrestling

Recreational Sports

Baseball
Basketball
Camping
Canoeing
Cross Country Running
Dance
Hiking
Kayaking
Lacrosse
Mountain Biking
Outdoor Education
Rafting
Rock Climbing
Skateboarding
Soccer
Swimming
Table Tennis
Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Weight Lifting
Cycling
Yoga
Fitness
Running
Pickleball
Outdoor Activities
Beach Volleyball
Trail Running
Disc Golf
Backpacking

Graduates

Summary: At Rabun Gap, 100% of graduates attend the top colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the globe. Students are led by a dedicated College Counseling faculty, and college preparation begins with a 4-year academic plan for each student starting in the 9th grade. The college counselor initiates college exploration in grade 10. Exposure to a wide variety of colleges and universities is provided early on.

College Information

Percentage of graduates who attend college: 100%

Middle Percentile of SAT Scores	Reading	Math	Writing
25th percentile	470	450	450
75th percentile	600	620	620

Merit

Merit Scholarships: Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 38%

Average Merit Scholarship: 5,500

Current Endowment Amount: $70,000,000

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Vital Information

Student Body Type: Coed

Total Boarding: 238

Total Day: 207

Total Enrollment: 445

Boys: 242

Girls: 203

Boarding Grades Offered: 7-12

Day Grades Offered: K-12

School Type: Elementary, Middle, High School

Dress Code: Uniform

Applications Accepted: SAO

Application Deadline: Rolling

Tuition & Financial Aid

7-Day Boarding: $59,200

5-Day Boarding: N/A

Day Tuition Fee: $23,400

Need-Based Aid: Offered

Payment Plans: Offered

Students Receiving Aid: 75%

Average Awarded: $26,821

School Finances