Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
Overview
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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
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
Special Programs
- Study Abroad
- Community Service
- Exchange Programs
- Independent Study
- Leadership
- Outdoor Education
Distinctive or New Programs
- R
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
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
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
Merit Scholarships: Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 38%
Average Merit Scholarship: $5,500
Current Endowment Amount: $70,000,000
Contact
Director of Admissions: Cortney Dowdle
Admissions Phone: 706 746 7720
Fax: 706 746 7797
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.rabungap.org
Nearby Schools
- Tallulah Falls School - 16mi / 25 km
- Riverside Preparatory Academy - 50mi / 81 km
- Asheville School - 60mi / 97 km
- Christ School - 62mi / 100 km
- McCallie School - 106mi / 171 km
- Darlington School - 114mi / 183 km






