Lower School Viewbook

Lower School GRADES PREK3-5

Come discover a world of opportunity.

Welcome to Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, one of the top boarding and day schools in the United States.

Our global community brings people of all backgrounds and cultures together in a space where each person is known, valued, and celebrated.

Rabun Gap is true to the calling established at our founding - to offer unmatched educational opportunities to young people in our surrounding valleys and across the world.

Our beautiful mountain campus is an inspiring backdrop for the nurturing environment where learning flourishes.

Our students are curious problem-solvers, creative thinkers, committed contributors, and character-driven citizens in pursuit of making a difference in the world.

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School prepares young people for college, career, and a lifetime of leadership and service. In our beautiful mountain environment, we inspire students to grow in character, intellect, and spirit. We value educational accessibility and foster a community of learners whose diversity is honored and reflects the world.

FOUNDED IN

1903

independent boarding & day school serving PreK through 12th grade

680

TOTAL STUDENTS

OUR STUDENTS

ARE FROM

56

different countries AND

fifteen U.S. states!

1,400-ACRE CAMPUS IN THE beautiful Appalachian mountains

7:1

STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO

Incredible faculty More than 100 faculty members across our three divisions are a vital part of the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School community. These teachers are mentors and a second family to our students. As experts in their fields, they foster a true love for learning.

Our commitment to affordablity When Andrew Ritchie founded our school in 1903, his goal was to offer an exceptional educational experience to all students. Today, we remain committed to this central pillar of our mission by offering tuition rates for our Early Learning and Lower School programs that are affordable for families.

Our tuition is significantly lower than peer private elementary schools, and we offer a variety of opportunities - including strings, swimming, foreign language exposure, and arts classes that are unrivaled in the area.

Limited financial aid is available to grades K-5.

Financial aid is not offered for the Early Learning Program.

Our faculty members do more than just teach - they’re involved in all aspects of a child’s life, from the classroom, to the athletic fields, and the stage. Our Lower School faculty members provide a loving environment for all students.

“Moving our family from New York City to North Carolina was a big change. Enrolling our 8-year-old daughter at Rabun Gap has made that transition so worth it. From the faculty to the students to the stunning campus, Rabun Gap excels like few schools we know of. We are so grateful to now be a part of the Rabun Gap family!”

- THE BILBERY FAMILY

“We are so happy at Rabun Gap! The Early Learning program is an incredible opportunity for young students.”

- THE MUIR FAMILY

home away from home civility

belonging culture

FAMILY “We chose Rabun Gap because when we walked on the campus for a visit—we could sense a graceful peace, safety, and love...a result of authentic connection and community from each person on staff. Our daughter says Rabun Gap has ‘the best teachers and friends.’ We are truly blessed to have found a school that instantly felt like home.”

- THE ASH FAMILY

“Rabun Gap has exceeded our expectations at all levels. The school staff is extremely friendly and takes the effort to know our children and help them grow. It is truly the school we wish we had growing up!”

- THE WEBER FAMILY

ACADEMICS

Learning is active here.

Our traditional curriculum and innovative practices inspire delight in learning and promote the fulfillment of potential and readiness for success.

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We build a foundation of skills and knowledge for success in our college preparatory curriculum at the next level.

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Our curriculum fosters discovery of the written voice and command of language and develops the art of mathematical thinking and number sense.

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Experiential learning activities and field trips further concepts taught in the classroom.

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We promote cross-curricular and inter-division lessons with faculty and students from Upper and Middle Schools.

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Regular library time offers opportunity to develop a love of reading and information literacy skills.

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Students enjoy weekly world language exposure and exploration of cultures and global perspectives.

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Students participate in the Disney Codeilluion program to learn coding, including HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and more.

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We offer fee-based, one-on-one academic support and access to services including occupational therapy and speech.

PLAY

The power of play.

Students develop the physical, cognitive, and emotional strength when given the opportunity to play both inside and outside the classroom.

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Indoor and outdoor play time is incorporated throughout the day.

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Our physical education program promotes athletic skills development and habits for healthy living.

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We provide swimming instruction in our on-campus pool as a part of Lower School PE class.

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Optional after-school clinics and summer camps in athletic skill development are offered through Rabun Gap+.

State-of-the-art Facilities 13 acres of Bermuda grass fields Lighted competition stadium complex 6-lane rubber-surfaced track 4 lighted tennis courts Lighted baseball field and indoor facility 3 gymnasiums Indoor pool Strength and conditioning center Golf greens and tee boxes

Zavala Family Stadium is our home for football, lacrosse, and soccer.

ARTS

Creativity comes alive.

The fine arts program provides rich opportunities for growth by encouraging creative exploration, self-discovery, and analytical thinking.

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Lower School students have access to fine arts complex with art, music, and dance studios.

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Students take weekly instrumental and vocal music classes, including instruction on the violin and cello and have visual arts classes each week.

Art projects and skills are also incorporated into academic curriculum.

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The school hosts regular performance showcases for parents and the community.

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After school classes and private lessons in music and dance are offered through Rabun Gap+.

Dedicated arts space 600-seat Rearden Theater Blackbox Theater and Cirque training facility Mac Lab Orchestra and choral space with soundproof practice rooms Scene shop for technical theatre Multiple art studios with mountain views Expansive art gallery Multiple dance studios

The Arts & Technology Building is our home for the arts at Rabun Gap.

EARLY LEARNING

A strong foundation.

Rabun Gap’s Early Learning Program is designed to prepare young learners for kindergarten and beyond. Early Learners start with a half-day program at age 3, with full-day classes for ages 4 and up.

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Our innovative, child-focused curriculum incorporates Reggio-inspired choice-based learning, social-emotional well-being, and school-readiness.

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The Early Learning Center is housed at the Lower School and includes dedicated classroom space and outdoor play areas for our youngest students.

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Our inquiry-based approach focuses on inviting young children to discover and explore their world by asking questions and making their own choices.

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Early Learning students have access to many opportunities beyond the classroom, including a full slate of Encore classes with music, PE, art, and foreign language exposure; spiritual development through our chapel program; library programming; access to our 1,400-acre campus; and cross-curricular and cross-divisional learning opportunities.

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Our explicit, multi-sensory phonics program is grounded in the Science of Reading research.

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Students in full-day program enjoy a family-style, plated lunch each day.

CHARACTER

Make a difference.

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We inspire students to Lead the Way in everything they do, developing leaders who will make an impact on campus and in the world.

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Lower School students organize donation drives and give time annually to local non-profits and charitable organizations.

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Weekly chapel program and regular social-emotional curriculum promotes character development, living in community, self-discovery, and global citizenship.

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Our full-time Lower School counselor provides support for all students.

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Our Christian heritage is reflected in weekly chapel services that welcome all faith backgrounds.

EXPERIENCE

Supporting our families.

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Optional before and after-school care is offered.

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Lunch is provided daily in the Richard and John Woodruff Dining Hall.

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Regular school-wide events and parent gatherings encourage involvement and fellowship in the Rabun Gap community.

Bus service Our safe and affordable bus service makes life easy for busy parents. We service three counties with our buses, which run in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings following afternoon programs. Stops include: • • • •

Clayton, GA Clarkesville, GA Highlands, NC Franklin, NC

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is nestled in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, just 90 miles from Atlanta, GA, Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC.

Schedule a visit

Call us at 706-746-7720 to set up your oncampus visit at Rabun Gap!

Meet us on the road

Rabun Gap Admission staff travel across the U.S. and around the globe to meet families.

Check our website to see when we’re visiting a town near you!

Scan me to learn more!

www.rabungap.org 339 Nacoochee Drive, Rabun Gap, GA 30568 706-746-7720 • admission@rabungap.org