Middle School Viewbook

Middle School GRADES 6–8

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 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. Many of our faculty members live on campus and work in the dorms, so they’re always here for our students.

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 through the work of our financial aid program.

The generous support of donors and friends provides need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. This commitment creates a unique community of students from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds.

20%

Full & Partial Assistance to Incomes Below Poverty Line

35% Income of

10%

< $50,000

Income of

$126,000$200,000+

20% Income of

$76,000-$125,000

15% Income of

$51,000-$75,000

Family income range breakdown of the 75% of students who receive need-based financial aid or merit scholarships.

“I love the diversity. I have been able to meet and become close with friends from every walk of life.”

- KENDALL CLAYTON, GA

“My favorite thing about the Middle School is they give us a lot of opportunities to try new things. Being a boarding student, I’ve been able to meet lots of friends.”

- GREG SOUTH KOREA

home away from home civility

belonging culture

FAMILY “Rabun Gap is a special place to me because it feels like home. The environment is such a comfortable place.”

- OWEN FRANKLIN, NC

“The teachers make me feel like I belong here. I also love the sports because you get to be included in any team, and it makes us feel like a family.”

- AYOKUNLE NIGERIA

ACADEMICS

Learning is active here.

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Our holistic approach to learning focuses on experimentation and growth in a supportive environment.

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We focus on hands-on, applied learning through partnerships with local universities and research organizations, integrated technology, and cross-disciplinary projects.

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Students develop design thinking skills throughout curriculum.

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Travel study trips provide immersive experiences beyond the classroom.

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Our global curriculum promotes cultural awareness and global undersanding.

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The Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) program enhances learning and creativity through project-based experiences

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Students host annual capstone symposiums and seminars.

The Outdoor Classroom

Rabun Gap’s Middle School campus is home to the Alexander Chudacoff Outdoor Classroom, a dedicated space for hands-on learning and environmental science projects. The outdoor classroom includes a large wrap-around deck, direct access to the creek, and expansive indoor and outdoor project space.

ATHLETICS

Eagles soar higher.

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Middle School sports offered include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, lacrosse, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling.

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Our experienced coaches value academics, teamwork, safety, and superior competition.

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Teams compete in the Tri-State Athletic Conference and have won many conference championships.

State-of-the-art Facilites 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.

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We offer chorus, drama, dance, and visual arts opportunities at the Middle School.

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The Middle School campus has its own music room, art studio, and dance studio. Students also have access to the Arts & Technology Building on the Upper School campus.

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Cirque skills workshops offer the opportunity to prepare for Upper School Cirque.

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Regular performance showcases, including the annual Middle School musical, are open to parents and the community.

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After-school classes and private lessons in music and dance are available 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.

BOARDING

Community that cares.

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We offer a separate junior boarding program for grades 7-8, with fulltime dorm supervision.

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Our Junior boarding program builds responsibility for personal, academic, and social growth under the nurturing guidance of Rabun Gap residential faculty and Upper School student leaders.

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Residential amenities include kitchens, laundry facilities, vending machines, and spacious common areas.

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Organized weekend activities include swimming and canoeing on our own Indian Lake, on-campus games and movies, and off-campus mall, theater, and sporting event outings.

Home away from home 7 residence halls 80% of faculty live on campus Dedicated Student Center with game room, group seating, full kitchen access, student mail center, and snack bar State-of-the-art dining hall opened in 2019 On-campus lake and hiking trails Indoor pool and workout facilities Supportive dorm parents

The Rabun Gap campus is a beautiful space to live and learn.

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

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Advisory and chapel programs promote character development, living in community, self-discovery, and global citizenship.

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The Student Leadership Council helps plan spirit weeks and works with school administrators to advocate for students.

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Skills taught at the Middle School include interpersonal communication, leadership, citizenship, and organization.

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

EXPERIENCE

Supporting our students •

Tutorial time is built into the school day for academic support.

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Mobile Chromebook carts provide acces to laptop computers for each student.

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Enrichment classes include student publications, outdoor education, and STEAM.

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Middle School House system builds community across grade levels, with regular House Day events for teambuilding, design thinking, and fun.

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The Middle School offers the CAVE program for extra academic support and tutoring, at an additional cost.

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 on-campus visit at Rabun Gap!

Meet us on the road

The Rabun Gap Admission staff travels across the U.S. and around the globe to meet families. Check our website to see when we’re visiting a town near you!

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