Upper School Viewbook 2019-2020

Upper School GRADES 9–12

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

WE ARE RABUN GAP independent, coed boarding & day school SERVING STUDENTS IN PRE-K THROUGH 12TH GRADE

75%

OF STUDENTS RECEIVE

financial aid & scholarships

Global community of 600 students from

50+

COUNTRIES AND 15 STATES

100% COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE TO INSTITUTIONS IN THE U.S. AND AROUND THE WORLD

12:1

STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO

1400 ACRE CAMPUS

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School combines its strong academic program, mountain setting, and Presbyterian heritage to inspire young people eager to learn and grow.

At Rabun Gap, diversity is more than a catchphrase – it’s a way of life.

A fourth-grader spends time with his Reading Buddy from the Bahamas. In an Upper School history class, students from Asia, Europe, The Caribbean, and the mountains of Northeast Georgia discuss the American Revolution. A group of middle school students have dinner in the dining hall with a faculty member and her family from New York.

The Rabun Gap community is the world in one place. Our unique community is a space where everyone is valued and respected. At Rabun Gap, you’ll encounter people from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds living, working, worshipping, and learning together.

OUR UNIQUE A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE Students at Rabun Gap have the unique opportunity to experience interactions with their peers from all walks of life. Our diverse and vibrant campus sets us apart from most independent schools in the United States.

With a population including students from 50+ countries and 15 states, Rabun Gap is

Cross country runners write “Run Fast” in their native language before a meet.

COMMUNITY

a special place where people come together. But it’s not just that. We’re empowering a community that embraces our differences.

Students from all divisions interact and learn about each others’ cultures at Rabun Gap.

Students in Lower, Middle, and Upper School gain global perspective through cultural education and experiences. It’s all about preparing our graduates for life outside the idyllic mountain community of Rabun Gap, where they will LEAD THE WAY in college and beyond.

SOCIOECONOMIC DIVERSITY When Andrew Ritchie founded Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in 1903, his main goal was to offer an exceptional educational expereince to all students, regardless of ability to pay. Today, we remain committed to this central pillar of our mission.

20%

Full & Partial Assistance to Incomes Below Poverty Line

35% Income of

10%

< $50,000

Income of

$126,000$200,000+

20% Income of

Unlike most independent schools, the majority of our students (75%) receive need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. This commitment creates a unique community of students from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds.

$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.

OUR FACULTY Our more than 100 faculty members across three divisions are a vital part of the Rabun Gap community. Hailing from all around the world, these teachers and mentors are a second family to our students. Our faculty do more than just teach -- theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re involved in all aspects of a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life, from the classroom to the playing fields and the stage. More than 80% of Upper School faculty live on campus, so they are always here for our students.

home away from home civility

FAMILY

belonging culture

“All cultures here are welcome. We have a lot of activities, like International Day, to embrace our diversity.

For me as a Chinese student, being able to celebrate Lunar New Year at Rabun Gap with my friends from all around the world really makes it feel like home.”

‒ Cathy, China “In Mexico, I only studied about other cultures.

Now I can hear 20 different languages just in the dining hall. It’s really amazing. “

‒ Hazel, Mexico “There is no limit here. I like Rabun Gap because we’re pushed to try new things. It has really pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I am also getting stronger in my comfort zone.”

‒ Anja, Serbia “Rabun Gap is a second home. When I am at home, I miss school. That’s a good feeling to have because it shows how valuable, how lifechanging, and how thrilling these four years that I am here will be.”

‒ RayJon, New York City

ACADEMICS engage and explore

• Classic liberal arts curriculum engaging in skills instruction for application for university and work • Experiential learning in laboratories and through partnerships with local universities and research organizations, integrated technology, and cross-disciplinary projects • 20 Advanced Placement (AP) courses offered in all academic areas • Faculty hold advanced degrees • Low student-teacher ratio • Full array of arts, athletics, and outdoor programs • Teaching and Learning Center with peer tutoring, math laboratory, and learning support • Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) classes in dedicated, state-of-the-art facility • Member of the Cum Laude Society

ENGAGEMENT

“Rabun Gap teaches you time management on adrenaline.

If you can handle it here, you can handle it anywhere.” ‒ Elsa (Asheville, North Carolina)

DEDICATION

“Playing sports has given me courage and helped me develop a work ethic that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.” ‒ Ryan (Atlanta, GA)

AT H L E T I C S get in the game

• More than 20 competitive sports teams with opportunities to play at the next level • Coaches who value academics, character, teamwork, safety, and high-level competition • Baseball, basketball, cross country, football, lacrosse, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball, wrestling

OUR ATHLETIC FACILITIES •

13 acres of Bermuda grass fields

•

6-lane rubber-surfaced competition track Golfing green and tee boxes 4 lighted tennis courts Lighted baseball field 3 gymnasiums Indoor pool Fitness center

• • • • • •

A RT S

find your passion • Acapella group and chorus • Orchestra, band, chamber ensembles, jazz ensembles, string ensembles, music technology, music theory • Cirque program • Drama classes, musical theater, One Act competition • Ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and lyrical dance classes • Technical theater class and crew • Drawing, painting, sculpting, ceramics • Mac Lab offering graphic design and film production classes • Arts honor societies • Affliation with The Studio at Rabun Gap for additional after-school dance classes and music lessons

INSPIRATION

“My teachers in the theater became people I love and trust, and they inspired me to discover talents I never knew I had.” ‒ Collin (Northglenn, Colorado)

COMMUNITY

“My favorite thing is the sense of friendship that we have in this community. I’m far away from home, so it’s great to have people who are always there for you. ” ‒ Andre (São Paulo, Brazil)

RESIDENTIAL LIFE make lifelong connections

• Boarding students represent more than two-thirds of Rabun Gap’s population in the Upper School • Boarding program builds responsibility for personal, academic, and social growth under the nurturing guidance of Rabun Gap residential faculty • Dorm amenities include computer access, kitchens, laundry facilities, fitness center, vending machines, and common areas • Organized weekend activities, ranging from swimming and canoeing on Indian Lake to mall, theater, and sporting event outings

OUR NEW DINING HALL •

State-of-the-art new dining facility opened in 2019

•

Dining room seats more than 400 with fireplace and solarium seating

•

Expansive outdoor patios provide additional dining space

RECENT PLACEMENTS AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE AMHERST COLLEGE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY CORNELL UNIVERSITY DAVIDSON COLLEGE EMORY UNIVERSITY FURMAN UNIVERSITY GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY HARVARD UNIVERSITY JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE PARSONS THE NEW SCHOOL OF DESIGN PRINCETON UNIVERSITY RHODES COLLEGE SEWANEE: UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY OF ST. ANDREWS SCOTLAND UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, MADISON WAKE FOREST WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS

COLLEGE PLACEMENT chart your course

• Comprehensive college counseling program with multi-year approach beginning in 9th grade • 100% college acceptance • More than 1/3 of grads attend Top 50 Liberal Arts & National Universities (US News & World Report) • 20 Adanced Placement (AP) courses • College test preparation and registration assistance (PSAT, PLAN, SAT, ACT, and TOEFL) • Optional SAT prep program • Onsite seminars with college counselors

WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY WOFFORD COLLEGE

• Meet with representatives from colleges across the country and world at college fairs both on and off campus

EXCELLENCE

“The college counselors gave me benchmarks to organize my paperwork, and they were willing to drop everything to help me. ” ‒ Nina (Kaohsiung, Taiwan)

HONOR “Living in community where honor is found everywhere -- in the chapel, in the classroom, in the dorm, on the athletic fields -- these are the things that I’ll carry with me through life. ” ‒ Fola, (Bowie, Maryland)

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT make a difference

• The Rabun Gap Honor Code promotes integrity and is signed annually by all students.

• Students regularly serve on campus and in the community. Past projects include distributing food to needy families in partnership with a regional food bank, assisting with environmental conservation groups, and hosting blood drives.

• There is a commitment to sustainability through our Environmental Stewardship Program. Projects include on campus recycling system, local honeybee research and honey harvesting, and community garden and orchards.

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

• Student leadership positions are available in Student Government, Admissions, Residential Life, Honor Council, Tutoring and Counseling.

Asheville

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School

Greenville

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is nestled in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, just two hours from Atlanta, Ga., Greenville, S.C., and Asheville, N.C.

SCHEDULE A VISIT Call us at 706-746-7720 to set up your on campus visit at Rabun Gap!

ON THE ROAD Atlanta

Rabun Gap Admission staff travels across the U.S. and around the globe to meet families. Check our website to see when weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re visiting a town near you!

www.rabungap.org 339 Nacoochee Drive, Rabun Gap, GA 30568 706-746-7720 â&#x20AC;˘ admission@rabungap.org