FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RGNS
What type of school is RGNS?
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is a coeducational boarding/day, college-preparatory school serving 357 students in grades 6-12. The School was founded in 1903 and is one of six independent secondary boarding schools nationwide that has a covenant relationship with the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Where is Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School located?
The School is located in the North Georgia Mountains, a region widely known for its scenic beauty, mountain culture, and recreational opportunities. Atlanta, Ga., Asheville, N.C., and Greenville, S.C. are less than two hours away.
What campus facilities are available to students?
The 200-acre central campus on more than 1,400 acres of property includes: seven dormitories, upper and middle school classroom buildings, chapel, library, health center, dining hall, student center, art and music studios, industrial arts building, science labs, computer lab, gymnasium, herbarium, natatorium, 20 acre lake, all weather track, baseball and softball fields, cross country trail, tennis courts, soccer field, ropes course, climbing wall, and working farm.
What plans do you have for improvement of the current physical plant?
In the fall of 2002, the School completed a $22 million facility improvement program including a new Arts & Technology building that contains classrooms and studios for performing, visual, graphic, and musical arts; a theater/auditorium; and a video technology facility. We have also remodeled and redistributed the use of current spaces in order to expand the science labs, general classroom areas, administration, bookstore, archives/alumni center and also completed construction of a new, two-story state-of-the-art library/media center. A new ‘suite-style' residence hall for senior students was opened in August of 2003.
OUR MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY
What is the mission of Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School?
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School combines its strong academic program, mountain setting, and Presbyterian heritage to inspire young people eager to learn and grow. Living our motto of Work Study Worship, our community nurtures and challenges students of diverse backgrounds as they prepare for college and a lifetime of service.
What is the philosophy of the School?
The School motto is Work, Study, Worship. Rabun Gap is committed to Judeo-Christian values, a strong work ethic, and rigorous academic preparation in small classes. The program is broadly based by design and global in nature. It promotes personal achievement, self-esteem, a sense of community, and commitment to protecting the environment.
What makes Rabun Gap unique?
Rabun Gap, like most good independent schools, has a strong academic program, small classes, and a safe, nurturing setting. However, what makes us unique, in part, is our ability to provide these special opportunities to families who would otherwise be unable to afford them. This is our legacy established by our founders and supported by a generous endowment. Frequently, we hear from alumni that Rabun Gap gave them a "life-changing" experience and a chance for an exceptional education that they never dreamed possible.
OUR STUDENTS
What kind of students do we seek?
We serve students of diverse economic, cultural and geographic backgrounds with average to superior academic ability. We take great care to identify and invest in college-bound students who have the potential to benefit from the educational and personal opportunities that Rabun Gap offers.
Why do students choose to attend Rabun Gap?
Students and their families choose us because their current school is too large, too crowded and/or the academic program is inadequate. They want to be sure that they will graduate well prepared for college.
What is the current composition of the student body?
| 2008-09 enrollment is 357; from 17 states and 15 countries (265 upper school, 92 middle school) |
| 50% are girls; 50% are boys |
| 68% of upper school students are boarders and 32% are day |
| 28% of middle school students are boarders and 72% are day (6th is day only) |
| 32% of boarding students are from the state of Georgia |
| 20% of our student population are international students, coming from 12 countries |
| 37% of students represent racial and ethnic minorities |
What kind of students would not benefit from being at RGNS?
Rabun Gap is not staffed to serve the needs of students with behavioral, emotional, or severe learning difficulties.
WHAT IT COSTS AND HOW WE CAN HELP
Tuition for 2009-10 is $15,675 for day students, and $34,700 for boarding stuents. International students are assessed an additional international fee of $4,300. This international fee ensures a space will be reserved for the international student and covers the cost of special services unique to international students. The RGNS education endowment enables us to offer over $3 million annually in need-based financial aid and merit-based scholarships to 60% of our students. We have The Head of School’s Leadership Scholarship for local residents entering in grades 6-11, George Woodruff Scholarships for boarding students entering in grades 7- 11, Presbyterian Fellows Scholarshipsfor students recommended by the Session of a Presbyterian Church (USA) entering in grades 6-11, and the Goizueta Foundation Scholars Program for talented students of Hispanic / Latino origin entering in any grade level. There may only be a limited number of scholarships available in each program for entering students.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AND EXTRACURRICULAR OFFERINGS
Who are your teachers?
We have 42 teaching faculty, with more than half having earned advanced degrees. Most live on campus and often work with students outside of regular class hours. Current students and alumni both say that our caring and professional faculty is our greatest asset.
What is the academic program like?
We operate on a semester system with a five-day rotating schedule. The average class size ranges from approximately 12-17 students. We offer a traditional college-preparatory core curriculum, including AP and Honors classes in all academic disciplines, as well as a wide range of studio courses in the arts and environmental science.
In 2008, 80% of RGNS students who took an Advanced Placement (AP) exam scored 3+ or higher on the national AP examinations. In the past five years, the Rabungap Average SAT score has been higher than the independent school average in the state of Georgia and on par with the strongest independent schools in the Southeast. (Data provided by GISA and SAIS.) What about activities?
Rabun Gap students participate in a full range of interscholastic and competitive athletics, as well as a work program, outdoor program and community service. They produce the yearbook, literary magazine and newspaper, and are also able to join the band, chorus, as well as a variety of service, scholastic, and artistic clubs. Once a year, the entire school participates in a Shakespearean Festival and MADFest (Music, Art, Dance and Drama Festival).
Do students have access to technology?
We have ten computer labs throughout campus, including two exclusively for middle school use. Every student has supervised Internet and intranet access and a personal email address. Computers are available in every dorm and many classrooms. Boarding students are allowed to bring computers for use in their rooms. The library has terminals for online research and reference. Most recently, the RGNS community has been provided with wireless access to its computer network and the Internet throughout campus.
What is boarding life like?
All dormitories have a non-teaching, full-time, residential faculty member. The staff at Rabun Gap plans a wide variety of trips and activities for weekends, including trips to Atlanta Braves games, white water rafting, concerts and movies. Shopping trips are frequently arranged for the convenience of students and we are approximately one hour from The Mall of Georgia. The School has an attractive student center on campus, and hosts a variety of dances and parties throughout the year. Rabun Gap parents provide birthday cakes and monthly deliveries of treats for boarders.
What does it mean to have a covenant relationship with the Presbyterian Church?
Most of the RGNS Board of Trustees are active members of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Our board members have strong ties to the church and its teachings, which help them as they govern and determine policy decisions affecting the School's leadership and direction.
Our School community has ecumenical chapel services twice weekly, and once a month boarding students attend the church of their choice off campus. We have an active community service program where students volunteer at a variety of regional charities and agencies.
COLLEGE ATTENDANCE
How many of your students are accepted into college?
In the past five years, 100% of our seniors applying to college have been accepted. We estimate that about 25% of our graduating seniors in a given year will represent the first member of their families to attend college.
What colleges do they choose?
From 2004-2008, RGNS graduates have matriculated to the following colleges and universities: Agnes Scott College, American University, Anderson College, Appalachian State University, Brigham Young University, Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, Colgate University, College of Charleston, Cornell University, Davidson College, Eckerd College, Emory University, Florida State University, Furman University, George Mason University, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Loyola University, New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology, New York University, Parsons School of Design, Princeton University, Purdue University, Reinhardt College, Savannah College of Art & Design, Southern Polytechnic State University, Toccoa Falls College, Trinity College, Trinity University, University of California Santa Cruz, University of Chicago, University of Georgia, University of Illinois, University of Miami, University of North Carolina - Asheville, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, University of North Florida, University of Notre Dame, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, University of Tennessee, University of Toronto, University of the South, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Vanderbilt University, Wake Forest University, Washington & Lee University, the United States Naval Academy, and Yale University.
What careers do Rabun Gap graduates pursue?
In the past ten years, Rabun Gap graduates have chosen careers in education, ministry, computer technology, medicine, engineering, arts and business, to name a few.
GOVERNANCE
Rabun Gap has a 25 member Board of Trustees, chaired by Steven P. Gilliam, and a 67 member Board of Visitors. RGNS Head of School, John Marshall, heads an administrative committee that includes 2 assistant headmasters, the middle school director, the director of professional development, the director of counseling, the director of community life, the director of advancement, and the director of admission. The school receives support from the annual fund, endowment, and tuition payments. Facility improvements are financed from non-endowment sources, including foundation grants and capital fund raising. An active parent association, two regional guilds, and an alumni association support RGNS. Rabun Gap is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, The Association of Boarding Schools, and the Southern Association of Independent Schools and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School adheres to a policy of non-discrimination in all of its admission and hiring processes.
Our Mission
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School combines its strong academic program, mountain setting, and Presbyterian heritageto inspire young people eager to learn and grow. Living our motto of Work Study Worship, our community nurtures and challenges students of diverse backgrounds as they prepare for college and a lifetime of service.
