Academics

Upper School

List of 1 items.

  • Grades 9-12

    for College & Life
The Upper School at Rabun Gap follows a liberal arts curriculum that prepares students in grades 9-12 for college and life.
More than 300 students from 50+ countries make up our student body at the Upper School. Students in our boarding program make up 70% of the student body in grades 9-12. 

Students take core classes in humanities, mathematics, and science while furthering their academic interests in a variety of elective classes including STEAM, theatre, dance, arts, weightlifting, and special in-depth topics with the Head of School. To maximize the learning potential of each student, the average class size is 12, and there are no more than 16 students in any class.

Our Academic Program

Our academic program at the Upper School level cultivates critical thinking and fosters open dialogue. Our faculty members are committed to advanced students and those who need extra support.

List of 3 items.

  • Advanced Placement

    • Rabun Gap offers 16 AP courses in all academic departments at the Upper School.
    • Over 30% of Upper School students take at least one AP class.
    • Over the past three years, more than 80% of our AP students earned a 3 or higher on their AP exams, allowing them the opportunity to earn college credit before high school graduation. 

  • Student Support

    The Teaching and Learning Center is staffed with full-time support faculty who are always available to work one-on-one with students. The TLC includes a math and writing lab. Learn more about student support here.

  • STEAM

    STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) is woven throughout the Upper School curriculum. Students who want an in-depth experience with STEAM can take elective classes in the Dess Oliver STEAM Center and be a part of the afterschool STEAM program.

What makes our Upper School academic experience unique?

List of 4 items.

  • Research Curriculum

    Upper School students complete year-long, grade-level research projects led by collaborative teams of educators across disciplines.
    Read More

  • The Humanities Model

    The Humanities model fuses traditional history and English classes together. Our Humanities faculty incorporate team teaching and cross-curricular material into their courses. Students both study and write about historical texts and events in an environment that encourages discourse and collaboration.

  • College Counseling

    The question for Rabun Gap students is not if they are going to college - it's where. 100% of our students earn acceptances from the top colleges and universities across the U.S. and abroad. College preparation begins with a 4-year academic plan for each student starting in the 9th grade. Learn more about College Counseling.

  • Travel Study

    Students have studied environmental science in Hawaii, art in Italy, and history in France on school-sponsored trips. All Upper School students take a hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail before they graduate. In addition to travel study trips, faculty members also schedule regular local field trips to Atlanta, Greenville, Asheville, and other surrounding areas. Learn more about travel study opportunities. 

Upper School News

Upper School Academic Team

List of 3 members.

  • Photo of Erika Farr

    Erika Farr 

    Head of Upper School
  • Photo of Stephen Nowack

    Stephen Nowack 

    Director of Curriculum and Applied Learning, Humanities Department Chair
  • Photo of Susan Reimer

    Susan Reimer 

    Registrar, Upper School Administrative Assistant

Discover More

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School

339 Nacoochee Drive, Rabun Gap, Georgia 30568
706-746-7467 | 800-543-7467
rabungap@rabungap.org
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is a private, coeducational day and boarding school for grades Pre-K through 12. Centrally located between Atlanta, GA, Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC, we prepare young people for college, career, and a lifetime of leadership and service.