McCallie School

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McCallie School Photo #1 - The College Counseling office works with our students to help them find the best college fit for them and to make sure they are best prepared for the application and the financial aid processes.
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McCallie School Photo #1 - The College Counseling office works with our students to help them find the best college fit for them and to make sure they are best prepared for the application and the financial aid processes.
McCallie School Photo #2 - The 180,000 square-foot Sports & Activities Center is home to five basketball courts, a racquetball court, a climbing gym, a weight room, a 25yd x 25m swimming pool, a wrestling room, twenty-five indoor rowing machines, an indoor track, and a full-service athletic training room. The building also houses a student recreation area with ping-pong tables, pool tables, and an arcade.
McCallie School Photo #3 - McCallie believes that its ongoing Christian tradition builds a strong moral foundation and a sense of civic and social duty. By instilling respect for, and understanding of, other religions and faiths, McCallie supports the spiritual growth of all its students.
McCallie School Photo #4 - McCallie offers hundreds of weekend activities all year long, from intramural sports on campus to out-of-town trips to concerts, sporting events, and outdoor activities. No matter what you're interested in, McCallie has an activity to match it.
McCallie School Photo #5 - Through coordinate activities with our sister school GPS, we are able to provide students activities where "all-boys" and the "all-girls" schools can interact.
McCallie School Photo #6 - At McCallie, we feel it is important to grow the whole boy. Our expert coaches and trainers utilize our state-of-the-art facilities to help our young men be the best they can be physically.
McCallie School Photo #7 - McCallie's academic programs go beyond merely mastering the necessary material. They excel at teaching students to think. McCallie does not teach courses or subjects; McCallie teaches boys.
Since 1905, McCallie has offered a premiere college and life preparatory boarding program for boys in grades 9-12.
The student-administered honor code governs a community where academics and character are of equal importance.
McCallie features over 40 student-centered organizations and an outstanding array of extra-curricular activities which include nationally recognized programs in athletics, the arts, and community service.
McCallie also offers a coordinate program with Girls Preparatory School.
The Michaels-Dickson Scholarship Program awards merit scholarships to outstanding rising ninth and tenth-grade students.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked TN School
  • Grades: 6-12
  • Enrollment: 977 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $64,220
  • Acceptance rate: 55%
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

McCallie School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Tennessee for:

School Overview

Student Body

Total Students
977 students
Student Body Type
% Students of Color
23%
State avg.: 19%
Students by Grade
McCallie School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
125 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
88%
Average Class Size
14 students
Number of AP Courses
18 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Chinese Language & Culture, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Literature & Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP European History, AP Latin, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Physics C, AP Spanish Language & Culture, AP Statistics, AP United States History, AP World History
Average SAT score
1270
Average ACT score
27
Average Percentile SSAT
66%
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Dress shirt and tie (Mon-Thur); School Polo (Fri)

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Day Tuition $33,380; Boarding Tuition $64,220; International Boarding Tuition $69,970
% on Financial Aid
44%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$20,600
Acceptance Rate
55%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Hank Bramblet
Endowment Size
$155 million

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
92 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Ambassadors Club, Amnesty International, Chess Club, Community Service Related Club(s), Debate Club, Diversity Club, Dorm Proctors, Environmental Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), FIRST Robotics, Foreign Language Related Club(s), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Gay/Straight Alliance, Habitat for Humanity, Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA), Honor Council, iMAT (Integrated Music, Art, and Technology), International Club, Investment Club, Literary Magazine, Math/Science Club, Mock Trial, Model United Nations (Model UN), National Honor Society, Newspaper, Peer Tutoring, Politics Club, Prom Committee, Quiz Bowl, Resident Advisors, Resident Assistants, Robotics, Science Bowl Team, Science Olympiad Team, Scouting, Senate, Spanish Club, Sports Marketing, Student Activities, Student Broadcasters, Student Council, Student Government, Student Leadership, Student Publications, Student Vestry, TEPS, Volunteer Service Club, Yearbook (Pennant), Young Democrats, Young Libertarians, Young Life, Young Republicans, Young Writers Society

Arts and Music Programs:
A Cappella Group, Art Club, Band, Brass Ensemble, Chamber Choir, Chamber Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, Choral Music, Digital Photography, Drama Club, Film Studies, Filmmaking/Videography, Glee Club, Guitar Ensemble, Individual Music Instruction, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, Photography, Pottery, String Ensemble, Tech Crew, Theater

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Basketball, Canoeing, Cheerleading, Dodgeball, Hiking, Intramural Sports, Kayaking, Outdoor Club, Rock Climbing, Skateboarding Club, Spikeball, Spirit Squad, Swimming, Tennis, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Weight Lifting

School Notes

  • McCallie is an independent, all-boys boarding and day school located in Chattanooga, TN. The school was founded in 1905 by brothers Park and Spencer McCallie on land from the family farm and $2,000 gifted to them by their father. Based on its Christian principles, McCallie emphasizes the ideals of honor, truth, and duty as the foundation of good character. McCallie accepts students of all faith traditions and respects the dignity and value of all students equally.
  • McCallie is recognized as one of the top independent schools in the nation and is a thought leader in how boys learn. The McCallie faculty use innovative teaching approaches to bring out the best in every student and instill in them the desire to be lifelong learners. McCallie was recently recognized by Newsweek Magazine for having the top STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program in Tennessee. In addition to its rigorous academic program, McCallie is recognized for its many offerings in arts and music and competes in 17 varsity sports (basketball, football, baseball, cross country, track and field, rowing, squash, lacrosse, tennis, golf, climbing, wrestling, soccer, bowling, swimming, and diving). In 2021-22, McCallie won 5 state championship titles in football, cross country, baseball, lacrosse, and tennis.
  • McCallie has an alumni base of close to 16,000. Its alumni are leaders in the fields of business, government, literature, science, art, music, engineering, technology, history, and religion.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Jon Meacham ‘87 - Editor of Newsweek and best-selling author
    • Zach Wamp ‘76 - Current member of the House of Representatives
    • Carroll Campbell ‘58 - Former Governor of South Carolina
    • Ted Turner ‘56 - Cable News Network (CNN) Founder
    • Billy Dunavant ‘50 - Chairman of the Board of Dunavant Enterprises, Inc.
    • Bill Brock ‘49 - Former Senator and Secretary of Labor
    • Pat Robertson ‘46: - Founder and Chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) and host of The 700 Club
    • Olan Mills, II ‘48 - Chairman of the Board of Olan Mills, Inc.
    • Howard Baker ‘43 - Former Senate Majority Leader, White House Chief of Staff, and Ambassador to Japan
    • John M. Belk ‘39 - President of Belk Department Stores, Inc.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does McCallie School cost?
McCallie School's tuition is approximately $64,220 for private students.
What schools are McCallie School often compared to?
McCallie Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Baylor School by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of McCallie School?
The acceptance rate of McCallie School is 55%, which is lower than the national average of 85%. McCallie School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Tennessee with low acceptance rates.
Who are famous alumni from McCallie School?
McCallie School famous alumni include: Jon Meacham ‘87, Zach Wamp ‘76, Carroll Campbell ‘58, Ted Turner ‘56, Billy Dunavant ‘50, Bill Brock ‘49, Pat Robertson ‘46:, Olan Mills, II ‘48, Howard Baker ‘43 and John M. Belk ‘39.
What sports does McCallie School offer?
McCallie School offers 18 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Crew, Cross Country, Diving, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee and Wrestling. McCallie School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Tennessee for most sports offered.
What is McCallie School's ranking?
When is the application deadline for McCallie School?
The application deadline for McCallie School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
What neighborhood is McCallie School located?
McCallie School is located in the Ridgedale neighborhood of Chattanooga, TN.

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (4 reviews)
5  
The McCallie school does a wonderful job of developing students and helping them reach their academic and athletic goals. The rigors academics coupled with the amazing support of teachers and academic faculty in the learning centre were vital to helping me get into my first choice college. As well as developing in the classroom I developed athletically as well. The athletic programs at McCallie are top notch. The soccer coaches at McCallie played an instrumental role in helping me achieve my goal of playing college soccer. My favorite part about the school is easily the community. McCallie really stresses the importance of honor, truth, and duty as well as the importance of brotherhood. I have made lifelong friends during my time at McCallie which have impacted me in many positive ways. Overall McCallie is a great place and is well work the investment.
- Posted by
5  
McCallie has superb academics and a full slate of sports and arts activities. In addition, it strongly focuses on personal development of the students, including leadership training, spiritual growth, integrity, and a vision for community involvement. Highly recommended.
- Posted by
5  
This school is amazing. It features an all-you-can eat buffet lunch and optional breakfast and dinner. Although expensive, its academics and athletics are one of a kind.
- Posted by
5  
Mccallie School is truly excellent for highly-qualified students. It provides them with a tough curriculum and a high amount of pressure to do well. For students that are average, or, God help them, below average, Mccallie is not ideal. Mccallie, like many other top private schools, is a mile run. Students are either fit enough to start the race and end up fitter and better, or they cramp halfway through, try every coping mechanism from marijuana and giving up to cocaine and insomnia, and burn out before arriving at their parent's household, shamefaced, and ready for public schooling. As a student, I highly, highly recommend Mccallie school to determined, competitive, and tough kids who can make it. For the bottom 75%, it isn't worth the money and may not benefit them at all.
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked TN School
  • Grades: 6-12
  • Enrollment: 977 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $64,220
  • Acceptance rate: 55%
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Chattanooga, TN is $22,624 for elementary schools and $26,249 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Chattanooga, TN is 86% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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