Private School Review - Established 2003

McCallie School

5.00 (4 reviews)
500 Dodds Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37404
Tel: (423) 624-8300
www.mccallie.org

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Top Ranked TN School
  • Grades: 6-12
  • Enrollment: 994 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $66,590
  • Acceptance rate: 60%
  • Average class size: 13 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: ✓Verified school update
McCallie School Photo #1 - 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 #2 - 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 #3 - 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 #4 - 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 #5 - 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.
McCallie School Photo #6 - 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 #7 - McCallie believes its ongoing Christian tradition builds a solid 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.
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Quick Facts (2026)

  • Top Ranked TN School
  • Grades: 6-12
  • Enrollment: 994 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $66,590
  • Acceptance rate: 60%
  • Average class size: 13 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

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

Category
Attribute
Acceptance Rate
Lowest average acceptance rates
Student Body
Largest student body
Sports offered
Most sports offered
Extra-curric.
Most extracurriculars offered
School History
Oldest founding date
School Resources
Largest endowments

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
State or regional independent school association
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
Southern Association of Independent Schools
Educational Records Bureau
International Boys Schools Coalition
Religious Affiliation
Christian
Grades Offered
Grades 6-12
Students By Grade

Distribution of Students By Grade

GradeMcCallie School
689
781
894
9146
10196
11204
12184
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Offers Post-Graduate Year
Yes
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
1905
Colors
White, Blue
School Calendar
View School Calendar
Campus Size
140 acres

Student Body

Total Students
994 students
Student Body Type
All-boys
% Students of Color
18%
State avg.: 21%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
126 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
National avg.: 11:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
63%
Average Class Size
13 students
Number of AP Courses
18 courses
List of Courses Offered
Link to List of Courses
Advanced Courses
AP BiologyAP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BCAP Chemistry
AP Chinese Language & CultureAP Computer Science Principles
AP English Literature & CompositionAP Environmental Science
AP European HistoryAP Latin
AP MacroeconomicsAP Microeconomics
AP Physics CAP Spanish Language & Culture
AP StatisticsAP United States History
AP World History
Average SAT score
1250
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
26
(Out of 36)
Average Percentile SSAT
66%
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
View Matriculation Data
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Dress shirt and tie (Mon-Thur); School Polo (Fri)

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$66,590
View national tuition avg.
Tuition Notes
Day Tuition $34,360; Boarding Tuition $66,590; International Boarding Tuition $72,640
% on Financial Aid
42%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$20,600
Acceptance Rate
60%
National avg.: 82%
Admissions Director
Hank Bramblet
Application URL
Online Application
Endowment Size
$166 million

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
94 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Ambassadors ClubAmnesty International
Chess ClubCommunity Service Related Club(s)
Computer ClubDebate Club
Diversity ClubDorm Proctors
Environmental ClubFellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
FIRST RoboticsForeign Language Related Club(s)
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)Gay/Straight Alliance
Habitat for HumanityHealth Occupation Students of America (HOSA)
Honor CounciliMAT (Integrated Music, Art, and Technology)
International ClubInvestment Club
Literary MagazineMath/Science Club
Mock TrialModel United Nations (Model UN)
National Honor SocietyNewspaper
Peer CounselingPeer Tutoring
Politics ClubProm Committee
Quiz BowlResident Advisors
Resident AssistantsRobotics
Science Bowl TeamScience Olympiad Team
ScoutingSenate
Spanish ClubSports Marketing
Student ActivitiesStudent Broadcasters
Student CouncilStudent Government
Student LeadershipStudent Publications
Student VestryTEPS
Volunteer Service ClubYearbook (Pennant)
Young DemocratsYoung Libertarians
Young LifeYoung Republicans
Young Writers Society


Arts and Music Programs:
A Cappella GroupArt Club
BandBrass Ensemble
Chamber ChoirChamber Ensemble
Chamber OrchestraChoral Music
Digital PhotographyDrama Club
Film StudiesFilmmaking/Videography
Glee ClubGuitar Ensemble
Individual Music InstructionJazz Ensemble
Pep BandPhotography
PotteryString Ensemble
Tech CrewTheater


Recreational Athletic Programs:
BasketballCanoeing
CheerleadingDodgeball
HikingIntramural Sports
KayakingOutdoor Club
Rock ClimbingSkateboarding Club
SpikeballSpirit Squad
SwimmingTennis
Ultimate FrisbeeVolleyball
Weight Lifting

School Notes

  • 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.
  • School Motto: Honor. Truth. Duty.
  • School Mascot: Blue Tornado
  • 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
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does McCallie School cost?
McCallie School's tuition is approximately $66,590 for private students.
What schools are McCallie School often compared to?
McCallie School is 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 60%, which is lower than the national average of 84%. 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 19 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Climbing, Crew, Cross Country, Diving, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Soccer, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball 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?
McCallie School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Tennessee for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered, Oldest founding date and Largest endowments.
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).
In 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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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Chattanooga, TN is $22,120 for elementary schools and $29,591 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Chattanooga, TN is 82% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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