Recognized as one of the nation's top college preparatory schools, McCallie was founded in 1905 and is located on the western slope of Missionary Ridge in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
It is an all-boys school with boarding students in grades 9 through 12 and day students in grades 6 through 12.
The McCallie School's mission is to prepare its students for college and for life.
The school is dedicated to the academic, physical, spiritual, and emotional growth of boys.
It seeks to inspire and motivate them to pursue excellence and take pride in one's work and achievements; to lead lives of personal honor; to be responsible in family and personal relationships; and to manifest concern for the welfare of others.
Quick Stats (2023)
- Top Ranked TN School
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 979 students
- Acceptance rate: 60%
- 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:
Category
Attribute
Acceptance Rate
Advanced Degrees
Student Body
Sports offered
Extracurriculars
School History
School Resources
School Overview
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 6-12
Offers Post-Graduate Year
Yes
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Year Founded
1905
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
979 students
Student Body Type
% Students of Color
18%
State avg.: 19%
Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
118 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 and Culture, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP European History, AP Latin, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Statistics, AP United States History, AP World History
Average ACT score
26
Average Percentile SSAT
66%
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Dress shirt and tie (Mon-Thur); School Polo (Fri)
Dress shirt and tie (Mon-Thur); School Polo (Fri)
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Tuition Notes
Day Tuition $31,330;
Boarding Tuition $60,710;
International Boarding Tuition $65,710
% on Financial Aid
44%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$20,600
Acceptance Rate
60%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Hank Bramblet
Endowment Size
$118 million
Sports
Total Sports Offered
20 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
26 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Ambassadors Club, Amnesty International, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Foreign Language Clubs, International Club, Politics Club, Prom Committee, Resident Assistants, Science Bowl Team, Science Olympiad Team, Senate, Spanish Club, Student Council, Student Leadership, Student Vestry, Volunteer Service Club, Year Book Club, Young Democrats, Young Life, Young Republicans
Arts and Music Programs:
Individual music lessons
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Intramural Sports, Outdoor Club, Spirit Squad, Ultimate Frisbee, Weight Lifting
Ambassadors Club, Amnesty International, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Foreign Language Clubs, International Club, Politics Club, Prom Committee, Resident Assistants, Science Bowl Team, Science Olympiad Team, Senate, Spanish Club, Student Council, Student Leadership, Student Vestry, Volunteer Service Club, Year Book Club, Young Democrats, Young Life, Young Republicans
Arts and Music Programs:
Individual music lessons
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Intramural Sports, Outdoor Club, Spirit Squad, Ultimate Frisbee, Weight Lifting
School Notes
- Recognized as one of the nation's top college preparatory schools, McCallie was founded in 1905 and is located on the western slope of Missionary Ridge in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is an all-boys school with boarding students in grades 9 through 12 and day students in grades 6 through 12. The McCallie School's mission is to prepare its students for college and for life. The school is dedicated to the academic, physical, spiritual, and emotional growth of boys. It seeks to inspire and motivate them to pursue excellence and take pride in one's work and achievements; to lead lives of personal honor; to be responsible in family and personal relationships; and to manifest concern for the welfare of others.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Ted Turner '56 - CNN Founder
- Howard Baker '43 - Former Senate Majority Leader, White House Chief of Staff, and Ambassador to Japan
- Jon Meacham '87 - Editor of Newsweek and best-selling author
- Bill Brock '49 - Former Senator and Secretary of Labor
- James Killian '21 - Former President of MIT
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
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 60%, which is lower than the national average of 86%. 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: Ted Turner '56, Howard Baker '43, Jon Meacham '87, Bill Brock '49 and James Killian '21.
What sports does Mccallie School offer?
Mccallie School offers 20 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cheering, Climbing, 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?
Mccallie School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Tennessee for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees, 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).
School Reviews
5 6/22/2020
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.
5 3/10/2018
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.
5 2/25/2017
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.
5 5/17/2016
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.
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