Baylor was established in 1893 and has become one of the country's premier college-preparatory schools. Our beautiful 690-acre campus is located on the Tennessee River just five minutes from Chattanooga's vibrant downtown, and an easy two-hour drive from Atlanta, Nashville, and Birmingham. Find more informational videos here.
Baylor's mission is to foster in its students both the ability and the desire to make a positive difference in the world.
Dating back to 1916, Baylor`s Honor Code is the moral compass for our entire community. Students, faculty, and staff commit to acting with honesty and integrity.
Baylor's most recent graduating class has enrolled at 99 different colleges and universities around the world, including Cornell, Duke, Georgia Tech, Johns Hopkins, Oxford, Princeton, Stanford, UCLA, Wake Forest, West Point, and Washington and Lee.
Baylor athletes are nationally recognized for excellence on the field and in the classroom, so it is not surprising that more than 100 Baylor graduates are competing in college programs, many at highly selective schools like Harvard, Penn, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Virginia.
The Cartter Scholars Program awards scholarships ranging from partial to full tuition to new ninth and tenth-grade Baylor boarding students each year. The scholars are automatically enrolled in Baylor's prestigious Harris-Stanford Honors Program, bringing them face-to-face with corporate executives, community leaders, and elected officials in order to hone their leadership and civic engagement skills.
Quick Facts (2025-26)
- Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
- Grades: (Day Students) 6-12
- Enrollment: 1,120 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $66,000
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $32,650
- Acceptance rate: 35%
- Average class size: 14 students
- Application Deadline: Dec. 15 / Jan. 15 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Baylor School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 275 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Offering Breadth
Offering Breadth
Offering Breadth
Student Test Scores
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
9-12
9-12
Grades Offered (Day)
6-12
2-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1893
1907
Campus Size
690 acres
130 acres
Colors
White, Red, Grey
Last Day of School
Sat. May 23, 2026
Student Body
Enrollment
1120 students
319 students
% Students of Color
25%
27%
% International Students
25%
21%
% Students Boarding
28%
68%
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
28
18
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
77%
73%
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$165 million
(Including a $15M science-specific endowment.)
(Including a $15M science-specific endowment.)
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$66,000
$68,850
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$32,650
$37,700
Tuition international students
$71,250
$58,650
% Students on Financial Aid
40%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$33,000
(Percent & average grant for boarding students only)
(Percent & average grant for boarding students only)
$25,000
Admissions
Application Deadline
Dec. 15 / Jan. 15 / rolling
Jan. 15
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Acceptance Rate
35%
62%
Director of Admissions
Ryan Armstrong
Associate Director of Admissions
Tyler White
Application URL
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
28
18
Courses
Algebra II w/Trig HonorsAdvanced Scientific Research
AP 3D ArtAP Art History
AP BiologyAP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BCAP Chemistry
AP Chinese AP Computer Science
AP English LanguageAP English Literature
AP Environmental ScienceAP European History
AP FrenchAP German
AP Human GeographyAP Latin
AP Physics CAP Spanish Language
AP Spanish LiteratureAP Statistics
AP Studio ArtAP US History
AP World HistoryBiology Honors
Chemistry HonorsEnglish I Honors
Geometry HonorsHonors Abstract Math
Physics HonorsPrecalculus Honors
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
29
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
59
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
ASL ClubBusiness Club
Cum Laude SocietyDebate Club
French ClubGender Committee
German ClubHarris-Stanford Honors Program
Harvard Model CongressHonor Council
Inner CircleKnitting Club
Latin ClubMechanics Club
Model UNMu Alpha Theta
National Honor SocietyOrganic Gardening
Peer Support NetworkPeer Tutoring
Photography ClubPolitics Club
Quiz BowlRAP (Raiders Against Prejudice)
Red CircleRESPECT Board (Community Service leadership board)
Robotics TeamRound Table
Spanish ClubSpirit Committee
STAT (Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow)Student Book Club
Sustainability ClubTech Crew
Weekend Warriors Community ServiceWyldlife
Young Life
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
College Matriculation
School Notes
- BAYLOR SCHOOL CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
- One of America's Most Selective and Dynamic Boarding Schools-- Baylor School offers one of the nation's most sought-after boarding experiences: a 690-acre riverfront campus along the Tennessee River at the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, just ten minutes from vibrant and growing Chattanooga. Renovated residence halls and academic facilities, a dedicated residential life team, and unmatched academic, athletic, and extracurricular programming create a community and student experience for those who are ready for more.
- COEDUCATION THAT MIRRORS REAL-WORLD LEADERSHIP-- Baylor is a coeducational community that prepares students for the world ahead, where leadership, collaboration, and innovation happen in diverse teams.
- PURPOSE-DRIVEN, PERFORMANCE-ORIENTED ACADEMICS-- Baylor's mission, to foster in its students both the ability and the desire to make a positive difference, is realized through rigorous coursework and signature programs. With 28 AP-level courses and distinctive programs such as Global Scholars, Civic Scholars, and Research Scholars, Baylor challenges students to connect knowledge with practice, preparing them for selective universities and impactful careers. The Research Scholars Program, supported by a $15 million science-specific endowment, enables college-level research across molecular biology, environmental science, and engineering.
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE, NORTH AMERICAN EXCELLENCE-- Baylor's boarding population draws from 19 states and 17 countries. Eighty-eight percent of boarders hail from North America, reflecting strong domestic demand. Exchange partnerships with 12 schools in seven nations extend Baylor's reach and deepen its longstanding commitment to global understanding.
- WALKABOUT: FORTY YEARS OF CHALLENGE AND CHARACTER--
- For more than four decades, Walkabout has defined experiential learning in the Southeast. Students backpack the Appalachian Trail, kayak the coast, and trek abroad-experiences that build resilience, confidence, and leadership under pressure.
- EXCELLENCE IN EVERY ARENA-- Baylor students pursue excellence in competition, community, and creativity. With 28 boys' and girls' sports and hundreds of co-curricular options, the school channels ambition into purpose.
- THE SOUTH'S MOST DECORATED ATHLETIC PROGRAM-- Baylor has captured 286 state titles across 28 sports-more than any other school in the region-and consistently fields nationally ranked teams in swimming, wrestling, soccer, football, and baseball.
- A CAMPUS WITH A PULSE-- Baylor's 132-year tradition and proximity to downtown Chattanooga create a lively, college-style atmosphere. Games, performances, and traditions draw crowds from both the campus and the local community.
- GROUNDED IN FAITH, OPEN IN SPIRIT-- Baylor's chapel program, led by a full-time ordained chaplain, is rooted in the Christian tradition and anchored by weekly chapel, optional midday prayer, and Sunday services, while welcoming students of all faith backgrounds.
- INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT FOR AMBITIOUS STUDENTS-- Faculty office hours, Extra Help blocks, and The Learning Center ensure no student navigates rigor alone. Faculty advisers serve as advocates and mentors throughout each student's Baylor journey.
- FROM CHATTANOOGA TO THE WORLD-- Baylor graduates matriculate to the nation's leading universities and leverage the Baylor Works internship network for experience in business, science, education, and nonprofit leadership. The alumni community is global, engaged, and connected.
- Baylor School accreditations: SAIS-SACS, NAIS, TAIS
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Keith Mitchell '10 - One of four Baylor alumni on the PGA Tour, winner of the 2019 Honda Classic
- Natalie Bracket '09 - Coordinator, Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE)
- Tiffany Williams '07 - Founder, TILA Studios, a visual arts incubator for black women
- Michelle Songy '04 - Tech entrepreneur, Director of Global Dining with Amex
- Laurie Speed-Dalton '92 - Trial attorney and founder of The Speed Firm, PC
- Tene Hamilton Franklin '91 - Facilitator with the Human Genome Project
- Geoff Gaberino '84 - U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in swimming
- Jamey Wheless '82 - Designer and Animator for George Lucas Entertainment
- Bill Dedman '78 - Pulitzer Prize winning journalist; NYT bestselling author of Hidden Mansions
- Arthur Golden '74 - Author of the New York Times bestselling novel, Memoirs of a Geisha
- School Motto: "Amat Victoria Curam ("Victory Loves Care")
- School Mascot: Red Raiders
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Baylor School cost?
Baylor School's tuition is approximately $66,000 for boarding students and $32,650 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Baylor School?
The acceptance rate of Baylor School is 35%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 62%.
Who are famous alumni from Baylor School?
Baylor School famous alumni include: Keith Mitchell '10, Natalie Bracket '09, Tiffany Williams '07, Michelle Songy '04, Laurie Speed-Dalton '92, Tene Hamilton Franklin '91, Geoff Gaberino '84, Jamey Wheless '82, Bill Dedman '78 and Arthur Golden '74.
What sports does Baylor School offer?
Baylor School offers 29 interscholastic sports: Ballet, Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cheering, Climbing, Crew, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Dance, Diving, Fencing, Football, Golf, Kayaking, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Winter Track and Wrestling. Baylor School is ranked as one of the top boarding schools for most sports offered.
What is Baylor School's ranking?
Baylor School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Large student body (number of students), Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered, High # of AP/advanced courses offered and High average SAT scores.
When is the application deadline for Baylor School?
The application deadline for Baylor School is Dec. 15 / Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 15 / Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
All seniors have to develop and complete a capstone project that provides service for the community. Apart from that because of a strict honor code you can leave you most valuable possessions out in the. . .
Walkabout is an experiential outdoors learning program open to all students that offers day, weekend, and break trips. It introduced me to things like kayaking, backpacking, and rock climbing without having to invest in gear. . .
Baylor has a unique camaraderie among its students. I have witnessed family relationships between faculty and friends that will last forever. These people keep in touch with me, and I feel like my connections opened. . .
Show more reviews (1 review)
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