Boarding School Review - Established 2003

Baylor School

5.00 (4 reviews)
171 Baylor School Road Chattanooga TN 37405
Tel: (423) 267-5902
www.baylorschool.org
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • 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: 31%
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 15 / Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
Baylor School Photo #4 - Baylor has six dormitories, each with its own unique amenities: gorgeous views of the Tennessee River, stone patios, TV and study lounges, faculty families, and dozens of friendly housemates. Overall, Baylor has 200 boarding students from 24 states and 18 countries.
Baylor School Photo #5 - According to Sports Illustrated and MaxPreps, Baylor is one of the top high school athletic programs in the country, with more state championships than any school in Tennessee and over 100 graduates competing at the college level.
Baylor School Photo #6 - The Latin word, "Magnanimitas" is etched on the Baylor gates, which translates to "Greatness of Spirit." This phrase embodies the way Baylor faculty & students care for one another and love the school.
Baylor School Photo #7 - Baylor provides a traditional preparatory school experience - high academic standards, community, and school spirit - all wrapped up in a boarding school environment. Our students learn to think critically, develop independence, and become the best versions of themselves both in and out of the classroom.
Baylor School Photo #8 - The city of Chattanooga allows our students to have access to what Outside magazine refers to as the "Best Town Ever" (twice!) featuring a long list of adventure playgrounds in and around Chattanooga that intertwine with the amenities and social opportunities of a city.
Baylor School Photo #9 - The median SAT score for the class of 2022 was 1370 (96th percentile). Baylor graduates are attending more than 90 colleges and universities across the world, including the University of Chicago, Cornell, Georgetown, Harvard, UNC, Northwestern, NYU, Stanford, and West Point.
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About the School

  • 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 (26-27)

  • 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: 31%
  • 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 269 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Community Size
Large student body (number of students)
Offering Breadth
Most sports offered
Offering Breadth
Most extracurriculars offered
Offering Breadth
High # of AP/advanced courses offered
Student Test Scores
High average SAT scores

School Overview

2026 School Data
Baylor School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
9-12
8-12
Grades Offered (Day)
6-12
PK-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1893
1906
Campus Size
690 acres
125 acres
Last Day of School
Tue. Jun 29, 2027
School Motto
"Amat Victoria Curam ("Victory Loves Care")

Student Body

Enrollment
1120 students
320 students
% Students of Color
25%
27%
% International Students
25%
21%
% Students Boarding
28%
65%
Average SAT Score
1370
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Formal on Monday, Polos and Khakis for the rest of the week
Casual
Average Class Size
14 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
77%
73%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Yes
Accreditations
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Tennessee Association of Independent Schools (TAIS)
# of AP Courses Offered
26
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

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$165 million
(Including a $15M science-specific endowment.)
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$66,000
$71,500
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$32,650
$40,000
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)
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
Yes
Weekly

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Admissions

Application Deadline
Dec. 15 / Jan. 15 / rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
Yes
No
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Acceptance Rate
31%
64%
Director of Admissions
Ryan Armstrong
Associate Director of Admissions
Tyler White
Application URL
Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
29
17
Sports
BalletBaseball
BasketballBowling
CheeringClimbing
CrewCross Country
Cross Country RunningDance
DivingFencing
FootballGolf
KayakingLacrosse
Mountain BikingRock Climbing
SoccerSoftball
SwimmingSwimming and Diving
TennisTrack
Track and FieldUltimate Frisbee
VolleyballWinter Track
Wrestling
Colors
Red and Black
School Mascot
Red Raiders

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
59
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
ASL ClubBusiness Club
Chinese ClubCommunity Service
Cum Laude SocietyDebate Club
Dorm PrefectsEconomics Club
Fellowship of Christian AthletesFishing 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
Student CouncilStudent Newspaper
Sustainability ClubTech Crew
Weekend Warriors Community ServiceWyldlife
Young Life


Arts and Music Programs:
A Cappella ClubBand
ChoirDance
DramaLiterary Journal
OrchestraTheater
Yearbook


Recreational Athletic Programs:
Mountain Bike ClubSporting Clays
Squash ClubUltimate Frisbee
Walkabout Outdoors Program

College Matriculation

College Acceptance Rate
100%
View Matriculation Data

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.
  • 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
Source: Verified school update
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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 31%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%.
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 ).

Student & Alumni Reviews

Review
Description

Class of 2017
5.00
Cornell University
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. . .

Class of 1995
5.00
Trinity College (CT)
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. . .

Class of 2012
5.00
Yale University
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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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • 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: 31%
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 15 / Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
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