"One of the premier boy's schools in the nation, McCallie has provided rigorous college preparation in a Christian context since 1905.
McCallie is an achievement-oriented community that encourages boys to strive toward academic excellence and commit to a student-administered honor system.
McCallie offers a coordinate program with Girls Preparatory School, AP courses in all disciplines, an extensive weekend activities program, 17 competitive varsity sports, and 39 different intramural tournaments...".
Quick Stats (2025)
School News
- News from the Ridge - 07/08/2024News from the Ridge is the go-to source for the latest updates and news from McCallie School. It covers a wide array of news topics, including academic achievements, campus events, ...morealumni successes, and more. This platform keeps the McCallie community informed and connected with what's happening at the school. hide
- Stories from the Ridge (Podcast) - 07/08/2024Stories from the Ridge is a platform dedicated to sharing compelling narratives from the McCallie community. Whether it's stories from alumni, faculty, or friends, each tale is anchored in values ...morelike honor, truth, and duty, reflecting the special bond of brotherhood within the McCallie family. hide
Top Rankings
McCallie School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 277 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Offering Breadth
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Year Founded
1905
1907
Campus Size
140 acres
125 acres
Student Body
Enrollment
994 students
319 students
% Students of Color
21%
27%
% International Students
22%
20%
% Students Boarding
33%
70%
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1140 - 1390
-
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
18
18
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
63%
72%
Summer Program Details
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$166 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$66,590
(The total includes a $500 Facility Fee.)
(The total includes a $500 Facility Fee.)
$66,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$34,360
(The total includes a $500 Facility Fee.)
(The total includes a $500 Facility Fee.)
$36,000
Tuition international students
$72,640
$57,650
% Students on Financial Aid
42%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$20,600
$25,000
Admissions
Application Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Jan. 15
Average Percentile SSAT
66%
-
Acceptance Rate
60%
64%
Director of Admissions
Hank Bramblet
Application URL
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
18
18
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
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
17
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
90
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Amnesty International Club, Chess Club, Community Service Related Club(s), Computer Club, 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), Investment Club, Literary Magazine, Math/Science Club, Mock Trial, Model United Nations (Model UN), National Honor Society, Newspaper, Outdoor Club, Peer Counseling, Peer Tutoring, Pennant (Yearbook), Pep Club (SPIRITUALS), Prom Committee, Quiz Bowl, Resident Advisors, Robotics, Robotics Club, Science Bowl, Science Olympiad, Scouting, Senate, Spanish Club, Sports Marketing, Student Activities, Student Ambassadors, Student Broadcasters, Student Council, Student Government, Student Publications, Student Vestry, TEPS, The International Club, Volunteer, Young Democrats, Young Libertarians, 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 Club, Dodgeball, Hiking, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Skateboarding Club, Spikeball, Swimming, Tennis, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Weight Lifting
Amnesty International Club, Chess Club, Community Service Related Club(s), Computer Club, 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), Investment Club, Literary Magazine, Math/Science Club, Mock Trial, Model United Nations (Model UN), National Honor Society, Newspaper, Outdoor Club, Peer Counseling, Peer Tutoring, Pennant (Yearbook), Pep Club (SPIRITUALS), Prom Committee, Quiz Bowl, Resident Advisors, Robotics, Robotics Club, Science Bowl, Science Olympiad, Scouting, Senate, Spanish Club, Sports Marketing, Student Activities, Student Ambassadors, Student Broadcasters, Student Council, Student Government, Student Publications, Student Vestry, TEPS, The International Club, Volunteer, Young Democrats, Young Libertarians, 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 Club, Dodgeball, Hiking, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Skateboarding Club, Spikeball, Swimming, Tennis, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Weight Lifting
College Matriculation
Year:
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
School Notes
- One of the premier boys schools in the nation, McCallie has provided rigorous college and life preparation in a Christian context since 1905. McCallie is an achievement-oriented community that encourages boys to strive toward academic excellence and commit to a student-administered honor system. McCallie offers a coordinate program with Girls Preparatory School, AP courses in all disciplines, an extensive weekend activities program, 17 competitive varsity sports, and 39 different intramural tournaments.
- McCallie'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.
- The McCallie Michaels-Dickson Scholarship brings to secondary education the prestigious merit-based scholarship traditions that have graced the finest Southern universities. Like the Morehead Scholarship at the University of North Carolina, the Jefferson Scholarship at the University of Virginia, and the A.B. Duke Scholarship at Duke University, the Michaels-Dickson Scholarship attracts exceptional students from around the country to McCallie. These scholarship recipients are outstanding young men in several respects. Their academic excellence is demonstrated through both academic record as well as standardized test scores. They exhibit exceptional leadership potential and possess truly extraordinary character. Scholarship, leadership, and integrity are the defining characteristics of the McCallie Michaels-Dickson Scholar. In recent years, approximately 150 boys have been nominated annually for the Michaels-Dickson scholarships. All are required to visit campus during a Visitor's Day program or for an individually scheduled visit during which they meet current McCallie students and staff, tour campus, and complete an admission interview. From the group of nominees, finalists are invited back to campus in late February to participate in the Michaels-Dickson Scholarship Weekend during which final award levels are determined. Scholarships may consist of merit, financial aid, or both. Levels range from partial to full tuition, room, and board.
- McCallie School accreditations: National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS); The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS); Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS); Tennessee Association of Independent Schools (TAIS); Independent Boys' Schools Coalition (IBSC); Enrollment Management Association (EMA); Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA)
- 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 - 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 $66,590 for boarding students and $34,360 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of McCallie School?
The acceptance rate of McCallie School is 60%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%.
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 17 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Climbing, Crew, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Soccer, Squash, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee and Wrestling.
Does McCallie School offer a summer program?
Yes, McCallie School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is McCallie School's ranking?
McCallie School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Large student body (number of students) and Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for McCallie School?
The application deadline for McCallie School is Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
When the McCallie school says they, "Inspire boys, and build men" they truly mean this. Even better though, McCallie does this in a way that is specifically tailored to how boys develop and learn. Before. . .
McCallie is unquestionably one of the finest boarding schools in the nation. It prepares its students to achieve excellence in every arena. Three things in particular distinguish McCallie from other schools.The first thing that. . .
As an all-male school with a focus on building up men of character, McCallie offered me an unmatchable experience.
In a single sex environment, my classmates and I did not feel constrained by a. . .
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