The Best Private Schools in Rossville, Georgia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Rossville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
McCallie School
Independent
McCallie School is an esteemed all-boys college preparatory school that serves students from Rossville and the broader Chattanooga metropolitan area. Established in 1905, McCallie is known for its rigorous academic curriculum with 26 Advanced Placement courses and a strong emphasis on character education through its honor code. The school features a 100-acre campus with modern academic buildings, athletic facilities, and arts centers. McCallie's comprehensive program includes championship athletic teams, extensive arts offerings, and community service initiatives. The school maintains small class sizes and provides individualized attention to support student success, with graduates consistently attending prestigious universities nationwide.
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Baylor School
Independent
Baylor School is a premier co-educational college preparatory school serving the greater Chattanooga area including Rossville. Founded in 1893, Baylor offers a rigorous academic program with a 9:1 student-teacher ratio and extensive Advanced Placement course offerings. The 690-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. Baylor consistently sends graduates to top-tier universities and emphasizes character development through its honor code and community service programs. The school offers comprehensive athletic programs with 21 varsity sports and numerous extracurricular activities including robotics, debate, and outdoor programs.
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Girls Preparatory School
Independent
Girls Preparatory School is a highly-regarded all-girls college preparatory school serving the Chattanooga region including Rossville families. Founded in 1906, GPS provides a challenging academic environment specifically designed to empower young women through its rigorous curriculum that includes 21 Advanced Placement courses. The school emphasizes STEM education with dedicated science and technology facilities, while also offering robust arts and athletic programs. The 67-acre campus features modern classrooms, science laboratories, performance spaces, and athletic facilities. GPS focuses on developing leadership skills and confidence through its honor code, community service requirements, and extensive extracurricular opportunities, preparing students for success in college and beyond.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Rossville, Georgia
What are the primary private school options for families living in Rossville, Georgia, and are they actually located in Rossville?
While Rossville itself has limited private school campuses, families in Rossville, GA, commonly look to prestigious independent schools in nearby Chattanooga, Tennessee, just across the state line. The most notable are Baylor School, McCallie School (all-boys), and Girls Preparatory School (GPS). These schools actively enroll students from the Rossville area and North Georgia. It's important for Rossville parents to understand this cross-state dynamic, as daily commutes to Chattanooga are standard. There are also smaller, local religious-affiliated schools within Georgia, but the nationally recognized college-preparatory options are in the immediate metropolitan area.
How does tuition for top private schools like Baylor, McCallie, and GPS work for Georgia residents from Rossville, and is there financial aid available?
Tuition for these schools is typically the same for all students, regardless of their state of residence (GA or TN). For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition ranges from approximately $30,000 to $35,000+ for day students. A key consideration for Rossville, GA, parents is that Georgia’s Student Scholarship Program (formerly the Tax Credit Scholarship) can often be used at these specific Tennessee schools, as they are approved providers. All three schools offer substantial need-based financial aid. It is crucial to apply for aid simultaneously with admission, as funds are limited. The net cost after aid can vary significantly, making these schools accessible to a broader range of families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs draw Rossville families to schools like Baylor, McCallie, and GPS?
These schools offer programs that are distinct from typical public school offerings in the Rossville area. Baylor is renowned for its comprehensive offerings, including a prominent STEM program, a top-ranked rowing team, and extensive outdoor/environmental science initiatives leveraging its riverfront campus. McCallie emphasizes leadership and character education alongside rigorous academics and strong athletic traditions. GPS focuses on empowering young women through programs in engineering, entrepreneurship, and global studies. For Rossville students, these provide access to state-of-the-art facilities, extensive Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses, and unique opportunities like global travel and independent study that are hallmarks of these institutions.
What is the enrollment timeline and process like for a Rossville, GA, student applying to a competitive private school in Chattanooga?
The process is highly structured and begins early. For entry in fall, the ideal timeline starts 12-18 months prior. Key steps include: attending open houses (typically in the fall), submitting applications by January/February, completing standardized testing (ISEE or SSAT), and participating in student interviews and campus visits. Admission decisions are usually released in March. Rossville families should note that sibling and legacy applicants often receive priority, so planning ahead is critical. It's also advisable to engage with the admission office early to discuss the cross-state commute and understand how the school integrates students from Georgia into their community.
From a practical daily life perspective, what are the major considerations when choosing between Rossville-area public schools and a private school in Chattanooga?
The decision involves several location-specific factors. First is the **commute**: attending a Chattanooga school means a daily drive across the state line, which can be 20-45 minutes each way, impacting family schedules and extracurricular participation. Second is **community**: public schools in Rossville offer a hyper-local peer group, while private schools provide a regional, often more socioeconomically diverse network. Third is **cost**: comparing free public education to significant private tuition (even with aid) is a major financial decision. Finally, **program fit**: Rossville public schools may offer robust programs, but the private options provide specialized curricula, smaller class sizes, and different educational philosophies. Visiting both local public schools and the private campuses is essential for comparison.
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