Rabun Gap opens 24-25 school year with record enrollment

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is thrilled to announce that the 2024-2025 school year is off to a historic start with record enrollment numbers. On Wednesday, August 21, campus came alive as 685 students from Pre-K through 12th grade filled the classrooms, marking the highest enrollment in the School’s storied history.

This exciting milestone reaffirms Rabun Gap’s unwavering commitment to its founding mission — delivering exceptional educational opportunities to students from across the valley and around the world.  This year, over 68% of students are local to Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.  The 110-member Class of 2025 is the largest graduating class in school history and was the first class to begin as fifth-graders at the Evelyne Sheats Lower School.  This year’s student body includes 48 countries and 16 states, truly representing Rabun Gap’s global reach and local roots.

“This is our biggest and best year yet,” said Head of School Jeff Miles. “Not only are we serving more day students from our local community than ever before, but our boarding program is at full capacity and thriving. This is one of the most talented, engaged, and caring groups of students we’ve ever had, excelling in the classroom, on the athletic fields, and on stage.”

There’s even more to celebrate this year! The Upper School officially moved into the newly renovated Hodgson Hall — the nearly 100-year-old main academic building that has been beautifully restored and modernized with new technology, additional classrooms, student workspaces, and a stunning terrace overlooking the mountains. These updates ensure Rabun Gap students have a state-of-the-art learning environment while preserving the campus’ history.

Rabun Gap is also delighted to welcome Ms. Kate McGroarty as the new Head of Upper School. With over two decades of experience in leadership at prestigious independent schools, Ms. McGroarty will lead grades 9-12 into a new era of excellence. She brings an impressive academic background, including advanced leadership training from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and international experience that adds to Rabun Gap’s global perspective. 

“Ms. McGroarty has already brought fresh energy and vision to the Upper School, and we are excited to see her impact,” said Miles. “We are thrilled to welcome many new teachers to campus this year who bring lots of experience in the classroom and working with students.”

Safety and security are top priority for Rabun Gap. Under the leadership of Campus Safety Manager Adam Casebolt and with generous support from an anonymous donor, Rabun Gap has implemented significant safety upgrades in all divisions, including enhanced access controls, student monitoring tools,  and school-wide safety protocols. "We are committed to ensuring our campus remains a safe environment for all," Miles added. "These upgrades demonstrate our dedication to protecting our students, staff, and visitors. There is nothing more important than the safety of our campus community."

Students returned to the classroom with enthusiasm, diving into dynamic, hands-on projects and tackling design-thinking challenges from day one. It’s this spirit of innovation and applied learning that continues to set Rabun Gap apart as one of the top independent schools in the country.