Chen Yu Jiang ’28 of Demorest, GA, far right, and Wyatt Orwig ’31 of Mount Airy, GA, arrive at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School for the first day of school on Wednesday, August 28. (RGNS)
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School ushered in its 117th academic year on Wednesday, Aug. 28, welcoming 600 students of all ages from 50 different countries and 13 states to campus.
This year, Rabun Gap also welcomes its 11th Head of School Mr. Jeff Miles. Mr. Miles kicked off the day by greeting families and addressed Upper School students and faculty in the Opening Convocation, focusing on the theme for the year — Building One Community.
“Rabun Gap is truly a special place,” said Miles. “We’re called together from all over the world and we come from many communities to build the Rabun Gap family. When we take the time to learn from each other, we grow as a people and we grow as a community.”
Rabun Gap is the most globally diverse boarding school in the United States. Represented in this year’s student body include six new countries — Switzerland, Slovenia, Norway, Hong Kong, Croatia, and Bulgaria
In addition to its global boarding population, Rabun Gap serves local students from Rabun, Habersham, Towns, White, and Stephens counties in Georgia, Oconee County in South Carolina, and Macon, Jackson, and Clay counties in North Carolina.
This year’s student body also reflects Rabun Gap’s mission to provide access to high-quality education regardless of a family’s ability to pay, with 78 percent of students receiving financial aid and scholarships.
“We’re proud of our highly-competitive admissions year with students that will greatly contribute to our school community in the classroom, on stage, and on the athletic fields. There is so much to celebrate at Rabun Gap.” Miles said. “I am looking forward to an excellent academic year.”
