FAQs

Our classes are college preparatory. Maintaining smaller classes is critical to learning and success. Our classes also follow a traditional class schedule where students are enrolled in the same academic courses for the entire school year. This schedule provides a more in-depth exploration of each subject. Upper school students may elect to take Advanced Placement courses. Junior and senior-level students may elect to take dual-enrollment classes on the TFS campus to earn both high school and college credit.

At Tallulah Falls School, we prepare students for success in college and beyond by blending innovative technology with a strong academic foundation. Our classrooms and labs are designed to mirror the tools and resources students will encounter on a college campus—ensuring they are confident, capable, and future-ready.

Every classroom is equipped with 75-inch Samsung interactive touch panels, and each student receives a Chromebook powered by the Google Education Plus platform. From the first day, students gain access to cutting-edge tools that enhance collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.

Technology also brings learning to life in new ways. With ClassVR headsets available at both the Lower/Middle and Upper Schools, students engage in immersive, hands-on experiences that deepen understanding across subjects. In addition, the Middle School Mac lab introduces students to Digital Design, while the Upper School yearbook program and art studio use Macs and iPads to spark creativity and refine design skills.

Our science labs are equipped with college-level technology, giving students a head start on the tools and methods they will use in higher education. Access to the Galileo research database, widely used by Georgia colleges and universities, further prepares students for academic success.

Innovation thrives in the Engineering Lab, where students design and produce projects using five state-of-the-art 3D printers. This hands-on experience strengthens problem-solving and research skills while encouraging creativity.

At Tallulah Falls School, we are proud to provide a technologically rich environment where students develop the skills, confidence, and adaptability to excel in college and in life.

Each year, 100% of TFS graduates are accepted into colleges and universities across the country. Our graduates are consistently recognized for their outstanding academic achievements and their ability to succeed at the collegiate level.

Please review supply lists carefully. If you have questions regarding needed items, please contact the individual classroom teacher. Teachers are available via email throughout the summer months. The Orientation event held prior to the first day of school is also a good time to ask specific questions of individual teachers.

Contact the front desk at the lower/middle school (706-839-2045) or the upper school (706-839-2001). Please be sure to review the attendance policy in the school handbook.

Families should always contact a teacher first for questions about grades. Should parents need additional information, they should contact either Lower/Middle School Academic Dean or Upper School Academic Dean.

Upper school clubs are listed on our school website. A Club Fair is held each fall and is an opportunity for students to sign up for clubs they wish to participate in. Clubs schedule their own meeting dates and times, but every month there is a Club Day, where students meet in their respective clubs for a period of time during the school day. If you have questions about clubs, please contact our Dean of Students. 

Lower/Middle school school starts at 8 AM and upper school starts at 8:15 AM with doors opening at each location at 7:45 AM. On Wednesdays, upper school classes start at 8:30 AM, but morning shuttles run at their normal times.

Class scheduling is completed throughout the summer. For questions regarding Lower or Middle School scheduling, families should contact the Academic Dean. For questions regarding Upper School scheduling, families should contact the appropriate grade-level counselor.

Families will create an account within the Family Portal. The portal will allow families to review grades, homework, behavior, attendance, billing information, and medical data for their student(s) and update personal information anytime it is needed. Information is also provided in newsletters throughout the year for both the lower/middle school and the upper school.

Among independent schools, Tallulah Falls School stands out in many ways. Our families are among our best ambassadors – they know first-hand that we have a heart for our students. Those who serve at TFS have a sincere passion for seeing students learn and grow, and it shows in their dedication to helping individual students succeed. At TFS, students and parents become part of a larger family and community where students are encouraged to reach their full potential both personally and academically. The commitment of TFS to this cause is also evident in our tuition costs. The founders of the school envisioned a place dedicated to student success regardless of their socio-economic status.

We seek students who are motivated to learn and are committed to being an active part of the TFS community. In a community, each individual contributes something unique and valuable. We seek students who have a desire to grow and are willing to strive for greater success in their lives.

In their efforts to prepare for college, many students seek programs that equip them to succeed. Others are seeking a more positive community where learning and success are encouraged.

Tallulah Falls School does not recognize IEPs or 504 plans as part of our academic program. However, it is sometimes the case that our small class sizes minimize the need for accommodations. Students with prior educational or behavioral accommodations interested in applying to TFS will need to submit a copy of their IEP or 504 plan with their application for review to determine if TFS can help the student achieve their educational goals.

While every student is capable of making bad choices during their life, TFS is not equipped to provide the structure necessary to accommodate students with consistent patterns of behavioral problems.

To arrange a visit to the school, please visit Schedule a Visit and select the applicable school. Additionally, students may benefit from our “Student for a Day” experience, which allows them to see what it's like to be part of the Tallulah Falls School family. To learn more, please contact the Office of Admissions at (706) 754-0400 or email admissions@tallulahfalls.org.

You can apply by clicking any “Apply Now” button on our website.

1. An official school transcript including a record of discipline and attendance.
2. Current course of study with grades and/or progress report.
3. Recommendations from current Principal, English, and Math teachers (included in the online application).
4. Standardized Test Scores.
5. Interview with the Admissions Office. The Admissions Office will contact families to schedule an appointment.

After the required application materials have been received, the Admissions Committee will review the application and make an admission decision by the published deadlines.

At TFS, we may not always have space for all qualified applicants. Therefore, we may have to place some students on the waitlist. If your student is on the waitlist, it is essential to maintain open lines of communication. You will be notified as spaces become available. If you decide to enroll your child at another school, please contact us so that we can remove their name from the waitlist.

Once you receive the acceptance letter via email, if you are applying for financial aid, you may begin your application by visiting Clarity. If you are not applying for financial assistance, a link to complete the online enrollment packet will be sent to you with further instructions.

• Completed Application for Admission - The application can be accessed here.
• Recommendation Forms- Principal/Guidance Counselor, math teacher, English teacher (accessed via the online application)
• Academic Transcripts- class grades for at least two years, translated into English.
• Test Scores- TOEFL, TOEFL Junior, SSAT, ELTiS, IELTS, iTEP, SLATE or Duolingo. The Tallulah Falls School TOEFL code is 7539
• Admission Interviews (completed via video call) - The Admissions Department will schedule an interview after the required forms have been submitted. 

Tallulah Falls School enrolls approximately 80 to 90 international students each year. Students enroll from many different countries worldwide.

A student will submit an initial application for admission. After a student is admitted, the family will sign the continuous enrollment contract. New families that wish to apply for financial aid will submit an application via Clarity. Both boarding and domestic returning families are required to submit a Clarity application each year to receive ongoing financial aid.

After the Admissions Committee has accepted the student, the following should be submitted to issue the I-20:

• Signed enrollment contract
• Payment of non-refundable tuition deposit (if necessary)
• Medical paperwork required by TFS
• Bank document verifying funds available for tuition and fees to cover one year
• A copy of the student's passport

Contact your local U.S. Embassy to schedule your interview for your F1 visa. Be sure to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee before your appointment.

• Classes
• Books
• Room and board (boarding students)
• Meals (lunch - all students, breakfast and lunch - boarding students)
• Google Chromebooks (for use during the school year)
• Laundry service (boarding students)
• Some weekend activities

• School and P.E. uniforms (approximately $500 - $700 in the first year)
• Transportation not associated with school activities
• Elective weekend activities
• Personal supplies for school or the dormitory
• Medical expenses
• School breaks - Boarding Students
• Mandatory educational trips
• International student health insurance

Families can reach out to the Athletic Director or individual coaches with questions regarding our athletic programs. 

Tallulah Falls School is proud to offer families the ability to make online payments for school tuition and school activities. Families will choose payment plans at the time of enrollment. For questions, regarding payments, families should contact the school business office.

The daily school menu is published here. Students do not pack lunches as there are many offerings each day.

Meals are included in tuition costs.

Please contact the school nurse at your child’s school. Review the medication policy located in the Parent/Student handbook. Students may not carry medications with them unless permission is given by the school nurse.

Students will visit the nurse if they are feeling ill. The school nurse will contact guardians. A school nurse is located at each building.

Magnus Health SMR allows parents to submit medical documentation and answer pertinent medical questions each year. In addition, health information will be recorded using Magnus. Magnus is accessible through the Family Portal.

An athletic trainer is available to assist students with injuries related to school athletics. The coach or school nurse will contact the trainer to initiate care.

All students are required to have a Preparticipation Physical Evaluation (PPE) yearly. Even though your student may not be engaged in a formal sport activity, they are participating in events throughout the year on and off campus.

Each student is issued a Chromebook and protective case for academic use throughout the school year. Each family should carefully read the policies related to the use of technology on campus carefully. The policies are located in the student handbook. If students have an issue with their device, they should contact the IT department. The IT department has offices on each campus. The cost of the Chromebook rental is included in tuition; however, damages must be paid by the student family.

Students are given their Google login and email address when they receive their Chromebook, the first week of school.

  Living in the dormitories enhances the academic and personal development of students by providing daily structure and helping to establish good life habits. Students develop deeper relationships by living and growing together in the dorms. Below is an example of a typical school day for a boarding student at TFS.

• 6:30 AM - Wake Up
• 7:15-8:00 AM - Breakfast
• 7:45-8:15 AM - An Optional Tutorial in the Upper School classrooms with teachers. Study Hall is built into the class day
• 8:00 AM - Middle School Day Starts
• 8:15 AM - Upper School Day Starts
• 3 PM - Middle School Day Ends
• 3:15-3:45 PM - An Optional Tutorial in the Upper School classrooms with teachers.
• 4 PM - Free Time/Athletic Practice/Club Meetings
• 5:30-6:45 PM - Dinner 
• 7 PM - Recreational Time/Free Time in Dorms
• 8 PM - Mandatory Study Time
• 10 PM - Lights Out for Middle School Students
• 11 PM - Lights Out for Upper School Students
• Midnight - Lights Out for Seniors

A work program in the dormitories is designed to help students learn how they can contribute to the campus community through service to others. Each student is required to work within the work program for one 9-week period.

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport

Tallulah Falls School schedules two breaks throughout the year (Fall and Winter Break) for students to stay in the dorm (this is an additional fee), allowing students to stay on campus if needed.

During Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring break, students are required to leave campus (the dorms are closed for these breaks).

Parents are responsible for making arrangements and must submit an itinerary before the start of classes. There are several options for breaks: 

• Return to their home country to spend time with family or have their family visit them in the U.S.
• Stay with the family of another TFS student (arranged by student/parent).
• Stay with an adult authorized by the parents.
• Stay on campus with TFS Residence Life staff for a nominal fee (Fall and Winter break).
• Tallulah Falls School will only release students to stay with adults whom the student's parents or guardians have approved.

You may provide your child with a bank card for accessing money through an ATM on campus, or you may wire transfer money to their school account.

Students are issued a Google Chromebook and an email account, and WiFi is available throughout the campus. There are also phones in the dormitories. Additionally, students are allowed to have cellular phones except during class days, study hall, and after lights out.

Students can either pay cash or if need be, bill their student account. We recommend that students have their own credit card so that they can pay for items they need or trips that want to attend.

During fall and winter break, the dorms are open for a $900 fee, with a minimum of 10 students per dorm. Many students stay with our day students, friends or families. A professional host service is always an option for you to explore. We have a lot of students who fly home for the break. In some cases, family members fly to the US and visit many areas around the country with their student.

Campus visitors must always stop at the front gate on the main campus. Parents dropping off or picking before or after school do not need to stop at the gate.

When visiting the upper school, families should park in the visitor spaces in the large lot directly in front of the academic building. Handicap spaces are available to the right of the front entrance.

When visiting the lower/middle school, visitors should park near the portico or the large lot in front of the Student Activity Center. Handicap spaces are available near the front entrance of the school.

Students must obtain a parking pass from the Director of Security in order to drive and park on campus.

Lower/middle school students should be dropped off under the portico at the front entrance. Upper school students should be dropped off at the front entrance of the Upper School.

Families must sign out their student at the front desk of either school. Student drivers may check themselves out, but must have parent permission in advance. Emergency contacts are only allowed to take students.

The majority of students at TFS are involved in extracurricular activities. Students develop critical life skills, such as leadership, teamwork, and personal achievement, by participating in athletics, fine arts, clubs, and weekend activities.

All students are encouraged to participate in weekend activities. Upper School students and Middle School students must first contact the Residential Life Office to register for the scheduled weekend activities.

Students are required to wear uniforms during the academic day. These uniforms are purchased through Flynn O'Hara Uniforms online or at one of their locations in the Atlanta area. After school, students may wear casual clothes on campus, provided they meet school dress code requirements which is described in our Parent/Student Handbook.

The school offers morning and afternoon shuttle transportation for day students for a nominal fee. For open weekends and breaks, the school offers a shuttle service to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and a pick-up/drop-off rideshare location in Atlanta for an additional fee.

Families should contact the individual that issued the demerits for the behavior. For more information regarding our demerit system, please refer to the Parent/Student handbook.

The student center hours are Monday-Thursday 3-7:45 PM, Friday-3-9:50 PM, Saturday-1:30-9:50 PM, and Sunday 1:30-7:45 PM.

Families can register for the student shuttle each summer here. 

Please contact healthservice@tallulahfalls.org. This information is provided to our dining hall and proper procedures are taken to assist your student. At all times, your student should advocate for themselves through dietary needs.