Darlington School is a coeducational, college preparatory day (pre-K through 12) and boarding (9-12) school established in 1905. Darlington provides a rigorous college-preparatory education that is global in focus and personal in delivery. Here, we emphasize the pursuit of individual excellence in a diverse learning environment. Our students are the center of all that we do, and together we empower them to learn with passion, act with integrity, and serve with respect. The school's diverse student body includes students from an average of 25 states and 30 countries.

Boarding

Darlington is family oriented. Life at the school is centered on an English House System that is unique among American boarding schools. Upon admission to Darlington, students are accepted into one of six Houses, three for girls and three for boys, each with a live-in Head of House. Freshmen are assigned to a "First-Year Experience" House designed to ease the transition from the middle grades education to the Upper School. Student prefects manage the life in the Houses, and also sit with the Heads of House on the House Senate. Over 50 percent of Darlington's faculty and staff live on campus and the ratio of boarding students to faculty members directly involved in the boarding program is 1:4. Additionally, local families, many of whom have day students enrolled at Darlington, serve as "Rome Parents" for boarding students.

College Preparatory

Darlington invests heavily in a coherent curriculum with small class sizes (averaging 14 students), cutting-edge technology, and most important, inspiring teachers who conduct imaginative and highly interactive classes. Darlington provides structure and daily tutorial assistance to those who need it, while offering greater freedom and challenge to those who have mastered the basics (19 Advanced Placement courses and Honors courses in every subject). The minimum program of study includes 22 credits, 19 of which must be in the major academic subjects. Graduation requirements include four units of English, three units of math, three units of science, three units of history, three units of one world language, one unit of fine arts, one unit of information technology, three units of electives, two units of physical education and 15 hours of community service each year.

The school's Teaching and Learning Center serves students from pre-K through 12, provides professional growth opportunities for faculty members, and coordinates informational workshops for parents. Parents and students are able to follow academic progress through confidential student pages on Darlington's website.

College Admission

All Darlington graduates go to college, and a majority are awarded lucrative merit scholarships in the process. Our formal college guidance program begins in ninth grade, with two full-time college counselors and a team of college advisors who are committed to helping our students find schools where they will be happy and successful. More than 120 colleges and universities visit our campus each year, providing an opportunity to explore the wide array of options available both nationally and internationally.

The 123 members of the Class of 2013 were accepted to 177 different colleges and universities and attended 69 institutions in 22 states and Scotland.

Colleges that have accepted Darlington graduates recently include Auburn, Boston College, Boston University, Carnegie-Mellon, Davidson, Duke, Emory, Furman, Georgia Tech, Harvard, Mount Holyoke, NYU, Northwestern, Princeton, Rice, Syracuse, United States Air Force Academy, United States Military Academy, University of Alabama, University of California: Berkeley, University of Georgia, University of Mississippi, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Virginia, Vanderbilt, Washington & Lee, and Washington University in St. Louis.

Honor

Darlington students have high expectations for one another. Their determination to live in a just community, where trust is much more than a word, is embodied in the school's venerable Honor Code, established by students over a century ago.

Athletics

Resident students participate in either an after-school activity or on an athletic team, including 12 varsity sports for boys and 14 for girls. The 96,000-square-foot A.J. Huffman '67 Memorial Athletic Center features a natatorium, performance arena seating 2,000, field house containing three basketball courts, volleyball and badminton courts, an indoor track, wrestling gym, modern fitness center, aerobics room, and spacious locker and training room facilities. The school also has extensive playing fields for softball, baseball, lacrosse, football and soccer, 12 outdoor tennis courts, and six miles of cross-country trails throughout its 500 acres of wooded hills.

For students who are serious about golf, soccer or tennis, Darlington also offers three specialized, year-round athletic academies that develop players to reach their maximum potential. This unique combination of intensive athletics and rigorous academics is designed to prepare students for collegiate opportunities.

Arts

Students may enroll in courses such as Graphic Design, Multimedia Journalism, Creative Writing and AP Music Theory. They can express themselves creatively in class; participate in five vocal and nine instrumental ensembles; or perform in one of The Darlington Players' three annual theatrical productions. Our Instrumental Music Conservatory offers world-class music instruction in a college-preparatory setting. From daily lessons to master classes, the Conservatory provides a full range of professional instrumental training and performance opportunities with the goal of placing students at renowned music schools and programs throughout the country. They can learn writing, designing and desktop publishing by joining the staff of one of the school's award-winning student publications. Many of Darlington’s student groups also perform on the road and for the school community throughout the year. The celebration of the arts culminates every fall with Fall for the Arts Month.

Location

Encompassing nearly 500 acres, Darlington's campus is nestled around a small lake in Rome, Ga., a medical center and college town located one hour from Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tenn. The school will help arrange transportation to and from the airport for international boarding students. Darlington's location between Atlanta and Chattanooga allows the Student Life Office to coordinate frequent trips to cultural and athletic events, outdoor adventures, theme parks and shopping.

Summer Camps

Students from ages 2 to 18 take advantage of Darlington's Summer Programs from June 1 to Aug. 1. Campers choose from day or boarding camps, including boys' and girls' athletic camps, SAT Prep, the Summer Scholars: Maker Challenge, and more. Several commercially-sponsored camps are scheduled as well, such as Joe Machnick's No. 1 Soccer Camp and GameBreaker Lacrosse. More information on Darlington Summer Programs can be found at www.darlingtonschool.org/summer.

Admission Process

Darlington requires transcripts, recommendations, a personal interview, SSAT scores, and an application fee along with the completed application. The school recommends that interested students visit campus and experience all that the school has to offer in person.

A Darlington School education is an investment in the future for your family. It is also a significant financial commitment. Darlington understands this and is committed to making its educational opportunities available to students regardless of their family's financial resources. Our students are our greatest asset, and providing them an outstanding college-preparatory education is our primary goal.

Darlington offers families a variety of financing options, including payment plans and financial aid. Merit-based scholarships are available on a competitive basis for new students.

If you are interested in any of our programs and would like to request information, please contact us!