Upper School
BUILDING CHARACTER, COLLABORATION, AND CULTURE
The mission of Tallulah Falls School is to prepare each student to thrive in life by elevating character and intellect in a challenging and diverse college preparatory environment.
The school’s mission is woven into every area – from academics, athletics, fine arts, clubs, and social events.
TFS students experience a true college preparatory environment through our challenging academic program. Tallulah Falls School partners with local colleges and universities to offer dual enrollment courses taught on our campus. Additionally, several Advanced Placement courses are offered.
Beyond the academic environment, we focus on establishing a thriving learning community. On a given day, students participate in club meetings, attend tutorial groups, compete or support athletic events, engage in community service activities or social gatherings taking place throughout campus.
Facilities
The Larry A. Peevy Upper School Building features state-of-the-art classrooms, a media center, and a learning center. Students can access our student activity center and athletic facilities, including fields, courts, and a modern and comprehensive weight room. Students regularly participate in aquatic activities in our natatorium. In addition, we have access to the Northeast Georgia mountains right out our backdoor for kayaking, swimming, hiking, fishing, and more!
Academics
Tallulah Falls School offers a comprehensive and rigorous academic experience to prepare students for success in college and beyond. The academic curriculum is built around a strong college preparatory foundation, offering courses in core subjects such as English, mathematics, science, social studies, and foreign languages. Students are encouraged to engage in critical thinking and applicable problem-solving, fostering intellectual curiosity and academic excellence.
A key element of the Upper School program is emphasizing individualized learning and soft skills. Teachers work closely with students to support their academic growth and personal development. Small class sizes allow for more direct interaction and a collaborative environment where students are encouraged to take autonomy in their learning.
The TFS upper school provides a well-rounded, challenging, and supportive environment where students are inspired to excel academically while growing as responsible, engaged citizens.
Dual Enrollment and AP Courses
The school provides a broad range of on-campus Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Enrollment (DE) courses that allow students to challenge themselves with college-level content in calculus, biology, literature, history, and geography. In addition, TFS offers honors-level classes to enrich the academic experience further, allowing students to dive deeper into subjects that interest them.
Experiential Learning
Our students take multiple interactive and experiential learning field trips. These experiences provide students with genuine connections with each other and an awareness of cultures and worlds outside of their community. Students and teachers' active engagement promotes meaningful and transformative learning-related attitudes, values, beliefs, and skills.
The yearly Mid-Mester experience for upper school students offers unique learning opportunities through travel and exploration. Freshmen journey to Florida's Space Coast, where they visit the historic city of Saint Augustine and the Kennedy Space Center, enriching their understanding of history and space exploration. Sophomores venture to Charleston, South Carolina, immersing themselves in the city's rich history, cultural diversity, and vibrant natural ecosystems.
Juniors and seniors tailor their experiences to their future aspirations, choosing between college or career exploration or trips to destinations such as New York City, Germany, and Costa Rica. These trips provide students real-world experiences, insights into potential career paths, and exposure to different cultures and environments.
Fine Arts
The Tallulah Falls School Performing and Visual Arts programs strive to provide opportunities for creative development and expression, events to showcase student work, recognition of excellence, and exploration of contemporary career pathways in the arts. This is achieved through various classes, competitions, and performances in theatre, music, culinary and visual arts.
Character Development
We don’t just talk about character – we live it! Our mission is to thrive in life by elevating character and intellect! The two go hand in hand.
Character development starts at the lower school with the Tallulah 12 and our house system, which begins in fourth grade and continues through graduation.
The Tallulah 12 are guiding principles that inspire character, confidence, and commitment.
New students are inducted into houses. Houses bring students into the school community through collaborative projects and friendly competition. As students build relationships across grade levels, they cultivate community, build social connections, and step into leadership opportunities.
Counseling and Academic Resources
TFS faculty and staff play an integral role in meeting our students' educational and emotional needs in and out of the classroom. Counselors support all students with academic achievement strategies, emotional growth, interpersonal skills management, and planning for post-secondary options.
Academic Counseling
College counselors work closely with juniors and seniors through the college application process. They meet with the junior class to explain the college application process. Students explore colleges, take interest inventories to see where their strengths lie, investigate careers, and build a resume for college. Students receive continual guidance throughout the entire process. All seniors apply to at least two colleges. Learn more about our college counselors here: https://www.tallulahfalls.org/academics/college_counseling_proc.cms
Student Wellness
The counseling department is an advocate and resource for all students, contributing to a culture of wellness. Counselors ensure students feel valued and equipped to succeed in and out of the classroom. They build strong relationships with students through trust and connection. Services include individualized and group counseling, promotion of social-emotional learning, skill development, and time management support. Counselors address specific challenges students may face and connect students and families to additional resources as needed. In addition, counselors are available for crisis intervention, conflict mediation, and peer mentorship.
Technology
From online educational games to immersive virtual reality, TFS students have abundant technological resources, including interactive boards in every classroom, a 1:1 laptop program, virtual reality, campus-wide internet access, computing and coding classes, and IT support.
Upper School Athletic Programs
70% of our upper school students compete on school athletic teams. Our sports programs provide multiple opportunities to develop confidence, competence, and leadership skills.
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Bass Fishing
- Cheer
- Cross Country
- Esports
- Golf
- Precision Rifle
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swim
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Upper School Clubs
Our upper school students have multiple opportunities to participate in on-campus clubs. These clubs allow students to explore their passions in a fun environment where they continue to build their leadership skills, curiosity, collaboration, and cultural awareness!
- Art Honors Society
- ACS: Chemistry Club
- Bakeology
- Chess Club
- Chinese Culture Club
- F.C.A.
- Future Health Professionals
- Global Citizens Awareness Panel
- Interact Club
- International Thespian Society
- Key Club
- Mu Alpha Theta - Math
- Model U.N.
- National Honors Society
- Recycling Club
- Robotics Club
- Science Olympiad
- Skateboarding Club
- Table Tennis
- TOME
- Tri-M