FAQ's
Application Process
When may I enter Chatham Hall?
Most girls enter Chatham Hall in the 9th or 10th grade. There are, however, a small number of 11th grade openings each year.
What factors do you consider when making admission decisions?
Grades are the most important factor in the admissions process, with most accepted students earning “A”s and “B”s. The Admission Committee also looks for intellectual promise, strength of character, personal integrity, motivation to succeed, a willingness to participate in school life, and a strong desire to attend boarding school. We get to know each of our applicants through their transcript, test scores, essay, recommendations, and interview, as well as through frequent phone contacts.
When are your application deadlines for boarding students?
You are encouraged to begin the application process as soon as possible. The deadline for Fall 2012 is Feb. 1, 2012, and prospective students will be notified of the Admission Committee's decision by March 10, 2012. After Feb. 1, 2012, students are admitted on a rolling admission basis (see next question). Students offered admission are asked to reply by April 10 or within two weeks of acceptance, whichever is later.
I've missed your deadline. May I still apply?
Yes. We encourage you to contact the Office of Admission immediately. We typically enroll students after our deadlines have passed. Students have been enrolled through the summer, for example. We will closely work with your family and your school during the application process.
Does Chatham Hall offer financial aid?
Yes, we offer generous financial aid packages. Our goal is to make a Chatham Hall education affordable by bridging the gap between our comprehensive fee and what a family can reasonably contribute toward their daughter's education. About one-third of our students receive financial aid. For 2009-10, grants averaged $18,041 and have ranged from $3,000 to the full cost of attending our school. Merit scholarships and financial aid packages for international students are very limited.
Families must demonstrate financial need under the guidelines of the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) and have all their materials submitted by our financial aid deadlines. The deadline to complete the Parent Financial Statement (PFS) through SSS is February 10, 2012. Please also mail a copy of your PFS to Chatham Hall's director of financial aid. Families also should furnish their tax forms to the Director of Financial Aid by February 10, 2012.
Campus Life
How often is Chapel and is it required? What if I celebrate another religion?
Chatham Hall is an Episcopal school, but our student body and faculty members come from a variety of religious backgrounds. We welcome students of all faiths and use chapel as an opportunity for spiritual reflection. Our services are held during the day on Tuesday and Friday and after dinner on Sunday. They normally consist of singing, religious readings, and senior chapel talks. Attendance by students is required.
What do students do on weekends?
Generally, there are three or four off-campus activities available for students to enjoy each weekend. These include such events as trips to concerts, plays or sporting events, volunteer work, and mixers with other schools. Weekend activities are optional; you may choose to study or go to the movies with a few friends and a faculty member instead of signing up for larger trips.
Do the students ever see boys?
Yes, students have many opportunities throughout the year to attend social events with students from other schools. Supervised mixers and weekend trips to amusement parks, etc., are arranged by our activities director. In addition, we are a member of the Boarding School Social Activities Committee and, through this organization, participate in social activities with Blue Ridge, Woodberry Forest, EHS, VES, and other independent schools across Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland.
What are the dormitories like?
Our dorms rooms were refurbished in 1996 and 1997. Furniture is new, and storage space is ample. You will have a data port for Internet access, if you bring your own computer. There also is a phone port for each student in a room, but your parents must approve phone use, and there is a fee for phone rental. All new students live in double rooms. After the first year, you may choose your room and roommate, based a room-score system. There are some single rooms for sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Does Chatham Hall have a summer program?
We offer a residential middle-school girls horseback Riding Camp and an Investigators Science Camp. For more information, contact Sheppard Morrison (smorrison@chathamhall.org). In addition, current Chatham Hall students may participate in our study-abroad programs in Spain and France.
Is there a mandatory study hall?
Students attend study hall proctored by faculty members Sunday through Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. You may study in your room, in the library, or in a classroom. This time gives you the opportunity to seek extra help from teachers, study independently, or study with a group of classmates.
International Students
How do international students travel to Chatham Hall?
There are three airports within a two-hour drive of Chatham Hall. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is the largest and is located one hour and 45 minutes away in North Carolina. Piedmont Triad International Airport In Greensboro, N.C., also is a major airport and is located one hour and 15 minutes away. Lynchburg Airport, located in Virginia, is a smaller airport, and is 45 minutes from Chatham Hall.
Chatham Hall provides complimentary transportation to and from designated (GSO, RDU, LYH, Dulles (IAD))airports for students on designated travel days. Additional airport transportation is available for a fee.
We understand and are sympathetic to the exhaustion and difficult timing of international flights that our traveling international students experience.
Does the school arrange for home-stays for international students?
The school will arrange for international students to stay with other Chatham Hall families during longer school vacations when the dormitories are closed. During our school’s “Long Weekend” in February, the dormitories remain open, and students are welcome to stay at the school. Additionally, Chatham Hall provides special trips for international students to tour colleges and sightsee throughout the U.S.
As an international student, what do I do on weekends?
Generally, there are three or four off-campus activities available for you to enjoy each weekend. These include such events as trips to concerts, plays or sporting events, volunteer work, and mixers with other schools. Weekend activities are optional; you may choose to study or go to the movies with a few friends and a faculty member instead of signing up for larger trips.
What is English as a Second Language (ESL) like?
Our ESL instructor teaches ESL English Literature and ESL Social Studies. Four to six students are typically in each class, and classes meet for 3 hours and 45 minutes per week. The ESL teacher also is a dorm parent. In addition, faculty members are readily available for tutoring sessions.
What kind of faculty support is available for international students?
International students have a good faculty support system with both an advisor and the ESL teacher taking special interest. The student’s advisor shares at least two meals weekly with her and often holds weekly one-on-one meetings to discuss her development and any issues or concerns. The advisor also keeps the student’s parents well informed about her progress. While an advisor is assigned for the first year, the student may select an advisor of her choice in subsequent years.
The ESL Teacher serves as the International Student Coordinator, focusing on the quality of experience our international students are having. She – and many other teachers at the school – is particularly sensitive to the fact that international students are far from home and may require an extra level of support.
Day Students
When are your application deadlines for Day Students?
You are encouraged to begin the application process as soon as possible. The deadline for Fall 2012 is February 10, 2012. The Admission Committee will review each file as it becomes complete. Students who apply by the deadline will be notified of the Admission Committee’s decision by March 10, 2012. Day students offered admission will be asked to reply within two weeks of their acceptance.
I've missed your deadline. May I still apply?
Please call our Admission Office immediately to inquire about day student space. If we do not have space in our day student class, you can consider boarding. Many local students decide to board in order to benefit from the full Chatham Hall experience.
What do students do on weekends?
As a day student, you are strongly encouraged to participate in school life through our activities program. Generally, there are three or four off-campus activities available for students to enjoy each weekend. These include such events as trips to concerts, plays or sporting events, volunteer work, and mixers with other schools. Weekend activities are optional; you may choose to study or go to the movies with a few friends and a faculty member instead of signing up for larger trips.
Is there a mandatory study hall?
Boarding students attend study hall proctored by faculty members Sunday through Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. While study hall is optional for day students, it provides a wonderful opportunity to seek extra help from teachers or study with a group of classmates.
Day Student Open House - October 10, 2011
Open House - November 6 & 7, 2011
Day Student Open House - December 1, 2011
Nilsen Scholars Open House - December 4 & 5, 2011
Open House - January 15 & 16, 2012
Nilsen Scholars Open House - January 29 & 30, 2011
Application Deadline - February 1, 2012
Open House - February 19 & 20, 2012
Revisit Weekend - March 30 & 31, 2012