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- About
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- Beliefs
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- Fine Arts
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- Student Life
- Christian Life
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About
When and how was Whitefield founded?
Whitefield Academy opened in 1997 serving grades six through twelve, added kindergarten through grade five in 2002, and welcomed its first PreK4 students in 2005. Our mission has remained unchanged since that first year.
What makes Whitefield distinctive?
Whitefield Academy is a Christ-Centered college-preparatory school. We are a school of choice for Christian families in Atlanta wanting to educate their children in an academically rigorous school with a biblical worldview.
Whitefield’s core values include academic excellence, covenantal education, effective servant leadership, faithful stewardship, and enrollment reflecting the racial, ethnic, and economic diversity within the body of Christ. Whitefield exists to model excellent Christian education.
Are there other Whitefield Academies?
Yes. There are other independent Christian schools in the country with the name Whitefield Academy. None are associated or connected to one another. We are located in Smyrna, Ga., and shouldn’t be confused with the other schools.
Which organizations is Whitefield accredited by?
Whitefield is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). We also hold affiliations with educational organizations including ACCIS, CESA, GHSA, and GISA.
How many students attend Whitefield?
Whitefield serves more than 950 students in PreK through grade 12 on our 100-acre campus in Smyrna.
How can I find out more information about Whitefield?
The best way to learn more about Whitefield is to visit us in person and experience our community. Admissions events include campus tours, Coffee and Conversations with the principals, and a campus-wide Family Preview Day.
You can join us for a home sporting event, concert, or theater performance. We invite you to ask friends or neighbors who have children attending the school to share about their experience. You’re also welcome to follow us on social media or reach out to us with any questions.
Admissions
What grades and ages does Whitefield serve?
Whitefield is a PreK–12 college-preparatory school, organized into Lower School (PreK–Grade 4), Middle School (Grades 5–8), and Upper School (Grades 9–12).
What are the steps to applying to Whitefield?
Families begin by creating an account in our online application portal (Ravenna), then submit preliminary application items with a $100 application fee, and schedule grade-appropriate admission testing. The process is completed with an on-campus visit and interview, a short student questionnaire, school records, and teacher recommendations.
Is there an admissions deadline?
Whitefield reviews applications as they are completed, and because space fills by grade level, families are encouraged to apply early. We host tours and open houses on campus in the fall. Applications are typically due in January or February each year. Decisions are typically released around April. See our Applying to Whitefield page for specific dates and details.
What documents are required to apply?
Applicants submit school records, recommendation forms from current teachers, and a short student questionnaire, along with grade-appropriate admission testing. Our Admissions team is glad to walk families through each item. Alternative testing may be accepted, please reach out to the admissions office for more information.
How can I prepare my child for testing, interviews, and observation?
The best way to prepare your child for testing, interviewing, or being observed is to remind them to do their best and be themselves. For applying PreK- grade 4 students, the observation is designed to get to know your child.
Your child should be prepared to listen carefully and follow instructions in a classroom environment with a few teachers. For applying students in grades 5-12, the interview is designed to get to know their interests, so encourage them to be honest about what excites them.
Can we schedule a tour or shadow day?
Yes. We’d love to host you on campus for a tour or shadow day. Families can schedule a small group tour or a personal, one-on-one campus visit with a member of our Admissions team to tour classrooms, meet teachers, and ask questions. Students applying to grades 4-12 are invited to participate in a shadow day as part of the application process.
What is the assessment or interview like?
Admission testing is age-appropriate. Students applying to grades K-5 are required to take the JATP and students in grades 6–12 take the SSAT. Every applicant also has an on-campus interview and observation, which is simply a chance for us to get to know your child. Encourage them to relax, listen well, and be themselves.
Beliefs
Is Whitefield affiliated with a specific Christian denomination?
No. Whitefield is an independent, Christ-centered school and is not tied to any single denomination. Our Statement of Faith rests on the gospel and the historic Apostles’ Creed, allowing us to partner with committed Christian families from a range of church backgrounds.
Why do you only enroll children of Christian parents?
We believe that Jesus Christ impacts absolutely every aspect of education. Our mission is to “bolster Christian families” since parents are primary in the education of their children. Rather than working at cross purposes, we are designed and equipped in all of our teaching and practices to partner with Christian families. We believe we’re more effective when we partner with parents who align with our Christ-centered mission and support these teachings at home.
In rare cases, the school may admit a student based solely on that student’s testimony of faith. This would only be reserved for Upper School students with the full support of their parents.
Who is Whitefield Academy named for?
Whitefield Academy is named after George Whitefield, the eighteenth-century Christian revivalist. A native of England, Whitefield helped launch the Great Awakening in Britain’s North American colonies. Preaching outdoors to thousands of people at a time, Whitefield reached a wide range of people with the good news of Jesus Christ, sharing the message of God’s grace in such a way that was clear and accessible to all people, regardless of their socioeconomic status or color of their skin.
Like all people, George Whitefield failed to live up fully to the glorious message that he proclaimed. For reasons that are difficult to understand in light of Whitefield’s work and modern standards, Whitefield committed the grievous sin of defending slavery. We unequivocally renounce and condemn his position on slavery. This aspect of his legacy is inconsistent with Christ’s teaching and how He calls us to live.
The life and ministry of George Whitefield, in both its triumphs and failures, underscore the importance of continuing to pursue a diversity vision for unity in Christ. We believe each person, uniquely created in the image of God, has inherent dignity and worth, and that God has created people with a diversity of cultural, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The diversity of our school, cultivated in Christ, provides an opportunity for us to experience together what God has always intended for unity in His Son.
What does Whitefield believe about diversity and unity?
We believe every person is uniquely created in the image of God, and one of our founding core values is an enrollment that reflects the racial, ethnic, and economic diversity within the body of Christ. Our aim is unity in Christ and building a community where students from many backgrounds learn and grow together.
Tuition & Financial Aid
How much is tuition at Whitefield?
As of the 2026–27 school year, tuition is $16,100 for PreK, $25,200 for Kindergarten, $29,600 for Grades 1–4, and $34,100 for Grades 5–12. We’re glad to help families understand the full value and the financial aid options available.
What does tuition include?
Whitefield tuition is intentionally comprehensive, so families aren’t paying for extras all year. It includes lunch, classroom textbooks (through grade 4), personal laptops and devices (through grade 8), learning support, field trips and retreats, and participation in fine arts programs such as band, orchestra, choir, theater, and visual arts.
What fees are there beyond tuition?
Tuition covers most of the school year, though families are responsible for uniforms and some textbooks. Used uniform and textbook sales are hosted each year to help families with costs. Athletics are subsidized by tuition to keep sports participation affordable.
What financial aid does Whitefield offer?
Whitefield offers need-based financial aid because we believe mission-fit families should have access to a Christ-centered education regardless of income. About a quarter of our students receive aid, with more than $4.5 million awarded each year. Families with children in grades K–4 may receive up to 50% of tuition, and grades 5–12 up to 80%.
Are tuition payment plans available?
Yes. Families can pay in full, in two equal installments, or through a nine-month monthly payment plan. A 10% tuition deposit is due at enrollment.
Academics
What curriculum does Whitefield use?
Whitefield offers a college-preparatory curriculum from PreK through grade 12, taught from a biblical worldview. All three divisions use a variety of researched, accredited curriculums. Our academic team selects the best resources from each subject area to offer a strong, comprehensive educational program. Upper School students complete 25 credits to graduate, including four years each of English, math, and science, plus history, world language, and biblical studies.
What is the average class size?
Whitefield’s average class size is 16–20 students, with an average 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Smaller classes let our faculty know each student personally and tailor support to how they learn.
Does Whitefield offer AP and honors courses?
Yes. Whitefield offers 36 Honors and AP courses across multiple disciplines. AP eligibility is based on grades, test scores, and faculty recommendations, and 90% of our students who take AP exams score a 3 or higher.
What does college counseling at Whitefield include?
Whitefield’s dedicated College Counseling team guides students and families through every step of the process. This process is supported by Vocare, our program that helps juniors discover their gifts and goals before they apply to college. More than 70 colleges and universities visit campus each year, and 100% of our graduates are accepted to a four-year college or university.
Where do Whitefield graduates go to college?
Whitefield graduates are admitted to a wide range of institutions: large public universities, selective private colleges, and Christian colleges across the country. 100% of our graduates are accepted to a four-year college or university, and they earn more than $7 million in scholarships and grants each year. College prep is a major part of our school’s focus and mission.
What support is there for students with learning differences?
Whitefield surrounds students with a full team of educators—including learning specialists, grade-level deans, and counselors—who collaborate to help each child thrive academically and personally. Learning support is tiered with some levels built into the school experience and included in tuition, higher levels of support may come with an annual cost, in addition to tuition.
What foreign languages does Whitefield teach?
Whitefield offers three world languages: French, Latin, and Spanish. Upper School students complete at least three units of world language as part of their graduation requirements.
What STEAM programs are offered?
Whitefield’s program includes strong STEAM coursework, from lab sciences and math through Calculus BC and Statistics to computer science offerings such as AP Computer Science and post-AP Honors Computer Science. Our Learning Commons includes a STEAM Hub that houses art classrooms, an innovation center, and a broadcast studio.
What are Whitefield’s average college test scores?
Over a recent three-year trend (2023–25), Whitefield students’ ACT scores ranged from 23–29 and SAT scores from 1120–1320. Because college prep is a major part of our school’s mission, we make sure to help prepare our students for these college placement tests.
Fine Arts
What fine arts programs does Whitefield offer?
Whitefield offers a rich fine arts program spanning band, orchestra, choir, theater, and visual arts. Whitefield students organize more than 75 fine arts performances each year. Participation in these programs is included in tuition.
Are the arts offered at every grade level?
Yes. Fine arts are part of the Whitefield experience from Lower School through Upper School. Every Upper School student completes at least one fine arts credit to graduate.
How can students perform or exhibit their work?
With 75+ fine arts performances annually, students have frequent opportunities to take the stage in concerts, theater productions, showcases, and visual art exhibitions. Our Fine Arts Calendar lists upcoming performances and exhibitions.
Athletics
What sports does Whitefield offer?
Whitefield’s WolfPack fields more than 50 athletic teams across 14 sports for Middle and Upper School students. These sports include: baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, and track and field. Visit the Wolfpack Athletics website to learn more about each program.
What athletic region does Whitefield compete in?
Whitefield competes within the Georgia High School Association (GHSA). The Wolfpack currently competes in Division AA, Region 5, Sub Region B, along with 13 other local schools.
How many state championships has Whitefield won?
The WolfPack athletic teams have won a total of nine GHSA state championships since they started competing. That includes three in boys basketball (2003, 2009, 2012), two in boys soccer (2017, 2026), two in boys cross country (2021, 2023), and one in both boys tennis (2012) and girls tennis (2014).
Why is Whitefield called the Wolfpack?
Whitefield’s inaugural graduating senior class voted and chose the Wolfpack as the school’s nickname. The school’s mascot is named Wolfie.
How many Whitefield athletes compete in college?
More than 170 WolfPack athletes have gone on to compete at the collegiate level in a variety of sports. That’s an average of seven new college athletes every year since our first signee in 2003. We announce each year’s class of college athletic signings on our website annually.
How young can my student start participating in athletics?
Full athletics programs begin in Middle School, with junior varsity and varsity teams available to Upper School students. The one exception is the Wolfpups wrestling program that starts as young as kindergarten. Otherwise, Lower School students have physical education and time to be active during the school day as well as after school programs that offer a club style athletic experience.
Student Life
What clubs and activities are available?
Whitefield offers more than 40 student clubs and organizations, giving students many ways to explore interests, build friendships, and grow as leaders. Students also contribute over 10,000 hours of community service each year.
What is the dress code?
Whitefield students wear uniforms, and families are responsible for purchasing them; the school hosts a used-uniform sale each year to help families. Uniforms can be purchased through the Campus Store, online store, or through Lands End. Specific uniform details and purchasing information can be found in our online Uniform Guide.
Does Whitefield offer summer camps?
Yes. Whitefield offers annual summer camps and programs for students PreK through Grade 12. You do not have to be a current Whitefield student to attend the camps. Camps begin in late May and run through late July. Camp themes vary year to year, but always include a range of interests, from sports, arts, academics, and more. Before and after care options are available. Visit our Summer Camps page for more information and to register.
What student leadership opportunities are there?
Effective servant leadership is one of Whitefield’s founding core values, and students develop it through clubs and organizations, athletics, the arts, and service to others. This is done through the Student Leadership Institute, which features 11 different leadership development programs.
These programs include: the Broadcast team, Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy, Hand & Feet Service Academy, Missions Support Team, Pack Ambassadors, Pack Pals, Peer Leadership Mentoring, Student Athlete Leadership Team (SALT), Student Government, Ten Thousand Reasons Leadership Team, and the Worship Team.
Does Whitefield have before-school and after-school care options?
Before-school and after-school care options vary by division. Club Cub is the Lower School’s before- and after-school care option. Club Cub begins at 7:30 a.m. and concludes at 6:00 p.m. Students play games, complete homework, and have the opportunity for extra help. Middle School students are offered a free study hall from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. every day.
In addition, the Lower School offers a variety of after-school activities including arts, academics, athletics, and STEAM. Middle School students may stay on campus to participate in extracurricular activities or attend supervised study hall.
Spiritual Life
How is faith integrated into daily life at Whitefield?
Faith isn’t a separate subject at Whitefield. A biblical worldview and Christ-centered faith are woven into every part of school life, from curriculum and devotions to chapel, prayer, and community. All of our faculty and staff are followers of Jesus Christ who care for students’ spiritual growth alongside their academics.
How often do students attend chapel?
Chapel, devotions, and prayer are a regular part of the rhythm of school life across all divisions. Students attend a weekly chapel, which features worship, Scripture, and a speaker. There are separate weekly chapel services for Lower, Middle, and Upper School.
What service or mission opportunities do students have?
Service is central to who we are. Whitefield students complete more than 10,000 hours of community service each year. A major feature of this service is the annual Great Day of Service, which happens every fall and organizes many community projects for all of our families to participate in together.
Upper School students engage in deeper experiences through an annual J-Term, a January session that includes domestic and international travel, learning intensives, internships, and local service opportunities.
Safety & Logistics
What safety measures are in place on campus?
Student safety is a top priority on our secure 100-acre campus. Whitefield maintains emergency action plans to keep students and staff prepared. The school employs a full-time security team and partners with the Smyrna Police Department to ensure everyone who steps onto our campus is safe. All visitors must check-in and wear a badge while on campus.
Where is Whitefield located?
Whitefield Academy is located at 1 Whitefield Drive SE, Smyrna, GA 30126, tucked away less than two miles from I-285. Our families come from across metro Atlanta, representing 43 different zip codes including Mableton, Vinings, Smyrna, and Buckhead.
Are there transportation or carpooling options available?
Whitefield offers morning bus services from Trinity Presbyterian Church in Buckhead to the Whitefield campus. The bus service will be offered on all school days, departing at 7:20 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and 8:20 a.m. Wednesday in the morning and at 3:30 p.m. in the afternoon.
In addition, many families choose to carpool to Whitefield. There is a carpool link on the parent portal of the website dedicated to helping families arrange carpools from across Atlanta.
What is the student technology and device policy?
Lower School students (PreK–Grade 4) are not required to bring a device. They use school-provided iPads and Chromebooks under teacher guidance, and parents can access their child’s Google Classroom.
Middle School students (Grades 5–8) also use school-provided Chromebooks on campus while being introduced to Schoology, our learning management system. Beginning in Grade 9, students are required to bring a personal Mac or PC that meets our minimum specifications. Upper School students use Schoology to access course materials, submit assignments, view grades, and communicate with teachers. Read more about the policy on our technology page.
Students in PreK to Grade 6 are not permitted to bring a cell phone or smart watch to campus during school hours. Students in Grades 7-9 who elect to bring their cell phone or smart watch to campus will be required to check-in their device in the morning. Students in grades 10-12 will turn cell phones in before each class to a designated place in each teacher’s classroom.