Student's Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for admission to RCA?
The admissions process opens in the fall of each school year. Students who are currently in the 4th grade are eligible to apply for admission to The Ron Clark Academy’s 5th grade. Students must enter RCA as fifth graders. Applications are available online during the time of admissions, usually Sept. and October.
Does RCA consider students with different types of learning needs?
Yes. RCA selects students with varying academic abilities. Students who are gifted, as well as students with academic weaknesses are eligible for admission. If a child has identified disabilities and/or may be under a current IEP, he/she may not be considered for admission due to the school’s limited resources in meeting that child’s specific needs.
What type of students is RCA looking for?
The admissions committee selects students who they feel would benefit the most from the style of educational program we offer. We strive to have learners from various academic levels.
How many students will be accepted?
Enrollment is based on the number of scholarships that have been sponsored by individual and corporate donors at the time that the admissions acceptance letters go out. Our average class size is 30 students.
Will there be a waiting list?
Yes. After acceptance letters are sent, several students are placed on an internal waiting list. If additional openings are added, students pulled from that waiting list will be accepted.
What if my child isn't entering the 5th grade?
Unfortunately, we are only able to select students who are entering the 5th grade. Our goal is to make a tremendous impact on our students; therefore we have designed a four-year program of study. Students are not admitted in grades six through eight. Does the Academy give special consideration to the sibling(s) of current RCA students when they apply?
While we are truly a family-focused environment and we would love to be able to accept all students who apply, our enrollment numbers are limited to a maximum of 30 students per grade level. With that being the case, it is quite plausible to have an entire grade filled with siblings of current students. In order to truly honor our mission to serve a broad, Atlanta community from various cross-sections, we simply cannot give special consideration to siblings. Thus, they go through the exact same Admissions Process as everyone else, and we measure each applicant based upon his/her own individual merits. Can I retain my child in the 5th grade so that he/she may apply to RCA?
No, we do not allow a child to be retained simply to meet admission requirements.
How much is tuition?
Click on our Monthly Tuition Scale to see a guideline of what applicants can expect to pay. There is also a requirement for 40 community service hours at the school that parents must commit to completing each year.
If I am able to pay my child’s full tuition, does he/she automatically get a slot?
Students who can pay full tuition ($18,000 a year) will be considered for admission. These students follow the exact same admission process as any other applicant.
What is the school calendar? What are the hours of operation?
The school year begins the first week of September. Major holidays closely follow the calendar for Atlanta City and/or Fulton County Schools. The school day runs from 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM daily; for an additional fee an after school program is available until 6:00 P.M. each day.
Do you have a bus program?
No. Parents must provide transportation to and from the school each day for their child. Our school is easily accessible to public transportation (a Marta bus stop is located across the street from the school). We are not a boarding school, so we do not provide housing for any students.
Will my child really travel around the world?
Yes. All students who attend RCA are given the opportunity to travel around the world, and all parents must allow them to participate in every field trip; these trips are heavily integrated into our curriculum. If a parent is uncomfortable with this, then RCA probably is not the right school for his/her child. The cost of every trip is included in the price of tuition; there will be no additional expenses related to trips for parents to pay. The projected travel plan is as follows:
The 5th grade classes: - Washington, D.C.
- New York City
The 6th grade classes:
- London, England
- Paris, France
The 7th grade classes:
- Sydney, Australia
- Tokyo, Japan
The 8th grade classes
- South Africa
- South America
Students also take frequent field trips in the Atlanta area each year.
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