Tallulah Falls School

Tallulah Falls is located in Tallulah Falls, Georgia, covering approximately 500 acres. It is about a 1.5-hour drive from Atlanta and about a 1-hour and 10-minute drive from the University of Georgia.

School Introduction:

1. In partnership with Truett McConnell University and Toccoa Falls College, it offers 20 college dual enrollment courses.

2. Featured courses include Forensic Science, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Culinary Arts, Precision Shooting, and more.

3. Senior Capstone Project: Senior students are required to complete an academic and intellectual capstone project. Throughout the year, students dedicate themselves to researching a topic and also practice valuable life skills such as interviewing, financial management, etc.

4. The arts curriculum is very rich. In addition to regular courses, the Culinary Arts program, in collaboration with Toccoa Falls College, also offers dual enrollment courses in Art Appreciation and Studio Art.

5. Sports: In the past five years, the school's high school teams have won the 8A District Sportsmanship Award 35 times, the middle school teams have won the Tri-State Sportsmanship Award 27 times, and there have been 20 Tri-State championships.

6. Universities that admitted Chinese students in 2019 include NYU, Emory, Purdue, UCD, UCLA, University of Florida, UCSB, and others.

Tallulah Falls School, abbreviated as TFS, was founded in 1909. With a 500-acre campus, it offers grades 5-12. The school is located in the historic town of Tallulah Falls, nestled in the beautiful mountains of Northeast Georgia, a serene and safe place suitable for living and learning. Breathtaking mountains, rivers, lakes, trails, and the town itself form an incredible landscape, providing an excellent outdoor experience and a community suitable for living and growing.

My child has studied here for three years and had a good experience. They really like their school uniform, which is predominantly green and looks vibrant and full of energy. The school is right next to a forest, providing a natural 'oxygen bar' with pleasant weather and distinct seasons. Winters are not too cold, yet you can witness heavy snowfall. There are activities every weekend, and international students are taken shopping. The school receives substantial annual donations from The Coca-Cola Company, and there are special discounts for families enrolling two children together. Especially during last year's pandemic, the school cooperated with students returning home, arranged online courses, regularly sent emails to remind teachers and students of important precautions, and reduced a significant amount of tuition fees (I understand it was more than other schools). Admission is not difficult, and Chinese students generally go on to good universities after graduation. It's a school with a relatively high cost-performance ratio.

TFS has a very mature international student department. The international student department is very supportive of students, and the school's senior management also cares deeply about international students, providing assistance with daily life and other aspects. Most school teachers are very competent, do not overwhelm students with coursework, and reserve dedicated office hours daily for after-school tutoring. Since there's a stable community of Chinese students, you don't need to worry too much about experiencing psychological issues in an unfamiliar environment. Even if issues arise, the school counselor, Mrs. Barron, will provide a quiet environment and arrange for professional psychologists for counseling (it seems the school has a cooperative program with a clinic, so it's free). Other international students mainly come from Spain and Serbia, with some also from Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand. African countries include Nigeria, among others. International students in grades 11-12 are very friendly with each other (personal experience). I had a very happy two years studying at Tallulah Falls.
However, TFS does not offer AP or IB courses, but students can take AP exams independently each year. GPA is relatively easy to achieve.
The dormitory experience is quite complex; some people in our dorm liked to steal things... Some day students, being less exposed to the world, can be quite annoying. TFS is located in the mountains, so buying daily necessities usually requires waiting for the school shuttle on weekends to go and return together, leaving virtually no time for personal browsing.
School life is relatively peaceful, laid-back, and suitable for students who prefer a quiet environment.

Tallulah Falls School, established in 1909, is a co-educational boarding school located on the slopes of the Cherokee Mountains in northeast Georgia, spanning 500 acres. Tallulah Falls School is a centennial school, 90 miles from Atlanta, featuring distinct four seasons, a beautiful campus environment, and lush greenery. The school focuses on students' academic education and boasts excellent faculty. In addition, the school offers many sports programs.

School Advantages:

1. The school partners with Truett McConnell University and Toccoa Falls College to offer 20 college credit courses on campus.

2. Featured courses include Forensic Science, Human Anatomy and Physiology, etc. The Forensic Science course will help improve research skills and review a wide range of scientific concepts, including physics, chemistry, anatomy, cell biology, environmental science, and computer science in the process of learning forensic science. The Human Anatomy and Physiology course aims to introduce students to the basic operation of the human body and its complexities.

3. Drama is excellent, and the drama department encourages students to develop their creative thinking and expression through performance and design on stage and in the classroom. Each semester, students participate in various performances, including “one-act play” competitions.

4. Tallulah Falls School's 40 teams compete in 13 sports, participating in the Georgia High School Association and the Tri-State High School Conference. Middle school volleyball participates in the North Georgia League.

Tallulah Falls School, or TFS for short, was founded in 1909, providing education for boys and girls from grades 5-12. The school is located in the historic town of Tallulah Falls, nestled in the beautiful mountains of northeast Georgia, offering a quiet and safe place suitable for living and learning. The breathtaking mountains, rivers, lakes, trails, and the small town itself create an incredible landscape, an excellent venue for outdoor experiences, and a community suitable for living and growing. The school is surrounded by lush trees and beautiful natural scenery. This environment is not only beneficial for learning but also encourages students to appreciate nature and protect natural resources. The school is adjacent to Tallulah Gorge State Park, which features an interpretive education center, hiking trails, and scenic areas. It provides an excellent setting for hiking, camping, cycling, boating, horseback riding, and skiing, offering students opportunities to experience natural wonders. On weekends, students can also visit world-class museums in Atlanta or attend theatrical and sporting events.

The school has a strong academic atmosphere and strict requirements for students' studies. The campus environment is beautiful, with pleasant scenery. School activities are abundant, and students have many opportunities to participate in various student organizations and sports teams.

As a graduate admitted with a good record, school teachers, especially Kim Popham, caused me PTSD and moderate depression. For a long time during college, I couldn't shake off the shadow of discrimination I experienced in high school. Even though I was excellent, I was told I didn't deserve to go to college. This school offered me no help whatsoever; instead, it instilled in me significant prejudice against Americans and this country. I advise parents not to send their children to this school; it's truly unfair and distressing.

Life Skills Course: A one-semester course required for all upperclassmen. The purpose of Life Skills is to help students understand self-sufficiency. Topics such as budgeting, personal finance, credit, decision-making, and career preparation are covered through activities and research.
College Partnership Courses: In partnership with Truett McConnell University and Toccoa Falls College, 20 dual enrollment college courses are offered on campus.
Monthly Thematic Learning: From the time students enroll, the school offers different themes for learning each month.
The school's Commercial Art is a major feature. This course aims to explore visual arts applicable to specific audiences, conveying specific messages about life on the Tallulah Falls campus. Students prepare their own works, gather materials, and communicate with their clients to meet their needs. The course involves the use of all art media, and students learn 2D and 3D design and creation techniques, focusing on time management and creative problem-solving.

Talulah Falls School, GA boasts a large 500-acre campus with a beautiful environment and first-class facilities, including a brand new dining hall, student center, two computer labs, an industrial art lab, a multimedia center, an indoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, and a 300-seat auditorium.

The school has a very high proportion of Chinese students.

I'd like to particularly discuss the school's fees. The school is very conscientious, not using tuition as a profit point, and attracts excellent students with the lowest possible educational costs. A school with such facilities and faculty would typically cost at least $60,000+ per academic year. However, Tallullah Falls' international student fee is $47,300 (2020-21). This fee includes tuition, a laptop, books, lab equipment and materials, athletic fees, most art class supplies, music and drama instruction, room and board for boarding students, lunch for day students, and some off-campus activities and trips.