Original school building, 1906/07Aerial view of campus
Brothers Spencer Jarnigan and James "Park" McCallie founded the school in 1905, which remained under the control of the family until a board of trustees assumed management of the school in 1937.[3]
Founded as an all-boys school, McCallie became a military school in the wake of World War I.[3] In 1970, McCallie dropped its military program as a result of admission challenges during the Vietnam War.[3]
Like most schools in Tennessee, the McCallie School was formerly racially segregated. While the school's board of trustees agreed to allow the admission of African-American students beginning with day students in 1969 and boarding students in 1970,[4] the school did not admit its first African-American student until 1971.[5]
McCallie has a close relationship with Girls Preparatory School (GPS). One of the co-founders of GPS was Grace McCallie, sister to Spencer and Park.[citation needed]
Drama Collection
Donated to the theater department, the Scott Langley '68 Drama Collection is a collection of plays and theater history books, located in the rehearsal room. Langley graduated as valedictorian from McCallie in 1968. He was involved in theater and swimming during his time at McCallie.[6]
Dormitories
McCallie's first dorm, Founder's Hall, had eight students. In 1907, a record enrollment of 110 students required an additional dormitory; the school built the two-story Douglas Hall on Kyle Street, accommodating 35 boys. It also served as the headmaster's office and a residence for James McCallie.
In the early 1950s, the school constructed North and South Hutch along with Maclellan Hall.
In 1962, Belk Hall was dedicated as the senior dorm, and the founder's home was renovated to allow for more housing, giving the building its pillars. The school tore down Douglas Hall and constructed Caldwell Hall on its site. Later, to address the growing boarder population, Pressly Hall was dedicated in 2007, and Burns Hall was dedicated in 2010.[3]
Rankings
In 2016, McCallie was ranked as the top private high school in the state of Tennessee by Business Insider.[7] In Niche's 2023 high school report, McCallie was ranked the number one boarding high school and best high school for athletes in Tennessee. Nationally, McCallie was ranked the 35th best overall all-boys high school and 123rd of 418 best boarding high schools.[8]
Summer programs
Day & boarding camps
McCallie School offers seven boarding camps and 18-day camp options. Programs are offered in enrichment, sports, or leadership camps (for children aged five and up).[9][10]
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