Admissions

Why Calvary?

From the Head of School

Thank you for visiting our website. I’m Dr. Hunter Chadwick, and I have the privilege of being the Head of School here at Calvary Day School. You will learn quickly from our website, and even more from a personal visit to our beautiful campus, that Calvary is a family. When visiting our campus you will notice that our students display a sense of personal confidence and a well-balanced maturity that is uncommon nowadays. We believe this distinctive among our students comes from maturing in a loving and vibrant Christian school community, where a student truly belongs, feels safe, is accepted, and is challenged to reach ever-greater personal heights.

Calvary is a genuine Christian school. We believe personal faith speaks to personal character; and faith, character, and intellect help define a well-balanced student for their future goals and aspirations. At Calvary Day School we provide an academically rigorous environment, carefully interwoven with a thoughtful Christian philosophy of education. This thoughtfully crafted balance is evident in our weekly chapel services, annual Spiritual Emphasis Week, mission projects, myriad small groups, and in the very way we teach our content area classes.

Calvary graduates are accepted to schools such as Georgia Tech, UGA, Harvard, MIT, John Hopkins, Brown, and countless more. Your child will have all the tools necessary to succeed at a remarkably high level, in a world in desperate need of truly Christian leaders and experts in their chosen field. Calvary Day School offers the kind of sure foundation necessary for students to be a bright light in our global community.

I personally invite you and your family to visit us here at Calvary to see how we can partner in the life of your child.
When speaking with any student, parent, faculty member, or graduate of Calvary Day School you will usually hear the school constituency referred to as a “family.” This is an attribute of our school you distinctly feel the first time you visit campus. We are a close-knit community where your child will develop as an individual, and where we strive to be an extension of your home.

Calvary Day School History

From its inception in 1961, Calvary Day School has been dedicated to remaining a deliberately Christian school where academic excellence is rigorously pursued. Dr. John Tippett, along with several involved parents, began the process in 1959 of planning for the creation of a Christian school founded on the developmental principles of Luke 2:52 where Jesus grew intellectually, physically, socially, and spiritually. Originally named Calvary Baptist Day School, Calvary enrolled thirteen kindergarten students that first year. The academic reputation of the school continued to grow along with the need for a distinctly Christian education. Each year a grade was strategically added until the 1973-1974 school year when Calvary enrolled its first senior class. The students, parents, and faculty of the Calvary Day School family continue to enjoy God’s rich blessings after more than fifty years of faithful educational ministry.

Calvary Day School now enrolls approximately 1300 students six-weeks through 12th grade. As a non-denominational Christian school, Calvary’s student body represents more than 100 churches in the Savannah area. In keeping with our historical past, Calvary faithfully pursues a deliberate and intentional Christian education where God’s truth is enmeshed in all learning activities.

Why Calvary?

List of 4 items.

  • General Facts

    • Private, Christian-based, co-educational school for six weeks through 12th grade
    • Highest level of accreditation by Cognia and the GAC
    • Member of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA)
    • Member of the Savannah Parochial Athletic League (SPAL)
    • Member of the National Association of College Admission Counselors
    • Average enrollment: 1044
    • Current senior class enrollment: 89
    • Average student-teacher ratio: 17:1
    • Million-dollar sports facility, Specialty Sports Complex
    • Online parental access to grades and assignments
    • 1:1 Technology school 
    • Google for Education School
  • Faith

    • Distinctly Christian philosophy of education
    • Student-led chapels each year
    • Spiritual Emphasis week
    • Students volunteer thousands of hours in community service each year.
    • Students serve around the world in short-term missions.
    • Over 100 different churches represented
  • Academics

    • 100% of graduates are accepted to college.
    • Calvary offers 33 Advanced Placement and honors courses.
    • Calvary is a charter member of the National Elementary Honor Society.
    • Over $5 million college scholarship average for the last three graduating classes
    • 68% of graduates received the HOPE scholarship.
    • 2016-2017 National Merit Commended Scholar
  • Excellence

    • AdvancED Global Accreditation
    • 2016 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
    • Interim Week provides students with global educational experiences as well as life skills that equip them for success in life beyond campus.
    • 1:1 Technology
    • Google for Education fully-integrated school
    • Extensive research writing program
    • 25+ GHSA Class 3A sports teams
    • Over 50% of 4th and 5th Grade Students qualify for Duke TIP

Meet the Admissions Team

List of 4 members.

  • Photo of Phillip Lee

    Phillip Lee 

    Director Of Athletics
    Read Bio
  • Photo of Karen Strickland

    Karen Strickland 

    Early Learning and Lower School Admissions Specialist
    912-644-5054
    Read Bio
  • Photo of Michelle Smeltzer

    Michelle Smeltzer 

    Middle and Upper School Admissions Specialist
    912-644-5055
  • Photo of Martha VanVleck

    Martha VanVleck 

    Finance Specialist
    (912) 644-5098
    Read Bio