Frequently Asked Questions
When was Blue Ridge School founded?
Who is the headmaster/principal of BRS?
What kind of school is BRS?
Is BRS a religious school?
How many students attend BRS?
What is the student-diversity of BRS?
What is the student-teacher ratio at BRS?
Do BRS students wear uniforms?
What is the yearly tuition at BRS?
Is there financial assistance?
Are there scholarships for academics, athletics or arts?
When do you apply for admission to BRS?
Does BRS have organizations for parents?
How many alumni does BRS have?
How many athletic teams and clubs does BRS offer?
In which athletic conference(s) does BRS compete?
When was Blue Ridge School founded?
Blue Ridge School was founded in 1909 by the Reverend George P. Mayo. You can discover more about the history of Blue Ridge School here.
Who is the headmaster/principal of BRS?
The currently Headmaster is Dr. John R. O’Reilly. Dr. O’Reilly was Blue Ridge School’s Academic Dean from 2005-2009 before becoming Headmaster in the fall of 2009. Before joining Blue Ridge School, he was the Upper School Head at Fort Worth Country Day in Texas. He and his wife Cynthia reside on campus in the Martha Bagby Battle House.
What kind of school is BRS?
Blue Ridge School is an independent, private school. We are an all-boarding, all-boys school grades 9-12. We serve young men who respond well to small classes, a structured environment and a strong sense of community.
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Is BRS a religious school?
BRS is a diverse community and welcomes students of all faiths and beliefs. As a self-governed private school, Blue Ridge is affiliated with the Episcopal Church. We conduct three chapel services each week. Accommodations can be made for students of other faiths to attend religious services in the greater Charlottesville community.
How many students attend BRS?
At full-enrollment, Blue Ridge School has 195 students.
What is the student-diversity of BRS?
BRS has a very diverse national and international student population. In 2009, we had students enrolled from 22 states in the US and 15 countries worldwide.
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What is the student-teacher ratio at BRS?
The student-teacher ratio is five to one. The average class size is nine.
Do BRS students wear uniforms?
Blue Ridge students are required to adhere to a dress code. Students must wear “Coat and Tie Dress” (sport coat, dress slacks/khakis, dress shirt, necktie or bow tie, belt, dress socks and dress shoes) from breakfast through the end of classes on school days, to chapel on Sunday evenings and certain trips. See more about the BRS Dress Code in the Student Handbook.
What is the yearly tuition at BRS?
The tuition for the 2010-2011 school year is $37,500. We offer three payment options, one of which is the Tuition Lock program. By taking advantage of this program, tuition will remain unchanged for subsequent school years. In addition, we offer two installment plans.
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Is there financial assistance?
Yes. Blue Ridge provides need-based financial assistance to a number of our students. A financial aid application must be completed in order to receive assistance.
Are there scholarships for academics, athletics or arts?
No. While academics, athletics and skills within the arts are important to us and our students, we do not offer scholarships. Academic ability, athletic talent, character, leadership, musical skill, artistic ability, etc. are all qualities we value and are major considerations in our admissions decisions.
When do you apply for admission to BRS?
You may apply for admissions to Blue Ridge School year round. Our initial application deadline is in mid-February, but after that deadline, BRS continues to accept applications on a rolling basis. We consider applications for transfer students on a rolling basis.
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When do you know if you are offered admission?
If you are applying on the regular application cycle (with the mid-February application deadline), you will receive the Admissions Committee’s decision on March 10th. If you are applying during rolling admissions, you will receive the decision within two weeks from when your complete application is received. Acceptance letters are mailed to students to inform them of the Admissions Committee’s decision.
Does BRS have organizations for parents?
Parents are encouraged to become active in the Parents’ Association which sponsors various activities and programs for the students of BRS.
How many alumni does BRS have?
BRS has an active network of over 1,800 alumni.
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How many athletic teams and clubs does BRS offer?
Blue Ridge School offers 26 varsity, junior varsity and squire athletic teams. Clubs and organizations vary on a yearly basis due to expressed interest by students.
In which athletic conference(s) does BRS compete?
Blue Ridge School competes against other private schools in the state of Virginia through a number of athletic conferences: Cavalier Athletic Conference (CAC), Old Dominion Football Conference (ODFC) and the Virginia Independent Conference (VIC).
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