Welcome to Augusta Prep!
Through small classes and flexible programs, talented and committed teachers provide individual attention to help each student achieve his or her academic best. Our motto, “To be, rather than to seem,” describes this community of doers who work together to make the world a better place.
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Lower School (Age 2-4th Grade)
We recognize the importance of these formative years when students master essential academic skills. In keeping with Augusta Prep’s tradition of academic excellence, our Lower School program emphasizes the acquisition of tools necessary for scholastic success. -
Middle School (5th-8th)
An engaging college-prep curriculum, small class sizes, and strong relationships between both teachers and students and students and their peers serve as the framework for our Middle School program, which fosters student motivation and success. -
Upper School (9th-12th)
From our challenging curriculum to the myriad opportunities to engage and grow beyond the classroom, the Upper School community is dedicated to providing a personalized, balanced, and innovative experience in which all are invited to develop their intellect, talents, and character.
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#1
Best Private K-12 School in Augusta areaAugusta Prep is the top-ranked private school (K-12) in the Augusta area per Niche.com. Augusta Prep also ranks as the top Private High School in the Augusta area, the top College Prep Private School in the Augusta area and the best high school for STEM in Augusta and Columbia County. -
100%
College Acceptance RateAugusta Prep has a 100 percent graduation rate, our students going on to attend some of the most prestigious colleges and universities across the United States. Our acceptance rates to popular in-state schools such as Georgia, Georgia Tech, South Carolina and Clemson are typically much higher than their average acceptance rates. -
7:1
Student-teacher RatioAugusta Prep students receive plenty of individual attention throughout Lower, Middle and Upper School. We work with parents on creating a personalized educational experience for their student(s). -
29%
Student Diversity RateAs the Augusta area's only Age 2 through Grade 12 independent school, we attract myriad students from many different backgrounds. -
36
AP and Honors Courses OfferedAugusta Prep offers top-notch college preparatory programming, including many challenging AP and Honors courses that will prepare students for college and allow them an opportunity to earn college credits. -
41
Athletic Teams in Upper and Middle SchoolAugusta Prep has one of the best athletics programs in the Augusta area with 51 State Championships, 53 State Runner-up Championships and 157 Region Championships in our 59-year school history.
School News
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Augusta Prep seniors win STEM competition
On Thursday, Dec. 9, Augusta Prep seniors Kathryn Geoffroy and Hannah McDonough won first place for Best Engineering Design after delivering a presentation at Augusta University. High School students from the Augusta area were invited to compete in the event held by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions officials as part of an upcoming transportation and parking project at Savannah River Site.Read More
In front of a room packed with students, SRNS officials and Augusta University employees, Hannah and Kathryn delivered a brilliant STEM presentation that laid out multiple environmental-friendly transportation options and costs as well as a new parking area.
Hannah and Kathryn won a trophy for their effort, along with a $100 gift card. The following day, the two students were featured on WRDW for their STEM work.
In September, Augusta Prep was named the Best High School for STEM in the Augusta area and the Best High School for STEM in Columbia County, per Niche.com. Also, Augusta Prep was ranked No. 1 as the Best Private K-12 School in the Augusta area, No. 1 as the Best Private High School in Augusta and No. 1 as the Best College Prep Private School in Augusta. -
Augusta Prep golf standout signs with Ivy League school
Read MoreOn Wednesday afternoon, Augusta Prep senior Mia Sessa signed her letter of intent to play Division I golf next year at Yale University. The Bulldogs golf team, which plays out of the Yale Golf Course in New Haven, Conn., has a victory, a runner-up showing and another top-five finish in four tournaments this fall.
Mia, who sports a 4.3 GPA at the Augusta area's top college prep school, said she plans to major in business in college."I'm really glad that all my hard work went into something great," Mia said. "I'm really excited for the opportunity." -
Augusta Prep senior earns prestigious honor, $10,000 scholarship
Augusta Prep senior Mary Margaret Barbee has been selected as one of only two Georgia delegates who will attend the United States Senate Youth Program this spring. With the selection, Mary Margaret will also receive a $10,000 scholarship.Read More
According to the https://ussenateyouth.org/ website, "the United States Senate Youth Program, established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service.
Two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity will participate in a remote learning experience about the work of their national government. Student delegates will hear major policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies, and they will hear from the president of the United States and a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, each delegate will also be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science."
To be considered for selection, high school students must be in their junior or senior year. Also, students must hold a qualifying school leadership position. To learn more about the program, please visit the Georgia Department of Education website. -
Augusta Prep adds two more state championships
Read MoreAugusta Prep’s varsity cross country girls and boys teams brought home two more state championship trophies, bringing the school's overall total of titles to 55.
Each team took first place at the GISA Class AA state championship Saturday, Nov. 6, in Macon, Ga. In the girls event, Aine Trapp won the individual championship, while Ruby Dozier placed third, Beatty Joseph eighth and Ashley Loo ninth. All of those runners earned all-state distinction. Annabelle Claire Mwonya rounded out the team scoring with her 22nd place finish, while Poorna Doppalapudi finished 33rd. The Augusta Prep girls program won their fourth state championship in five years.In the boys event, Hayes Trapp won the individual title, while Ben Monnig placed second and Jack Butler eighth. Each of them were named all-state. Hank Monnig finished 21st, while JT Dong checked in at 24th, Seth Crowson 31st and Steven Joseph 34th. The Augusta Prep boys program won their fourth state championship in five years, including the past three years. -
Class of '71 dedicates plaque to former Prep English teacher
Read MoreA few members of the Augusta Prep Class of 1971 recently donated money for a plaque to be put in the library in honor of former Augusta Prep teacher Emily Sheftall Cleckley. The Class of '71 in the picture are: Margaret (Brown) Swift, Ann (Williams) Ewell, Zetta Garrett, Anne (Merry) Bell, Cara Bliven, Lynn (Moss) Norvell, and Vicki Raymond. -
Augusta Prep wins three fall region championships
Augusta Prep added three more trophies to the shelf this fall. The Cavaliers have now won 158 region championships in the school's 60-year history.Read More -
Three Augusta Prep seniors earn Cum Laude Society honors
Read MoreAugusta Prep recently celebrated its newest members of the Cum Laude Society. The honor society was formed in 1906 to foster, commend, and honor academic scholarship at the high school level. It is modeled upon our nation’s oldest and most revered university honor society, Phi Beta Kappa. -
Augusta Prep named Augusta's best private school in 2022 Niche.com rankings
In the latest rankings recently released by Niche.com, Augusta Prep received honors as one of the website's 2022 "Best Schools" and as Augusta's best private school with an A+ rating.Read More
Augusta Prep is ranked No. 1 as the Best Private K-12 School in the Augusta area. Augusta Prep is also ranked No. 1 as the Best Private High School in Augusta. Augusta Prep earned another No. 1 ranking as Best College Prep Private School in Augusta. Augusta Prep also received a No. 1 ranking as Best High School for STEM in the Augusta area, No. 1 Best High School for STEM in Columbia County.
Additionally, Augusta Prep again is ranked as one of the state's top private schools. In the Best College Prep Private Schools in Georgia category, Augusta Prep is ranked No. 14 out of 176 schools. Augusta Prep is ranked No. 15 (out of 154 schools) in Best Private K-12 Schools in Georgia, No. 16 (out of 182 schools) in Best Private High Schools in Georgia and No. 17 (out of 256 schools) in Best High Schools for STEM in Georgia.
Augusta Prep is still enrolling for the 2021-2022 school year. Come learn more about Augusta Prep by scheduling a tour. -
Augusta Prep celebrates 60th anniversary
On Wednesday, Sept. 1, Augusta Prep celebrated its 60th anniversary with a birthday celebration. Upper and Middle School students, faculty and staff assembled outside for an "APDS" logo in the afternoon. Later, Lower School students, faculty and staff joined in for the singing of "Happy Birthday." Afterward, everyone ate birthday cake in celebration of the 60th.Read More
The first classes actually began on September 5, 1961, on the third floor of The Hill Baptist Church, with thirty-eight students in grades seven through nine. The 100 parents who provided the initial financial backing understood the need for an independent day school with a college preparatory academic curriculum, and they founded Augusta Preparatory School (APS) the year prior with that mission in mind. A grade was added each year until the first class of seniors graduated in 1965.
In 1972, Augusta Country Day School (ACDS) was founded to address the need for an independent, non-sectarian elementary school with high academic standards. In 1973, the school leased land on Augusta Preparatory School's new campus on Flowing Wells Road. The two schools existed side-by-side for almost two decades before merging during the 1988-1989 school year, the first year of existence for Augusta Preparatory Day School (APDS).
For more information about our year-long celebration of the 60th, please visit our 60th website. -
Augusta Prep senior climbs Mount Kilimanjaro
Read MoreClimbing one of the highest mountains in the world wasn't originally on Ruthie Magruder's summer plans. Then, her mom changed her mind.
Ruthie, an Augusta Prep senior, accompanied her mother, Lillian, on a two-week trip to Africa just before the start of the school year. The highlights of the trek included climbing Mount Kilimanjaro as well as a safari afterward.“It was freezing,” she said. “It was so dark. It made it difficult to see.”
“I thought it was really cool," Ruthie said of climbing Africa's highest mountain. "At first, I didn’t want to go. I thought my mom was crazy.”
The Magruders departed for their mother-daughter trip on July 23. When they arrived in Tanzania, they prepared to embark upon a four-day hike to reach the summit of the tallest free-standing mountain in the world at 19,341 feet above sea level. Ruthie said they climbed at night so they could see the sunrise.
Once they reached the top, the Marguders placed a few flags, including an Augusta Prep flag, and took some photos. They were told to hurry with the pictures because of the lack of oxygen at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Ruthie said after they reached the summit it took two days to travel back down the mountain.
As for the future, Ruthie said she has no plans to climb even higher mountains like Mount Everest or Denali.“This was a check-it-off-the-list kind of thing,” she said. “But I would recommend it for other people.” -
Four Augusta Prep students win Augusta-area athletics honors
Read MoreFour Augusta Prep student-athletes were recognized as the Augusta area's best for the 2020-2021 school year on June 28 by The Augusta Chronicle.
Virginia Chew, who helped lead the girls soccer team in May to its sixth GISA state championship in eight years, was named the Augusta-Area Female Soccer Player of the Year.
Hayes Trapp, who won the individual and team state championship in cross country and also added three individual state titles in track and field, was named the Augusta-Area Male Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
Aine Trapp, who won the individual championship in cross country and, like her brother, Hayes, added three individual state titles in track and field, was named the Augusta-Area Female Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
Mia Sessa, who won the GISA region and state championship, was named the Augusta-Area Female Golfer of the Year. -
Three Augusta Prep students earn cyber awards
Read MoreIn April, five Augusta Prep students competed in the National Cyber Scholarship Competition against high school students across the United States and its territories. The results are now in.
Julia Gruettner and Lukas Kassatly each earned “Scholar” status. The “Scholar” students are the top 540 highest-scoring students who met the eligibility criteria for a scholarship (must be in 11th or 12th grade), who will each receive a $2,500 scholarship for the U.S. college of their choiceSophomore Priya Sharma finished as a “Finalist” (one of the highest-scoring 862 students) and will receive free access to this summer’s Cyber Foundations Academy. -
Augusta Prep's Class of 2021 holds graduation ceremony
On Saturday, May 22, the Augusta Prep Class of 2021 held its graduation at Cavalier Stadium.Read More -
Prep girls win sixth state soccer championship
On Saturday, May 15, the Augusta Prep girls team defeated Frederica in overtime to win the GISA soccer championship.Read More -
Augusta Prep soccer standout signs with English university
Augusta Prep senior soccer standout Nathan Koehler recently signed with Liverpool John Moores University in Liverpool, England. Nathan will major in psychology and also play soccer for the school's prestigious Steven Gerrard Academy.Read More -
Nussbaum named STAR student
Read MoreAugusta Prep STAR student Noah Nussbaum is the STAR student for Prep for the 2020-2021 school year. The Student Achievement Recognition (STAR) program honors high school students who are in the top 10 percent of their class and have the highest SAT score.
Noah, who recently played the lead role of Beast in the spring musical, Beauty and the Beast, selected Jamie McAteer, the longtime Augusta Prep theatre director as his STAR teacher.
They will each be recognized at the regional STAR Student/Teacher Ceremony at 5:30 p.m., April 20, at North Harlem Elementary School. -
Cyber Team students receive awards
On Monday, March 1, Major General Neil S. Hersey, Commanding General of the Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Gordon, dropped by campus to present trophies and other goodies to Augusta Prep's two Middle School cyber teams for their recent success.Read More
Out of 51 teams, Augusta Prep finished second and third in the very grueling and competitive CERTS (Cyber Education, Research and Training Symposium) Capture the Flag event for schools throughout the CSRA. Representatives from Parsons were also on hand, supporting these Cyber Team members -
Heritage Academy eighth grader becomes first recipient of Giles scholarship at Augusta Prep
Read MoreAugusta Preparatory Day School has announced the first recipient of the W. Rodger Giles scholarship as Heritage Academy 8th grader, Elijah McFadgen. This full-tuition, merit-based scholarship will be awarded annually to incoming freshmen from Heritage Academy and will cover the students’ high school education. The partnership between Heritage Academy and Augusta Prep is made possible by a generous gift from the estate of the late, local philanthropist and businessman, W. Rodger Giles, who was passionate about the betterment of children and childhood education. Nicole Johnson, Elijah’s mother, said of the award, “I feel blessed that he has the opportunity to go to Augusta Prep. I’m looking forward to the family environment and the range of classes they can offer him. Hard work never goes unnoticed.”“This gift from Rodger Giles allows for a partnership between two of my favorite institutions, Heritage Academy and Augusta Prep, both of which do excellent work,” said Clay Boardman, executor of the Giles estate and longtime supporter of both schools. “I am excited for Heritage students to have the Augusta Prep educational experience that my children and I had as alums.”When speaking to Elijah, his sentiments are poignant. “This is my dream school. I am looking forward to the opportunities at Prep.” -
Prep's Kho receives classroom honor
Augusta Prep's Ryan Kho received a second surprise in three months. In November, Kho was named the Georgia Independent Schools Association (GISA) Middle School Teacher of the Year. On Tuesday, Jan. 12, Kho learned his classroom was dedicated to him by the Nussbaum family.Read More -
Prep's Kho named GISA Teacher of the Year
Augusta Prep's Ryan Kho has been named the Georgia Independent Schools Association (GISA) Middle School Teacher of the Year. On Friday, Nov. 6, GISA vice president Stan Whitlock presented Kho with the award.Read More
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Augusta Preparatory Day School develops the intellect, talents, and character of each student in a diverse, college-preparatory, and welcoming community of life-long learners.
We are committed to educating well-rounded, engaged students who embrace personal responsibility, global perspective, and service to others.
We are committed to educating well-rounded, engaged students who embrace personal responsibility, global perspective, and service to others.
Augusta Preparatory Day School
Augusta Preparatory Day School is an independent, college preparatory school serving children ages 2 through Grade 12 from the greater Augusta-Aiken area.
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