The Ron Clark Academy
General Information
About (Overview)
The Ron Clark Academy (RCA) is a non‑profit middle school and educator professional‑development center located in Southeast Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 2007 by educators Ron Clark and Kim Bearden, the academy was born from their vision of creating an energetic, student‑centered learning environment where rigorous academics are paired with character development, leadership, creativity, and community.
The facility is housed in a renovated warehouse, offering a vibrant physical space that supports movement, collaboration, and unconventional teaching methods.
RCA serves students typically in grades 4‑8 (though some sources say 5th through 8th) from diverse socio‑economic backgrounds, and it also serves as a lab school and demonstration site for visiting educators who participate in its professional development workshops.
Through what’s often called the “Ron Clark Method,” the academy emphasises creativity, high expectations, movement, music, and immersive learning experiences alongside traditional academic content.
As such, The Ron Clark Academy stands out not just as a school but as an educational innovation hub, with the dual mission of student success and educator transformation.
Contact Informations
Address: 2085 Fulton Street SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30316, USA.
Phone number: +1 (404) 622‑4955 (as listed on their official site)
Email address: info@ronclarkacademy.com (or similar enquiry email listed on their website)
School Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Founding Year | 2007 |
| School Type | Private non‑profit middle school (grades ~4‑8) and educator professional‑development centre. |
| Mission / Motto | To inspire students and educators to excellence, creativity, leadership, and a lifelong love of learning. |
| Location | Southeast Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| Founders | Ron Clark & Kim Bearden |
The Ron Clark Academy Rankings
Because The Ron Clark Academy is a private non‑profit middle school rather than a traditional higher education institution, formal national and global university‑style ranking tables (for universities) are not readily available or applicable.
| Category | Rank |
|---|---|
| National (USA) | Not listed in major university ranking systems |
| Global | Not applicable |
The Ron Clark Academy Academics
The Ron Clark Academy Faculties / Departments
- Language Arts & Reading
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies / History
- Leadership & Character Education
- Creative Arts / Music / Movement Integration
- Professional Development & Educator Training (for visiting teachers)
The Ron Clark Academy Courses and Programs / Majors
- Fourth Grade Core Curriculum
- Fifth Grade Core Curriculum
- Sixth Grade Core Curriculum
- Seventh Grade Core Curriculum
- Eighth Grade Core Curriculum
- Leadership & Character Program (embedded across grades)
- House System Program (student leadership and community engagement)
- Professional Development Workshops for Educators and Administrators
- Immersive Learning Modules (e.g., campus simulations, movement‑based instruction)
Online Learning
While The Ron Clark Academy primarily delivers in‑person instruction to its middle‑school students on campus, it also offers professional development workshops and resources that may include online or hybrid components for educators. The focus remains on experiential, in‑person engagement for student learning and educator training.
Average Test Scores
As a middle school, The Ron Clark Academy does not publicly report standardized college‑entry test score averages (such as SAT or ACT) like a higher education institution would. Therefore, the following illustrates that no standard data is available.
| Test | Average Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SAT | N/A | Not applicable |
| ACT | N/A | Not applicable |
| GRE | N/A | Not applicable |
Retention and Graduation Rates
As a middle school institution, The Ron Clark Academy does not publish retention and graduation rates in the manner of colleges and universities. The school emphasises successful student advancement through the grades it serves and ongoing leadership and character development rather than a formal “graduation rate” as defined in higher education.
The Ron Clark Academy Admissions
GPA Range and SAT / ACT Range
Since The Ron Clark Academy serves middle school grades rather than high school or higher education, traditional metrics such as GPA range for college applicants or SAT/ACT ranges are not applicable. Instead, admissions typically consider academic readiness, motivation, leadership potential, and alignment with the school’s culture and values.
The Ron Clark Academy Acceptance Rate
| Year | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| Latest | Not publicly specified |
Application Requirements
Prospective students for The Ron Clark Academy must typically submit an application that may include academic records (e.g., previous year’s grades), teacher or administrator recommendations, a personal statement or student essay reflecting motivation, an interview (student and parent), and demonstration of alignment with the school’s values of leadership, community, respect, and academic ambition. Families may also complete a financial aid application given the school’s non‑profit status and its mission to serve a socio‑economically diverse student body.
Application Process
- Complete the student application form (academic information, student interests, leadership experiences)
- Submit teacher or administrator recommendation(s)
- Attend a parent‑student informational session or school tour
- Participate in student interview (and possibly parent interview)
- Provide previous school academic records and standardized test scores (if required)
- Financial‑aid application (optional/if applying for aid)
- Notification of acceptance and enrollment contract
The Ron Clark Academy Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Deadline Type | Date / Period |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | Annually (typically early in the calendar year) |
| Application Deadline | Typically spring (exact date varies each year) |
| Notification of Acceptance | Usually late spring/early summer |
| Enrollment Contract Due | Shortly after acceptance notification |
Essay Prompt
As part of the application to The Ron Clark Academy, students often are asked to write an essay or personal statement addressing questions such as: “What does leadership mean to you and how have you demonstrated leadership in your life?” or “Describe a challenge you have faced and how you responded to it.” The goal is to assess the student’s character, initiative, resilience, and fit with the school’s dynamic culture.
The Ron Clark Academy Scholarships
The Ron Clark Academy offers financial aid and scholarship options to ensure that the school remains accessible to students from a variety of socio‑economic backgrounds. Tuition often is based on a sliding scale tied to household income and number of dependents, with scholarships available to cover part or full tuition for eligible families.
The Ron Clark Academy Tuition and Fees
| Academic Year | Tuition Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated | ~US $18,000/year* | As noted in external reports for typical tuition without aid. |
| Based on Income | Sliding-scale | Tuition adjusts according to household income and number of dependents. |
* Estimate for purposes of illustration; prospective families should contact the school directly for current year tuition.
Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics
Detailed publicly published breakdowns of gender, age, and race/ethnicity for The Ron Clark Academy are limited. The school serves students primarily in the age range corresponding to grades 4‑8 (~9 to 14 years old). The student body draws from a socio‑economically and racially diverse pool, reflecting the academy’s mission of inclusion and access.
Low‑Income Students / Students with Disabilities
The Ron Clark Academy places emphasis on socio‑economic diversity and provides financial aid frameworks to support low‑income students, thereby promoting equitable access to its programs. While precise percentages of students with disabilities or from low‑income households are not publicly specified, the institution’s mission underscores support for students who may face academic or socio‑economic challenges.
Student Body
| Metric | Approximate Value / Notes |
|---|---|
| Total Students | Approximately ~200‑300 students (historical figure) |
| International Students | No publicly reported number; primarily U.S.-based students |
| Visiting Educators | More than 100,000 educators from around the world have visited for professional development. |
University Diversity
The Ron Clark Academy fosters diversity through its deliberate mission to serve students from a broad spectrum of socio‑economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds within the Atlanta metro region and beyond. The school’s recruitment, financial aid policies, and educational outreach ensure that its population is not homogeneous but rather reflects a wide array of life experiences. Within the classroom, the school’s culture emphasises inclusivity, leadership, mutual respect, and global awareness, creating an environment where students learn from each other’s diverse backgrounds. The physical campus and curricular design reinforce this by embedding collaborative, cross‑house (student mentor‑mentee) experiences and global perspectives. The result is a student body that is more reflective of real‑world diversity than many schools and that prepares learners to engage respectfully and confidently in a pluralistic society.
Average Earnings
Though The Ron Clark Academy is a middle school and therefore does not report alumni earnings in the manner of colleges or universities, the institution emphasises long‑term student success: academic preparedness, leadership development, and character education are built to position graduates for high school success, post‑secondary opportunities, and meaningful careers. Students who engage with the school’s leadership programmes and immersive curriculum may find themselves well‑positioned for future achievements. Additionally, the professional development for educators conducted by the academy contributes indirectly to educational systems that impact student success beyond RCA itself.
The Ron Clark Academy Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
Teachers at The Ron Clark Academy are selected for their passion, creativity, and ability to engage students through non‑traditional, energetic learning methods. The staff is trained in the “Ron Clark Method,” which blends rigorous academics with movement, music, mentorship, and immersive experiences. Observers of the school have commented on the high levels of teacher energy, professionalism, and commitment to student relationships that define the environment.
Faculty Profiles
Faculty members at The Ron Clark Academy bring expertise in their respective disciplines and often engage deeply in the school’s house‑system culture, leadership development programs, and creative pedagogical techniques. Their achievements include implementing immersive learning modules, mentoring students in leadership roles, and collaborating in the professional development of visiting educators. The school’s co‑founders, Ron Clark and Kim Bearden, continue to influence the pedagogical vision, and faculty typically embody the belief that education extends beyond academics into character building and lifelong learning.
The Ron Clark Academy Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
As a day school for middle‑school students, The Ron Clark Academy does not offer on‑campus student housing. Students commute or are transported from their home residences or the metro area. Student life focuses on the classroom environment, the school’s house system (which assigns students to “houses” for mentorship, community building, and friendly competition), movement and music in learning, extracurricular leadership experiences, and a culture of high expectations and character development. The absence of boarding options aligns with the school’s day‑school model.
Transportation
The Ron Clark Academy is located in Southeast Atlanta and is accessible via major roadways in the Atlanta metro region. Parents or guardians typically provide transportation, although local bus routes or car‑pool arrangements may be used depending on the student’s home location. On campus, mobility is facilitated by the building’s design: as a renovated warehouse, the facility supports movement‑based instruction, immersive classrooms, and collaborative spaces that are integral to the school’s teaching philosophy. The environment encourages students to move between classrooms, experience kinesthetic learning, and participate in the house system’s activities (which might involve assemblies, leadership tasks and interactive learning zones).