Frequently Asked Questions

• Yes, everyone on campus will be be required to wear a mask or a gaiter. The only times a person can be without their mask or gaiter are:
  • outside and social distancing is in practice
  • in the mask-break area
  • in their office or dorm room working alone
  • When residential roommates are in their room

• We have high standards and expectations for our boys, and we routinely encourage them to accept responsibility. This year will be no different. We expect that our boys will rise to the challenge of embracing protocols designed to keep them and others safe while allowing the pursuit of their education and interaction with their teachers in person on campus. Not wearing a mask will not be tolerated.

• Yes, we will have areas around campus designated for “mask-breaks." Social distancing must be practiced in these areas.

• Each student will be issued three (3) masks and three (3) gaiters by the school. They may wear their own face mask instead, if they wish: it must be a solid color.
• Face coverings will be issued when text books are distributed. 

• Students may wear face masks or gaiters. A boy may wear a face shield but he must also wear a face mask or gaiter with it.

• Face shields must be worn in conjunction with a mask or gaiter.

• Keeping one’s mask clean and fresh is essential for its effectiveness. Boys will be issued (3) masks and three (3) gaiters by the school so they can change to a clean mask during the day as directed.

• Community members must answer a set of health screening questions and take their temperatures each morning. McCallie has partnered with a software development company to record screening information. Details will follow regarding how to download this app. 

• The Director of Student Health Services is Kristen Smith, RN, BSN. She can be reached at ksmith@mccallie.org.
  • Hours: 
    • 7:00 am to 11:00 pm  - Open
    • 11:00 pm to 7:00 am  - Nurse-on-Call who lives on campus
  • Fax:  423-493-5428
  • Phone:  423-493-5640

• Yes. All students, faculty, and staff must be tested for Coronavirus and submit their test results to the school before school begins. Test results dated August 7 or later (positive or negative) must be uploaded using the Magnus Health portal. 

  • The test must be a Polymerase Chain Reaction (“PCR”) test.

  • We will accept test results dated August 7 or later.

  • The PCR test may be from anywhere Coronavirus tests are administered. 

  • Galen Medical will provide testing on McCallie’s campus. Space is limited. PCR testing appointments are available on August 7, 8 and 10. Appointments can be requested online using this form and by calling Galen Medical at 423-618-9006. Please submit the form and they will call you to schedule an appointment. There is a charge for this testing.

  • Hamilton County provides free PCR testing at these locations.

  • Boarding students who are unable to present PCR test results will take a rapid antigen test when they arrive on campus.

  • If an individual receives a positive PCR test result, they must quarantine for ten (10) days, be symptom-free, and receive written clearance from a doctor before returning to school in person. While in quarantine, students may attend school remotely. 

• The type of Coronavirus test that we are requiring is a Polymerase Chain Reaction (“PCR”) test. We will accept test results dated August 7 or later. 

• The PCR test may be from anywhere Coronavirus tests are administered. 
• Hamilton County offers free PCR testing at these locations.
• Galen Medical will provide testing on McCallie’s campus. Space is limited. Testing appointments are available on August 7-8 and August 14-15. Appointments can be reserved online using this form and by calling Galen Medical at 423-618-9006. If an individual receives a positive test result, they must quarantine for ten (10) days, be symptom-free, and receive written clearance from a doctor before returning to school in person.
• Boarding students who are unable to present PCR test results will take a rapid antigen test when they arrive on campus. 

• A student may attend school online until he submits the required test results.

• All students, faculty, and staff must self-quarantine beginning Saturday, August 8 until the start of school on August 18. 
  • Self-quarantine: Stay home, don’t go anywhere that is not vital, and limit interactions with others to one’s immediate family. Parents will be asked to sign a Coronavirus disclosure document through the Magnus Health portal that states, among other things, that their son did comply with the self-quarantine from August 8 until the start of school on August 18. 

• Yes, if needed. McCallie’s Student Health Center has been approved to perform on-campus antigen testing for Coronavirus. McCallie can know the results of these tests and can isolate positive cases, often within twenty (20) minutes. If an individual receives a positive test result, they must quarantine for ten (10) days, be symptom-free, and receive written clearance from a doctor before returning to school in person.

• If a student tests positive, he will be isolated until he can return to his home or his dorm. We have created isolation rooms in the Student Health Center to

  hold individuals who test positive until they are able to return home or to appropriate areas in their dorm for  quarantine. We also have contingency plans to utilize other facilities for positive case, high risk, or symptomatic persons, if needed.

• Students who test positive will be isolated until arrangements can be made for them to go home.

• Yes. Some of the actions we have taken include turning off water fountains and added touchless fountains for refilling water bottles at various locations throughout campus. In addition, our physical plant staff will increase the frequency of cleanings throughout campus. They will use the mildest, effective chemicals available, and they will deploy electrostatic misters in the evenings to ensure all surfaces are thoroughly covered with disinfectant.

• If an individual tests positive for Coronavirus,
  • They must quarantine for ten (10) days,
  • Be symptom-free,
  • and receive written clearance from a doctor before returning to school in person.
• If they test positive while on campus, they will be isolated until they can return home or to their dorm. We have created isolation rooms in the Student Health Center for this purpose. We have created quarantine rooms in Belk dormitory for students exposed. They will participate in online learning until they are able to safely rejoin the community in person.

• Yes. McCallie’s Student Health Center personnel and Trainers have completed contact tracing training through Johns Hopkins and will perform contact tracing where applicable in coordination with the Hamilton County Health Department. The goal of contact tracing is to notify individuals of an exposure. Persons who test positive, are symptomatic, or who are identified as high-risk through contact tracing will be sent home. They will participate in online learning until they are able to safely rejoin the community in person.

Over the summer members of our Student Health Center were trained in contact tracing through a course offered by Johns Hopkins. Contact tracing attempts to identify persons who may be at high risk of exposure to the coronavirus because of the nature of their contact with a positive case. In general, higher risk contact involves being in close contact, i.e. inside 6 feet, without a mask for fifteen (15) or more minutes.

• International students may begin arriving on campus starting Friday, August 7th. 
• Upon arrival to the U.S., students will be required to follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) protocols. 

• Yes. All students, faculty, and staff must be tested for Coronavirus and submit their test results to the school before school begins. 
• Test results dated August 7 or later (positive or negative) must be uploaded using the Magnus Health portal. Specific instructions will come from the Student Health Center before August 7.
• Boarding students who are unable to present a Coronavirus test result will take a rapid antigen test when they arrive on campus. After taking this test they will self-quarantine on campus. 
  • Students in self-isolation will be supervised by our Residential Life faculty, Student Health Center nurses, and school counselors. A student who is in self-isolation will report their temperatures daily to monitor for fever and will be screened for other COVID-19 symptoms, which include coughing or trouble breathing. Any student who tests positive will be quarantined in the Student Health Center and quarantined until they are cleared to travel or return to campus life by the Student Health Center. For further questions, please contact the Dean of Students, Tim Chakwin.

• Yes. Teachers and students will wear face coverings while in class. The exception would be if class were held outside and students could maintain six (6) feet of social distance.

• Social Distanced Classrooms:
  • We have reconfigured each instructional space so that students and teachers are six (6) feet apart. This has been achieved through a combination of scheduling students, asking some teachers to pick up additional sections, removing unnecessary furniture from class rooms, and using additional rooms as classroom spaces (e.g. Brock-Lazenby, Senior Lounge/Writing Center, Chapel stage). 
• Assigned Seating:
  • Students will have assigned seats in order to assist with contact tracing if necessary. 
• Face Coverings:
  • Teachers and students will wear face coverings while in class. 
• Relocations
  • We will utilize Alumni Hall as the Learning Center. ​​​​​​​
    •  Seating is arranged three (3) per table to coordinate with breakfast and dinner plans. 
    •  Tutors will be provided with PPE.

• We have reconfigured each instructional space so that students and teachers are six (6) feet apart. This has been achieved through a combination of scheduling students, asking some teachers to pick up additional sections, removing unnecessary furniture from classrooms, and using additional rooms as classroom spaces (e.g. Brock-Lazenby, Senior Lounge/Writing Center,  Chapel stage).

The McCallie School Board of Trustees sets tuition and is responsible for considering potential changes to tuition. Should McCallie move to remote learning for an extended period of time the Board may consider a tuition adjustment. Currently, whether a student has chosen in-person classes or virtual classes, there is no adjustment for the 2020-21 school year.

• The following varsity sports will begin as follows 
  • In Full (Please refer to TSSAA Return-to-Play Guidelines for all rules and regulations)
    • Football 
    • Cross Country
    • Golf
    • Tennis
    • Swimming
    • Ultimate Frisbee
• Partially
  • Crew may begin with limited training. No final decision regarding use of shells on the river or use of our new boat house has been made. 
• Suspended
  • Climbing will not be available. 

• On-Campus: M-Fit, Golf Center, Disc Golf, Parkour, Running, Yoga, Kayaking, Wilderness Skills, Climbing, Lifeguarding, Futsol, Squash, Robotics, Martial Arts, etc.
• Virtual Experiences: E-Sports, Fitness (CrossFit/HIIT, Erg., Peloton, etc.), Outdoor Programs, Enrichment Courses.
• Co-curriculars: Independent research, Enrichment Courses, Internships, Community Service, T-Term inspired courses, Arts, Forensics, Music, etc.
• Off-campus Opportunities: Roller Hockey/Box Lacrosse, Coordinate Activities, Mountain Biking, Climbing, Golf, Running, Fishing, Paddling (Kayak, Canoe, SUP).
• History Day, Science Fairs, Test Prep, Research, Internships, Jobs, Philanthropy, Auditions.
• Mentoring and Leadership Opportunities.

• Chorus will not be available
• Theater will be offered
• The status of Candlelight is unknown at this point.