Chatham Hall

36°49′32″N 79°23′21″W

Chatham Hall
Pruden Hall, the administrative building for Chatham Hall
Location
Chatham , Virginia United States
Information
Former name	Chatham Episcopal Institute.
Type	Private, boarding
Motto	Esto Perpetua (Let it be perpetual)
Religious affiliation(s)	Episcopal
Established	1894
Acting Head of School	Rector Sara Stephenson
Faculty	29 academic 86% with advanced degrees
Enrollment	121
Average class size	8 students
Student to teacher ratio	5:1
Campus	365 acres (1.48 km2)
Color(s)	Purple and Gold
Athletics	13 interscholastic sports
Mascot	Turtle
Website	www.chathamhall.org

Chatham Hall is a grade 9-12 girls' boarding school in Chatham, Virginia, United States, founded in 1894 as Chatham Episcopal Institute. Tuition for the 2024-2025 school year is $28,500 (day students), $58,750 (5-day boarding), and $68,000 (7-day boarding). More than half of the student body receives financial aid.^[1]

Chatham Hall is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools, a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), and is in compliance with the NACAC's Principle of Good Practice.

Academics

Chatham Hall’s average class size is seven with a 5:1 student:teacher ratio.^[2] Curricular highlights include advanced courses, global programs, student-led workshops, January Term, robotics, and global entrepreneurship.

Campus life

In 2024-2025, 91% of Chatham Hall students live on campus.^[2] Boarding students live on-campus for five or seven days a week. There are a small number of day students as well.

In the afternoons, students participate in activities that include a competitive athletics program in the Blue Ridge Conference, Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) team and campus riding program, performing arts, and more. Sports currently offered include basketball, cross-country, field hockey, lacrosse, golf, riding, soccer, swimming, tennis, and volleyball.

Chatham Hall is well-known for its riding program and facilities, including the Mars Riding Arena and Hunter Trial Field. The campus is home to 30 horses, two additional teaching arenas, and riding trails.

Chatham Hall is an independent Episcopal school with chapel services twice a week and follows the precepts of the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES).

Chatham Hall's traditions include an honor code and longstanding yearly events.^[3]

Campus

The Chatham Hall campus is 365 acres in Chatham, Virginia, United States located at 800 Chatham Hall Circle. Notable buildings include Pruden Hall, Dabney Hall, Curtis' Garden, Mars Riding Arena, and St. Mary’s Chapel.

Notable alumnae

• Claudia Emerson (1975) – Pulitzer-Prize-winning poet
• Georgia O'Keeffe (1905) – artist
• Margaret Sullavan (1927) – Film star and Oscar nominee
• Ann Taylor (1954) – NPR broadcaster
• Maggie Taylor (1979) – artist

Miscellaneous

The film Crazy People (1990) was filmed at Chatham Hall.

Chatham Hall was briefly mentioned in the novel Betrayed.