The campus is in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Eighty percent of the teachers live on the campus. One teacher lives on campus for every three boarding students.
Most teachers have master's or doctor's degrees.
Classes, averaging 15 students, are designed for higher achieving students. Through discussions, students are encouraged to express themselves freely. The average senior's combined SAT math and verbal scores are usually over 1250. Typically, forty percent of the seniors are recognized by National Merit, and a significant number earn college scholarships. All graduates go on to attend four-year colleges and universities, most with college credit already earned through a nationally recognized Advanced Placement program.