Ensworth is a kindergarten through twelfth grade, coeducational independent school. The School promotes academic excellence and inspires students to be intellectually curious, to use their talents to the fullest, to be people of integrity, and to be contributors to society.
WE ENVISION A SCHOOL COMMUNITY DEDICATED TO FOLLOWING THE HIGHEST PRINCIPLES WITH THE GREATEST LOVE, AS CHARACTERIZED BY MORAL INTEGRITY, INTELLECTUAL VITALITY, DISCIPLINE, COMPASSION, HUMOR AND JOY.
Dear Parents of New Tigers,
Welcome to Ensworth! We’re very glad that you are part of the Ensworth community, and we look forward to welcoming your family to the new school year. All the information contained in this packet is also available on the Resource Board in Tigernet, which can be accessed by logging in through the Ensworth website. Please be sure that your contact information is accurate in Tigernet in order to receive important communication and alerts.
Along with this summer workbook which contains reading, writing, and math assignments for the summer months, students also receive their IXL Math workbook and required reading novel.
We will have the opportunity to meet your student on Monday, August 17 during the New Student Orientation. Also, please mark your calendars to attend Middle School Parent Night on Tuesday, September 1.
I look forward to seeing you on campus soon! Best wishes for a happy, safe, and fun summer!
Go Tigers!
Doug Magee Head of Middle School mageed@ensworth.com
MONDAY, AUGUST 17
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION FOR GRADES 7 & 8
Patton Hall at Red Gables | 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
STUDENT ORIENTATION FOR GRADE 6
Patton Hall at Red Gables | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR GRADES K-8
11:00 a.m. early dismissal
Drop-off begins each morning at 7:30 a.m. Students must stay in their cars until 7:30 a.m. when our security team and faculty supervisors are in place. Please read the information contained in this packet regarding all morning drop-off and afternoon hookup procedures.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19
START OF AFTERCARE Register online for Aftercare
MONDAY, AUGUST 24
START OF MIDDLE SCHOOL LEARNING LAB Register online on Campbrain
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT NIGHT (GRADES 6-8)
Join us in Frist Hall at Red Gables at 6:30 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 8-11
GRADES 6 & 7 CLASS TRIPS
Additional details will be shared via email
Advisory lists are released online in early August. Watch for an announcement in E-News. The online directory can be accessed by logging into Tigernet. The “Directories” tab is near the top right of the next page. The directory can be sorted by parents’ names, students’ names, or faculty / staff members’ names.
All necessary supplies will be provided by the teacher. Students do not need to bring supplies to school on the first day. Middle School students should provide their own bag to carry their supplies, books, and belongings to and from school.
Please read the Handbook carefully so you will be informed about the school’s policies and operating procedures. School officially begins at 7:55 a.m. and children arriving after this time are considered tardy. Ensworth has a strong policy asking families to have children present whenever school is in session. Absence for family trips and early dismissals for medical appointments cause children to miss some of the important academic and social development that occurs every school day. It is in the child’s best interest to avoid these interruptions to school. Please email the advisor and receptionist in case of absence due to illness.
We have developed a planner unique to Ensworth for every Middle School student. There is information from the Handbook that is important to the lives of students in Middle School. Please read this over with your student after they receive it.
Students may register for Aftercare on a regular basis throughout the school year or on an as-needed basis. An emergency form must be on file in order for a child to attend Aftercare. The program operates on full school days, Monday through Thursday from 3:00–5:45 p.m. and Friday from 3:00–5:30 p.m. We also offer several after-school enrichment programs throughout the year for students of all ages. Middle School Learning Lab is available with content teachers Monday through Thursday each week at no additional cost in Patton Hall. The school’s website offers information about our Aftercare and Enrichment programs, including current offerings and fees.
Scan the QR code to view current offerings. Kindly note: Information for the 2026-2027 school year will be added during the summer.
Parents will be very well-informed about all school news and events by checking the online calendar at the beginning of each week and reading E-News, emailed every Thursday during the school year. Teachers inform parents directly whenever students will be off campus, but other updates will be found through the calendar and E-News. Any teacher may be contacted by using our online directory. It is essential that all contact information be current and updated as necessary in order to receive school closing / emergency communication. Please do not text teachers’ personal cell phones with questions or information about your child.
Kindergarten through Grade 8 parent teacher conferences are scheduled for September and January. Watch for information in the E-News about conference schedules and how to sign up online.
Report cards are posted in Tigernet four times per year: twice for semester grades and twice for interim grades. Report cards are intended to be a snapshot of the child’s growth and progress in various areas and include teachers’ narrative comments each semester. Grades are updated and available at all times throughout the year in the online gradebook in Tigernet. Further information about understanding and interpreting report cards will be sent home before the end of the first quarter.
Lunch menus may be found online at https://ensworth.flikisdining.com/menus-eula. There are many choices for children at lunch, always including fruit and vegetables. It isn’t possible for the adults to monitor individual lunch choices and this is a good area in which children can learn to take responsibility for choosing foods that parents have asked them to eat.
Ensworth clothing and accessories are available for purchase in the school’s Spirit Store. The Red Gables’ store is located inside the front doors of the Brown Athletic Center, and children must be accompanied by an adult. There is also a store at Frist Campus located inside Elcan Athletics Center. You may also shop online at: ensworthspiritstore.com.
The following information is for Lower / Middle School (Grades K-8) and supplements the provisions regarding the Dress Code in the first section of the Handbook.
• Approved uniform bottoms of the same hue as those available at FlynnO’Hara or Lands’ End; girls may also wear Ensworth-approved Lands’ End or FlynnO’Hara plaid skirts or jumpers and khaki shorts
• White, black, or orange polo shirts, long-sleeve or short-sleeve
• White or black turtlenecks, plain or with the school logo
• White button-down long-sleeve dress shirts (6-8)
• Black or white cardigans, plain or with the school logo
• Black or white v-neck sweaters or sweater vests, plain or with the school logo
• Sweatshirt or fleece from an Ensworth source
• Athletic shoes (suitable for running and other P.E. activities)
• White, black, or orange socks, full-length leggings, or tights (no ribs)
• Belts must be worn if pants, shorts, or skirts have belt loops
• Undershirts must be white, black, or orange and without words or logos that show through; long-sleeve undershirts may not be worn under shortsleeve uniform shirts
There will be designated days throughout the year when Formal Dress is required. On these days, students must modify Regular Dress as follows:
• All students wear a white shirt (any of the selected uniform styles)
• Undershirts must be white
• Uniform bottoms, no shorts allowed
In addition to the provisions of Regular Dress stated above, students may wear official Ensworth t-shirts with uniform bottom attire.
On Spirit Days students are encouraged to wear appropriate athletic wear representing their school or team colors in order to participate in Spirit Assembly games. School/team color accessories are permitted as long as they are not overly distracting. No face paint or hair coloring is allowed.
Students must observe the following provisions for school dress regardless of whether the dress is Regular Dress, Formal Dress, or Casual Dress:
• Clothing should be neat, clean, and well cared-for
• Clothing must be of appropriate size and must be worn modestly with skirts and shorts at fingertip length or longer
• Shirts with collars must be tucked in at all times on Regular Dress and Formal Dress days
• Shoes must be cared for and properly worn
• Shoes must be worn with socks or tights
• Hair must be clean and well groomed with no unnatural dyed hair color
• Students’ hair must not cover their eyes nor be a distraction
• During cold weather, students may need a heavy coat or jacket (of greater weight and function than the Ensworth fleece, sweater, or sweatshirt) for recess and travel to and from school. This outerwear, which includes coats and jackets but does not include lightweight zip-up garments, may not be worn inside the building
• Only Ensworth sweatshirts and outerwear, in addition to designated uniform sweaters, may be worn in the building during the school day
• Long-sleeve t-shirts may not be worn under short-sleeve uniform shirts
• No hats or caps inside the building
• No cologne, aftershave, or perfume
• If clothing has belt loops, a belt must be worn
• School attire should be worn to school-sponsored events unless otherwise stated.
• The School believes that parents will accept what is indeed their responsibility, and students will indicate their respect for the School by living within the guidelines expressed above. The School will continue to reserve the right to enforce these guidelines as necessary.
• Students in violation of the School Dress Code may be required to change into proper attire and could be withheld from attending class until doing so. This may result in the student waiting in the office until a parent brings proper clothes. Students in violation of the School Dress Code will be sent to the Division Head, and parents will be notified.
Kindly note: Dress code guidelines are subject to change
All students are dropped off at the front of the main building. There is an adult in the crosswalk starting at 7:30 a.m. to assist in crossing the driveway.
Morning drop-off begins at 7:30 a.m.
Students must remain in their vehicles until our Security Officer enters the crosswalk at 7:30 a.m. Our day begins at 7:30 a.m. when the school doors open and supervision is available. It is dangerous for students to attempt to cross lanes 1 and 2 while vehicles are moving and no one is managing the crosswalk.
Cell phone use is strictly prohibited. The risk of distracted driving is far too great as we have young children entering school each day.
All students K-8 must enter the main Red Gables entrance.
Students must exit their vehicles and walk through the main entrance at Red Gables; there is no entry through Brown Athletic Center or the Arnholt Quad.
Switching lanes is not permitted in drop-off lanes.
Once you enter campus, do not attempt to switch lanes. This has the potential to cause dangerous conditions for our children and faculty members.
Students may only exit their vehicles once inside the drop-off lanes.
Please do not drop off your students in front of the Middle School. Instead, drive slowly through lanes 1-3 and pull forward to the top of the hill until you come to a stop.
AFTERNOON HOOKUP BEGINS AT 3:05 P.M.
Display your hookup placard clearly in your front window before entering campus. Every vehicle must display a placard with the child’s last name on the visor closest to the center lane where students walk to cars. Please keep the placard visible until your child has safely entered the car. This indicates to us that your car is ready to depart. Kindly note: If you do not have a placard, you will be asked to park and show ID inside the main office.
During hookup, there will only be one entrance to campus through the “Brown Athletic Center” lot. All hookup drivers must enter here, then split off to the lane designated by your placard color.
The blue lane loading zone is outside the front entrance to the Red Gables (RG) main building.
Important note: All Lower School students with Middle School siblings will also be picked up from the front of the school in the designated Middle School hookup zone. Even on days when their Middle School siblings are not participating in hookup, this will still be the assigned hookup location for these Lower School students.
The red lane loading zone is outside the side entrance to the Grades 3-5 academic building.
Important note: This is for families who are ONLY picking up Lower School students and have no Middle School students. The loop road gate by the playground will open at 2:30 p.m. Cars must line up behind the gate until then and proceed slowly to the loading zone.
SCAN QR CODE FOR OUR DROP-OFF AND HOOKUP VIDEOS
• There will be a traffic coordinator at the Brown Athletic Center entrance who will assist with directing the flow of traffic. If you need to exit left onto Woodlawn, line up in the left lane of your hookup line. If you need to exit right onto Woodlawn, line up in the right lane of your hookup line.
• Families must follow the instructions of the faculty on duty during hookup.
• Cell phone use is strictly prohibited.
• Students not picked up by 3:35 p.m. will go to Aftercare. Parents will need to go to Aftercare to sign their child out, and they will be charged.
PROCEDURE FOR
SCHOOL (two lanes of cars)
• All cars must turn off engines in the loading zone.
• We will load all cars in the designated loading zone at the same time.
• When a student’s name is called, they will go to the waiting zone.
• Students should NOT enter cars from the curb.
• Students will enter vehicles from the designated center space between lanes.
• As students enter vehicles, the next load of students will be called to the waiting zone.
• Once all cars in the loading zone are loaded, they will be prompted to turn their engines on, and we will release them to exit.
• Once all cars have exited, we will bring the next lot of vehicles through until the loading zone is filled again.
• If a student is late to hookup, the family will be asked to loop around.
LOADING PROCEDURE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL - RED GABLES MAIN ENTRANCE (two lanes of cars)
• All cars must turn off engines in the loading zone.
• We will load all cars in the designated loading zone at the same time.
• When a student’s name is called, they will report to the crosswalk.
• Students should NOT enter cars from the curb.
• Students will enter vehicles from the designated center space between lanes.
• As students are entering vehicles, the next load of students will be called to the front.
• Once all cars in the loading zone are loaded, they will be prompted to turn their engines on, and we will release them to exit.
• Once all cars have exited, we will bring the next lot of cars through until the loading zone is filled again.
• In the event that a student is late to hookup, the family will be asked to move their vehicle to the waiting zone (front of hookup lanes on the right in the area marked in green on the map).
In alignment with our safety and security protocols, any change to your child’s afternoon hookup must be communicated prior to 2:00 p.m.
For the safety of the child, it is essential that both the parents and the school know the child’s hookup arrangements. Parents must notify the school if their child is not leaving school in his regular hookup. Changes to your regular hookup arrangements should be communicated as early in the day as possible through an email to rgattendance@ensworth.com with a copy sent to the teacher / advisor. It is assumed that parents will clear the arrangements with one another in advance.
• A child who is going to walk or ride a bike must have written permission from a parent; a blanket note to cover the whole year is satisfactory and should be sent to the Division Head.
• Children who stay late for an event that begins after hookup must be accompanied by a parent / guardian or registered for Aftercare until the event begins.
• If your child will be carpooling with another family, this must also be communicated through rgattendance@ensworth.com by 2:00 p.m. for authorization.
If you need an early dismissal for your child, this should also be communicated through an email to rgattendance@ensworth.com with a copy to the teacher / advisor. Parents picking up for early dismissal should pull into the main lot through Lane 4, park in one of the spots facing Woodlawn, and go to the office to sign out their child.
We ask that everyone approach drop-off and hookup with grace, patience, and kindness. These are busy moments in the day, and your calm presence helps create a safe and positive experience for all children and adults involved.
2026 - 2027
Monday, August 17
Tuesday, August 18
Tuesday, September 1
Monday, September 7
Tuesday, Sept. 8 – Friday, Sept. 11
Thursday–Friday, September 24-25
Thursday–Friday, October 15-16
Monday, October 19
Friday, November 20
Monday–Friday, November 23-27
Friday, December 18
December 21–January 1
Monday, January 4
Tuesday, January 5
Monday, January 18
Thursday–Friday, January 28-29
Friday, February 12
Monday, February 15
Saturday–Thursday, March 6-11
Friday–Friday, March 12-19
Friday, April 16
Monday, April 19
Wednesday, May 26
Thursday, May 27
Friday, May 28
Saturday, May 29
New Student Orientation (Grades 1-12)
First Day K–8 (Half-day)
Middle School Parent Night
Labor Day (No classes)
Grades 6 & 7 Class Trips
Parent Teacher Conferences (K-12)
Fall Break
Faculty In-Service (No classes)
LS / MS Grandparents & Special Friends Day (Half-day)
Thanksgiving Break
Winter Break Begins (11am dismissal)
Winter Break
Faculty In-Service (No classes)
Classes Resume
MLK Day (No classes)
Red Gables (RG) Parent Teacher Conferences (Half-day Thursday)
Faculty In-Service (No classes)
February Break
Grade 8 Trip to Washington D.C.
Spring Break
April Break
Faculty In-Service (No classes)
Last Day for Grades K-8 (Half-day)
Middle School (MS) Closing Exercises
High School (HS) Awards Day
High School (HS) Graduation
DOUG MAGEE
Head of Middle School mageed@ensworth.com
ELLEN IVES
Associate Head of Middle School ivese@ensworth.com
ATTENDANCE OR HOOKUP UPDATES rgattendance@ensworth.com
CELESTIA O’DONNELL
Main Office Receptionist odonnellc@ensworth.com
RACHEL DILLARD
School Nurse dillardr@ensworth.com