Dollar

Details

  • Type of school: Co-Ed | Senior school with a junior department or a prep school
  • Nearest international airport: Edinburgh (45km)
  • Age Range: 5-18
  • Number of pupils: 1345
  • Number of boarders: 100
  • £ Fees per term - Boarding: Full boarding: £11,469 - £12,867
  • £ Fees per term -Day: £4,161- £5,559

School Information

As the world’s oldest coeducational day and boarding school,
boarding has always been a key feature of life at Dollar and the Care
Inspectorate has described the school as having a ‘sector-leading’
standard of care for its boarders. With over two centuries spent serving
the educational needs of its pupils, Dollar has created an environment
where young minds can thrive.
Dollar is recognised as one of the UK’s leading schools and has a
very sound reputation amongst the top universities. The outstanding
teaching team ensure that every child achieves his or her best – this is a
successful school filled with happy and very active children.

Boarding at Dollar
The focus is very much on creating a home-from-home environment with
100 boys and girls living in small family-style boarding houses located on
Dollar’s stunning 70-acre campus at the foot of the Ochil Hills.
Tutors help with homework and excellent social, sport and leisure facilities
are available for pupils to use. One great advantage of boarding at Dollar is
that there are several hundred day pupils living locally, so boarders have a
wide circle of friends, both in and out of the boarding house.

Exceptional exam results
Dollar offers the widest range of academic subjects in Scotland. Pupils
consistently achieve excellent results and, in 2022, the pass rate at Higher
stood at an impressive 97%, with a remarkable 73% of these at A grade. At
Advanced Higher, pupils achieved a 95% pass rate, with 62% at A grade.
The SQA Advanced Higher qualification is highly regarded internationally,
with an A grade being equivalent to an A* grade at A-level.

Dollar
“We saw a caring, family ethos across the school and
boarding houses. Children and young people feel safe,
are very well looked after and are known as individuals.”
The Care Inspectorate, February 2020

Huge co-curricular range
With more than 120 co-curricular activities on offer, Dollar is sure to have
something to interest everyone.
Dollar is one of Scotland’s leading rugby and hockey playing schools, and
passionately encourages participation at every level. The school also has
a growing reputation for cricket, tennis and golf, recently partnering with
Gleneagles to offer an exceptional Golf Programme at their PGA Academy.
Music and Art are also very popular, with 14 different choirs and
orchestras, a World Championship-winning Pipe Band and a superb art
department with sector-leading fine art, photography, ceramics and
fashion design provision. The Combined Cadet Force is one of the largest
in the country, consistently winning national military skills, shooting and
first aid competitions, and hundreds of pupils take part in the Duke of
Edinburgh’s Award programme each year.
Well connected country location
Dollar is situated between the university cities of St Andrews and
Edinburgh. The school is just 45 minutes’ drive from Edinburgh and
Glasgow International Airports, with dozens of direct flights each day to
London and across the globe.

Scholarships and Bursaries

There is limited bursary and scholarship funding to support pupils entering Dollar Academy as boarders who demonstrate excellence academically, or in areas such as music or sport. The tuition fee element will normally be required to be paid in full, but the boarding element may attract financial support. Parental income will be assessed, and remission of the boarding element of the fee may be offered to boys and girls who do particularly well in the Entrance Test and/or interview or who have met high academic standards in their previous schools. For more information please visit Financial Assistance - Dollar Academy

Student Profile

“We saw highly sensitive and caring attitudes from boarding house staff, which helped them to clearly establish the ethos of home from home in a family atmosphere in the houses.” – Care Commission, 2017

 

“There’s a special mix of productive ambition and supportive camaraderie that comes from the school’s ethos and its long history. We’re grateful that our son can find stimulation and friendship daily in his peers, teachers, and houseparents.” - John Mackay (Parent of current boarder from Seattle)

 

“Up there with the best, offering an authentic Scottish boarding experience, as well as catering for local kids. Set in a beautiful tranquil setting, it’s a school with a solid, traditional ethos and top academic results.” – The Good Schools Guide 2020

 

“My time at Dollar, particularly the senior years, provides me with some of my happiest rugby memories. I believe firmly that without the values instilled in me then, I would not have represented my country at senior level.” – John Barclay (alumni 2004 and former Scotland Rugby Captain)

 

Boarder Testimonial: girl aged 17 "After living abroad for most of my life, I finally made the decision to move to boarding school. I did my research and I went with my parents to a selection of boarding schools, including Dollar Academy, to help me make my final decision. Dollar Academy really captured my eye, as it was very friendly and the tour was very informative. However, what really helped me make my decision were the boarding houses. Instead of corridors of bedrooms, where it would be difficult to know everyone you were living with, the houses were smaller and more family-like with many people to talk to. Living away from home can be hard at times, but having many friends in the house to speak to, can make all the difference."

 

Boarder Testimonial: boy aged 14 "My name is Andrew, and I’ve been in boarding at Dollar for just over three years. My previous school was in Saint Helena, and my parents decided to move me somewhere with an upstanding reputation where I could stay until I finished school (my parents move around a lot). I’ve always enjoyed boarding here; the boarding house I stay in is very near the school, so it’s convenient for me as I do a lot of co-curricular activities. It’s so much easier to do things when the school is literally a thirty second walk from the house. I also really like it that Houseparents are teachers, so they understand what’s going on in school and in classes.”

News

Dollar Academy launches FIDA

Wednesday 12th May 2021 sees the launch of FIDA (Futures Institute at Dollar Academy) – an open-access online learning platform that empowers young people to learn in new ways, through innovative projects rooted in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). It has been created to address three fundamental challenges – sustainability, equitable access

Dollar Academy Pipe Band crowned Juvenile World Champions

Dollar Academy’s Juvenile Band have retained the title of Juvenile World Champions after winning the category at the RSPBA World Championships. The school’s Novice Juvenile A band also took part in the competition, finishing fourth in their category. The strong performances at Glasgow Green, and throughout the season, resulted in both Bands winning the Champion

Dollar Academy celebrates SQA results

Pupils at Dollar Academy have secured some of the very best exam results in the country. The Form V pass rate at Higher, which is widely viewed as the national benchmark of academic success, stands at an impressive 95.7%. A remarkable 67.8% of our Higher presentations resulted in A grades, the highest figure on record, and no less

Dollar Academy’s 1st XI win Scottish Cup

Dollar Academy’s 1st XI hockey team have won the Scottish Cup final for a second consecutive year. The squad played against The Glasgow Academy in the Glasgow National Hockey Centre, and were thrilled to be back at the final for a second year running. The game proved very tight from the start and Dollar were

Dollar Academy match with Tennis Scotland for National Tennis Academy launch

Dollar Academy has been selected as a partner for the launch of Tennis Scotland’s new Great Britain National Tennis Academy, due to open this August at the University of Stirling. The tennis academy, which is one of only two in the UK, will offer eight of Britain’s top young tennis players aged between 12-18 the

Record-breaking SQA Results at Dollar Academy

Dollar Academy pupils are celebrating another year of outstanding SQA examination results. The pass rate at Advanced Higher was 93%, with an astonishing 61% of passes being at grade A, a new school record by a considerable margin and no doubt one of the highest figures in Scotland. The A/B proportion of passes was a

Dollar Academy 1st XI Hosts the Scottish MCC

On the summer’s most temperate day so far, the Dollar 1st XI took on an experienced MCC Scotland side in an extended version of the game that took place on Wednesday 20 May at Dollar Academy. A time game allows for three different results on the day; it is customary for the MCC to bat

Dollar Academy Exam success

Exam success at Dollar Academy SQA exam results were received on the 7th August and pupils at Dollar Academy were amongst many across Scotland celebrating success. Against a record breaking national pass rate for Highers of 76.9%, Dollar pupils in S5 delivered an overall Higher pass rate of 92.5%, with a staggering 61% of these

Dollar Academy – MCC vs Dollar

The MCC met the Dollar Academy 1st XI for their annual cricket match at Dollar on Thursday 24th May. Founded in 1787, MCC is the world’s most famous cricket club, owning Lord’s and having long been responsible for the laws of the game. Several Dollar Academy former pupils are members of the MCC club and

Dollar Academy student in UK Olympic team

Olympic selection from Dollar Academy Dollar Academy Former Pupil Jen McIntosh has been selected to represent Great Britain at the 2012 Olympic Games. The 20 year old day pupil, left school after completing her education in FVI to become a full time athlete. She was named today in the GB team announcement, selected for Air

Dollar Academy Cross-Country

Dollar Academy’s annual cross-country event took place on the afternoon of the 7th March in typical spring weather conditions which made the 3.5 mile route very challenging. Almost three quarters of the entire senior school took part in the run, which extended beyond the school grounds and into the foothills of the Ochils, before returning

Dollar Academy – Debating world champion

Dollar Academy pupil Ruth Cameron is celebrating becoming a world champion after Scotland’s victory in South Africa at the 2012 World Schools Debating Championships in Cape Town last week. The Form VI pupil represented Scotland in a team of five of the best debaters from schools across the country. The tournament, which started on the

Dollar Academy – visit from Scottish MEP

Scottish MEP Catherine Stihler visited Dollar Academy on Monday 27th February and met with pupils from Junior 1 to talk about the EU. In a presentation that covered all aspects of the European Parliament, Catherine included many interesting facts from some of the 27 member states along with stories from her personal experiences at the

Dollar Academy welcomes Freddie Tuilagi

Dollar Academy Junior school rugby players were treated to a coaching session by ex-Samoa international Freddie Tuilagi on Saturday 4th February. Freddie captivated the youngsters attention with coaching drills that focused on basic skills, in what proved to be an inspiring morning of rugby training for the young players. This is the third time in

Scotland’s National Poet Visits Dollar Academy

Scottish Poet and Dramatist Liz Lochhead visited Dollar Academy on Monday 5th March to meet with FIV pupils, who are currently in their examination year taking Standard Grade English. The Scots Makar spent an hour speaking to 140 pupils. She read a selection of poems and scenes from a couple of plays. Liz Lochhead then

Dollar Hockey Sevens Victory

Dollar Academy 1st VII were delighted to win the Carita’s Hockey Sevens on Tuesday 20th March. There were a total of twelve teams competing in the national schools tournament. Dollar won their section against Currie High School and Peebles High School which saw them through to the semi’s where they played Heriots, winning 2-1, before

Dollar Debaters take centre stage at National Conference

Two pupils from Dollar Academy took part in a debate at this year’s national food and drink conference held in Perth Concert Hall on 7th March, sharing the stage with a number of high profile international speakers – including Barak Obama’s aide Dr Janey Thornton and top Scottish Chef Nick Nairn. Anna George and Tom

Dollar Academy Combined Cadet Force

Dollar Academy CCF were called to attention on 10th October with their biennial inspection, this year conducted by Squadron Leader Bob Lander from RAF Leuchars. A total of 220 pupils took part in the march and drill, before presenting for inspection outside the front of the school’s magnificent Playfair design building. The cadet force is

Dollar Academy host a Kicking Master-class from Chris Paterson

Scottish Rugby Internationalist Chris Paterson held a kicking master-class for pupils at Dollar Academy on 16th November. The school, whose U-16 team have just qualified for the Brewin Dolphin Schools’ Cup Final, has a reputation for nurturing rugby talent. John Barclay, Graeme Morrison and Rory Lawson are all recent former pupils. Chris Paterson has over

Dollar Former Pupil awarded UK top engineer scholarship

Dollar Academy former pupil James Cameron has been named as one of the UK’s brightest young engineers after winning a prestigious scholarship from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. The James Clayton Undergraduate Scholarship will contribte £1 000 per year to James’ degree at Strathclyde University. The Scholarship was awarded to just 20 of the top

Dollar Former Pupil awarded UK top engineer scholarship

Dollar Academy former pupil James Cameron has been named as one of the UK's brightest young engineers after winning a prestigious scholarship from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. The James Clayton Undergraduate Scholarship will contribte £1 000 per year to James' degree at Strathclyde University. The Scholarship was awarded to just 20 of the top

Dollar Old boys in Scotland world cup team

Dollar Academy and the Rugby World Cup Scotland coach Andy Robinson’s announcement of the Scotland world cup squad has confirmed Dollar Academy old boys in the final line up, with John Barclay, Graeme Morrison and Rory Lawson. All are former pupils of Dollar Academy. The team was unveiled at the National Museum of Scotland on

Dollar Sponsored walk

Dollar Academy walks the walk for charity. Dollar Academy made the most of the sunny weather last Friday and took to the hills for the biennial whole–school sponsored walk. This mammoth fundraising event saw all 1250 pupils and 200 staff follow routes through the beautiful Ochil hills. Senior pupils, many of whom were involved in

Dollar celebrates Science success

Science success at Dollar Five Form IV Dollar Academy pupils have reached the finals of a prestigious national competition after winning a place in the finals of the 2012 National Science & Engineering Competition. They will now go head-to-head with students from across the country in an attempt to claim one of the UK’s most

Top prize for Dollar Academy Pipe Band – June 2011

The Pipes and Drums have become a familiar sound around Dollar with the school band gaining a reputation amongst locals for their early morning practice. And the hard work has paid off, with Dollar Academy blowing away the competition at the Scottish Schools’ Pipe Band Championships on Sunday, coming first in their 12th consecutive victory.

Water-lotta Science at Dollar Academy – June 2011

The Junior school pupils at Dollar Academy took water as their theme for this years sustainability study day, hosted at the school on Thursday 16th June. This annual event was organised by the Science Department and provided a ‘hands-on’ themed day to inspire the school’s young scientists. In a day of activity, Dollar Junior 1

Dollar Academy publishing success 2011

Dollar Academy are celebrating after a weekend of success, with pupils scooping the top award in the 2011 Scottish School Magazine Competition. The winning team were presented the Gold Award in the Scottish School Magazine of the Year category by BBC Radio Scotland personality John Beattie at an award ceremony in Edinburgh on June 17th.

Dollar pupils trip to SW USA

Trip to SW USA, February 2011 – Pupils from Dollar Academy flew to the USA to explore the geography of the South West, including trips to San Francisco, Muir Woods National Monument, Death Valley, Hoover Dam, Route 66, the Grand Canyon, Montezuma Castle and Phoenix. A trip that inspired all by the sheer scale of

Rob Moffat announced as new Dollar PE teacher, May 2011

Rob Moffat announced as new Dollar PE teacher, May 2011 Dollar Academy Rector David Knapman has welcomed the appointment of former Edinburgh Head Coach Rob Moffat as a PE Teacher. Moffat joins the school after over 14 years in professional rugby and brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge. Before moving into professional

Dollar pupils take a trip to China!

Trip to China, Easter 2011- A large group of Dollar Academy pupils made their way to the Far East in search of culture, history and not a little bargain hunting. 37 members of Forms IV, V and VI covered vast distances by plane, overnight train, bus and, at times, rickshaw, in pursuit of the truth

New Sixth Form Centre open, February 2011

New Sixth Form Centre open, February 2011 – On Thursday 24 February, Dollar Academy celebrated the official opening of its state-of-the-art Sixth Form Centre. With cutting edge facilities, a bespoke computer suite, relaxed study space and recreation areas, Dollar 6th form pupils can relax with friends in this proud new space at the centre of

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