Basic Information & Location
As the world’s oldest co-educational 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 Academy is recognised as one of the UK’s leading schools and has a very sound reputation amongst the UK’s 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.
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. The location offers well connected country living.
School Motto
Juventutis Veho Fortus (Latin) – “I carry the fortunes of youth”
Academic Development
Public examinations are regulated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, and these qualifications are highly valued by universities around the world. A broad range of subjects is studied until the age of 16, before specialisation in 3-5 subjects. Dollar offers the widest range of SQA subjects in Scotland.
The super-curriculum includes modules in subjects as diverse as Microbiology, Astronomy, Philosophy and Italian along with opportunities for coding, robotics, debating, cooking and Classics.
Pupils at Dollar consistently achieve high results and, in 2019, the Form V pass rate at Higher stood at an impressive 96%, with a remarkable 68% of these at A grade. Pupils in Form VI achieved a 92% pass rate at Advanced Higher, with 73% 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.
A levels 2019
Advanced Higher (Scottish Equivalent) – 92% pass rate, 73% at A grade (an A grade being equivalent to an A* grade at A-level)
GCSEs 2019
National 5 (Scottish Equivalent) – 97% pass rate, 73% at A grade
Pastoral Care & Boarding
Boarding at Dollar Academy looks and feels different to many other schools. The focus is very much on creating a home-from-home environment with around 90 boys and girls living in three period, family-style boarding houses located on Dollar’s stunning 70-acre campus. The houses balance traditional charm with modern comfort and style, providing welcoming bedrooms, stimulating work spaces and large contemporary social rooms. Juniors and seniors mix together, again adding to the family atmosphere.
All three houses are run by full time, live-in houseparents, who absolutely view the young people in their care as an extension of their own family. They keep a close watchful eye over the academic and pastoral development of every pupil in their house, supported by assistant houseparents, house tutors and a team of pastoral specialists.
With hundreds of day pupils living in Dollar itself, our boarders also make strong friendships out with the boarding houses and are very well integrated into the fabric of the town and community. With Edinburgh and Glasgow less than an hour’s drive away, our boarders can also enjoy all that these vibrant cities have to offer.
Extracurricular & personal development
Some of the greatest lessons children learn take place outside of the classroom, and Dollar offers a vast co-curricular programme of over 70 cultural, service and sporting opportunities.
Sport is a big part of Dollar life. The school regularly wins national rugby and hockey competitions, and passionately encourages participation at every level. Dollar also has a growing reputation for cricket, golf, football, tennis, and even ultimate frisbee. Music is another key feature at Dollar, with 14 different choirs and orchestras and a World Championship-winning Pipe Band. The Combined Cadet Force is one of the largest in the country, consistently winning national military skills, shooting and first aid competitions.
