Rory Gilmore attends Chilton, a private high school on Gilmore Girls.
Lorelai enrolls Rory at Chilton after arranging financial help from Emily and Richard Gilmore. The school provides Rory with a more demanding academic environment than Stars Hollow High and introduces several important characters, including Paris Geller and headmaster Charleston.
Chilton is fictional, but its competitive atmosphere reflects the elite preparatory schools associated with the New England setting of the show. Rory's academic performance there helps establish her goal of attending Harvard, even though she eventually chooses Yale.
The school also creates storylines about friendship, rivalry, journalism, dating, and pressure. Rory works on the Chilton newspaper with Paris and other students. Chilton remains important even after Rory graduates because its alumni and teachers continue to appear in later episodes.