Giving birth is hectic enough for neophyte parents. But just a few years later you have to start thinking about your child’s education. Are you in a good public school district? Can you afford to sell your house and move into a better district right now? Maybe private school will alleviate some of your fears … or deliver the arts and physical education programs that public schools have eliminated.
Atlanta offers a monstrous amount of options, all of which offer low student-to-teacher ratios as well as diverse learning environments and “unique” practices for holistic student development. So we thought we’d help you narrow your focus down to some of Atlanta’s leading prep schools. Although we’ve listed them by geography, you don’t have to live near a private school to attend it.
From the cradle to college
For parents who want congruity for their child, these schools offer 12 or more grade levels. Largely college prep-based programs, some of which also emphasize faith-based social responsibility, these schools aim to prepare children academically and socially for the new challenges of our global economy.
Atlanta:
- Atlanta International School (K-12), aischool.org
- Pace Academy (K-12), paceacademy.org
- Paideia School (preK-12), paideiaschool.org
- Holy Innocents’ School (preK-12), hies.org
- Holy Spirit Preparatory School (preK-12), holyspiritprep.org
- Mount Vernon Presbyterian School (preK-12), mountvernonschool.org
- The Galloway School (preK-12), gallowayschool.org
- The Howard School (K-12), howardschool.org
- The Lovett School (K-12), lovett.org
- The Westminster Schools of Atlanta (K-12), westminster.net
College Park:
- Woodward Academy (K-12), woodward.edu
Roswell/Alpharetta:
- Eaton Academy (K-12), eatonacademy.org
- Mill Springs Academy (1-12), millsprings.org
- St. Francis School (preK-12), stfrancisschools.com
Norcross:
- Greater Atlanta Christian School (K-12), greateratlantachristian.org
Nontraditional
Parents with kids who might benefit from nontraditional educational settings can choose from single-sex schools, boarding schools and prep schools that emphasize the arts and sciences in ways that extend far beyond the classroom.
Atlanta:
- Atlanta Girls’ School (6-12), atlantagirlsschool.org (girls only)
- Ben Franklin Academy (9-12), benfranklinacademy.org (individualized instruction/college prep)
- Brandon Hall School (6-12), brandonhall.org (boys only/boarding is an option)
- Cliff Valley School (preK-8), cliffvalleyschool.org (individualized instruction)
Decatur:
- Academe of the Oaks (9-12), academeatlanta.org (individualized instruction/college prep/Waldorf method)
- The Waldorf School of Atlanta (preK-8), waldorfatlanta.org (individualized instruction/Waldorf method)
Roswell/Alpharetta:
- Chrysalis Experiential Academy (6-12), chrysalisexp.org (experiential education)
- High Meadows School (pre-K-8), highmeadows.org (children grouped by ability, not numerical age)
Faith-based
These options include Catholic, Jewish, Quaker, Islamic and nondenominational Christian schools.
Atlanta:
- Blessed Trinity Catholic High School (9-12), btcatholic.org (Catholic)
- Christ the King School (K-8), christking.org (Catholic)
- Marist School (7-12), marist.com (Catholic)
- Our Lady of the Assumption School (preK-8), olaschool.org (Catholic)
- St. Jude the Apostle School (K-8), saintjude.net (Catholic)
- St. Martin’s Episcopal School (preK-8), stmartinschool.org (Catholic)
- St. Pius X Catholic High School (9-12), spx.org (Catholic)
- Sophia Academy (preK-9), sophiaacademy.org (Christian)
- The Heiskell School (preK-8), heiskell.net (Christian)
- Epstein School (preK-8), epsteinatlanta.org (Jewish)
- Katherine and Jacob Greenfield Hebrew Academy (preK-8), ghacademy.org (Jewish)
- The Weber School (9-12), weberschool.org (Jewish)
- Mohammed Schools of Atlanta (preK-12), mohammedschools.org (Islamic)
Decatur:
- St. Thomas More Catholic School (K-8), stmga.org (Catholic)
- The Friends School of Atlanta (preK-8), friendsschoolatlanta.org (Quaker)
Hapeville:
- St. John the Evangelist Catholic School (preK-8), sjecs.org (Catholic)
Roswell/Alpharetta:
- ILM Academy (preK-8), ilm-academy.com (Islamic)
Special needs
Children with learning disabilities like dyslexia, hearing or speech impediments or emotional issues may need environments that are supportive and understanding of their particular challenges. These schools also incorporate a certain level of empathy and therapy.
Atlanta:
- Cumberland Academy of GA (4-12), cumberlandacademy.org
Roswell/Alpharetta:
- The Cottage School (6-12), cottageschool.org
- Porter Academy (preK-8), porteracademy.org
- Swift School (1-7), swiftschool.com
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Danielle Deadwyler is an Atlanta-based writer, actor and mother to a dancing machine. Read more of her stories at tinyurl.com/atldanielle.
