Smart PLAYING IT
Small classes, hands-on instruction, creative opportunities and personal accountability make The Cottage School experience a worthwhile investment.
Almost 30 years ago, two teachers with a dream and the desire to help students who learn differently came together to build The Cottage School. Today, the dream of academic and personal independence has come true for hundreds of students, all thanks to Jacque and Joe Digieso. What began in a spartan one-room “classroom” in a Roswell office park has now grown into an expansive 23acre wooded campus. Overlooking the Chattahoochee River, the campus is comprised of a full size gymnasium, five large cottage-style classroom buildings, an outdoor classroom and a mountain bike/trail-run path. Serving grades 6-12, with enrollment representing more than 10 counties, The Cottage School Co-founded by Jacque Digieso (above) in 1985, The Cottage School has grown from a one-room “classroom” in Roswell to a 23-acre campus that serves a diverse enrollment of 160 students in grades engages its students in the pursuit of 6-12. Through the school’s unique academic and experiential programming, students emerge as knowledge but with a unique edge. independent, capable and successful young adults. Their days, filled with academic classes, art, music and sports activities, are organized as if they soccer, golf, tennis and mountain biking. Every student were on the job. Students clock in on a time clock and earn a participates in service projects with local nonprofits such as Drake mock salary that reflects punctuality, preparedness, effective House and tutoring at Mimosa Elementary. Most recently, this communication and leadership. Students operate within a small community of 160 students conducted a Back to School two-week contract designed to help meet their daily and Canned Food Drive, which delivered over 2,000 food items to weekly responsibilities. This real life structure enables them to fill the shelves at North Fulton Community Charities, at a time manage their work load, social commitments and community when they needed it the most! involvement. One student recently shared with a tour group, “The Cottage After a morning of academics, students and teachers shift School doesn’t prepare me for the next grade. It prepares me gears and participate in extended experiential classes. Equine for life!” Small classes, engaging hands-on instruction, endless enthusiasts enjoy horseback riding, thespians practice in their opportunities to be creative, and an emphasis on personal drama classes, gardeners enjoy horticulture, and future chefs accountability is what makes The Cottage School experience a take culinary arts. Some students leave for their joint enrollment worthwhile investment. Students of every graduating class enter classes at Perimeter College and others enjoy internships at local college, art school, apprentice programs and military service businesses. Student athletes compete in basketball, volleyball, empowered, engaged and ready to excel! SOUTHERN SEASONS MAGAZINE
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