Atlanta School Guide | Winter/Spring 2023

Faith-Based Education

Learn about the benefits of a faith-based education, including strong academics and an emphasis on moral character.

Faith-Based Education the benefits of a faith-based education, an emphasis on moral character.

Mental Health in Schools

Mental Health in Schools

The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the mental health of school-aged children. Find out what schools are doing now to improve students’ well-being.

Balancing Sports and Life

The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the mental of school-aged children. Find out what schools are doing students’ Sports and Life

Youth sports offer many benefits, but it takes planning to help your child balance school and athletics.

Youth sports offer many benefits, but it takes planning to help your child balance school and athletics.

Find an Independent School in

Use This Guide HOW TO 4 Easy Steps!

Metro Atlanta Area Map

To search for independent schools by region or neighborhood, turn to page 36 and use the color-coded map to direct you to each region’s page number.

Education At a Glance

Once you’ve selected your region of interest, the charts beginning on page 38 include a comparison of features for each school in that region, along with the page number for each school’s ad.

Region Maps and Listings

Divided into regions of Atlanta, the color-coded maps beginning on page 41 provide each school’s location and page number for their ad.

Advertiser Index

To find a school or resource by name, turn to the advertiser index on page 98 to find the appropriate page number.

Publisher/President

PATRICK KILLAM

Editor

EVERETT CATTS

Marketing & Promotions

JEFF THOMPSON

Account Directors

KRISTY JACOBS

KATE HARPER

Contributing Writers

MICHELLE BOURG, JON STYF

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Space closing for Summer/Fall 2023 issue: April 14, 2023

Atlanta School Guide, Winter/Spring 2023, Volume 18, Issue 1. Published bi-annually by Killam Publishing, Inc., 200 Market Place, Suite 230, Roswell, GA 30075. Atlanta School Guide assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. Information may have changed since press time, so please verify all information when contacting a school or educational resource. Reproduction in whole or in part of any elements of this publication is strictly prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. © 2023 Killam Publishing, Inc.

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Trends and Happenings in Georgia Education

What

to Stay Up to Date With Atlanta and Georgia Education

Buford City Schools Named Top School System

The Buford City School District has been rec ognized as Georgia’s best school district by Niche.com, a website that reviews and ranks local schools, colleges, workplaces and neigh borhoods. Among metro Atlanta districts, Forsyth County Schools was honored at No. 3, City Schools of Decatur at No. 4 and Fayette County Public Schools at No. 5.

Westminster, GSMST Also Named Best in State

Speaking of Niche. com, the website has once again honored The Westminster Schools as Georgia’s best independent school and The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology as the state’s top public school. Rankings are based on data

from the U.S. Department of Education, test scores, college data and ratings from the site’s users.

King Center Showcases

Woodward Teacher

Woodward Academy middle school teacher Da’Nall Wilmer and his children’s book, “The Great Book,” were spotlighted by The King Center as part of its “Students With King: Reading Corner” series in October. The program highlights books that reflect the values of the late Rev. Martin Luther King.

Academy of Scholars Welcomes New Head of School

The Academy of Scholars, an independent Christian school for students age 4 through grade 6, recently announced Brian Bolden as its new head of school. Bolden, a nationally known school safety expert and administrator, plans to

continue the Decatur school’s emphasis on coding and STEM (science, tech nology, engineering and mathematics) instruction.

Weber School Receives $19 Million Donation

The Weber School, an independent Jewish high school in Sandy Springs, received a $19 million donation from the Atlantabased Zalik Foundation earlier this year. The school plans to use the grant to open a new the ater and rehearsal space as well as an athletic com plex, fund an international travel program and attract and retain top-quality educational professionals.

Cobb School Wins Trade Competition

Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy was named the overall winner at the Metro Atlanta Workforce Development Alliance Skills Challenge recently. The event brought

You Need to Know

together 14 metro At lanta schools to compete in trade skill challenges including electrical work and heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

GACS Coach to Join Hall of Fame

APS,

Clayton to Buy Electric School

Buses

Fifteen Georgia school districts, including At lanta Public Schools and Clayton County Public Schools, were awarded millions of dollars from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program. The APS and Clayton County grants of $9.9 million will be used to buy electric buses and equipment used to charge them.

Jackie Bradford, former head basketball coach at Greater Atlanta Christian School, will be inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in February. During his tenure in the 1960s and ’70s, Bradford led the school to three state championships and boasted a 253-82 win/ loss record.

Main Street Unveils Innovation Center

The Main Street Acad emy, a K-8 charter school in College Park, recently celebrated the opening of its brand-new Innova tion Center, featuring 10,000 square feet of

learning space, including six classrooms and an e-sports room where the academy’s K-8 scholars can explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) projects.

APS Reports Record Graduation Rate

Atlanta Public Schools recently announced an 84% graduation rate for the Class of 2022. This marks the school system’s highest percentage of on-time graduates. In ad dition, six of the system’s high schools achieved graduation rates above 90%, led by Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Academy (100%).

Education 101

Terms to Know in Your Search for the Right Educational Experience for Your Child

CHARTER SCHOOL A tax-sup ported public school that is inde pendently run, allowing for greater educational choice for parents in the community.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING An educational approach using applied, hands-on methods of learning.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) A specifically designed comprehensive academic program emphasizing traditional disciplines while instilling a global perspective in its students.

MAGNET SCHOOL A public school that offers a specific or enhanced curriculum designed for students of special interest or ability.

MONTESSORI A school following the principles developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, focusing on the unique individuality, self-reliance and independence of children.

SPECIAL NEEDS A school or pro gram for children who have mild to moderate learning differences. It usually features smaller class sizes, individualized attention and multisensory learning methods.

ACCREDITATION Official certification that guarantees a school provides an education of a reasonably high quality. Schools must prove levels of quality and maintain continuous standards of improvement.

ACT An alternative to the SAT, this national college admissions examination consists of subject area tests in English, mathemat ics, reading and science, with an optional 40-minute writing test.

COLLEGE AND CAREER READY PER FORMANCE INDEX (CCRPI) A school improvement, accountability and commu nication platform for all educational stake holders that will prepare all Georgia public

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Education that applies to children from birth to age 8, focusing specifically on their development, including physical, emotional, sensory, communicative, cog nitive and social needs.

EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT (ESSA) The main federal law for K-12 general education covers all students in public schools.

GEORGIA MILESTONES Tests designed to measure how well students in grades 3 through 12 acquire the skills and knowledge outlined in the state-adopted content standards. They replaced the CRCT and involve both multiplechoice and free-response questions.

GEORGIA PERFORMANCE

assistance to attend eligible public and private Georgia colleges and universities.

MISSION/PHILOSOPHY A statement outlining the guidelines a school fol lows as it works to achieve its various educational goals and/or maintain its performance standards.

NOTIFICATION DEADLINE

The date by which an independent school notifies families of the acceptance of a child for enrollment to the school.

OPEN HOUSE An event held at a school where parents can learn more about the school and its offerings.

STANDARDS

Statewide standards of academic content for all K-12 subjects, to which every school must adhere and on which students are annually tested.

HOPE SCHOLARSHIP (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) Funded by the Georgia Lottery since its founding in 1993, this is a scholar ship in the state that rewards academically achieving students with financial

Did You Know?

Georgia's high school graduation rate rose in 2022, jumping to 84.1% – an all-time high since the state began using the adjusted cohort calculation.

PSAT A standardized test that offers stu dents practice for the SAT Reasoning Test and allows them to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program

REPLY DEADLINE The date by which parents must notify an accepting school of their commitment to enroll their child at the school.

SAT This standardized test, known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, measures the critical thinking, writing and mathematical reasoning skills of students planning to attend college.

SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS TEST (SSAT) The admissions test that many independent schools require stu dents take in order to be considered for enrollment.

SUMMER CAMP A common destination for children and teenagers during the summer, at which they can participate in a variety of activities or classes.

Critical Communication

Deciphering Associations and Organizations

Many local and national organizations work to bring out the best in summer camps and public, private and boarding schools by identifying schools that meet certain standards through accreditation. These groups also set policies, research educational advancements and offer services to the educational communities both in Atlanta and in Georgia. The following are just some of the associations and organizations you should know in your search for the best educational experience for your child.

The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) boardingschools.com

This organization of 250 boarding schools serves the professional develop ment needs of boarding schools and provides information to potential students and their families.

Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) ami-global.org Recognizes and provides

support, training and de velopment to schools that strongly adhere to Montes sori method principles and practices.

Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools (AAAIS) aaais.org Promotes the high est standards and best administrative practices for accredited indepen dent schools in the metro Atlanta area.

Cognia cognia.org

Formed from the merger of two organizations (AdvancED and Measured Progress), it advances edu cation excellence through accreditation and school improvement initiatives.

Department of Education (DOE) gadoe.org

A statewide, policy-driven organization governing the public school system of education in Georgia for grades K-12.

Georgia Association of Christian Schools (GACS) gacs.org

Uses generally accepted indicators of quality, volun tary self-improvement and peer review to measure Christian schools.

Georgia Association of Private Schools for Exceptional Children (GAPSEC) gapsec.org

This state organization of independent schools for students with learning dis abilities maintains a code of ethics and shares informa tion about programs at member schools.

Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) gisaschools.org

An association of Georgia’s private, independent and parochial schools, dedicated

to serving the professional growth, advocacy and interscholastic needs of member schools.

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) naeyc.org

A professional member ship organization working to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) nais.org A membership association

providing research, lead ership and governance guidance and professional development opportuni ties for school and board leaders in U.S. indepen dent schools.

National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC) napsec.org

Represents private special ized education programs by promoting quality programs and services for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) sacs.org The recognized regional accrediting body for both public and private schools in the 11 U.S. Southern states.

Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) sais.org Provides accreditation services, professional growth opportunities and leadership development programs for 375 indepen dent U.S. schools.

For more information about these and other organizations and associations that ensure quality education among camps and schools, visit the websites of the Georgia Department of Education (gadoe.org) or the U.S. Department of Education (ed.gov).

Information on Learning Disabilities, Education Options and More

What is a Learning Disability?

A learning disability is a neurological disorder that affects how your child pro cesses certain information. Children with learning disabilities are as smart as or even smarter than other children, but may face challenges with reading, writing, spelling, reasoning and other functions. As a result, they often struggle to achieve in traditional classrooms. There are many types of learn ing disabilities, from Attention Deficit Hy peractivity Disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia to more serious forms such as autism.

What is a Special Needs School?

Special needs schools are those that serve children who struggle with learning disabili ties or don’t perform well in a conventional school environment. These schools use alternative approaches to instruction in or der to help children learn more effectively and also achieve success in the classroom and in social settings.

Other schools don’t specifically target those with learning disabilities, but may teach different kinds of students who have had difficulty learning in a typical class

room setting. Others may teach average or even above-average learners while also offering additional programs and classes for students with learning differences.

How to Tell if Your Child Has a Special Needs Situation

First, it’s important to identify your child’s specific challenges. Students who exhibit average or above-average intelligence but often seem distracted and don’t per form well in a traditional classroom setting may be struggling with dyslexia, Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD or some other disorder that affects their ability to learn effec tively. Also, disruptive or aggressive children may be exhibiting frustration brought on by a learning disability.

If you suspect your child may have a learning dis

ability, it’s critical to have him or her evalu ated by a mental health professional. A diagnosis is necessary in order to address the child’s educational needs.

After a Diagnosis: What’s Next?

If your child is diagnosed with a learning dis ability and attends public school, talk with the principal, school counselor or another administrator about developing an Individu alized Education Program (IEP). All public schools are required to cre ate an IEP for students with learning disabilities who meet special education requirements. An IEP is a document that specifies your child’s learning situa tion and educational needs and outlines a course of action for teachers and other professionals to fol low to help make sure your child learns to the best of his or her ability. u

A professional evaluation is crucial in order to evaluate your child’s educational needs.

If you feel your local public school isn’t the right environment for your child or simply want to explore all your options, there are many quality independent schools in metro Atlanta devoted to help ing children with special needs and learn ing issues. Visit the Georgia Association of Private Schools for Exceptional Children’s website (gapsec.org) or our listings for special needs schools on page 98 to help you with your search.

How Do I Find the Right School?

All special needs schools are not the same. The first step is to identify those schools that can address your child’s specific learning difficulty, and offer the level of special needs instruction that you (and perhaps a professional) feel is best for your child.

You may be more comfortable enroll ing your child in a school that focuses specifically on his or her needs, or you may want a more diverse environment where he or she can interact with many different kinds of students. Familiarize yourself with the differ ent options offered by each kind of school.

Traditional inde pendent schools that offer special needs programs as part of a larger curriculum can offer that kind of envi ronment, but may have larger class sizes than schools that specialize in specific learning dis abilities. These kinds of schools may also focus more on academics than on the therapeutic aspects of special

needs education. Independent special needs schools can offer more individual ized instruction and a more structured and predictable environment, and are likely to address nonacademic issues such as social skills and self-esteem.

As you begin searching for the right school for your child’s situation, here are some questions to keep in mind:

• W ill your child fare better in a school that focuses on his or her specific learning disability, or would you rather that he or she be able to inter act with students with a wide range of learning capabilities?

• Does the school serve a specific age range or work with students on all grade levels? Many students with learning disabilities have trouble transitioning to new schools.

• Does the school offer a variety of extracurricular activities, including arts and sports programs?

• Is the school accredited? If so, by which organizations?

• Is the staff certified to instruct special needs children or those with your child’s specific learning difficulty?

• Does the school focus more on aca demics or on addressing the child’s therapeutic needs?

Financial Assistance

Many independent special needs schools participate in the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship program (GSNS), a school choice program available to special needs students attending Georgia public schools. It offers funds to offset tuition and

fees at participating private schools au thorized by the State Board of Education. According to the Georgia Department of Education, scholarship amounts range from $2,500 to $13,500, with an average amount of around $6,000.

The Qualified Education Expense Tax Credit program provides another scholar ship option. Donations are made to an organization known as a Georgia Student Scholarship Organization (GaSSO), which uses the money to award scholarships to students in pre-K through grade 12. Many schools also offer their own scholarships or tuition assistance programs as well. Contact individual schools for details.

For more information on special needs schools and resources, please see our listings on page 98.

COMMON SPECIAL NEEDS TERMS

Asperger’s Syndrome: A develop mental disorder on the autism spectrum, characterized by high intelligence, impaired social skills and repetitive patterns of behavior and interest.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD): A strain of ADHD (see below) marked by a difficulty maintaining focus or concentration and frequent or consis tent fatigue. ADD differs from ADHD in that hyperactivity or impulse-con trol issues are markedly decreased.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A chronic condi tion that includes hyperactivity, impul sive behavior and difficulty keeping one’s attention focused.

Autism: A developmental disorder that affects the ability to communi cate and interact with others, accom panied by rigid, repetitive behavior patterns.

Dyslexia: A learning disability that impairs one’s ability to read.

Georgia Association of Private Schools for Exceptional Children (GAPSEC): An organization of inde pendent schools serving students with learning disabilities and differences.

Georgia Special Needs Scholarship (GSNS): A school-choice scholarship program for special needs students being served by an IEP in Georgia public schools.

Individualized Educational Program (IEP): A written statement that outlines the needs of a public school student with learning disabili ties and creates a customized plan for meeting those needs.

Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): The federal law that governs how states and public education agencies that accept funding under the law address the educational needs of students with disabilities.

Learning Disability: A neurological condition that affects how one pro cesses information.

FaithBased Education

BY EVERETT CATTS

OFFERING MUCH MORE THAN ACADEMICS

arents searching for a school for their child have a variety of education options to choose from, including public schools, charter schools, magnet schools and independent schools. Among those, one of the more popular options is faith-based schools. Of the more than 32,000 independent schools in the United States, 84% are religious, according to the website of the Noah Webster Educational Foundation.

Faith-based schools, or religious schools,

are independent schools that are supported by or affiliated with a particular church or religious organization, and incorporate elements of that religious faith into their curriculum.

Examples of some local faith-based schools include The Westminster Schools and Mount Paran Christian School (Christian); St. Pius X (Catholic); The Davis Academy (Reform Jewish); St. Martin’s and Holy Innocents’ (Episcopal); The Mount Vernon School (Presbyterian); The Friends School (Quaker);

and Dar un Noor Academy (Islamic).

Parents who choose a faith-based school for their child may do so for a number of reasons.

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

One big advantage of faith-based schooling, of course, is that students receive a strong foundation in the teachings of their religion. Parents who prioritize a religious education for their child take comfort from knowing that they will learn and grow surrounded by friends, teachers and clergy who share their same faith and sense of morality.

At Mount Paran, a K-12 school located in Kennesaw, “we approach everything with a Christian worldview, in the class rooms and also through chapel, through Bible classes, through prayer in small groups,” says Tiffany Westbrook, the school’s director of marketing and communications. “It’s in everything we do.”

Davis, which serves Reform Jewish

students from pre-K through eighth grade on two Atlanta campuses, “provides an im mersive Jewish environment where children are invited to explore the many facets of Jewish faith, culture and tradition,” says Rabbi Micah Lapidus, director of Jewish and Hebrew studies.

“Reform Judaism believes that all aspects of Jewish religion, culture and heritage have the potential to imbue our lives with spirituality and meaning,” he continues, “but that each person ultimately makes choices about which Jewish practices are most personally relevant to them at different stages of their life.”

BUILDING CHARACTER

One essential element of a faith-based cur riculum is an emphasis on morals and values that help to establish character. u

“At the heart of The Davis Academy are our Menschlichkeit values of community, respect, wisdom, spirit and righteousness,” says Lapidus. “In addition to a welcom ing and inclusive spirit, Reform Judaism is deeply committed to the concept of Tikkun Olam: repairing the world. Good faith-based education draws on the richness of religion and spirituality so that children develop not only physically, emotionally, and intellec tually, but also ethically, morally, spiritually and religiously.”

At Mount Paran, students and their parents have the opportunity to serve their community during Serve Saturdays, a monthly volunteer program.

This focus on developing a strong sense of values and character is a component of faith-based education that even non-religious

parents find attractive.

“There are people who come to our school who aren’t Christians, but want those Christian values ingrained in their chil dren,” says Chris Cleveland, head of school at Wesleyan School, a K-12 college-prepara tory Christian school in Peachtree Corners. “The value of a faith-based education is re ally creating a culture in which the values of the school reflect the values of the home.”

AN ACADEMIC EDGE

In addition to religious and moral instruc tion, many faith-based schools offer highquality academic programs that give their students an advantage when applying to col leges. Mount Paran, for instance, offers 56 Advanced Placement and honors courses, and applies the principles of STEAM

In addition to religious and moral instruction, many faith-based schools offer high-quality academic programs that give their students an advantage when applying to colleges.

Taking a tour or attending a school’s open house event can help both parents and their children get a feel for the school.

(science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) beginning in preschool.

“We have a pretty rigorous curriculum,” says Brian Dooling, director of marketing and enrollment at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta’s Office of Catholic Schools, which oversees 18 Catholic schools under the umbrella of the Archdiocese in the metro area, Athens and Rome.

According to Dooling, the Archdiocese’s schools benefit from a 100 percent gradu ation rate, and its students achieve better test scores than their peers in public and independent schools. “We have excellent results with regard to getting our kids into the colleges of their choice,” he says.

CHOOSING A SCHOOL

Parents whose children aren’t part of a school’s particular religion may worry that a faith-based school won’t welcome their child. But while some local religious schools, like Catholic schools, remain steeped in a particular faith, others have evolved into nondenominational schools, serving multiple denominations within their faith.

While Davis is recognized as the nation’s largest Reform Jewish day school, it wel comes students of all Jewish backgrounds. “Reform Judaism embraces all different types of Jewish families, including families where one or more parents may identify with a religion other than Judaism,” Lapidus says. Mount Paran’s student body represents 120 different churches, says Westbrook. And some schools, like Wesleyan, welcome students from outside their faith.

So how can a parent narrow down their options to find the right fit for their child?

Taking a tour or attending a school’s open house event can help both parents and their children get a feel for the school. Talking with faculty, staff and other students can help them get a sense of the school’s aca demic curriculum, its approach to teaching its faith, and its overall atmosphere. Is there a strong roster of extracurricular activities? Do the teachers and administrators seem warm and welcoming? Do the students seem happy to be there?

Just as important, can you and your child envision them thriving at a particular school, not just academically and morally but as a fully balanced, multifaceted citizen of the world?

“Faith-based education can be one of the most profound and influential gifts a family can provide to their child,” says Lapidus. “Only faith-based schools can help children develop in all areas of their lives, as opposed to just some areas. Well-rounded develop ment is in the best interest of every child.”

To learn more about some of Atlanta’s Top Faith-Based Schools, turn to pages 24-26. >>

FAITH-BASED SCHOOLS

Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School enrolls 1,365 students in grades PK3-12. Borrowing a phrase from its school hymn, the school will "inspire each mind and fire each heart," because HIES has created a unique, vibrant learning community filled with encourage ment and every imaginable opportunity for its students to explore their talents, pursue their passions and achieve their full potential.

HIES offers an educational program encompassing academics, arts, athletics and spiritual formation. Through opportunities to grow intellectually, spiritually, physically and emotionally, students develop their individual worth and dignity. Weekly chapel services and a religious curriculum offer the opportunity for students to learn and grow in their faith.

The challenging academic program prepares students for higher education and

emphasizes learning as a pathway toward ethical leadership and a commitment to the common good. Students learn in small classes and actively participate in all classroom dis cussions. Close connections between student and teacher flourish within the curriculum. The Upper School offers nearly 30 Honors and Advanced Placement classes. With a team of highly regarded college counselors, HIES is committed to working closely with each student and family to help navigate the college search and application process.

As a global member of Round Square, an international network of 180 schools in 50 countries, HIES provides a multicul tural education for students through travel, student exchanges, globally minded service and partnerships with key organizations and speakers.

The school provides a welcoming and supportive envi ronment, embraces the differences inherent in a diverse community and embodies the inclusive Episcopal tradition of respect for the beliefs of others. HIES is an active Christian community of faith engaged in local, national and international service to others.

Located on 43 acres in Sandy Springs, the school recently opened a new Upper School humanities building and a new Lower School building, providing state-of-the-art spaces for its students to learn, explore and experiment.

Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School is located at 805 Mount Vernon Hwy. NW, Atlanta, GA 30327. For more information, call 404-303-2150 or visit hies.org

FAITH-BASED SCHOOLS

THE DAVIS ACADEMY

From kindergarten prep – eighth grade, The Davis Academy teaches to the whole child, creating compassionate leaders and equip ping them with skills they will use for the entirety of their academic careers and beyond. The school teaches life skills, instills Jewish values and provides remarkable learning ex periences so its students become well-rounded and self-confident individuals. Students learn amongst a warm and supportive community that shares common values and visions. Davis celebrates both the ways its diversity makes its school vibrant and the individual differences that make its school community so unique. With a retention rate of 97%, Davis’ commu nity is comprised of families from across the globe, nation and 31 metro Atlanta zip codes. Davis graduates attend the most prestigious public and private high schools in Atlanta,

they know who they are and continuously make a difference in their communities and the world.

Davis offers many options for prospective families to learn about the school and its community. In addition, families can engage in wonderful Nurture events that are free and open to the community. For more infor mation, call 678-527-3300 or visit davisacademy.org/admissions.

MT. BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Mt. Bethel Christian Academy, celebrating its 25th year of Christ-centered educational excellence in East Cobb, is looking ahead to the next 25 years with an eye on growth, continued excellence and maintaining its commitment to teaching through a Biblical worldview.

The school, serving 690 students in JK-

12th grades, introduced a tackle football program this year and broke ground on a state-of-the-art competition turf field for football, lacrosse and soccer. Expanding athletics facilities is phase one of a multi-year construction plan that will bring a field house, STEM/fine arts wing and enhancements to the new Upper School Film Academy at MBCA.

The Film Academy is an extension of the Middle School’s successful digital production offering, serving students who have a passion for film, media and digital production in a Christian context. The impact that film and media production have on our society is pro found, and this field is one where its students will have a tremendous opportunity to learn, grow and be the light in a profession that sometimes challenges it. It’s a great time to be an MBCA Eagle! For more information, call 770-971-0245 or visit mtbethelchristian.org.

FAITH-BASED SCHOOLS

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL

goal of forming courageous and compassion ate leaders.

SJE offers a vibrant, before and after Ex tended School Program structured to develop students’ talents and interests and includes a variety of enriching activities such as drama, dance, band, karate, Science Olympiad and soccer. Students in grades 5-8 compete in team athletics.

St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, a three-time National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, serves students in PK-8th grade. Established in 1954, the school celebrates a rich legacy of over 65 years of excellence in Catholic education. Certified teachers and highly qualified staff nurture students’ God-given potential, encourage them to discover their passions and provide a rigorous academic and spiritual foundation, with the

HOLY SPIRIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Holy Spirit Preparatory School is a truly unique family-oriented school providing both spiritual formation and intellectual formation for children 6 months old through the 12th grade. Faith is at the core of everything it does. The school offers a classical curriculum to help students develop critical thinking skills, reason and sound judgement, along with a classical approach which provides academic excellence with a moral framework. Its extensive extracurricular offerings in the arts and athletics make for a com plete education for students of all ages.

For more infor mation, call 678761-7992 or visit holyspiritprep.org.

Located at 240 Arnold St. in Hapeville, at the intersection of three main interstate highways, SJE's unique campus and excellent reputation attract students from 10 coun ties and 21 parishes in metro Atlanta. The cultural and socioeconomic diversity of SJE reflects the world, and the school delights in the unique gift it offers to the community. For more information, call 404-767-4312 or visit sjecs.org.

PINECREST ACADEMY

Pinecrest Academy is a PreK3-12 Catholic school providing an atmosphere of academic rigor and critical thinking. Rooted in Catholic tradition and inspired by the goodness, beauty and truth of the Christian worldview, its whole-person approach helps children discover their God-given gifts. A Cardinal Newman Society Catholic School of Excellence, Pinecrest is the No. 1 Catholic High School in Georgia by Niche.com. Average class size is 15 students. Athletics and fine arts are part of the student experience. Students partici pate in service projects, supporting Pinecrest’s mission to form Christian leaders who will transform society. For more information, call 770-888-4477 or visit pinecrestacademy.org.

Scott Harsh,

President, Greater Atlanta Christian School

Scott Harsh has been at GAC since 1996, serving as an educator, principal and vice president before becoming president in 2018. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in math from Harding University, a master of education degree from the University of Georgia, an education specialist degree from Georgia State University and a doctorate of education from Abilene Christian University.

What is your educational philosophy?

I believe children thrive in a personalized learning environment guided by caring teachers who help students cultivate curiosity and creativity. Learning is best when students are engaged in the process and where relationships are strong.

How is the field of education changing?

The jobs of tomorrow will be more complex and relational. Preparing students to thrive in those settings requires equipping them to solve complex issues, develop relational acuity, cultivate character and build the resiliency needed to adapt to new challenges.

What advice would you offer parents about their children’s education?

Actual growth requires appropriate challenges and struggle. Be slow to fix problems for your child; natural consequences can be excellent teachers. Put most of your focus on growing your child’s character and building confidence.

What do you love most about your job?

I love interacting with our students and seeing them grow and lead. And I love the opportunity we have to provide an exceptional educational experience in a Christian community.

How can parents best contribute to the education process?

Embrace the partnership of the school and home. Get involved where you can and invest in relationships. Enjoy this time in your child’s life.

GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Emphasis: GAC cares actively, innovates wisely, nurtures with intentionality.

Year Founded: 1961 Grades: Infant–12th Students: 1,806 Avg. Class Size: 16 Tuition Range: $17,300–$26,800

Accreditations or Affiliations: SACS, AdvancED, CESA, SAIS, NCSA; member of NAIS, GISA, AAAIS, College Board, NACAC, SACAC

Location: 1575 Indian Trail Road, Norcross, GA 30093

Contact: 770-243-2000, www.gac.org

in Schools

CREATING A P L AN TO IMPROVE STUDENTS’ WELL-BEING

BY JON STYF

The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the mental health of school-aged children, adding in isolation and fear to an already complicated point in life.

From virtual schooling to separation of students to masking, the many elements to a complex situation all contributed to an environment where more students felt alone or at risk.

Their rates of depression, suicidal thoughts and other problems have increased exponen

tially while schools have seen increased requests for counseling and a large jump in students seeking mental health assistance outside of school.

HOW SCHOOLS MANAGE MENTAL HEALTH

So what are metro Atlanta schools doing to combat this epidemic in mental health for students?

Many are adding staff and programming

to directly address mental health with students, teachers, staff and parents. Elimi nating a stigma related to mental health issues is a key component of that education.

Schools are also teaching students more about the science behind mental health, in tegrating more study of the nervous system into science classes while also increasing special programming and speakers related to mental health.

“I think everyone is more aware of men tal health so kids might seek support more regularly,” says Sara Friedman, director of K-12 counseling at The Lovett School. “We are talking about it more and we’re trying to address it as we would our physical health. We’re trying to get rid of any stigma associ ated with mental health and knowing that it’s OK to not be OK.”

Woodward Academy is adding a full-time psychologist position to assist students of all grade levels and is also involved in an Emory University study on mental health in schools.

Woodward Academy is adding a fulltime psychologist position to assist students of all grade levels and is also involved in an Emory University study on mental health in schools. The parents of students involved in that study are receiving even more communication on mental health than other parents.

The schools’ philosophy also understands that the first line of positive impact for students is the school’s teaching staff, which interacts with students the most regularly.

“Teacher well-being is a huge compo nent,” says Jennifer Knox, Woodward’s director of character education. “So much of what we’re offering is really recognizing that if our teachers are not well and our teachers are not feeling supported, then that transfers to the classroom. Even though the programs are focusing on skill-building with the students, the way in which those workshops are offered is really centered on teacher well-being as well.”

Public schools are taking stock of how

students are doing mentally, in part through the Georgia Student Health Survey from the Georgia Department of Education, which began in 2019. It asks students questions on everything from whether students look forward to attending school to if they are stressed and what factors lead to stress. The 2022 survey of middle and high school students shows that, of more than 386,000 respondents, nearly 128,000 feel stressed sometimes and more than 106,000 feel stressed always.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

What can you do to help your children stay healthy?

It starts with the basics: eating and sleeping enough, which are essential for overall healthy living, according to Dr. John Lochridge, a recently retired Atlanta-based child and family psychiatrist.

From there, you should be encouraging more face-to-face interaction and reducing individual screen time. Part of the current mental health crisis is a societal shift from in-person group activities to individual elec tronics, like phones and tablets.

While that technology can be great for

educational purposes, it can also cause issues as it adds to isolation and allows teens to criticize one another more anonymously and not face to face.

“We need to get back in our clubs and our teams and into our group outings, and we really need to work hard at doing new things,” Lochridge says. “Before, it may have been a baseball team. Now, everybody can go to some sort of museum or whatever. I really feel that social interaction is the key, and that is not electronic social interaction. You have got to go outside and play. And you have to go outside and learn, and learn about the world. Get reading, get in the car, get on MARTA and go places.”

REMAIN CALM AND CONSISTENT

Lochridge believes that consistency on ev erything from bed times to screen-time rules is important. However, he understands, with the upheaval of the past few years for everyone, that could be difficult for you. But the more you can remain calm and consistent, the better it is for your children.

Friedman says it is important how parents respond to stress and anxiety that they see

The better you know your children or interact with them daily, the more you will be able to notice the subtle changes that occur before or during a mental health crisis.

in their children, acknowledging it and that both are normal emotions that cannot and should not be avoided.

“Stress is an unavoidable part of life and one that comes under positive and negative conditions,” she says. “Stress is what happens when we operate at the edge of our capacity. We wouldn’t want children to avoid stress even if they could, because kids build up their capacities when they stretch beyond their comfort zones.”

So it is important to emphasize resilience, understanding that no one will be perfect and that anxious thoughts can lead to over estimating the danger facing us.

Instead, Friedman says, it’s important to acknowledge what the danger really is and then express non-dismissive confidence in their children related to those fears, giving the children confidence that they can com bat those fears and excel in spite of them.

WARNING SIGNS

A key to helping in a mental crisis is if you can detect the warning signs early. Georgia’s chapter of the National Alliance of Mental Illness has given presentations on “Ending the Silence” of mental health issues, saying the warning signs can include excessive worry or fear, feeling excessively sad or low, confused thinking or issues concentrating, extreme highs or lows, prolonged feelings of irritability or anger and avoiding friends or social activities.

The better you know your children or interact with them daily, the more you will be able to notice the subtle changes that occur before or during a mental health crisis.

Those issues can also show up in changes

in sleep or eating habits, ailments showing up without a clear cause, an inability to complete daily activities and an increased fear of weight gain.

Friedman said that Lovett is partnering with The Westminster Schools for a Behind Happy Faces program to educate about the warning signs of mental health issues and how parents and school staff can identify those issues.

The symptoms can also include changes in performance at school, excessive worry ing or avoiding both going to sleep or going to school, hyperactivity, nightmares, an increase in aggression or disobedience and temper tantrums.

Most important is that you remain en gaged with your children, listening to them and observing them often to better under stand the signs of risk and addressing those risks before they could accelerate.

BALANCING AND LIFE

SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD ON AND OFF THE FIELD

hether it’s Pee Wee Soccer, Little League or “Friday Night Lights,” youth sports today may actually be our true “national pastime” with lessons, teams and leagues available for children practically from infancy.

That’s a great thing: in addition to provid ing the physical benefits of exercise, studies consistently show that sports boosts kids’ selfesteem, improves academic performance and reduces the likelihood of risky behaviors. It also teaches important social skills like team work, goal setting and emotional resilience. Nurturing your child’s involvement in sports

offers definite benefits, but it also demands active parental planning and involvement to maintain a balance with other aspects of their growing up.

PRESCHOOL: TIME FOR INFORMAL PLAY

However, up until the age of 6 or 7, kids’ bodies, motor skills and powers of concentra tions are still developing. For the first couple of years of your child’s life, just getting outside and having fun together will give everyone plenty of exercise as you model an active lifestyle. At this stage, your balancing act as a parent is to maintain equilibrium

between the freedom of unstructured play and the structure of organized activity.

At around age 3, you can introduce your toddler to classes such as swimming, dance, martial arts or gymnastics. Remember to keep the emphasis on fun and movement. Classes or games should be short and avoid elements of perfect technique or competi tion. Let your youngster explore different activities to maintain interest. If he’s not interested, just stick with informal play— there’s no evidence that participation in preschool sports enhances development or activity levels later in life.

GRADE SCHOOL: GETTING YOUR FEET WET

At around age 6 or 7 years old, children are usually physically and mentally ready to begin participating in organized sports. Ask your youngster what sport he or she would like to try: He or she may already have a clear favorite, or want to play on a team with friends.

While signing up for too many activities of any kind can overload anyone, it’s a good idea during this period to try over the course of a year at least two sports that each em phasize different skill sets. Playing one sport exclusively can contribute to stress injuries and lead to burnout on sports and physical activity in general. Mixing it up actually contributes to higher levels of success in an athlete’s primary sport.

When choosing a sport, consider your child’s physical and mental attributes. If he or she is on the small side physically, football or soccer may not be the best sport, at least for now. If he or she is still working on coordination, tae kwon do or a “big ball” sport such as soccer may suit him or her better than tennis or softball. Quiet and reserved

kids may prefer an individual sport such as swimming, track or golf to the rough and tumble of team sports.

Whatever sport your child participates in, competition should remain secondary to having fun, staying active and learning the fundamentals. However, this is also a good time to instill the value of commit ment. Unless they’re experiencing genuine distress, ask them to play for a full season— usually only a few weeks at this age— before quitting.

As a parent at this time, you’re finding the balance between encouraging participation

The Concussion Conundrum

In recent years, new data on both the frequency and the effects of concus sions and traumatic brain injury (TBI) for participants in contact sports at all levels has raised concerns over the appropriateness of these sports for players under age 18.

The concerns are not unfounded: a study by the National Academy of Sciences has shown that high school athletes, especially those in the sports of football, baseball, soccer, hockey and lacrosse, are almost twice as likely to suffer concussion as players at the college level. More than 5 percent of high school athletes are concussed each year while participating in con tact sports, and high school athletes are three times more likely to experi ence a second concussion if concussed once in a season.

At the high school level, awareness of the problem has led to stricter safety guidelines covering play and practice procedures and equipment specifica tions. Coaches and support staff are frequently more adequately trained to recognize and deal with concussion issues in their players. However, any recommendations do not have the force of law, and actual practices can vary by location. When making deci sions for their children, parents need to weigh the risks against the definite benefits of sports participation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has instituted the Heads Up program to help coaches, trainers and parents recognize, respond to and minimize the risk of concussion or other serious brain injuries. To learn the symptoms of concussion, what to do in the event of brain injury and how to talk to your teen about these injuries, visit cdc.gov/headsup

and forcing it. It’s good for children to have the chance to find a sport that they’ll enjoy, hopefully for a lifetime. It’s easy at this age for kids to want to stop if things don’t gel right away, but listening to your child will tell you if they should try something else or walk away altogether. If that happens, accept it. Remember that it’s not about you.

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL: Middle school is a critical time for determin ing if a child continues an active lifestyle. The character lessons of sports, particularly those of discipline and dealing with adversity, are especially valuable now, and the camaraderie gives kids a sense of belonging. Student athletes also tend to have better grades, higher achievement levels and more positive attitudes toward school.

But this is also when demands on kids’ time ratchet up, and many kids quit sports, saying, “It’s not fun anymore.” Almost 70 percent of student athletes quit by age 13. If you’ve focused on sports as something to be pursued for fun and personal fulfillment before now, as opposed to a competition or path to a scholarship, this may not happen. But if it does, again, accept it. The impor

tant thing is that physical activity remains a part of their life in some way, whether it’s intramurals instead of junior varsity, inde pendent league play or just putting down the phone and the books to kick a ball with you on the weekend.

High school is the time to let your child take the lead in balancing sports and the many other priorities facing them on the threshold of adulthood. You may want to plan a calendar together at the start of the school year that includes games or tourna ments, test dates, college applications and other known obligations. But then step back and let them learn to manage their time. If sleep, family time or grades suffer, then it’s time to step in. But learning to pri oritize their goals and find a way to achieve them is the first step toward success, both in college and beyond.

Ultimately, you want your child to be healthy, have fun and build the character traits that help them succeed in life off the field. Keep this in mind and you’ll succeed in the balancing act that is parenting a young athlete.

metro atlanta area map

REGIONS FOR INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS N

For features of independent schools, turn to Education At a Glance on pg. 38. For public school system information by county, turn to pg. 78.

42 Atlanta International School 404-841-3840 $26,725$30,510 3K-12th

211 1,325 17

Appt. Rolling 48 The Cottage School 770-641-8688 $25,000$29,000 3-12th

Appt.Rolling 18 Cumberland Academy of Georgia 404-835-9000 $26,100 4-12th

80260 10

Appt.Rolling 2 Fulton Science Academy 678-366-2555 $14,000$16,000 PK-HS

Dec.Rolling 35 Fusion Academy - Alpharetta 470-339-7224 $32,000$58,000 6-12th 21 601:1

103 975 20

Appt.Rolling 44 The Galloway School 404-252-8389 $18,200$31,150 PK312th

105 750 15 • Oct.Jan. 48 High Meadows School 770-993-2940 $5,800$21,000 3y-8th

60350 18 • Oct.Feb. 5 Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School 404-303-2150 $13,250$31,990 PK312th ••• 214 1,365 16 E •• Oct. Feb. 1 43 Holy Spirit Preparatory School 678-904-2811Call 6mo12th ••• 55400 15 CC ••• Nov. Feb. 15 46 Lyndon Academy 770-926-0166 $12,500$17,000 PK-12th ••• 25 210 12 •• Tours Rolling 45 Mt. Bethel Christian Academy 770-971-0245 $12,500$18,500 JK-12th •• 89690 18 C •• Oct. Rolling 42 Pace Academy 404-262-1345 $30,160$34,720 K-12th •• 140 1,150 13 JC • • Oct. Feb. 1 7 Parker-Chase Preschool 770-565-2220 $11,436$22,380 6wks–12y

52 233 14 Ongoing Rolling 44 Porter Academy 770-594-1313 $20,476$21,301 PK-8th

Appt.Rolling 49 Saint Francis School 770-641-8257 $15,500$25,000 K-12th

16 68 12

140 800 14 •• Appt.Call 43 The Schenck School 404-252-2591 $39,800 K-6th • 50250 10

54 Mount Pisgah Christian School 678-336-3400 $17,000$23,900 PS-12th

$17,310 K-12th

$16,740 6wks6yr

Piedmont School of Atlanta 404-382-8200$28,400K-HS

$20,180 PK3-12

65 472 15 CC

Oct. Feb. 15 55 Wesleyan School 770-448-7640 $19,460$27,830 K-12th

Oct.Jan. 25 67 Woodward Academy 404-765-4001 $19,800$31,150 PK-12th •• • 7:1 2,568 14 ••• Feb. 5Feb. 1

56 REGION 3: ATLANTA EAST

159 1,171 13-20C

59 Arbor Montessori School 404-321-9304 $11,250$21,790 18mo8th ••• 3025525 Nov. Feb. 15 57 Athens Academy 706-549-9225 $9,750$21,685 K3-12th ••• 120 915 12 •• Nov. Rolling 7 Atlanta Montessori International School - Cliff Valley 404-325-6777 $17,550$24,360 8wks15yr •• 28 147 19 Ongoing Rolling 7 Atlanta Montessori International School - Druid Hills 404-500-0501 $19,000$24,000 8wks6yr •• 23 14018 Ongoing Rolling 58 Bethlehem Christian Academy 770-307-1574 $3,000$11,500 K3-12th

130 870 20C •• Nov. Call 57 Capstone Academy 404-458-5160$12,7005-12th 20 150 8-10 • Appt.Call 59 The Friends School of Atlanta 404-373-8746 $16,502$26,140 PK3-8th

35 189 1:8Q Dec.Feb. 3 60 Loganville Christian Academy 770-554-9888 $6,100$11,950 PK312th

Nov. Rolling 60 Montessori In Town 404-784-1038 $10,800$17,000 14mo6th

55 626 20ND

22 150 Varies Appt.Feb. 15 60 Oak Meadow Montessori School 770-963-8303 $10,000$18,500 15mo12yr

REGION

Independent Schools

Schools Page

Atlanta International School 42

The Cottage School 48

Cumberland Academy of Georgia 18

Fulton Science Academy Private School 2

Fusion Academy - Alpharetta 35

The Galloway School 44 High Meadows School 48

Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School 5

Holy Spirit Preparatory School 43 Lyndon Academy 46 Mt. Bethel Christian Academy 45 Pace Academy 42 Porter Academy 44 Saint Francis School 49 Schenck School, The 43 Springmont School 43 The Walker School

NEIGHBORHOODS OF NOTE

Alpharetta Once a small farming community, Alpharetta’s growth has exploded in recent years, and the North Fulton city is now one of Atlanta’s most affluent neighborhoods, creating the perfect mix of country living and lots of city amenities.

Woodstock Located in Cherokee Coun ty, Woodstock is, as locals say, “where modern amenities meet old Southern charm.” Historic Olde Towne pays a continual tribute to Woodstock’s pio neers through vintage shops and good old-fashioned Southern hospitality

• CHASTAIN PARK

CRABAPPLE

HOLLY SPRINGS

MARIETTA

ROSWELL

ATLANTA NORTH • NORTHEAST

Independent Schools

Schools Page

Atlanta Academy 55

The Davis Academy 52 Fusion Academy - Buckhead 35 Johns Creek Montessori School of Georgia 54 McGinnis Woods Country Day School 51

MJCCA Preschools 53 Mount Pisgah Christian School 54 Notre Dame Academy 53 The Piedmont School of Atlanta 51 Pinecrest Academy 53 Wesleyan School 55 Woodward Academy 67

NEIGHBORHOODS OF NOTE

Duluth A successful mix of small-town charm and booming economic growth, Duluth plays host to many major cor porations and is also home to numer ous golf clubs, private tennis clubs and parks. The city prides itself on accommo dating a growing, diverse population.

Dunwoody A popular community among young and established pro fessionals alike, Dunwoody is often referred to as the “tennis set” neighbor hood because of its numerous recre ational outlets. Its location provides suburban living close enough to the city.

DUNWOODY

JOHNS CREEK

PEACHTREE CORNERS • ROSWELL

Independent Schools

Schools Page

Arbor Montessori School 59 Athens Academy 57

Bethlehem Christian Academy 58

Capstone Academy 57

The Friends School of Atlanta 59 Loganville Christian Academy 60 Montessori in Town 60

Oak Meadow Montessori 60 Westminster Christian Academy 61

NEIGHBORHOODS OF NOTE

The county seat of DeKalb County, Decatur’s small-town charm re volves around the Courthouse Square, which features trendy restaurants and shopping, entertainment options and special events, including its annual summer beach bash.

Decatur

Lawrenceville Located in the heart of Gwinnett County and known as “Crepe Myrtle City,” Lawrenceville is Atlanta’s second oldest city. Its historic down town square, which has been revital ized, is home to a variety of shops, restaurants and community events.

ATHENS • BROOKHAVEN

BETHLEHEM

COLLINS HILL • EAST ATLANTA

LOGANVILLE

64

Independent Schools

Schools Page

The Bedford School 63

Community Christian School 63

Counterpane Montessori School 64

Landmark Christian School 64 Our World School 66

DEKALB

St. John the Evangelist Catholic School 65 St. Mary’s Academy 66

Strong Rock Christian School 65

Trinity Christian School - Sharpsburg 66 Woodward Academy 67

NEIGHBORHOODS OF NOTE

McDonough One of the fastest-grow ing neighborhoods South of Atlanta, McDonough is the county seat of Henry County and features many historic struc tures around its town square. The city has ample green space and is a favorite destination for antique shoppers.

Peachtree City A master-planned city comprised of several smaller villages, Peachtree City’s many amenities include golf courses, lakes and an amphitheater. The city is renowned for its network of golf paths connecting its neighborhoods.

LANDING • FAIRBURN

FAYETTEVILLE • FAIRBURN

Fairburn | Peachtree City | PK3-12

HAPEVILLE • LOCUST GROVE

Independent Schools

Schools Page

The Lovett School 69 Mount Paran Christian School 70 Omega Learning Center 69 Whitefield Academy 70

NEIGHBORHOODS OF NOTE

Acworth Surrounded by two lakes and 12 parks, Acworth offers plenty of recreation opportunities. Located 35 miles northwest of Atlanta, the town is convenient to both I-75 and Highway 41. Acworth is designated as a Georgia Main Street City.

Douglasville Located west of Atlanta on I-20, Douglasville has easy access to all that Atlanta offers. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Downtown Douglasville’s historic district is an outstanding example of a turn-ofthe-century southern railroad town.

SMYRNA/VININGS

here are many benefits of a boarding school education. Boarding schools are an option for students seeking a more independent learn ing experience. Because students generally live on campus, learning takes place in and out of the classroom almost on a 24-hour basis.

When selecting a boarding school, it is important to visit the school campus, but representatives from many boarding schools visit Metro Atlanta throughout the year—contact each school for specific dates.

Boarding Schools

FLORIDA

NORTH CAROLINA

NORTH CAROLINA • PENNSYLVANIA

TENNESSEE

TENNESSEE

SPOTLIGHT ON METRO ATLANTA’S SCHOOL SYSTEMS

variety of improvements and innovative programs in Georgia’s public school systems have resulted in many stellar elementary, middle and high schools across the metro area. Different school systems feature specialized programs and academic opportunities, such as magnet, charter, vocational or alternative schools, to suit their respective students, parents and communities. However, despite variations in programming and ac ademic offerings, all public schools must offer the core curriculum as determined by the Georgia Board of Education.

Here is a county-by-county guide to metro Atlanta’s public school systems. For more information about the Georgia Depart ment of Education, call 404-656-2800 or visit gadoe.org. u

CHARTER SCHOOLS

CHARTER SCHOOLS

TOP CHARTER SCHOOLS

IVY PREP ACADEMY

Ivy Preparatory Academy is the first singlegender, K-8 charter school for girls in Georgia, educating families in DeKalb, Clayton and south Fulton counties and the city of Atlanta.

Ivy Prep offers an established culture of achievement whereby academic success is vital, and the devel opment of a girl’s individual potential is central. Its scholars are taught by highly effective teachers who understand how girls learn best, and how to inspire each scholar to reach her potential. For more information, call 404622-2727 or visit ivyprepschool.org

CHARTER SCHOOLS

PUBLIC SCHOOL COUNTY GUIDE PUBLIC SCHOOL COUNTY

BARTOW

Number of Schools Elementary 12 Middle 4 High 3 Career Academy 1 Virtual Academy 1

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores:

3rd: (ELA) 497 (M) 519

5th: (ELA) 514 (M) 513 8th: (ELA) 505 (M) 509

2022 Average SAT: 1032

BARTOW

Total # of Students: 12,849 Student Spending: $10,399

Top 3 Schools by Average 2022 SAT Score Woodland 1079 Adairsville High 1034 Cass High 995

Board of Education 770-606-5800 bartow.k12.ga.us

CHEROKEE

What’s New: The bodies of over 3,000 students and staff from five Bartow County schools physically formed the word “family” on the Adairsville High School football field as part of the district’s Pink Out 2022 celebration. The event helped to raise more than $10,000 for local families affected by cancer.

Number of Schools Elementary 23 Middle 7 High 6 Alternative 1 Centers 5 Virtual 1

Total # of Students: 40,807 Student Spending: $10,215

Board of Education 770-479-1871 cherokeek12.net

CLAYTON

Board of Education 770-473-2700 clayton.k12.ga.us

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores:

3rd: (ELA) 517 (M) 535 5th: (ELA) 525 (M) 538 8th: (ELA) 520 (M) 527

2022 Average SAT: 1091

Top 6 Schools by Average 2022 SAT Score

River Ridge High 1102 Sequoyah High 1101 Creekview High 1099 Woodstock High 1093 Etowah High 1081

What’s New: The Cherokee County School District partners with Child Find to help identify students eligible for free appropriate special education services. Parents concerned their child may have a learning disability may request more info from the district office.

Number of Schools Elementary 34 Primary 2 Middle 14 High 9 Alternative 1 Performing Arts Center 1 Adult Education 1 Charter 2 Magnet 5 Open Campus 1 Virtual 1

Total # of Students: 51,407 Student Spending: $10,080

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores:

3rd: (ELA) 458 (M) 485 5th: (ELA) 484 (M) 472 8th: (ELA) 494 (M) 479

2022 Average SAT: 939

Top 5 Schools by Average 2022 SAT Score Elite Scholars Academy 1099 M. E. Stilwell School of the Arts 1034 Morrow High School 965 North Clayton High School 943 Charles R. Drew High School 921

What’s New: Automated speed cameras have been installed to increase the safety in school zones, operating each school day.

WHITE EMERSON

CARTERSVILLE

ADAIRSVILLE

CLAYTON

CHEROKEE

Board of Education 770-426-3300 cobbk12.org

COWETA

COWETA

Number of Schools

Elementary 65 Primary 2 Middle 25 6th Grade Academy 1 High 10 Magnet High Schools 6 Charter 1 Learning Centers 1 Adult Education Center 1 Special Education Centers 2 Virtual Academies 1

Total # of Students: 106,549 Student Spending: $10,855

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores:

3rd: (ELA) 517 (M) 529 5th: (ELA) 525 (M) 523 8th: (ELA) 523 (M) 524

2022 Average SAT: 1111

Top 5 Schools by Average 2022 SAT Score

Walton High School 1255 Wheeler High School 1211 Lassiter High School 1186 Alan C. Pope High School 1178 Sprayberry High School 1070

What’s New: Fair Oaks Elementary School’s new Exploratorium is chock-full of hands-on activities for young children to explore.

Number of Schools Elementary 19 Middle 7 High 3 Charter & Career Academy 2 Alternative 2 Centre for Performing and Visual Arts 1 Special Education 1 Virtual 1

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores:

3rd: (ELA) 518 (M) 529 5th: (ELA) 524 (M) 519 8th: (ELA) 520 (M) 521

2022 Average SAT: 1070

Top 3 Schools by Average 2022 SAT Score

Board of Education 770-254-2800 cowetaschools.net

DEKALB

Total # of Students: 21,693 Student Spending: $9,943

What’s New: The Coweta County School System Transportation Department has begun offering the Bus Bulletin notification system to provide bus route schedule changes or delays.

Number of Schools Elementary 69 Middle 17 High 19 Charter 5 Magnet 3 Centers, Special Education and Alternative 24

Total # of Students: 90,899 Student Spending: $13,002

Board of Education 678-676-1200 dekalbschoolsga.org

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores:

3rd: (ELA) 482 (M) 502 5th: (ELA) 500 (M) 491 8th: (ELA) 503 (M) 495

2022 Average SAT: 1000

Top 5 Schools by Average 2022 SAT Score

Northgate High 1117 Newnan High 1054 East Coweta High 1049 DEKALB

Chamblee Charter High 1200 DeKalb School of the Arts 1123 DeKalb Early College Academy 1115 Dunwoody High 1108 Lakeside High 1108

What’s New: Nearly 800 DeKalb County School District teachers are volunteering their personal time to participate in Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS). It is a two-year, specialized training program.

PUBLIC SCHOOL COUNTY GUIDE

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS

Number of Schools

Elementary 20 Middle 8 High 5 Centers 3 Charter 1 Virtual 1

Total # of Students: 25,685 Student Spending: $10,216

Board of Education 770-651-2000 dcssga.org

FAYETTE

FAYETTE

Board of Education 770-460-3990 fcboe.org

FORSYTH

FORSYTH

Board of Education 770-887-2461 forsyth.k12.ga.us

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores:

3rd: (ELA) 491 (M) 510

5th: (ELA) 513 (M) 499 8th: (ELA) 515 (M) 498

2022 Average SAT: 1001

Top 5 Schools by Average 2022 SAT Score

Douglas County High 1022 Alexander High 1021 Chapel Hill High 1012 Lithia Springs High 990 New Manchester High 947

What’s New: To help prevent dangerous situations, Douglas County School System is offering students a new safety app called See It, Say It, Send It. It’s used to share photos, videos, audio recordings and text messages anonymously.

Number of Schools Elementary 14 Middle 5 High 5 Alternative 1 Open Campus 1 Virtual 1

Total # of Students: 19,552 Student Spending: $11,687

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores:

3rd: (ELA) 533 (M) 542 5th: (ELA) 543 (M) 541 8th: (ELA) 541 (M) 542

2022 Average SAT: 1132

Top 5 Schools by Average 2022 SAT Score

McIntosh High 1183 Starr’s Mill High 1151 Whitewater High 1122 Sandy Creek High 1080 Fayette County High 1049

What’s New: McIntosh STEM students, along with key school and community partners, have finished renovations of the school’s courtyard for special needs students.

Number of Schools Elementary 23 Middle 11 High 7 Non-Traditional 2 Virtual 1 Charter/Evening 1 Career Academy 1

Total # of Students: 50,712 Student Spending: $9,458

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores:

3rd: (ELA) 535 (M) 557 5th: (ELA) 543 (M) 561 8th: (ELA) 537 (M) 554

2022 Average SAT: 1172

Top 5 Schools by Average 2022 SAT Score

Lambert High 1240 Alliance Academy 1232 South Forsyth High 1216 Denmark High 1177 West Forsyth 1128

What’s New: The Forsyth County Schools district has broken ground on the replacement building for Midway Elementary School. The current Midway serves about 750 students; the new facility will be able to accommodate 1,175. The building is entirely funded by E-SPLOST dollars.

FULTON

Board of Education 470-254-3600 fultonschools.org

GRIFFINSPALDING

Number of Schools

Elementary 59 Middle 19 High 19 Charter 10 Alternative Schools 3 Virtual Campus 2

Total # of Students: 88,390 Student Spending: $11,746

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores:

3rd: (ELA) 518 (M) 536 5th: (ELA) 526 (M) 524 8th: (ELA) 528 (M) 521

2022 Average SAT: 1101

Top 5 Schools by Average 2022 SAT Score

Northview High 1298 Chattahoochee High 1247 Alpharetta High 1223 Johns Creek High 1214 Milton High 1178

What’s New: Milton High School student Dave Githutu, who has Down syndrome, won the Teen 3 Division title of World Champion Powerlifter and set three world records at the Amateur Powerlifting World Congress in Manchester, England.

Number of Schools

Elementary 11 Middle 4 High 2 Alternative 2 Career Academy 1

Total # of Students: 9,284 Student Spending: $11,022

Board of Education 770-229-3700 spalding.k12.ga.us

GWINNETT

Board of Education 678-301-6000 gcpsk12.org

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores:

3rd: (ELA) 466 (M) 497 5th: (ELA) 492 (M) 485 8th: (ELA) 489 (M) 481

2022 Average SAT: 970

Top 2 Schools by Average 2022 SAT Score

Spalding High 1013 Griffin High 917

What’s New: In efforts to ramp up school safety, all GriffinSpalding County middle and high schools have received metal detectors to conduct random screenings at different places throughout the buildings and possibly at extracurricular events. The schools have also implemented a clear bookbag policy requiring all student bookbags to be transparent.

Number of Schools

Elementary 80 Middle 29 High 21 Alternative 4 Charter 2 Open Campus 1 Virtual School 1 Special Education 2 Center 1 Career/Technical 4

Total # of Students: 176,358 Student Spending: $9,932

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores:

3rd: (ELA) 513 (M) 527 5th: (ELA) 521 (M) 522 8th: (ELA) 522 (M) 520

2022 Average SAT: 1097

Top 5 Schools by Average 2022 SAT Score

Gwinnett School of Math, Science, and Technology 1386 North Gwinnett High 1193 Brookwood High 1136 Mill Creek High 1132 Peachtree Ridge High 1115

What’s New: Georgia Gwinnett College will receive $3.7 million from the U.S. Department of Education to help 40 aspiring educators become teachers in Gwinnett County Public Schools.

GWINNETT

PUBLIC SCHOOL COUNTY

Board of Education 770-534-1080 hallco.org

HENRY

Number of Schools

Elementary 1 Middle 6 High 6 Magnet 12 Alternative 1 Career 2 Virtual 1

Total # of Students: 26,558 Student Spending: $9,934

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores:

3rd: (ELA) 484 (M) 509 5th: (ELA) 503 (M) 504 8th: (ELA) 500 (M) 505

2022 Average SAT: 1041

Top 5 Schools by Average 2022 SAT Score

North Hall High 1083 Flowery Branch High 1082 Chestatee High 1050 Johnson High 1021 Cherokee Bluff High 1014

What’s New: The Kubota Manufacturing of America Corp. donated an excavator to the Hall County School District. The machine is valued at more than $100,000.

Number of Schools Elementary 26 Middle 11 High 10 Charter 2 Alternative 1 Career Academy 1 Virtual School 1

Total # of Students: 42,048 Student Spending: $9,638

Board of Education

770-957-6601 schoolwires.henry.k12.ga.us

PAULDING

Board of Education 770-443-8000 paulding.k12.ga.us

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores:

3rd: (ELA) 490 (M) 509 5th: (ELA) 503 (M) 491 8th: (ELA) 504 (M) 495

2022 Average SAT: 996

Top 5 Schools by Average 2022 SAT Score

Union Grove High 1076 Ola High 1066 Luella High 993 Locust Grove High 990 Dutchtown High 987

What’s New: Henry County Schools has launched HenryConnects Family View, a website designed to strengthen the partnership between home and school by offering online resources.

Number of Schools Elementary 19 Middle 9 High 5 Alternative 1 Career 1

Total # of Students: 29,735 Student Spending: $9,898

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores:

3rd: (ELA) 505 (M) 521 5th: (ELA) 515 (M) 511 8th: (ELA) 517 (M) 514

2022 Average SAT: 1032

Top 5 Schools by Average 2022 SAT Score

Paulding County High 1052 South Paulding High 1035 North Paulding High 1034 East Paulding High 1022 Hiram High 1000

What’s New: Over 500 students at P.B. Ritch Middle School were assigned brand-new Microsoft Surface laptops and given tutorial instruction to set them up as the Paulding County School District launched its new 1:1 initiative. The program is scheduled to provide devices to all students in the district within two years.

HENRY

PAULDING

HALL

ROCKDALE

ROCKDALE

Number of Schools

Elementary 11 Middle 4 High 3 Alternative 1 Career Academy 1 Magnet 1 Open Campus 1 Virtual School 2

Total # of Students: 15,334 Student Spending: $11,236

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores:

3rd: (ELA) 482 (M) 500 5th: (ELA) 502 (M) 485 8th: (ELA) 515 (M) 499

2022 Average SAT: 980

Top 3 Schools by Average 2022 SAT Score

Rockdale High 1032 Heritage High 956 Salem High 903

Board of Education 770-483-4713 rockdaleschools.org

ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

What’s New: Rockdale County Public Schools Board of Education meetings will now be streamed live for citizens to view in real time. Recordings will also be posted to the district’s YouTube channel for later viewing.

Board of Education 404-802-3500 atlantapublicschools.us

Number of Schools Elementary 42 Intermediate 4 Middle 10 High 10 Charter 19 Alternative 4 Virtual 1

Total # of Students: 49,811 Student Spending: $17,725

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores:

3rd: (ELA) 483 (M) 503 5th: (ELA) 497 (M) 490 8th: (ELA) 503 (M) 494

2022 Average SAT: 947

Top 5 Schools by Average 2022 SAT Score Midtown High 1132 Atlanta Classical Academy 1119 North Atlanta High 1026 KIPP Atlanta Collegiate Academy 1006 Charles R. Drew Charter High 980

What’s New: Atlanta Public Schools offers access to quality health care services at no cost to families through Hazel Health. Whether at home or at school, students can be evaluated by a Hazel doctor via a live video visit, and treatment is coordinated with local providers to ensure continuity of care.

BUFORD CITY SCHOOLS

Board of Education 770-945-5035 bufordcityschools.org

Number of Schools Elementary (K-1) 1 1st-3rd Grade Academy 1 4th-5th Grade Academy 1 Middle 1 High 1

Total # of Students: 5,447 Student Spending: $11,241

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores:

3rd: (ELA) 543 (M) 551 5th: (ELA) 543 (M) 544 8th: (ELA) 549 (M) 563

2022 Average SAT: 1133

What’s New: Buford City Schools ranks as the 2023 Best School District in the state of Georgia, according to data compiled by Niche, an education research platform. The ranking is based on a weighted index of several measures.

PUBLIC SCHOOL COUNTY GUIDE

PUBLIC SCHOOL COUNTY GUIDE

CITY SCHOOLS OF DECATUR

Board of Education 404-371-3601 csdecatur.net

Number of Schools Elementary 5 Middle 1 3rd-5th Grade Academy 1 4th & 5th Grade Academy 1 High 1 Early Learning Center 1 Virtual 1

Total # of Students: 5,620 Student Spending: $14,521

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 553 (M) 560 5th: (ELA) 560 (M) 570 8th: (ELA) 549 (M) 542

2022 Average SAT: 1196

What’s New: College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center is hosting a workshop series called School to Heart to Home. Each monthly session features one of the Seven Skills of Discipline, empowering parents to respond to conflict in a way that teaches children healthy behaviors while managing their personal emotions.

GAINESVILLE CITY SCHOOLS

Board of Education 770-536-5275 gcssk12.net

Number of Schools Elementary 6 Middle 2 High 1 Virtual 1

Total # of Students: 7,469 Student Spending: $10,842

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 477 (M) 506 5th: (ELA) 495 (M) 500 8th: (ELA) 491 (M) 486

2022 Average SAT: 976

What’s New: Gainesville City Schools System has hired 10 armed security guards to patrol every school in the district: one at each elementary and middle school, and two at Gainesville High School. The 10 guards hired have a combined 296 years of experience in law enforcement, military and private investigation services.

MARIETTA CITY SCHOOLS

Board of Education 770-422-3500 marietta-city.org

Number of Schools Elementary 7 Sixth Grade 1 Middle 1 High 1 Alternative 1 Magnet 1 Early Learning 1

Total # of Students: 8,471 Student Spending: $13,426

2022 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 498 (M) 523 5th: (ELA) 516 (M) 524 8th: (ELA) 513 (M) 514

2022 Average SAT: 1084

What’s New: Marietta City Schools Superintendent Grant Rivera personally paid for one college application fee for each Marietta High School senior who submitted an early action or early decision application during the school’s Apply to College Day. Rivera has offered this help to the district’s seniors for four consecutive years.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

SUMMER CAMPS & ACTIVITIES

FIELD TRIPS

FIELD TRIPS & EDUCATION PROGRAMS

FIELD TRIPS & EDUCATION PROGRAMS

FIELD TRIPS & EDUCATION PROGRAMS

TRIPS & EDUCATION PROGRAMS

FIELD TRIPS & EDUCATION PROGRAMS

COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

The Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame is the destination for groups, tours and all others when visiting Georgia. Located in the college football capital of America, At lanta, the Hall of Fame pays tribute, honoring the tradition of all things college football.

The Hall of Fame offers a robust STEAM educational curriculum for school-age groups to dive in and learn more about the tech nology, math and engineering behind the 95,000 square feet of the building. During the one-of-a-kind experience, fans will experience high-tech interactives and artifacts that align with the greatest players, moments and plays in college football.

Upon entering the Hall of Fame, fans are wowed with a three-story helmet wall that highlights over 775 colleges and universities. Fans will have the opportunity to punt, pass and kick on an indoor 45-yard playing field,

run the 40-yard dash, sit at the Home De pot College GameDay desk and test their commentator skills. This is an experience your group does not want to miss! For more information and to purchase tickets, visit cfbhall.com or email groups@cfbhall.com.

LOUISIANA NORTHSHORE/ST. TAMMANY PARISH

Your adventures await in the outdoor class room on the Louisiana Northshore, St. Tam many Parish! Your students will excel as they expand their horizons on the Northshore. It’s easy to learn when you’re having fun! Need to tackle a subject? The Northshore has you covered. Explore botany and biology through a Wilderness Overnight Skills excur sion to Fontainebleau State Park. Sharpen

math, science and creative skills while learning cooking techniques at Culinary Kids. Experience St. Tammany Parish’s maritime history at the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum and ask about nautical knot-tying lessons. Pursue our fascinating Native American history with the vast collection of storytelling artifacts at Bayou Lacombe Museum. Discover the indigenous animals and plants that make the Northshore unique on a guided Honey Island Swamp boat tour through a pristine ecosystem. Pedal or stroll along the Man deville lakefront to learn about the area’s rich culture and history on our 41 historical QR-code marker tour.

Let the Northshore help customize an unforgettable educational trip. Email Tanya@LouisianaNorthshore.com to get started. For more information, call 800-634-9443 or visit louisiananorthshore.com/student

PHOTO: College Football Hall of Fame

PHOTO: Canoe and trail adventures

TITANIC MUSEUM ATTRACTION

Its Young Guests Review the Titanic Museum Attraction

As reported by First Officer Campbell

Is it possible for children to be so excited about a museum that they can barely contain themselves?

You might be inclined to say no, and I would have been a doubter myself before I had the opportunity to interact with the young guests at the Titanic Museum Attraction

Kids are the stars at Titanic Museum Attraction. It's all about families and it is espe cially focused on the children, who are ready to seize the experience with joy, enthusiasm and delight.

The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is a “living historical museum.” The children are brimming with curiosity and a sense of being on a learning adventure. Just ask the kids. They say so openly, honesty and

with enthusiasm: two thumbs up. “Awe some. Cool. Best ever.”

For more information, call 417-334-9500 or visit titanicpigeonforge.com.

ARTSBRIDGE FOUNDATION

The ArtsBridge Foundation is excited to present its 2023 Spring Field Trip lineup at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. There’s something for everyone this season: Atlanta Ballet presents Beauty and the Beast (at 11 a.m. Feb. 16); Llama Llama LIVE! brings a preschool favorite to life (at 10:15 a.m. and noon Feb. 21) and The Atlanta Opera's Candide (at 7 p.m. March 2) is a great way to introduce kids to the world of opera. To find out more about ArtsBridge’s masterclasses and workshops, call 770-9162805 or visit artsbridgega.org.

FIELD TRIPS & EDUCATION PROGRAMS

PHOTO: Titanic Museum Attraction

PHOTO: Chris Savas/Chris Savas Photography

Boarding Schools

Admiral Farragut Academy ............................... 72

Brandon Hall 73

Baylor School ..................................................... 76

George School 75

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School ........................ 73

Saint Mary’s School 74 Salem Academy ................................................. 75

The Vanguard School 72 The Webb School .............................................. 77

Field Trips & Education Programs

ArtsBridge Foundation 91

Atlanta History Center ....................................... 92

Center For Puppetry Arts 3

College Football Hall of Fame 95

The Fox Theatre (Virtual Fox in a Box) 93

Interactive Neighborhood for Kids (INK) 13 Louisiana Northshore/St. Tammany Parish 95 The Southern Museum 96 Titanic Museum 94

Independent Schools

Arbor Montessori School 59

Athens Academy 57

Atlanta Academy 55

Atlanta International School 42 The Bedford School...........................................63

Bethlehem Christian Academy 58

Brandon Hall 73

Capstone Academy 57

Community Christian School 63 The Cottage School 48

Cumberland Academy of Georgia 18

The Davis Academy ........................................... 52

Endeavor International School BC, 100 The Friends School of Atlanta .......................... 59

Fulton Science Academy Private School IFC, 2 Fusion Academy ................................................ 35

The Galloway School 44 High Meadows School ...................................... 48 Holy Innocents' Episcopal School 5 Holy Spirit Preparatory School ......................... 43

Landmark Montessori School 64

Loganville Christian Academy .......................... 60

The Lovett School 69

Lyndon Academy ............................................... 46

McGinnis Woods Country Day School.............51

MJCCA Preschools ............................................ 53

Mt. Bethel Christian Academy 45

Mount Paran Christian School .......................... 70

Mount Pisgah Christian School 54

Notre Dame Academy ...................................... 53

Oak Grove Academy IBC, 99

Omega Private Academy - Acworth 69 Our World School 66

Pace Academy 42

Parker Chase Preschool 7

The Piedmont School of Atlanta 51 Pinecrest Academy 53

Porter Academy

................................................. 44

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church 65 Saint Francis School .......................................... 49

The Schenck School 43 Springmont School ............................................ 43

St. Mary’s Academy 66

Strong Rock Christian School ........................... 65 The Suzuki School 35

Trinity Christian School - Sharpsburg ............... 66 The Walker School 47

Wesleyan School ............................................... 55 Westminster Christian Academy 61 Whitefield Academy .......................................... 70 Woodward Academy 67

Montessori Schools

Atlanta Montessori International SchoolsCliff Valley 7

Atlanta Montessori International SchoolsDruid Hills 7

Counterpane Montessori School ..................... 64 Endeavor Montessori Dunwoody BC, 100 Johns Creek Montessori School of Georgia ... 54 Landmark Montessori School 64 Montessori Academy at Sharon Springs .. BC, 100 Montessori In Town 60 Montessori at Vickery ............................... BC, 100 Oak Meadow Montessori School 60 Springmont School 43

Public & Charter Schools

Brookhaven Innovation Academy 80 Georgia Connections Academy 81 Georgia Cyber Academy 79 International Charter School of Atlanta 13 Ivy Prep Academy 81 The Main Street Academy 80

Resources & Services

Able Kids 19 Dynamo Swim School IBC, 99 Special Olympics Georgia 17

Special Needs & Learning Difficulties

Able Kids 19

The Bedford School...........................................63 The Cottage School 48

Cumberland Academy of Georgia 18 Our World School 66 The Piedmont School of Atlanta 51 Porter Academy 44 The Schenck School 43

Summer Camps & Activities Center For Puppetry Arts 3 Squirrel Hollow Day Camp................................ 90 Zoo Atlanta 91

Tutoring & Study Skills In-Home Tutors of Atlanta.................................90