2018 Education Guide
Atlanta Independent School Directory
Atlanta is home to many excellent schools and learning resources,
which means you can find exactly the right environment for a challenging and nurturing education for your child. The following profiles represent a selection of independent schools and educational services in the metro Atlanta area. For additional information about the institutions listed below, including location, class size and open house dates, see “Beyond the Basics."
The Bedford School
The Bedford School offers a fresh start to students who have been frustrated in a traditional setting due to learning differences. The school serves children in grades 1-9 who have been professionally identified as having specific learning disabilities and related disorders. The mission of The Bedford School is to maximize the potential of children with learning differences and develop foundations for success; this is accomplished through small classes (5-12 per class), a structured, multi-sensory approach and a dedicated staff. The school was established in 1985 and currently serves 150 students. The Squirrel Hollow Camp summer program offers academic tutoring and recreational activities. The camp is open to children who need an academic boost in the summer; a student does not have to be enrolled in the school to attend summer camp. Students receive tutoring in reading, math and written expression and participate in recreational activities on the Challenge Course and the outdoor pool. Bedford is located on a 45-acre campus in Fairburn, 15 minutes south of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. For more information, contact The Bedford School at 770-774-8001 or go online to thebedfordschool.org.
Ben Franklin Academy
The Ben Franklin Academy is an independent, progressive, college-prep high school, teaching a rigorous college preparatory curriculum tailored to each student’s individual learning style, needs, and special interests. BFA is committed to individualized instruction and mastery learning. It offers three levels of instruction: College Prep, Honors, and Advanced Placement, with 25 Advanced Placement courses and 25 honors classes. Small by design, BFA serves around 125 students in grades 9-12 each year. Classes are available in both morning and afternoon sessions with work study, as well as two longer day options without a work-study commitment. At BFA, you will find a caring community of learners, where students develop strong relationships with their teachers and advisors, work in settings designed to encourage their best efforts, and become responsible, self-directed young men and women who are ready to excel at college and beyond. For more information, call 404-633-7404 or visit benfranklinacademy.org.
Brandon Hall School
Brandon Hall’s mission as a co-educational, global boarding and day school challenges students to lead lives of leadership, scholarship, and service. Its community celebrates learning, fosters global citizenship, embraces diversity, encourages athleticism and artistic expression, and inspires students to find their path and lead the way. Brandon Hall welcomes boarding and day students from all over the world. A 100 percent college acceptance rate and status as an IB candidate school reflects the quality of the program and the strengths of a diverse student body. Its graduates are poised to be leaders in the next phase of their academic life and beyond. Brandon Hall provides students with the confidence to thrive in this global world, while caring for the environment, health and well-being, and service. Brandon Hall believes that building a strong educational foundation inspires students to be engaged citizens and proactive leaders in an ever-changing world. For more information, call 770-394-8177 or visit brandonhall.org.
Bridgeway Christian Academy
Now in its 20th year, Bridgeway Christian Academy is a covenant Christian school located in Alpharetta, Ga. At BCA, students experience a family-like atmosphere where they are nurtured and challenged; in fact, its parents consistently say it was the family atmosphere that brought them to Bridgeway. The primary goal, at BCA, is to provide a strong foundation where students can grow in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man. Dedicated Christian teachers and comprehensive biblical integration, in a safe and nurturing environment, are at the core of its programs. The decision of where and how to educate your child is one of the most important decisions you have to make. If you are considering an academically Christ-centered school, then consider Bridgeway Christian Academy. You’re invited to visit the campus and see how the school fulfills its mission of providing excellence in Christ-centered education, equipping students to know, grow, and go. For more information, call 770-751-1972 or visit bridgewayca.org.
The Friends School of Atlanta
The Friends School of Atlanta (FSA) provides challenging academics in a diverse environment, drawing on values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and stewardship to empower students to go out into the world with conscience, conviction and compassion. Founded as a model of diversity in 1991, FSA strives to address the development of the whole child and seeks to nurture that of goodness within each student. Offering classes for children from PreK3 through eighth grade, FSA’s program is designed to prepare students for a successful high school future and a lifetime of engagement as thoughtful citizens. For more information, visit friendsschoolatlanta.org or call 404-373-8746.
Canterbury School
Canterbury School is an independent, non-profit private school located in the Morningside-Emory area of Atlanta, offering a range of programs for infants through eighth grade. It provides an innovative alternative learning environment that embraces diversity of all kinds, where students’ ideas are valued, their individuality is celebrated, and they are empowered to steer their own education. Since 1954, Canterbury School has been dedicated to providing a superior, nurturing education for young children, and it challenges each child to meet his or her potential by providing small class sizes, an adaptable environment and a flexible curriculum. For more information, call 404-522-5659 or visit canterburyschoolga.com.
Harvester Christian Academy
For 31 years, Harvester Christian Academy in Douglasville has been training minds to lead and hearts to serve. By integrating a Christian worldview into everything they do, students and staff are inspired to serve and dedicated to an excellent academic experience that prepares each student for success in college and life. Parents consistently say they chose HCA because of its family atmosphere and commitment to educating Christian servant leaders. A new classroom building offers STEAM courses for all grades as it houses the media center, art studio, computer lab, STEM lab and high school classrooms. With modern classrooms designed through collaboration with students, teachers and experts, and over two dozen athletic and club offerings, Harvester Christian Academy enables each student to thrive. Seeing is believing so call 770-942-1583 to schedule a tour or visit harvesteracademy.com.
Midway Covenant Christian School
Midway Covenant Christian School strives in every way possible to provide an environment that helps children excel in all areas of life. The school wants to afford every opportunity to its students and understands that true success—both academic and social—must be achieved through moral excellence and intellectual challenge. MCCS was started as a ministry of Midway Presbyterian Church with the goal of assisting parents to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It provides an education that is Christian, classical, and covenantal. At Midway, faculty and staff strive for excellence in character as directed by the Bible and excellence in each student’s academic development. Midway is not a Christian school because it teaches verses and has a Scripture lesson each day. It is so because Biblical principles permeate every aspect of the school day. For more information, call 770-590-1866 or visit midwayschool.org.
The Piedmont School of Atlanta
The Piedmont School of Atlanta serves children in kindergarten through High School with challenges in areas of learning, social skills, and social problem-solving. A team of certified, masterslevel teachers delivers differentiated instruction using a project-based dynamic approach. The curriculum exceeds the Georgia Standards and includes PE, Art, Foreign Language, and Community- Based Instruction. The Piedmont School has been named a Boxlight National Demonstration School and serves as a model site for incorporating technology in the classroom. The school offers after-school programming. For information call The Piedmont School of Atlanta 404-382-8200 or visit tpsoa.org.
Johns Creek Montessori School of Georgia
Johns Creek Montessori School of Georgia offers authentic Montessori education in the heart of Johns Creek, serving children from 6 weeks to 8 years old. Observe the “Montessori Magic” happening in the school’s vibrant classroom communities, where children are free to choose from a wide variety of activities and lessons best suited to their development. Specially-trained teachers act as “guides” to the extensive curriculum, planting a seed of wonder that grows into a desire for greater knowledge. Multi-age classrooms allow younger children to learn from older ones, and for older children to reinforce and “test” their learning when helping younger ones. This dynamic, structured environment nurtures a strong work ethic, love of learning, and a passion for discovery not found in other schools. Dr. Maria Montessori wrote: “Education should no longer be mostly imparting of knowledge, but must take a new path, seeking the release of human potentialities.” Help your child to reach his or her full potential. Call 770-814- 8001 to schedule a tour or visit jcmsog.org.
Porter Academy
“We are so pleased with the progress he has made so far this year. He is beaming when he reads aloud, and his confidence is soaring. He is no longer too timid to take chances and try something new. We couldn’t be happier!” — Porter Academy Parent
When parents first come tour Porter Academy, many of them feel heavy with frustration, anxiety, and sadness because they have fought hard for their children, but with little success to show for their efforts. These same families, within a few months of enrollment, are able to relax and feel hopeful, knowing that their children are finally happy and learning. The school’s founder, Claudia Porter, didn’t teach a curriculum, she taught a child. She knew each child’s passions, strengths, and stumbling blocks. She knew that their past struggles had made them feel less...less capable, less important...and that these feelings had led many of them to resist trying. They had learned to slip through the cracks or to distract from the real problems by acting out behaviorally. Mrs. Porter knew that the first step to getting children to learn was to rebuild their self-confidence and self-respect. The school has grown, but the child-centered care and teaching persists, enabling each child to find joy and success in learning. For more information, call 770- 594-1313 or visit porteracademy.org.
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
Founded in 1903, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School nurtures and challenges students from diverse backgrounds as they prepare for college and a lifetime of service. Rabun Gap is a global community of learners with students from 45+ countries and 15 states. The 1,400-acre mountain campus provides many opportunities for experiential learning, as well as arts and athletic activities. Rabun Gap students graduate ready for college: 100% attend the top colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the world. Located just two hours from Atlanta in the Northeast Georgia mountains, Rabun Gap makes a boarding school education a reality for families. More than 75 percent of students receive financial aid and merit scholarships. Rabun Gap values diversity in all forms and offers students an opportunity to grow and learn in a community reflective of their future. For more information, call 706-746-7720 or visit rabungap.org.
Saint Francis Schools
Saint Francis Schools is an independent, not for profit school with no religious affiliation, providing an exceptional college preparatory program serving the students of metro Atlanta since 1976. Grades K- 8 are located on the Roswell campus while the High School is located on the Milton campus. The school’s commitment to small class sizes, low pupil-to-teacher ratio, and a strong emphasis on structure and organization allow students to enjoy academic success and develop the self-confidence necessary to be successful in college. Curriculum offerings include AP, Honors, traditional and support classes. Saint Francis is a Google Apps for Education Classroom, utilizing laptops in grades 4 -12. Specialized reading programs offered include Fundations®, Wilson Reading System®, Just Words® and supplemental support from Cars and Stars® Reading Comprehension. A full sports program is offered at the middle school and high school levels (GHSA) and includes football and equestrian. For information: 770-641-8257 Ext. 3 (grades K-8) and 678-339-9989 Ext. 33 (grades 9-12) and saintfrancisschools.com.
The Suzuki School
The Suzuki School is a preparatory preschool committed to providing young children with the best in early childhood education. Its belief in the innate ability and talent of every child guides them in creating an environment rich in language, discovery, and stimulation. They know that learning begins before birth, and that every moment of a child’s day is an opportunity to engage and explore. Suzuki recognizes that the first years of life are the most critical in the development of an inquisitive mind and a noble heart. The Suzuki School’s teaching faculty are also comprised of amazing, well-qualified professional educators in the classrooms who also serve as thought leaders for other professionals in the field of early childhood education. With programs for infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children, the Suzuki School’s curriculum focuses on these Five Foundations: Love of Learning, Respect for Nature, Culture and Tradition, A Noble Heart, and Talent Education. For more information, call 404-841-3939 or visit suzukischool.com..
Woodward Academy
At Woodward Academy, one size doesn’t fit even two. From pre-K through 12th grade, Woodward is a place where your child can study Gauguin and golf, Copernicus and coding, rhetoric and robotics— all in one day. With 2,700 students on two campuses spanning 133 acres, yet a student-teacher ratio of just 7:1, Woodward has the resources and opportunities of a college but the intimacy and attention of home. It’s about creating your own path within a truly diverse community under the guidance of caring faculty, coaches, counselors, mentors, and advisors—all while cultivating strong character and a deep respect for difference. Woodward challenges its students to explore new academic frontiers and reach their fullest potential. What does success look like? Look no further than the 25 AP classes, renowned Transition Program for students with mild learning differences, 86 student clubs, 75 yearly arts performances, and 18 varsity sports. Its Global Connections Program offers extensive international study abroad programs, and the innovative STEM programs are woven into the curriculum at every step of the way— from coding for kindergarteners to the Independent Scientific Research program, which pairs juniors and seniors with university professors to work on real-world problems. A typical Woodward Academy graduating class attends more than 100 different colleges and universities, devotes 5,000 hours to community service, and earns more than $15 million in scholarship awards. Find out more about Woodward Academy and the vast options available for students to create their own path. For more information, call 404-765-4001 or visit woodward.edu.
The Walker School
Located just two miles from historic Marietta Square, The Walker School is metro Atlanta’s college-preparatory independent school for students in Pre-K through 12th grade seeking an engaging educational experience within an intimately scaled, caring and diverse community where opportunities abound and meaningful relationships inspire transformative learning. A sense of wonder kindles students’ innate curiosity and is channeled into challenging curricula, engaging interpersonal relationships, demanding athletics and stimulating extracurricular activities. Walker helps each child chart a path of self-realization, to discover who they are, and to become their best possible self. Equipped with a clarity of purpose, strong sense of self, and the confidence and skills to navigate a 21st century world, Walker students make their own path, leading in all manner of endeavor and following only where wonder leads. For more information, call 678-581-6891 or visit thewalkerschool.org.
Educational Services
Children’s Special Services, LLC
Children’s Special Services, LLC is a comprehensive child therapy service in Atlanta, GA, that provides occupational therapy services for children from toddlers to teens, helping them cope with challenges and develop the skills they need to be successful. By assessing your child, it is able to treat visual motor coordination, visual processing, and organizational skills. By working with both the parents and the child, it is able to provide a comprehensive, family-focused service that gets results. As part of its outreach to families, it offers facilitator certificate training so parents can help their children as well. It also provides an advocacy service to assist with IEP- and 504-related support services in public schools. Children’s Special Services’ commitment to helping children excel is one of the reasons that it has been awarded the Georgia Award for Excellence in Preschool Screening Services. For more information, call 770-394-9791 or visit childrens-services.com.
For additional information about the schools listed here, including location, class size and open house dates, see our “Beyond the Basics” guide.
