The Atlanta School

The Atlanta School has some wonderful aspects - especially the emphasis on outdoor education, field trips and one-on-one attention with the children. However, they have some major security issues, especially for an intown school and are far less-than-enthusiastic about addressing them (very much a circle-the-wagons approach to the discussion). There are also concerns about curriculum for future transfers (we had to undergo more testing than usual to transfer out b/c of lack of grading techniques). If the family is a good fit, then the school might be good. We had a miserable experience here and do not recommend it.
--Submitted by a parent

The Atlanta School has an under the radar population of children who have special learning needs - but does not have the classroom support in place for them. This seems to result in either a punative approach to all students to keep a child with a behavior issue in check or attention given to a child who has greater needs than the teacher ratio is set up for. It is also not an accredited schol. It is very hands on and does have some wonderful programs if you catch the right teacher or the right year - but curriculum and teacher quality is is not consistent. It also seems like it would or should be friendlier than the parents actually are...it is a very insular group of parents. This might be a good choice for early elementary, but not for upper elementary or middle school.
--Submitted by a parent

The Atlanta School offers a great education, individualized for each child. In addition to a great education, the school offers a wonderful and supportive community.
--Submitted by a parent

My child attended K-8th. Now in public HS, 11th grade AP finally using skills attained in Middle School (critical thinking, participation, research). 10th gr accel Literature used book from TAS 6th Gr. 11th gr accel Literature reading list has several books from TAS Middle School required reqading.
--Submitted by a parent

every child at TAS gets individual attention. there is a strong focus on the arts and sciences. Every teacher is great and the administration is open and responsive. My child has been at TAS since pre-k and we love it. the work that they do is just amazing.
--Submitted by a parent

My child started TAS in kindergarten, he is now in 2nd grade. Wow we love this school. It is a safe loving environment. The Director, Joy Ward, is always at the school first thing in the morning and is available to anyone who wishes to speak to her. The teachers treat each child as an individual and teaches him/her according to his/her needs. It is very hands on. The board is dedicated to making the school a wonderful place to learn. Every child counts at TAS!
--Submitted by a parent

Do your homework, get background checks on all board members of this school. The locks on the doors to the outside did worked properly while our child was there. The school director was difficult to get in touch with and left things to the teachers to sort out on their own.
--Submitted by a parent

The Atlanta School is a very small(60 student)private school in Atlanta for pre-k through 8th grade. It provides my child with a very low teacher/pupil ratio in a very flexible curriculum. Typically a students year, and most subject matter, field trips,etc. are focused around a years theme, e.g. 'The swamp', or 'Ancient Civilizations.' There is also a significant incorporation of the arts into the curriculum. I recommend it highly.
--Submitted by Michael Charles, a parent