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Choosing the Best School

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Barrow County Public Schools (770) 867-4527
Number of schools 8 Elementary Schools, 4 Middle Schools, and 2 High Schools.

Bartow County Public Schools (770) 606-5800
Number of schools 12 Elementary Schools, 4 Middle Schools, and 4 High Schools.

Cherokee County Public Schools (770) 479-1871
Number of schools 24 Elementary Schools, 7 Middle Schools, and 7 High Schools

Clayton County Public Schools (770) 473-2706
Number of schools 39 Elementary Schools, 14 Middle Schools, and 9 High Schools

Cobb County Public Schools (770) 426-3300
Number of schools 72 Elementary Schools, 25 Middle Schools, and 17 High Schools

Marietta City Schools (770) 422-3500
Number of schools 8 Elementary Schools, 2 Middle Schools, and 1 High School.

Dekalb County Public Schools (678) 676-1200
Number of schools 87 Elementary Schools, 20 Middle Schools, and 26 High Schools.

Douglas County Public Schools (770) 651-2000
Number of schools 21 Elementary Schools, 8 Middle Schools, and 6 High Schools.

Fayette County Public Schools (770) 460-3535
Number of schools 17 Elementary Schools, 6 Middle Schools, and 5 High Schools.

Forsyth County Public Schools (770) 887-2461
Number of schools 20 Elementary Schools, 9 Middle Schools, and 6 High Schools.

Fulton County Public Schools (404) 768-3600
Number of schools 64 Elementary Schools, 22 Middle Schools, and 17 High Schools.

Atlanta City Public Schools (404) 802-3500
Number of schools 64 Elementary Schools, 19 Middle Schools, and 23 High Schools.

Gwinnett County Public Schools (678) 301-6000
Number of schools 83 Elementary Schools, 26 Middle Schools, and 23 High Schools.

Buford City Public Schools (770) 945-5035
Number of schools 1 Elementary School, 1 Middle School, and 1 High School.

Hall County Public Schools (770) 534-1080
Number of schools 20 Elementary Schools, 6 Middle Schools, and 7 High Schools.

Gainesville City Public Schools (770) 536-5275
Number of schools 5 Academies, 1 International Baccalaureate World School, 1 Middle School, and 1 High School.

Independent School Profiles

Alfred and Adele Davis Academy (PreK–8)
(770) 671-0085 (lower school)
(770) 804-9191 (middle school)
In addition to its challenging academics, students at Davis Academy also learn values, life skills and a strong background in Judaic studies. As an accredited Reform Jewish Day School, “Davis Academy strives to create a community in which children develop a life-long love for learning and commitment to Jewish life founded on morals, values and ethics, grounded in Torah,” according to the school’s website. Its focus on 21st century learning, as well as athletics, extracurricular activities and the fine arts, ensures that students grow to be confident, motivated and appreciative of the diversity around them.

Bridgeway Christian Academy (PreK-4–8)
(770) 751-1972
This Alpharetta school was founded in 1998 with the mission of providing a quality, Christ-centered education. BCA’s nurturing environment begins with its small class sizes: fewer than 20 for PreK-4 through fifth grade, 22 for the middle school. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Association of Christian Schools International, so parents can be sure their children are getting a quality education. As well as North Fulton, students come from Gwinnett, Cherokee and southern Forsyth counties to attend BCA, and represent more than 80 different churches across the metro area.

The Cottage School (6–12)
(770) 641-8688
The Cottage School began in 1985 as an after-school tutoring program for academically frustrated students. While the original “campus” was a one-room office in a Roswell office park, students now have access to a 23-acre wooded campus. Its enrollment of only 150 ensures that all students receive the one-on-one attention they need in order to achieve success, and the school has stayed true to its mission to serve students who were disillusioned or discouraged with more traditional educational environments. TCS also teaches basic work and life skills, such as managing a budget, study skills and organizational skills.

Fellowship Christian School (PreK-4–12)
(770) 992-4975 (elementary school)
(770) 993-1650 (middle and high school)
Fellowship Christian began in 1986 serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The high school was added in 1993 and the Pre-K program in 2007. Current enrollment across all grades is 834 students, who attend 70 different churches. Located on a 30-acre campus in Roswell, FCS boasts computer labs, new playgrounds and an athletic building that includes facilities for baseball, football, softball, soccer, tennis and track and field. FCS also values the arts, beginning art and music classes in its Pre-K program and offering performing arts, yearbook, digital design and web design to its middle school and high school students.

Greenfield Hebrew Academy (PreK–8)
(404) 843-9900
As the first Jewish day school in the U.S. to earn SACS accreditation, Greenfield has been setting the educational standard in the Atlanta area since 1953. GHA has also been honored as a National School of Excellence by the Council for American Private Education. The curriculum includes general studies in language arts, math, science and social studies, as well as Judaic studies. Students at GHA consistently excel in regional and statewide competitions, in everything from science and math to writing.

High Meadows School (PreK–8)
(770) 993-2940
Founded in 1973, High Meadows occupies a 40-acre campus in the heart of Roswell. Student enrollment is approximately 400, and the school is an International Baccalaureate World School and is also accredited by SACS and the Southern Association of Independent Schools. High Meadows engages students in an inquiry-based approach to learning, so that they develop a strong sense of personal responsibility and respect for other perspectives. Almost all of High Meadows’ students go on to attend the independent high school of their choice.

Holy Spirit Preparatory School (PreK-2–12)
(678) 761-7992
Founded in 1996 in order to fill a need for Catholic schools in the Atlanta area, Holy Spirit began as a kindergarten through fifth grade school. It added one grade per year and graduated its first high school class in 2006. Its educational philosophy is informed by its mission statement: “Every child has been blessed by God with unique potential; our mission is to inspire each child with an education that is Catholic, classical and complete.” Students at Holy Spirit experience a holistic approach to education and are encouraged to become leaders who seek fuller knowledge of themselves, the world around them, and God.

King’s Ridge Christian School (K–12)
(770) 754-5738
Founded in 2011 by the Advancement for Christian Education, King’s Ridge occupies 116 acres in Alpharetta, and most of its students live within 10 miles of the campus. Student enrollment is around 760, and the school maintains a student/teacher ratio of 8-1. King’s Ridge has earned accreditation from SACS, SAIS and the Georgia Accrediting Commission. Its rigorous academic program and strong focus on community service (high school students must complete 50 hours of service prior to graduation) mean that students are well prepared for their college years and professional careers.

Mill Springs Academy (1–12)
(770) 360-1336
Mill Springs focuses on the “whole child” by creating a multidisciplinary academic plan for each student, based on a variety of evaluations, communications and observations. This approach is in line with founder Tweetie L. Moore’s belief that “if a student can’t learn the way we teach … we should teach the way a student can learn,” a philosophy that is especially important for its students who have been diagnosed with learning differences such as dyslexia or attention deficit. In addition to its college-prep focused curriculum—with 95 percent of students earning college acceptance—the school also offers a communication arts school for grades seven through 12.

Mount Vernon Presbyterian School (Preschool–12)
(404) 252-3448 (preschool–6)
(404) 250-5880 (7–12)
Located on 37 acres in Sandy Springs, Mount Vernon was established in 1972 and has a current enrollment of nearly 900. With 100 percent of its student having access to a laptop computer, Mount Vernon understands the role of technology in encouraging creative problem-solving. The school also values learning outside of the classroom and offers travel opportunities for cultural arts, college tours, mission trips and internships. Students at Mount Vernon perform more than 10,000 hours of community service every year.

Cobb County Private Schools

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Mt. Bethel Christian Academy, Marietta (K–9)
www.mtbethelchristian.org
(770) 971-0245
As part of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, Mt. Bethel Christian Academy has been serving the community’s students since 1998. Now dually accredited through the Southern Association of Independent Schools and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Mt. Bethel enrolls approximately 500 students and enrolled its first 9th grade class in fall 2014 on a new 33-acre upper school campus. The campus includes three soccer fields, three baseball fields, an outdoor nature area and more than 200,000 square feet of learning space. Mt. Bethel enhances its classroom instruction with the latest technology, and students in 5th grade and above can take advantage of the school’s one-to-one laptop program.

Mount Paran Christian School, Kennesaw (preK–12)
www.mtparanschool.com
(770) 578-0182
Since 1976, Mount Paran has been leading the way in Christian education in Cobb County. Its impressive 65-acre campus near Kennesaw Mountain boasts two libraries, two gymnasiums, a state-of-the-art performing arts center that includes a recording studio and multiple playgrounds. Total enrollment across all grades is almost 1,200, with class sizes ranging from 14 to 20; the student-teacher ratio stands at 10:1 for the high school. Students can begin learning Spanish in preschool and K through 5 students attend a weekly critical thinking skills class to build skills that will enhance their academic careers. Mount Paran has earned dual accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools.

North Cobb Christian School, Kennesaw (K–12)
www.ncchristian.org
(770) 975-0252
North Cobb Christian (NCCS) was founded in 1983 by four local families who were seeking an alternative to public education, and is now one of the largest independent schools in the metro area, with a K through 12 enrollment of approximately 890 students. In addition to overall rigorous academics, students can also apply for one of several distinctive academy programs. The non-denominational Christian school promotes the core values of love, integrity, respect, responsibility and service, and high school students are required to complete 46 hours of community service prior to graduation. NCCS is accredited by AdvancEd, the Association of Christian Schools International and Accredited with Quality by the Georgia Accrediting Commission.

Shreiner Academy, Marietta (preK–8)
www.shreiner.com
(770) 953-1340
Opened in the early 1980s, the Shreiner Academy was the second independent school founded by members of the Shreiner family. The first school, the Church Farm School in Paoli, Pa., opened in 1918. The school’s total enrollment is around 200 students, so the average class size is only about 15. With its stellar academics and options for before and after school extracurricular activities, Shreiner students have many opportunities to thrive. The school’s 8-acre campus includes playgrounds, swimming pools, a performing arts center, athletic fields and more. Shreiner has earned the highest level of accreditation by the Georgia Accrediting Commission as well as the National Independent Private Schools Association and the National Council for Private School Accreditation.

The Walker School, Marietta (preK–12)
www.thewalkerschool.org
(770) 427-2689
As one of the oldest independent schools in the metro area, Walker has a well-established academic reputation. In 2013, 100 percent of its graduating high school seniors had been accepted into a college or university. With less than 1,000 students enrolled, Walker prides itself on providing individual attention for all students. One of the many unique programs Walker offers is an exchange program with France, Germany and Argentina. Every year, the school welcomes students from each of these countries, while host students subsequently travel abroad later in the year. Technology is fully integrated at Walker, with anywhere from one to eight computers in each classroom and campus-wide wireless Internet access.

Whitefield Academy, Smyrna/Vinings (preK–12)
www.whitefieldacademy.com
(678) 305-3000
Whitefield Academy is a Christ-centered, PreK4 through 12th college preparatory school located on a beautiful 80-acre campus in the Smyrna/Vinings area. Whitefield provides students with a rigorous academic curriculum, including 31 AP and Honors courses. The school offers a well-rounded extracurricular program with 12 after school programs in the Lower School, 39 clubs and organizations, and 53 athletic teams. Whitefield has earned five athletic state championships, and has an award-winning arts program. In 2015, Whitefield graduates were offered $7.7 million in scholarships and grants, and were admitted to acclaimed colleges and universities across the United States such as Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Georgia Institute of Technology, Princeton University, and Washington and Lee University.