Mt. Bethel Christian Academy: Providing An Opportunity to
If you were to ask a new kindergarten parent about school and their hopes for their child, the answers are myriad, but at the core of most responses is the word, opportunity. Of the many hopes and dreams parents have for their children, most simply want them to have an opportunity to be known, to be loved, to have their gifts encouraged and their weaknesses strengthened. Parents hope that their children’s character will be shaped in ways that will make them resilient and wise, ready to give more than they take and make a difference in a world desperate for courageous leadership. And while a child’s life is shaped, first and foremost, by home and parents, school has a critical role to play as well.
As an established K-8th, preparatory school, Mt. Bethel Christian Academy’s rigorous curriculum prepares students for success in the area’s most well-respected private and public high schools. The faculty are certified and seasoned experts, averaging 14 years in the classroom. The middle school faculty challenge and extend students with honors and advanced math and an honors history class that prepares students for AP Human Geography as high school freshmen.
Opportunities to explore the arts are plentiful and serve to enrich the Mt. Bethel Christian Academy experience. Participation in digital, visual, literary, and performing arts are afforded to all students, as is audio and video production.
The connection between physical activity and learning is clear and Mt. Bethel Christian was designed to challenge a student’s body as well as their mind. Students attend physical education classes several
be Known and Nurtured
times per week. Recess is provided each day for the lower school students and middle school students can choose to participate in the school’s championship athletic program featuring 15 teams across seven different sports.
Important as academic, athletic, and artistic opportunities are, Mt. Bethel Christian’s most distinctive opportunity is the opportunity to be known. There is an unmistakable sense of community that defines the Mt. Bethel experience. Small class sizes, low student-to-teacher ratios and a Christ-centered culture all contribute to the school’s ability to truly know each child. All classrooms in grades K through 5 are led by a certified teacher and a paraprofessional allowing for more individualized attention. Student’s strengths, challenges, successes and occasional setbacks play out in the context of a nurturing classroom and a loving teacher who has the time and desire to know them well. Mt. Bethel’s classes are tailor-made for relationship building and there is no better environment to prepare a child to pursue a lifetime of learning than one built on a foundation of faith.
Mt. Bethel Christian Academy was founded to provide diverse opportunities and fulfill the hopes of parents as a school that encourages curiosity, builds leadership skills and bolsters faith. For over fifteen years, the school has made good on the promise made in its mission to provide a Christ-centered education, which encourages and develops academic excellence, spiritual growth, and a lifelong desire for learning. For additional information, contact Jackie Grasty, Director of Admission at 770-971-0245, or visit us at www.mtbethelchristian.org.
PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE
While the public schools in East Cobb County do a good job of providing a quality education, many East Cobb parents seek out “a better fit” for their junior scholars. Finding a quality private school can be a daunting task. As a first step, take a look at our eighth annual list of private schools. Many of these schools will be hosting Open Houses this month, and quite a few have registration deadlines in January or February. So if you are considering private education, now is the time to investigate your options.
Atlanta Academy, The 2000 Holcomb Woods Parkway
Roswell 30076
678-461-6102
www.atlantaacademy.com
Tuition: $6,000-$12,400
Grades: 18mos-8
Students: 260
Head of School: Angela Naples
Atlanta International School 2890 North Fulton Drive
Atlanta 30305
404-841-3840
www.aischool.org
Tuition: $19,652-$22,434 Grades: 3K-12
Students: 1,113
Headmaster: Kevin Glass
Atlanta Girls’ School
3254 Northside Parkway NW Atlanta 30327
404-845-0900
www.atlantagirlsschool.org
Tuition: $19,800-$20,500 Grades: 6-12
Students: 206
Head of School: Joan King (interim)
Blessed Trinity
Catholic High School 11320 Woodstock Road
Roswell 30075
678-277-9083
www.btcatholic.org
Tuition: $11,300
Grades: 9-12
Students: 960
Principal: Frank Moore
Brandon Hall School 1701 Brandon Hall Drive Atlanta 30350
770-394-8177
www.brandonhall.org
Tuition: $28,750-$55,500 Grades: 7-12
Students: 170
Headmaster: Dr. John L. Singleton
Casa Montessori 150 Powers Ferry Road
Marietta 30067
770-973-2731
www.casamontessori.com
Tuition: $7,650-$9,900 Grades: PreK-6
Students: 160
Directors: Florence& Suzanne Johnson
Chrysalis Experiential Academy 10 Mansell Court East, Suite 500
Roswell 30076
770-649-7077
www.chrysalisexp.org
Tuition: $10,800-$20,800 Grades: 5-12
Students: 42
Director: Richard Becker
Cottage School, The 700 Grimes Bridge Road Roswell 30075
770-641-8688
www.cottageschool.org
Tuition: $23,450-$24,450 Grades: 6-12
Students: 165
Director: Jacque Digieso
Cumberland Academy of Georgia
650 Mt. Vernon Highway NE Atlanta 30328
404-835-9000
www.cumberlandacademy.org
Tuition: $20,900 Grades: 4-12 and post-graduates
Students: 83
Principal: Don Sasso
*Davis Academy 8105 Roberts Drive
Atlanta 30350
770-671-0085
www.davisacademy.org
Tuition: $16,596-$17,648
Grades: K-8
Students: 670
Head of School: Amy Shafron
East Cobb Christian School 4616 Roswell Road
Marietta 30062
770-565-0881
www.eccs.org
Tuition: $4,600-$6,200
Grades: K-8
Students: 125
Principal: Teresa Staley
Eastside Christian School
2450 Lower Roswell Road Marietta 30068
770-971-2332
eastsidechristianschool.com
Tuition: $5,680-$8,012
Grades: K-8
Students: 370
Head of School: Judith Cripps
PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE
Eaton Academy
1000 Old Roswell Lakes Parkway
Roswell 30076
770-645-2673
www.EatonAcademy.org
Tuition: $18,400-$19,400
Grades: K-12
Students: 130-150
President: Bridget Eaton-Partalis
Epstein School, The 335 Colewood Way NW
Sandy Springs30328
404-250-5600
www.epsteinatlanta.org
Tuition: $4,995-$19,425
Grades: 18mos-8
Students: 535
Head of School: Stan Beiner
Faith Lutheran School 2111 Lower Roswell Road
Marietta 30068
770-973-8921
www.faithlcms.org
Tuition: $4,300-$8,415
Grades: Preschool-8
Students: 220
Interim Principal: Ann Greinke
Fellowship Christian School 10965 Woodstock Road Roswell 30075
770-641-6816
fellowshipchristianschool.org
Tuition: $3,300-$13,250
Grades: K4-12
Students: 834
Headmaster: Kathy Teston
Greenfield Hebrew Academy 5200 Northland Drive NE
Atlanta 30342
404-843-9900
www.ghacademy.org
Tuition: $14,302-$27,748
Grades: Infants-8
Students: 364
Head of School: Leah Summers
Harvest Baptist School 3460 Kellogg Creed Road Acworth 30102 770-974-9091
www.harvestbaptistschool.org
Tuition: $4,500
Grades: K3-12 Students: 61 Principal: Bill Lystlund
Heiskell School, The 3260 Northside Drive NW Atlanta 30305
High Meadows School 1055 Willeo Road Roswell 30075 770-993-2940
www.highmeadows.org
Tuition: $5,400-$16,510
Grades: Preschool-8 Students: 387
Head of School: Jay Underwood
Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School 805 Mount Vernon Highway Atlanta 30327
404-255-4026
www.hies.org
Tuition: $11,400-$22,310
Grades: Preschool-12 Students: 1,390
Acting Head of School: Eugene A. Bratek
Holy Spirit Preparatory School >4449 Northside Drive, Atlanta 30327 (Upper School) >4820 Long Island Drive, Atlanta 30342 (Lower School) >4465 Northside Drive, Atlanta 30327 (Preschool) 678-904-2811
Lovett School, The 4075 Paces Ferry Road NW Atlanta 30327
404-262-3032
www.lovett.org
Tuition: $20,000-$23,670
Grades: K-12
Students: 1,550
Headmaster: William S. Peebles IV
Lyndon Academy 485 Toonigh Road Woodstock 30188 770-926-0166
www.lyndonacademy.org
Tuition:$11,000-$13,000
Grades: Jr. K-7
Students: 150
Headmaster: Linda Murdock
Marist School 3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road NE
Atlanta 30319
770-457-7201
www.marist.com
Tuition: $16,725
Grades: 7-12
Students: 1,080
Principal: Rev. Joel Konzen, S.M.
Mount Paran Christian School 1275 Stanley Road Kennesaw 30152
770-578-0182
www.mtparanschool.com
Tuition: $5,148-$14,309
Grades: PreK-12
Students: 1,215
Headmaster: Dr. David Tilley
Mount Vernon Presbyterian School 471 Mt. Vernon Highway NE (PreK-6) 510 Mt. Vernon Highway NE (7-12) Atlanta 30328
404-252-3448
www.mvpschool.com
Tuition: $1,500-$17,885
Grades: PreK-12
Students: 887
Head of School: Dr. J. Brett Jacobsen
PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE
Choosing A Private School
The reasons cited over and over again by families who send their children to private schools include individual attention, small classes, teacher excellence, and high academic standards.
Your decision to consider an independent/private school is just the beginning. While private schools set high standards and emphasize values, they are wonderfully distinct from each other. There are day and boarding schools; coeducational, girls’, and boys’ schools. Enrollment varies from a few dozen to a few thousand students. Some independent schools are progressive, others more traditional in structure. Private schools also serve a varying range of students in terms of abilities and interests. Some schools offer special programs such as intensified instruction in the fine and performing arts, experiential learning projects, or travel abroad seminars. Many schools excel at rigorous intellectual preparation; others are dedicated to average learners; and some specialize in teaching bright students with learning disabilities. Since each of these schools has something unique to offer, ideally you are trying to match a student’s needs with the appropriate school. Write or call the admissions office for published information about a school’s philosophy and programs, and then make an appointment to visit.
If you haven’t done so already, contact each potential school for information dealing with philosophy, curriculum, extracurricular offerings, admission process, and financing options. Compare each school’s literature with the items on your list; this should give you a preliminary sense of which schools are a good match. Take into account what type of environment would be best for your child and consider his or her individual strengths as you examine each school’s program.
The best time to apply is in the fall preceding the academic year of the student’s admission; however, applications are considered throughout the school year. Most schools will require a personal interview, admissions testing, and information from your child’s current school. Ask the individual school for the details of its application procedures and testing dates.
In short, choosing the right school for your child is likely the most important single decision you might make in terms of setting the proper path and direction for life. A little preparation and research on the part of parents will go miles toward making the ultimate destination clear at the exit ramp.
PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE
Mt. Bethel Christian Academy
4385 Lower Roswell Road
Marietta 30068
770-971-0245
www.mtbethelchristian.org
Tuition: $9,730-$11,050
Grades: PreK-8
Students: 509
Head of School: Jim R. Callis
North Cobb Christian School 4500 Lakeview Drive Kennesaw 30144
770-975-0252
www.ncchristian.org
Tuition: $4,185-$12,725
Grades: K3-12
Students: 887
Head of School: Todd Clingman
Omega Private Academy 2960 Shallowford Road Marietta 30066
omegaprivateacademy.com
Tuition: $9,980
Grades: K-12
Students: 15
Head of School: Karin Vickers
Pace Academy 966 W. Paces Ferry Road NW
Atlanta 30327
404-262-1345
www.paceacademy.org
Tuition: $20,200-$23,250
Grades: Pre-First-12
Students: 1,080
Head of School: Frederick Assaf
Porter Academy 200 Cox Road Roswell 30075
770-594-1313
www.porteracademy.org
Tuition: $18,701
Grades: PreK-8
Students: 72
Head of School: Claudia Porter
Queen of Angels Catholic School 11340 Woodstock Road Roswell 30075
770-518-1804
www.qaschool.org
Tuition: $7,250
Grades: K-8
Students: 504
Principal: Molly Carlin
Riverside Military Academy 2001 Riverside Drive Gainesville 30501 770-532-6251
www.riversidemilitary.com
Tuition: $18,575-$30,950
Grades: 7-12
Students: 450
President: Dr. James Benson
Schenck School, The 282 Mt. Paran Road NW Atlanta 30327
404-252-2591
www.schenck.org
Tuition: $27,950
Grades: K-6
Students: 250
Head of School: Gena W. Calloway
Shiloh Hills Christian School 260 Hawkins Store Road Kennesaw 30144 770-926-7729
www.shilohhills.com
Tuition: $3,135-$7,365
Grades: K3-12
Students: 250
Principal: Terry Sarrant
Shreiner Academy 1340 Terrell Mill Road Marietta 30067 770-953-1340
www.shreiner.com
Tuition: N/A
Grades: 2K-8
Students: 200
Head of School: Sarah Walker
Sophia Academy 2880 Dresden Drive Atlanta 30341
404-303-8722
www.sophiaacademy.org
Tuition: $11,800-$17,000
Grades: PreK-12
Students: 90
Director: Marie S. Corrigan
St. Francis Day School 9375 Willeo Road Roswell 30075 770-641-8257
www.saintfrancisschools.com
Tuition: $9,500-$16,500
Grades: K-8
Students: 500
Admissions: Ellen Brown
St. Francis High School 13440 Cogburn Road
Alpharetta 30004
678-339-9989
www.saintfrancisschools.com
Tuition: $17,500-$18,980
Grades: 9-12
Students: 260
Principal: Colette Stoak
St. Joseph Catholic School 81 Lacy Street Marietta 30060
770-428-3328
www.stjosephschool.org
Tuition:$5,966-$7,756
Grades: K-8
Students: 490
Principal: Patricia Allen
St. Jude the Apostle School 7171 Glenridge Drive NE Atlanta 30328
770-394-2880
www.saintjude.net
Tuition: $7,480-$9,040
Grades: K-8
Students: 523
Principal: Patty Childs
St. Martin’s Episcopal School
3110-A Ashford Dunwoody Rd
Atlanta 30319
404-237-4260
www.stmartinschool.org
Tuition: $10,250-$17,400
Grades: PreK3-8
Students: 600
Headmaster: Dr. James E. Hamner
Swift School, The 300 Grimes Bridge Road Roswell 30075
678-205-4988
www.theswiftschool.org
Tuition: $22,350-$22,750
Grades: 1-8
Students: 215
Head of School: Richard J. Wendlek
Trinity School 4301 Northside Parkway Atlanta 30327
404-231-8118
www.trinityatl.org
Tuition: $14,475-$20,425
Grades: 3yrs-6
Students: 643
Head of School: Joe Marshall
PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE
Walker School, The 700 Cobb Parkway North Marietta 30062
678-581-6921
www.thewalkerschool.org
Tuition: $10,730-$19,190
Grades: PreK-12
Students: 1,000
Head of School: Jack Hall
Weber School, The 6751 Roswell Road Atlanta 30328
404-917-2500
www.weberschool.org
Tuition: $23,645
Grades: 9-12
Students: 225
Head of School: Sim Pearl
Westminster Schools, The 1424 West Paces Ferry Road Atlanta 30327
404-355-8673
www.westminster.net
Tuition: $20,165-$23,385
Grades: 6-12
Students: 1,855
President: William Clarkson IV
Whitefield Academy 1 Whitefield Drive Mableton 30126
678-305-3000
www.whitefieldacademy.com
Tuition: $9,730-$19,410
Grades: PreK4-12
Students: 686
Wood Acres School, The 1772 Johnson Ferry Road Marietta 30062
