Education and Schools in Atlanta

The standard of education and schools in Atlanta largely varies depending on where in the city a school is located. Although the city boasts an over 80 percent high school graduation rate, some public schools in the city face challenges such as limited access to resources, leading to lower education standards. 

The Atlanta public schooling system is managed by the Atlanta Board of Education. Schools in Atlanta consist of public, charter, private and international schools. As with the rest of the US, the Georgia schooling system is divided into three levels:

• Elementary school – Kindergarten to Grade 5
• Middle school – Grade 6 to Grade 8
• High school – Grade 9 to Grade 12

Education and Schools in the USA has more information on the national education system. 

Public schools in Atlanta

The majority of children in Georgia State are enrolled in the public schooling system, and it is not uncommon for new arrivals to send their children to a local public school in Atlanta. 

Placement at a public school is determined by where the family lives, so those with children will want to ensure that they move to a good school district. The Atlanta Public School District (APS) is the largest district in the City of Atlanta, serving more than 52,000 students. 

Schools within the APS follow the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) and provide a robust, practical, and experience-based curriculum that aligns with student needs through regular assessment. 

Charter schools

Charter schools are a subset of public schools governed by a non-profit board operating on a performance-based contract with the government. Though charter schools are bound to the American curriculum, they have more flexibility than regular public schools and can determine their own policies and teaching style. These schools generally achieve good academic results.

Magnet schools

Like charter schools, magnet schools are funded by the state. That said, magnet schools are not bound by the US curriculum and are instead able to develop their own. Each magnet school typically focuses on a specialised subject area, such as science, the performing arts or languages.

Useful links

• Atlanta Public Schools District

Private and international schools in Atlanta

There are many good private schools in Atlanta, including single-sex schools and schools with a religious affiliation. There are also one or two international schools in Georgia that offer the International Baccalaureate curriculum, including the Atlanta International School, a private elementary, middle and high school.

Education at private and international schools comes at a high price, and each school has its own admission requirements, which may involve tests and personal interviews. Competition for a place at the best private and international schools can be fierce, so parents should apply well in advance, as places may be limited.

Best International Schools in Atlanta

Useful links

• Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools 

Special educational needs in Atlanta

The US education system is generally well equipped to accommodate students with learning and developmental disabilities. Multiple federal and state laws ensure that children with disabilities have fair access to quality education at no cost.

Both public and private schools have special programmes to support students with learning difficulties. In cases where a person’s disability is too severe for them to benefit from mainstream education, several special education facilities can offer students with special needs a programme tailored to meet their specific requirements.

Useful links

• Atlanta Public Schools – Exceptional Education

Tutors in Atlanta

Whether a child has fallen behind in maths class or needs additional support to excel in the SATs, a tutor can be a valuable assistant.

Parents can start by asking the child’s school or other local parents for a recommendation. Alternatively, you could use the services of an established tutoring service. These companies, such as Dynamis Learning, offer various packages from subject-specific intensive programmes to one-to-one home tuition and small group sessions.

Enlisting the services of a private tutor is an excellent opportunity for students to address any gaps in their knowledge, excel at a certain subject, or simply build confidence in their own abilities.

Useful links

• Dynamis Learning
• Vision Tutoring Educational Foundation
• Ivy Tutors Network