Education and Schools in Atlanta

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

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 schooling district.

Charter schools

Charter schools are a subset of public schools governed by a non-profit board and 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 are able to 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. However, 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.

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 the state of 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 and parents should apply well in advance as places may be limited.

Special-needs education in Atlanta

The education system in America, generally, is well equipped to provide for students with learning and developmental disabilities. There are multiple federal and state laws in place to ensure that children with disabilities have fair access to quality education at no cost.

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

Tutors in Atlanta

Whether a child has fallen behind in maths class or is in need of additional support to excel in their SATs, a tutor can be a valuable assistant.

Parents can start by asking the child’s school or other parents in the area for a recommendation. Alternatively, one could utilise the services of established tutoring services. These companies, such as Higher Ground Pret, offer an array of 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.