City: Atlanta, GA

Category: Education

Telephone: (770) 457-7201

Address: 3790 Ashford Dunwoody Rd. NE

Description: This private Catholic college-preparatory school educates 1,071 students in grades 7 through 12. Founded in 1901, Marist was originally in Downtown Atlanta but relocated to its present 57-acre campus in 1962. Owned and operated by the Society of Mary, a Roman Catholic religious order of priests and brothers, the Marists and their board of trustees have made a commitment to maintain diversity by limiting Catholic admissions to a maximum of 75 percent. The remaining 25 percent is open to students of other faiths. The staff includes 101 full-time classroom teachers, plus administrators, librarians, guidance counselors, and campus ministers. More than three-quarters of the staff hold advanced degrees. About 20 advanced placement classes are offered. In 2008, Marist had 13 National Merit semifinalists