Private Schools near Vinings (Atlanta, Smyrna: elementary schools, live, cost)

[JohnsonAJDP]

I will be moving to Atlanta the first part of 2011. I will work in Vinings and will live there also. I will send my kids to private schools in order to be close to work and avoid a long commute. Money is not an issue as my company will pick-up tuition. Kids will be in 11th and 9th grade for the start of the 2011 school year. My kids are above average in intelligence but certainly not genius level. My son would be absolutely miserable in a tie but could force one on him if that is the only option. Does a laid-back private school exist in Atlanta?

[spacelord75]

I know of 3 in the immediate area - Lovett (literally right across the river), Pace (further into Buckhead) and Whitfield (to the west on the Smyrna/Mableton border). I can't speak to anything about the culture or curriculum.

[stvincent]

The Lovett School is the most popular private school for Vinings because the school sits on the border of Buckhead and Vinings, on the Buckhead side. Westminster is also very popular.

Also, Buckhead private schools are not going to have a "laid back" feeling. They are some of the most prestigious private schools in the Southeast. And with alot of students who are born into money and do not venture outside upper class inner Perimeter communities (Buckhead Bubble). You would find the disconnect between the real world and these students reality to be astounding.

Galloway by Chastain Park would have the most laid back feeling. Very good school too. Since your kids are not in high school yet, you could consider moving to the west side of Buckhead(very close to Vinings) and put them in public school. The elementary schools in Buckhead(Jackson, Brandon, Smith) are second to none, imho. Sutton Middle, serving the entire Buckhead area offers a top notch education as well on par with the privates but without the cost. I know cost will no be an issue for you but suggesting getting into a good public district because alot of private schools aren't going to accept you mid school year.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by stvincent

The Lovett School is the most popular private school for Vinings because the school sits on the border of Buckhead and Vinings, on the Buckhead side. Westminster is also very popular.

Also, Buckhead private schools are not going to have a "laid back" feeling. They are some of the most prestigious private schools in the Southeast. And with alot of students who are born into money and do not venture outside upper class inner Perimeter communities (Buckhead Bubble). You would find the disconnect between the real world and these students reality to be astounding.

Galloway by Chastain Park would have the most laid back feeling. Very good school too. Since your kids are not in high school yet, you could consider moving to the west side of Buckhead(very close to Vinings) and put them in public school. The elementary schools in Buckhead(Jackson, Brandon, Smith) are second to none, imho. Sutton Middle, serving the entire Buckhead area offers a top notch education as well on par with the privates but without the cost. I know cost will no be an issue for you but suggesting getting into a good public district because alot of private schools aren't going to accept you mid school year.

His/her kids actually are in high school--going into 11th and 9th grade.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by JohnsonAJDP

I will be moving to Atlanta the first part of 2011. I will work in Vinings and will live there also. I will send my kids to private schools in order to be close to work and avoid a long commute. Money is not an issue as my company will pick-up tuition. Kids will be in 11th and 9th grade for the start of the 2011 school year. My kids are above average in intelligence but certainly not genius level. My son would be absolutely miserable in a tie but could force one on him if that is the only option. Does a laid-back private school exist in Atlanta?

The southern part of East Cobb is very close to Vinings. East Cobb has outstanding schools. This could be an excellent public high school option for you and your children--while still having a short commute to your work in Vinings.


The southern part of East Cobb would be the Wheeler High School or Walton High School districts--two superb high schools.


http://www.cobbk12.org/centraloffice/planning/2010-11AttendanceZones_High.pdf (broken link)

[George Chong]

I second The Galloway School: Home

However, class sizes are small and I don't know how many slots are open/available.

[stvincent]

Originally Posted by aries4118

His/her kids actually are in high school--going into 11th and 9th grade.

For some reason I was thinking 11 and 9 years old.

[JohnsonAJDP]

Thanks for all of you who replied. St.Vincent you hit my concerns right on the head. I have always supported good public schools and should stay on this course. I appreciate my employer's offer to cover private schools but will focus my attention more on the Pope / Walton high school areas.

[K'ledgeBldr]

If you want to base your criteria on SAT scores-
Westminster- 2000+
Metro Atlanta (fulton, Cobb, Dekalb, Gwinnett, etc)- 1400-1750
out of a possible 2400.
I'm glad Westminster got a plug on C-D. I boarded there my first two years of HS and summer school. It was a great learning and growing experience. The boarding is now gone but, I'm sure it's still a great experience.

[roxyrn]

Visit both private and public schools that you are considering and then determine which "feels" best for your family. I have had kids in a variety of schools, public and private. Some public schools are as "uptight" as the private and some private are more "laid back" than the public. The most important thing is that your kids do not feel out of place because moving to a new high school is difficult enough. Also look at the extracurricular activities that your kids are involved in because some schools may not offer them or you could find others that have fantastic programs.