I called because I wanted information about the school for my son and the receptionist gave me a…read moreshort version and hung up in my face like she wasn't interested in giving me information. Very rude

This is one of the most sought after elementary schools (according to real estate agents). It has…read more32 open classrooms (most don't have all 4 walls and instead have rolling pods and bookshelves for dividers) for K-5th with one class for pre-K. They recently built a new playground and gym in the past ten years - when I was there we had to do chair aerobics in the cafeteria on rainy days because there was no gym. The teachers and administrators continue teaching here for years because of the great support from the parents in the area. Classrooms are never overcrowded, and I can't recall a time when they had to use trailers. It's my dear alma mater and there is nothing bad I could say about this school; most of my great childhood memories took place here - the spring festivals, field days, sock-hops, and fall carnivals.

This is a fantastic school!! There is an international community that is unparalleled at other…read moreprivate schools in Atlanta. The school is adding a 3-year-old immersion preschool program in Fall 2012. They also have 4- and 5-year old Kindergarten and 1st through 12th grade following the International Baccalaureate program. It is a beautiful campus and getting better all the time!

From the owner: Atlanta International School offers all three International Baccalaureate (IB) programs to over…read more1350 U.S. and international students from three-year-old kindergarten to grade 12. Rigorous academics are enriched by a world-class language acquisition program, which begins with a full-immersion preschool program in Spanish, French and German. The school offers STEM-and STEAM-endorsed and bilingual diplomas in addition to the prestigious IB diploma. Beyond the classroom, AIS students participate in award-winning performing and fine arts opportunities, competitive athletics and global experiential learning.

1,000. Days? Meals?…read moreFriends? . . . Reviews?? How to mark a relatively minor yet personally important milestone? I didn't want to just do an *average* review, nor did I want to be so aggrandizing as to create a new "listing" of my own Yelp life. [I did think about that one, though...]. Then it hit me: where it all began. Sure, I didn't start at Westminster til 6th grade (that little spurt in Chatt for preschool then another Atlanta private school came before) but it is the most formative educational experience of my life. Even - I think - more than UVA. What I learned, from the "Christian preparatory school for boys and girls" [Note: the specifically Christian part has changed since I was there in the 80s and 90s] is . . . hard to concisely explain [there are some negatives, which I will also mention]. Highlights: *How to think. My parents planted this seed early and they wisely knew I should be in a place where I was challenged, motivated, and importantly - intrigued. *How to create. So many friends have gone on to do amazingly creative, artistically or otherwise, things [see John Pringle http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=john+pringle+wednesday+with+steve+mcqueen&FORM=VRMATS&mmalsid=&mmsosid=385bcb7f-e962-3d3d-e30d-9cf6536fea31&crslsl=0 and Rob Lathan - http://www.roblathan.com/ Zach Hanks http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1189565/bio, just to name three . . .] *The dynamics of social hierarchy: put a lot of bright kids together - and I assure you not all rich WASPy kids - and you've got to learn some social skills, life tactics, motivation . . . [negatives: much like any JH and HS environments, cliques, snottiness, general *rivalries* exist] *Exposure to language and travel. From JH language classes and my first real foray abroad with my French class in 8th grade (I ultimately ended up with enough scores and credits to place out of any college requirements) to trips like Young Life's Western Tour that took us to TX, CO, Mexico, CA and back, with lots of stops in between (Have you climbed Half Dome? Pretty awesome). *The advantages to having so many interests at your use (and waiting or required, depending) - language! science! theater! oh my . . . *An athletic environment par none in Atlanta at my time, and amazingly even better now (and, frankly all "extra-curricular" outlets are as well- have you ever been forced to do a swing jump then safety catch as part of your high school curriculum? Didn't think so - oh, and I had to do mine in a cheerleading skirt). *Simply outstanding teachers (97.2% of the time) [Some pretty stern faculty members-in-charge could use a reset] *Wayyyy big preparation for college - I (and many of my classmates) say Westminster was more challenging than college (and we went to places like UVA, UNC, Dartmouth, Princeton, etc...) Negatives, so to speak, other than I have noted above? Intense competition and pressure; example: a typical weeknight for me as a high school sophomore was two hours of [cross country/cheerleading/tennis] practice, then homework from 8-11 pm, back up at 630 am. Varsity athletes who were also striving to keep being honor students did this every day, every week. Even Type As like me were . . . working hard and beyond. Social pressure - the flip side of acquiring those adult social skills. It's going to be in any Jr High or High School world, but it is amplified in such a brilliant environment. The Type Bs, so to speak - there for family reasons, because it is a phenomenal school, because . . .a really tough place to be as a kid and teen. Super spendy. A smart kid can learn well and go on to do well, regardless of their surroundings, but this kind comes at a price, which I believe is worth it, but it's a pretty big one in terms of dollars. Bottom line? I wouldn't trade it - the experience, the education, the whole shebang - for anything. As much as this smart, Type A, blonde cheerleading captain, WASP girl might have "fit in" and "excelled" - despite the expectations and challenges, on many levels, it is a privilege to go to a place like Westminster for education and way more. And a lot of other kids, different than me - can feel the exact same way. My parents didn't do everything right for sure, but they are the ones who made sure my hide was in that chair in Mrs. Norman's 6th grade English class, and taught me all about diagramming sentences. Part of why I get to write my 1,000th review. Exit, Stage Left.

The Westminster Schools is a private K-12 Christian school in the heart of Atlanta's Buckhead…read moreneighborhood. If you go on their website, you can find the facts that almost speak for themselves: stellar college placements, consistent state champions on a variety of teams, and a campus that rivals many liberal arts colleges. Beyond all of that, however, this is where I learned to study hard and grow as a human being. The religious nature of the school allowed me to gain a comprehensive education in Christianity, and the teachers here are second to none. Even five years out, I still keep in touch with many of them. The price tag is steep, and the social and academic pressure is high, but Westminster gave me a middle school and high school education that made me who I am today. For that, I thank you. Five stars cannot cover what I learned here.

I am extremely disappointed in the conversation I had with the director of Springmont. I initially…read morereached out via email to discuss our unique scheduling situation with my children. We discussed the months we would be living in Atlanta, that I was interested in having them in the summer program, and that my oldest was not currently enrolled in a montessori program (he is only 4). We scheduled a call as I am not currently living in the area. I had to email the director the day of to see if she was still available for a call. Atlanta was on a weather closure but the director never communicated this to me. We rescheduled for a couple days later. The entire phone call consisted of why my children could not attend (we aren't currently enrolled, I could not start that late in the semester, they are not current montessori students etc). All of her reasonings for why my children would not be accepted at Springmont were topics discussed via email. Not only did she waste my time by not cancelling the initial call, she wasted my time with questions that were incorrectly answered via the initial email communication. I would not write a check to this school nor would I trust this director and her unprofessionalism with my children.

Our son went to Springmont when it was called First Montessori of Atlanta. He had attended Sarah…read moreSmith in elementary school and we were not sure that Sutton was a good fit for him so we did a tour of FMSA, which happened to be on the day of their 6th year presentations. We were blown away at how composed, articulate, and kind the students were. Each child did a 20 minutes PowerPoint presentation in front of 50 people with poise and aplomb. The A/V went out during one presentation and the other kids swooped in to the rescue, fixing the problem. Our son was unusual because most kids grew up in the Montessori system where he did not. He thrived from day one and became an ambassador for the school. He would tell the other kids that they did not realize how lucky they were. He spent 3 years at the school and was reading at the level of a sophomore in college when he was in 8th grade. (He didn't know that....the beauty of Montessori is you are never ever bored). He learned how to mediate disagreements, he worked on a farm at the land school, hanging drywall, he ran a school lunch program and blossomed into a confident, poised young man. I cannot say enough good things about this school. I wish that I had gone to Montessori; it is that impressive.

Our kids began St Francis in 2021 (5th & 6th grades) and it has been life-changing. It's truly a…read morehidden gem for families seeking a college preparatory education in a welcoming, structured environment. With varied academic levels--including AP, Honors, and two tiers of College Prep, students are both challenged and supported, allowing every student to thrive & receive the individual attention they deserve. Our son struggles with executive functioning and has thrived with the supportive routines; our daughter, a more typical learner, has also excelled. The curriculum is intentionally process-oriented, broken down into manageable segments so students gain mastery, not just memorization. There's a strong emphasis on organizational skills, note-taking (Cornell method), research skills, and effective study habits. The mandatory "Homework Hour" and use of assignment planners help students build discipline and self-reliance; as parents, we appreciate that most homework is completed at school. It's an excellent fit for students with dyslexia or ADHD, but also offers plenty of challenge--including Honors and AP options, for academically advanced or typical learners. St Francis sets high, but appropriate, expectations for all. A previous post mentioned the point system. This system is an amazing way to help students with accountability. The post mentioned 3-10 kids per week that might have to wear the uniform on Fridays. This point system is at the K-8 campus. That equates to about 1-2% of the kids each week. That means ~99% get their homework completed each night and don't have a behavior issue at school. We have not experienced any vaping or bullying, the staff, creates a safe community. Students and staff are respectful and kind. Both staff and admin are accessible, present on campus, and genuinely care about each child. Our experience with the school's college guidance program has been especially impressive; counselors work closely with students to chart a successful course to their desired college. If there's a weakness, it's that the campus buildings and grounds aren't new and flashy. It's important for prospective families to know that the academic excellence and caring community here far outweigh how our campus compares to some of the other newer private school campuses. If you're searching for a school that prioritizes strong values and a college preparatory path, St Francis deserves your attention. We are deeply invested in this community, and are grateful every day for what this school offers. St Francis is one of those rare places where students are truly known, respected, and equipped with the habits and confidence needed for lifelong success. We love St. Francis and are proud to recommend it wholeheartedly!

don't come here, or send your kids here. it will physically and mentally drain the crap out of you…read more this school advertises unity and community, but that couldn't be farther then the truth. the stuff cares about anything but your self worth and your well being. They don't care about how your doing mentally or physically. The counsalrs don't do crap. don't just come here because it's "fancy" or "collage prep" Because that said "collage prep," is just making you work harder in school during summer just so the staff can get a extra pay check. if you want your kids to feel good about them selves, don't send them here. Bullying= they don't help. waste of time and money. do better SFHS

Your review helps others learn about great local businesses…read more Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employer I think Galloway is a great school for Liberal Arts not being a liberal. My daughter loves the way the teachers teach and allow you to express your thoughts and approach to life. Yes, Galloway has an open way to accept everyone. I think it's great because some of the other independent schools don't. Minority students have a hard time adjusting to the culture/environment of the school. The administration listen to everyone whether you have money or not. If you are a family that gets involved and take pride in your children education, they listen to your comments and suggestions. Some schools don't listen to anything the parents have to say because it's tradition. "This is the way we always did it speech" comes after you make a suggestion about the school. At Galloway, the community helps shape the educational climate. I love it. The new concepts and theme of our school explains who we are. At Galloway, we do 4d learning which touches four areas which are daring, deliberate, dynamic, and discovery. if you don't want your children to explore learning and not do traditional learning. Galloway is for you!

I went to Galloway from K-12, so this comes from a very long firsthand experience. There are…read moredefinitely positives: it is a kind, supportive environment, the teachers generally care, and the school does a good job making students feel seen as individuals. I understand why a lot of Buckhead families are drawn to it. That said, looking back as an adult, I do not feel like it prepared me especially well for real life. There was a lot of emphasis on "be your best self," which sounds good on paper, but in my experience there was less emphasis on discipline, toughness, accountability, and the kind of academic rigor that actually helps once you leave a protected school environment. It helped get me into Alabama, but I was not especially well prepared once I got there, and that became obvious pretty quickly. Now I work in residential real estate, and while I do fine, it is not exactly the kind of challenging or deeply fulfilling professional path I once thought a school like Galloway was preparing me for. It is a very relationship-driven job with long hours, and if I am being honest, a lot of where I landed had more to do with family connections than with any real edge the school gave me. That is the part I think prospective families should think about. Galloway was good at making students feel comfortable and affirmed. I am less convinced it was good at pushing them hard enough to thrive on their own later.

My favorite elementary school so far!!! The principal and staff are highly involved and CARING!!…read moreThat is what a school is suppose to be an extended family.

My daughter has been going here since kindergarten. Awesome school and awesome staff. It's one of…read morethe best rated schools in the area. If you're looking for a good school for your kids enroll them here.

For 12 years HSP was home away from home. The staff and families became some of my closest…read morefriends, many of which I still consider friends. It was enjoyable being part of watching this institution grow and develop, as the students grew and developed into young adults that we all could be proud of. I miss them everyday, but carry them in my heart always!

We have been part of the HSP community for over ten years. Magnificent community, superb education…read more The HSP motto "to serve, not to be served" is reinforced daily. Our children are thriving in this environment and as a result, we as parents have learned so much and grown spiritually as well.