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January 2018 / atlantaparent.com
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counterpane montessori preschool - high school
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fernbank science center 156 heaton park drive • atlanta 30307
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AtlantaDanceandMusic.com 404-877-0005
StonehavenSchool.org 770-874-8885
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myinneractions.com 770-726-9624
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Inside 34 January
YEARS OF ATLANTA PARENT
Features
12 15
Departments 8 Publisher’s Note
Need More Time?
Find precious extra hours in the day with our time-saving shortcuts – then take a break to play with or read to your children.
Parenting Rules to (Sometimes) Break
Being a good parent doesn’t mean you must rigidly follow all the rules. Here are some you can occasionally break.
16 18
PAGE
23
Setting Expectations
All parents want to raise responsible kids. Find out which basic skills need to be learned by age 10.
Kids in the Kitchen
Chopping, sautéing and baking are all techniques young kids can master when taking cooking classes. Plus, meet four young chefs who cook beyond the average dish.
Our A+ School Guide
From preschool to the countdown to college, there’s something for everyone in our comprehensive school guide. Learn how online communication is a great tool for parents and teachers. Find out how to make math fun and why some parents are questioning the necessity of homework.
10
Good Stuff
Things we like
98 For the Fridge
Words of humor & wisdom
Family Fun Guide 83
Not-to-Miss Events
84 Four Ways for Winter Fun
85 Camp
Expos; Mark Your Calendar
86
Indoor Play at the Mall
88
10 Slurp-Worthy Places for Soup
89 MLK Events 90
Working Tours Around Atlanta
92
January Calendar
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Magazine Association of the Southeast
2013 Award Winner atlantaparent.com
Like us on Facebook; facebook.com/ AtlantaParentMagazine January 2018 Atlanta Parent 5
PUBLISHER Liz White
lwhite@atlantaparent.com ASSOCIATE Laura Powell PUBLISHER lpowell@atlantaparent.com
ACCOUNT Carolyn Haushalter EXECUTIVE chaushalter@atlantaparent.com
ACCOUNT Maribeth Madden EXECUTIVE mmadden@atlantaparent.com
ACCOUNT Jennifer Pollack EXECUTIVE jpollack@atlantaparent.com CONTRIBUTING Amanda Miller Allen EDITOR STAFF Teresa Farkas WRITER tfarkas@atlantaparent.com
EDITORIAL Sheri Taylor-Emery ART DIRECTOR creative@atlantaparent.com
A GIFT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Make 2018 your family's healthiest year ever. Give the whole family an Atlanta Track Club membership. You'll receive: - 19 free kids races - Free Mizuno T-shirts for each family member - Free entry into select Atlanta Track Club events - And more!
PRODUCTION Robin Mintz
OPERATIONS Caroline Ward MANAGER cward@atlantaparent.com ADMINISTRATIVE Amelia Ramirez ASSISTANT
MARKETING MOM Felicia Barman
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Atlanta Parent magazine is published monthly by Atlanta Parent, Inc., 2346 Perimeter Park Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30341. Telephone 770-454-7599, Fax 770-454-7699. Atlanta Parent magazine is available free of charge at more than 1,000 locations throughout the metro Atlanta area. First class subscription only $30 per year. Subscription orders must include check or money order made out to Atlanta Parent magazine. Atlanta Parent magazine welcomes letters, articles, artwork and photographs from its readers and the community. Atlanta Parent magazine is not responsible for the return of unsolicited materials. All rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or in part, is prohibited without written permission.
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MOST-READ STORIES Best Ice Skating Rinks Around Atlanta Get Splashed: Indoor Water Parks Around Atlanta Ready, Set, Ski: Visit Colorado for a Memorable Ski Experience
Facebook Feedback Not that we ever do, but let’s say you need to get them to do something. How do you bribe your kids?
KIDFRIENDLY GUIDES
Best Kid-Friendly Mexican Restaurants Around Atlanta Best Travel Destinations with Kids Near Atlanta and Beyond 2018 Guide to School Tours and Open Houses in Atlanta
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Keep an eye out for our #AtlantaParentContest every week on Facebook. This month, we will be giving away tickets to Center for Puppetry Arts Rainforest Adventures show, Fernbank Museum and more.
“We say ‘Let’s make a deal’ and offer her delayed gratification in some way if she does what we ask her to do. Usually it’s watching something, but it’s been known to work with just about anything that she really likes. Timers are also our saving grace often!” – Becca Mortensen ”iPhone or iPad time and Halloween candy (until it runs out).” – Rebecca Farrell “Special treats and special events or activities.” – Ayaana Johnson
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 7
Publisher’s Note More Time to Play in 2018!
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For most parents, January is a time for looking ahead – not hours of contemplation about the past year – but a brief assessment of highlights and challenges to consider in the coming year. This year, I hope to create more time for myself. Our story, “Make the Most of Your Time” (Page 12) provides shortcuts and ideas to find time to do the fun stuff – read with your children, go to the playground, bicycle in the neighborhood, grab an hour for yourself and have lunch with a friend. You may even enjoy sitting down and watching a TV show with the kids. For some ideas on what to watch, check our story “Kids’ TV Shows Parents Also Love” (Page 9 and also online at atlantaparent. com/ kids-tv-shows-parents-love). Another option is fun in the kitchen, cooking with your kids. Find cooking classes for the kids, from preschoolers to teens, or classes where the family can cook together in our story, “Kids in the Kitchen” (Page 18). We also profile four amazing young chefs who are passionate about cooking and give you some ideas on how to get your own kids interested. January is a good time for a fresh start to the school year. Are you looking for advice on choosing an area school? Our A+ Education Guide has plenty of information to help you set a path for success. “The Homework Debate” (Page 32) helps you and your child seek balance with homework. “Making Math Fun” (Page 46) is just that – using math in everyday life to make it more interesting than simply problem-solving on a sheet of paper. As the old year ended, you probably saw quotes about the futility of trying to change the past. I like the one that focuses on the future: “You can only change the present one moment at a time, stubbornly, until the future unwinds itself into the stories of our lives.” It’s time to start that first chapter. Associate Publisher
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Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Super Why!
Kids’ TV Shows
Parents Will Also Love by Dalia Faupel l Julie’s
Greenroom
Who doesn’t love Julie Andrews? And don’t we all have a soft spot for Jim Henson puppets? Put those both together and you’ve got a charming show about the magic of performing arts. Puppet kids Fizz, Spike, Hank, Riley and Peri have the great fortune to be mentored by the legendary Andrews, plus special guest stars, who teach and encourage these Greenies as they create art. Netflix l Team
Umizoomi
First off, the name is just plain fun to say. This team of siblings and their friendly robot (Bot) help fellow kids in Umi City with math problems, teaching viewers basic concepts along the way. Episodes tackle counting, sequencing, measuring, shapes and patterns while showing how math really does apply to the real (or fictitious) world around us. Nick Jr. l Sarah
and Duck
The recipe is simple: a girl, a duck, and a whole lot of heart. Sarah (age 7) and her best friend Duck explore the world together in this BBC import with British accents. Their adventures demonstrate the importance and value of friendship, using imagination and problem-solving. Netflix
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When it’s time to snuggle up for some QTT (Quality TV Time), wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy the show your kid just has to watch? We think so. Here are some top picks for kid-pleasing shows on TV, Netflix, Amazon and cable that parents will also enjoy.
l Super
Why!
One of the best shows about reading, and developing a love of reading Super Why! (Wyatt) and pals look in a book often to solve problems. Encountering classic fairy tale characters, the friends explore concepts of friendship and teamwork and demonstrate what’s so great about books. The best part? After it’s over, it’s an easy transition from TV time to reading time! PBS, Netflix
l Octonauts
l Yo
Based on the American-Canadian children’s book series, this British animated show follows the adventures of the Octonauts, a group of eight underwater animals. Trekkies can appreciate the exploration of new aquatic worlds and the crew’s save-the-day attitude. Episode topics are based on real marine animals and their habitats and encourage environmental care of sea life and oceans along with imaginative play. Netflix, Disney Jr. online
DJ Lance Rock and crew really do rock. This quirky show features five friendly monsters and a mix of animation, live action and musical guest stars. Each episode covers a single topic, like friends or dance, and encourages singing and dancing along with lessons about life and social skills told through song, like the popular, “Don’t Bite Your Friends.” Netflix
l Daniel
Tiger’s Neighborhood
If you have fond memories of Mr. Rogers, you might remember the Neighborhood of Make Believe from his show was the birthplace of Daniel and friends. Daniel speaks directly to the viewers of this show, making it easy for parents and kids to “talk with” him. Also, the musical elements used in the show to reinforce themes are so catchy you won’t mind that you’ll be humming them later. PBS
Gabba Gabba
l Tumble
Leaf
Science! Finally, an animated children’s show about science that isn’t too classroom-ish. A small blue fox named Fig explores his fictional world through play, learning about simple scientific topics like shadows and pulleys. He and his pals are fun to watch, and each episode is divided into two 11-minute stories, so it’s easy to pause and pick up later when you have other things going on. Amazon
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 9
by Teresa Farkas
Good StUff
THINGS WE LIKE
Hair Tie Bracelets Maria Shireen developed a way to solve the hair tie on the wrist look, by turning it into a bracelet. The bracelets come in a variety of finishes and designs, and each one can discreetly hold a hair tie in the middle. There is even a colorful girl and teen collection made from plastic. Available at mariashireen.com. Prices vary.
Stock up on Thin Mints and Tagalongs Girl Scout cookie sales begin Jan. 1 for $4 per box and $6 per box of the gluten-free and S’mores variety. Visit girlscoutsatl.org to learn more about Girl Scouts and find cookies in your neighborhood by entering your zip code.
Discount to New Indoor Waterpark The Great Wolf Lodge is opening in LaGrange in May, and will bring so many ways to splash, slide and swim included in your stay. Now until Jan. 31, your family can receive 30 percent off ticket prices. Visit greatwolf.com/georgia/deals/grand-opening-offer.
Stylish Play Mats There is now an updated version to the primary-colored foam play mats. Little Nomad makes play mats in varying mostly neutral colors and patterns to match the décor of your home. Available at littlenomad.com for $99 and up.
10 Atlanta Parent January 2018
Soothe Sore Throats When kids have sore throats it isn’t always easy to find a lozenge that is kid-friendly. Lolleez are organic throat-soothing, flat lollipops for kids made with honey and fruit ingredients. They come in strawberry, watermelon and orange mango flavors. Available at Amazon.com, CVS, Babies R Us and Stop & Shop.
atlantaparent.com
Help Active Kids Focus FluidStance created a new type of balance deck just for kids called “The Grade.” This product allows kids to keep moving by balancing or twisting on the board while focusing on their homework or reading. Similar to the adult product, it enables non-distracting motion for active kids. Available at fluidstance.com/ collections/kids for $129.
Build Cardboard Projects “Out of the Box” by Jemma Westing and DK Books includes 25 interactive cardboard model projects based on STEAM initiatives for kids to build. Stepby-step instructions show kids how to make dinosaurs, robots, masks, racecars and more out of recycled materials such as cardboard rolls or boxes. Available at most major retailers and dk.com for $19.99.
Safer Laundry Detergent Usage If ingested, laundry detergent packets can be dangerous for children. The Cleaning Institute recently launched the initiative, PACKETS UP! To remind parents to be mindful when storing laundry detergent packets. The website includes safety videos, posters and more. Visit cleaninginstitute.org/packetsup for more information.
atlantaparent.com
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 11
Make the Most of Your Time!
Wash, Dry, Fold ... faster!
n Wrinkle-Free Clothing: Brands such as Orvis, Old Navy, GAP and L.L. Bean among others make wrinkle-free clothing for adults and kids. This includes shirts, button downs and pants that don’t wrinkle for faster time out the door. n No More Ironing: Wrinkle-release spray (such as Downy) is a great time saver. Investing in a more heavy duty stand-up steamer or smaller hand-held steamer can also make this process faster. n Purchase Same-Color Socks: If you have trouble with the kids digging through the sock drawer to find matching socks, eliminate this problem by buying all white ones, or all black or all pink – just make sure each kid has one color.
Hire someone to do the work
Sometimes replacing ceiling fans or doing your own yard work takes more time than you have in a week. Consider spending the money for help and using this time with family or doing other tasks.
by Teresa Farkas and Amanda Miller Allen
If there’s not enough time in the day, let’s change the way we prioritize those precious hours. Here’s how.
12 Atlanta Parent January 2018
Let a Bot clean your floors
Try a robot vacuum such as the iRobot Roomba (irobot.com for $299.99 and up) or the Samsung Powerbot (samsung. com for $349 and up); these products clean carpets and bare floors while you are away or busy with the kids.
atlantaparent.com
Make-Ahead Smoothies
Never tie your sneakers again
Hickies are plastic laces that turn tie shoes into slip-ons so you’re ready to go in a flash. hickies.com
Did you know a standard Mason jar fits on the top of your blender? Pour in frozen fruits and veggies and freeze, with a tight turn to the lid. When family members are ready to make a smoothie, they remove the lid and pour in milk or yogurt and place on the blender. This makes for easy cleanup when everyone wants his own flavor.
Learn to say no. You can do it. Repeat after me. No.
Politely refuse any non-critical activity that interferes with your goals. Decline to serve on that school committee or be the classroom mom if you want to spend time elsewhere. Don’t overschedule kids and help them pick one extracurricular activity, not two or more per season.
Hit pause on technology
Use a timer or set a 15- or 30-minute limit on phone, email, internet and social media timewasters – for yourself, and your kids. Instead of spending time on Facebook, read aloud with the kids before bedtime each night.
Squeeze in some exercise
While the microwave runs or the computer boots up, do jumping jacks, run in place or do squats.
Organize your kids’ bedrooms = time saved Create a space the kids can easily maintain and kids and parents don’t waste time looking for a misplaced item. Atlanta Parent asked Gigi K. Miller, a professional organizer and owner of Vision Organizing (visionorganizing.com), for ideas. n Design a space with kids’ needs in mind: Is it easy for them to access clothes, books, toys? Install or move an existing rod to a lower position in the closet, use open floor bins or stackable drawers to store socks, underwear and T-shirts. n Define your zones: Decide what functions your kids’ rooms need to serve and then define the space into zones. A desk and shelving unit can serve as the homework/reading zone. Bins of toys provide a play zone. n De-clutter their space: Take inventory of toys, clothes, books and everything else in your kids’ rooms. Toss old or broken items out and donate gently used items to charity (keep an empty bag or box in the closet to collect donation items). Use the “one in, one out rule” – one new toy or book means one is donated. n Designate a home for everything: Sort like items together and store them close to where your kids will use them. This goes for clothes, toys, games, and everything else. Use labels or pictures or color code to help younger kids return items to their proper homes. Cont’d on page 14
atlantaparent.com
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 13
Make the Most of Your Time!
Ditch the shopping cart
Have your groceries delivered ...
n AmazonFresh: AmazonFresh is a benefit of Amazon Prime that allows members to place grocery orders for same-day delivery. Once your order is placed, you will receive tracking updates via text message. You’ll be prompted to pick a two-hour delivery window. Yearly: $14.99 per month plus the cost of an Amazon Prime membership. $9.99 delivery fee per order if under $50. amazon.com/AmazonFresh n Instacart: Instacart allows you to pick groceries on the app from Publix, Whole Foods and other local stores, and they are hand-delivered the same day by personal shoppers. First delivery is free; other fees vary by price of groceries. instacart.com n Shipt: Personal shoppers pick your grocery items from Kroger, Publix and Costco and deliver the items to your home. Purchase your membership plan, and shop and pay through the Shipt app. Delivery fees vary depending on price of groceries. shipt.com
Get your family organized
Calendar Apps: Apple and Google calendar apps are great ways to organize family time. Login with your Apple ID and set up a family calendar, you can color code and share via email with others. Login with your Gmail information and access the Google calendar, where you can set up reoccurring appointments (say for dance or baseball practice). Try the free app, Cozi Family Organizer, designed just for families with options to create shopping and chore lists in addition to scheduling activities and appointments. Family Calendars: Try the Amy Knapp Big Grid Family Organizer with extra-large writing space, color-coded stickers and space for family notes and reminders. Another great option is Mom’s Family Calendar by Sandra Boynton with grids organized vertically for each family member’s name and horizontally for days of the month. It also includes a storage pocket for notes and over 500 stickers. Both available at amazon.com for $14.99 each.
... or order online and pick up.
n Kroger ClickList: Ask for a free Kroger card and then create your Kroger account online or download the app to shop online, then schedule a time to pick up your order at the store. For the first three orders, pick up is free. kroger.com/onlineshopping n Walmart Grocery Pick Up: Create a free Walmart account online or download the app, place an order and choose a time for pick up. Check-in when you get close and the app tracks your location so the order will be ready when you arrive. Free same-day pick up. grocery.walmart.com
Need a handyman or housecleaner? There’s an app for that.
Download the free apps Takl or Task Rabbit. After downloading, enter your location and choose from a variety of tasks from housework to yard work or enter a custom task. Choose the day and time you need help (or same day) and pick someone based on their hourly rate. Once the work is complete, the worker gets paid through the app.
WellStar
No wO ffe rin gP ed iatr ic C ard iolo gy
Pediatric Services WellStar Pediatric Center Same-day Appointments Available
WellStar Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
•
Imaging (Joint Commission Accredited)
•
Spine Surgery
•
Pediatric Anesthesia
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Pediatric Anesthesia
•
Lab Services
•
Specialized Nursing
•
Pediatric Physical Therapy
•
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After Hours Care
Pediatric Imaging with Pediatric Radiology
•
WellStar Medical Group, KenMar Pediatrics
•
Pediatric Physical Therapy
•
Additional Pediatric Specialties Including Orthopedics and Cardiology
For more information, please call 678-594-PEDS (7337).
Pediatric Emergency Care •
Available at WellStar Cobb, Douglas, Kennestone and Paulding hospitals
For more information, please call 770-956-STAR (7827). 14 Atlanta Parent January 2018
wellstar.org/forchildren Inpatient pediatric services available at WellStar Kennestone Hospital
wellstar.org/forchildren
atlantaparent.com
by Kerrie McLoughlin
Six Parenting Rules You Can Break
With five children, I can bend a few rules and still be a good parent. See if you don’t agree that these rules can be broken, at least occasionally.
Rule 1
Rule 4
Maybe once a month we’ll have popsicles or ice cream as part of our breakfast. I figure it’s not so different from Pop Tarts or Froot Loops, and ice cream has calcium, which builds strong bones. Follow that bowl of ice cream with some oatmeal or eggs or anything with decent protein.
Parenting experts, who generally either have no kids or a maximum of two kids, as well as the money to pay someone to watch their kid for them, say your kids should only partake in X minutes of screen time per day. In summer, we don’t watch much TV because there’s more daylight and we are outside a ton. In the winter, we hunker down more with movies. Some are educational shows, some are pure brain candy. It all evens out. Sometimes parents need a break to cook or do laundry or make some money for the family.
Always Have a Healthy Breakfast
Rule 2
Eat Before You Play at a Play Restaurant You could go the route of rewarding the kids with play after they eat their entire kids’ meal, which they could lose in the tubes when they get over-zealous. Or you could just let ‘em play for a while and come back to their meal, nibbling a little here and there. (Just sanitize their hands after every play session!) Don’t you have bigger battles to fight?
Rule 3
Never Stray from the Bedtime Routine I’ve had to deal with a kid who did not get enough sleep the night before. I see why you would want your kid in bed at 8 p.m. every single night. You don’t want them sleepy or grumpy. Sometimes it’s fun to let them stay up on weekends, holidays or in the summertime! Go to a drive-in movie that starts at 9 p.m. Go to a friend’s house and stay way past their bedtime if they are playing nicely and having fun. Stay up and read one more chapter of their favorite book. atlantaparent.com
Don’t Make the Screen a Babysitter
Rule 5
Never Climb Up the Slide If your kid is climbing up the slide at the park, another kid can come down and take him out like it’s Human Bowling. I see parents harping on their kids about not climbing up the slide. I love it most when they say loudly, “No, Templeton, WEEEEE don’t climb up the slide. It’s not SAAAAAAAAFE.” Got your message loud and clear. Now move your kid so mine can climb up.
Rule 6
Never Let Your Kids See You Mess Up We should try to be a good example to our kids. We want them to see us being kind, working hard, not texting while driving, all that jazz. But we are not perfect and trying to appear to be is only going to frustrate everyone around us. Instead of covering up my mistakes or ignoring them, I talk to my kids about them. I’m trying to shape them into decent adults who are honest about their shortcomings. January 2018 Atlanta Parent 15
Raising Responsible, by Sarah Lyons
B
y the time your child turns 10, you may have started teaching him responsibilities or may have assigned weekly chores, and started discussing whether he is old enough to stay home alone for short periods. Kids should already have a measure of independence and be ready to take on more responsibilities at age 10. It’s time to think about where you would like your kids to be at age 18 and then make goals to work up to independence as they become adults. Having a vision for where you’re headed helps in knowing what to work on at various ages. What are some basic skills kids can learn before age 10? Here are some ideas: n Household
Tasks
Teach your child some basic household tasks. If you are busy, out of the house, or under the weather, your child should be able to make himself a sandwich, pack a sack lunch for school, and be able to prepare a small meal in the microwave. Teach your kids how to do laundry, run the dishwasher, and clean up a spill.
n Safety Keeping our kids safe is a huge priority for parents. At a young age, we begin to teach our kids how to safely cross the street, ride a bike safety, and to be aware of strangers. By age 10, parents should take it one step further by teaching kids about internet safety and what to do in case of an emergency. They should know how to use the phone and procedures for being home alone or what to do in emergencies. Kids approaching 10 should also know basic first aid and when to call 911.
n Hygiene
and Grooming
Ten-year-olds should understand the importance of good hygiene and how to care for their own body and hair. Frequent showers, proper face and hand washing, and wearing deodorant are good habits to get into as the changing hormones of the teen years approach.
n Budgeting
and Saving
Ten years old is a great time to introduce basic budgeting skills. Kids can learn to pick something out that they would like to purchase, research the cost, and begin saving for it. This helps teach them delayed gratification, the value of the dollar, the reward for hard work, and also how to budget and save for things that they want. This skill will be necessary as they plan for larger purchases as adults.
16 Atlanta Parent January 2018
atlantaparent.com
Independent Kids n Problem
Solving Skills
When presented with a problem, children often look to the adults. Rather than solving the problem, why not let them try to work it out themselves? The problemsolving skills learned early will benefit them as they grow older. You can also present your child with different scenarios and ask them what they would do. Ask your child: If you get lost, what should you do? What if you forget your lunch at home? What if you see another child getting teased? If there is a fire in the house, what should you do? Working through different scenarios and practicing problem-solving skills will help your child build confidence for when they are faced with a problem.
n Value
of Hard Work
Kids need to know the value of hard work, especially as they head off to college or into the workplace. Developing good study habits helps kids learn that their dedication pays off when they receive good grades. To prepare your child for the workforce, assign chores that work toward a family goal, like putting in a garden for everyone to enjoy, or let them save up an allowance for something they would like to purchase to show them the long-term payoff of hard work.
n Proper
Etiquette and Communication
Ten-year-olds should know how to treat other people respectfully, approach adults in public, have proper phone etiquette, know how to shake hands, and express gratitude when someone gives them a gift or is kind. With so much electronic communication, we must teach our children that when having face-to-face conversations, it is polite to use proper language rather than text speak. Ten-year-olds can build confidence in this area by practicing public speaking and participating in sports or recitals.
n Caring
for Others
Kids learn a lot when given the responsibility of taking care of something or someone else. Examples could be a pet, garden or plants, or helping with younger children. This helps teach them responsibility and selflessness.
n Outdoor
Skills
Kids this age can be taught outdoor safety. Fire safety, how to use a map and compass, what poison ivy looks like, and water safety are all good examples. Teaching them these skills encourages them to find outdoor activities that they enjoy. Again, as we face competition with the screen, teaching kids how to be safe when pursuing outdoor activities, may open a love of the outdoors that they have not yet experienced.
n Healthy
Habits
It’s never too early to learn the importance of a healthy diet and routine exercise. While kids may not be preparing entire meals at age 10, they do need to know that potato chips are not a well balanced lunch. Kids should also be able to listen to their bodies so they can tell you if they are unwell and what is wrong. Healthy sleep habits and a good diet can help them perform better in school and improve their mood. Kids should also be able to manage their emotions and calm themselves when needed.
atlantaparent.com
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 17
The Cook’s Warehouse
Kids’ Cooking Classes Young Chefs Academy
by Teresa Farkas
Chopping, sautéing and baking are all techniques chefs learn to master in the kitchen, but you would be impressed by how kids master these skills as well. Help your kids learn kitchen basics and healthy habits by sending them to a metro Atlanta cooking class. They might develop a passion for cooking just like four junior chefs making a name for themselves in Atlanta. 18 Atlanta Parent January 2018
Students learn everything from kitchen safety to baking techniques to table setting. Kids can enroll in weekly cooking classes for beginners or in one of the more in-depth programs such as Junior or Senior Chef classes. The MasterChef program is an opportunity for Junior and Senior chefs to master weekly classes in hopes of earning the elite black chef jacket and becoming a YCA MasterChef. Marietta, Midtown and Sandy Springs. Prices start at $35 per class. To register, visit youngchefsacademy.com/ see-all-locations
Kroger’s Chef Junior Program This program is a cooking class for kids on Saturday mornings at select Atlanta Kroger locations. Each class includes activities such as decorating a cupcake or creating a fruit pizza. Your child will receive a Kroger Chef Junior apron, chef’s hat, cooking utensil, patch and recipe box. In addition, kids will take home a recipe card that includes step-by-step instructions for a more involved cooking experience at home. $7 per class. To register, visit kcj.eventbrite.com
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Sur la Table
Publix Aprons Cooking School
The Phipps Plaza and North Point Mall locations offer a wide variety of cooking classes for kids. Cooking classes are held during school breaks in either single classes or twoday or three-day series. Kids and teens learn techniques and recipes from professional chefs with real kitchen tools. Next class is Jan. 15 at 11 a.m. and includes zucchini noodle lasagna and Caesar salad. Ages 8-12. $49 per child. To register, visit surlatable.com.
Kids’ Topics classes let children learn the fundamentals of cooking; Jan. 3-5 at 10 a.m. is Kid Chefs Camp ($140 for all three days) to introduce ages 8-10 to foods around the world. Big Chef, Little Chef is a fun opportunity for parents and kids (ages 5 and older) to learn cooking techniques together. $75 for parent/child combo. 4305 State Bridge Rd., Alpharetta. To register, visit publix.com/recipes-planning/apronscooking-schools/alpharetta
Williams-Sonoma Junior Chef Classes Kids can learn to make recipes from scratch, from main courses to desserts, during monthly classes. Dates and recipes vary by location; $10-$50. To register, visit williamssonoma.com and search for junior chef classes.
The Cooking School at Irwin Street Kids can try the Play With Your Food classes to learn how to make pizza and pasta from scratch, breakfast foods, tacos and more. They also offer parent and child classes, and even one taught by a mom and daughter duo. $45 and up. 660 Irwin St., Atlanta. To register, visit irwinstreetcooks.com
MJCCA Culinary Arts The center offers cooking classes for preschoolers and older kids and family programs for everyone. In Teen Masterchef programs, teens make a complete meal from start to finish while learning the basics of chopping, melting, grilling and more. Prices start at $65. 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody. To register, visit atlantajcc.org and search for Culinary Arts.
Salud! Cooking School at Whole Foods Teaching kids to make tasty meals could be as close as your local Whole Foods Market. Try the Kids Cook classes for ages 10-12, where kids can learn to prepare dishes like minestrone soup and breads. The Families Cook classes prepare a variety of dishes. Also available are the Tots Cook and Dad & Me sessions. Alpharetta and Johns Creek locations. Prices start at $25. To see the schedule and to register, visit wholefoodsmarket.com/salud
The Cook’s Warehouse Your family can attend a cooking class such as Pizza Night: Family Fun Hands On for Adults and Kids to learn the basics of pizza making or kids can attend a variety of classes by themselves. Some include: Unicorn Food, Baking Fun, Cookie Decorating and more. All classes include recipes, samples of the food prepared and complimentary beverages. $39-$59 per person. Classes vary by age. Midtown, Chamblee and East Cobb. To register, visit classes.cookswarehouse.com/ClassReg/ Public/classes.asp Cont’d on page 20
Kid-Approved Cookbooks n “Cooking Class” by Deanna F. Cook: More than 50 recipes for ages 6-12 complete with kid-friendly language for cooking basics. This includes tips for getting ready to cook, food prep, kitchen vocabulary and clean up advice. Available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com for $18.95. n “Kids Cooking” by Klutz: This kid-friendly cookbook includes step-by-step photos to help kids learn kitchen basics. The book contains a mix of classic recipes, like French Toast with Strawberry Butter, and modern flavors, like the Aloha Sushi Burrito. Available at shop. scholastic.com, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Walmart. Prices vary. n “Kid Chef: The Foodie Kids Cookbook” by Melina Hammer: This cookbook could fit right in with adult cookbooks, with tons of savory photos of food. Kids will learn kitchen basics from food prep to types of bakeware and utensils. Available at Walmart, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. Prices vary. n “Complete Children’s Cookbook” by DK Books: More than 150 kid-friendly recipes divided into nine chapters including breakfast, soups, light bites and more. Recipe instructions are easy to follow and include a photo for each step. Available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon. com and dk.com for $24.99.
Kroger’s Chef Junior Program
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MJCCA Culinary Arts
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 19
Kids Who COOK Celebrity chefs and TV cooking shows may be spawning a generation of culinary artists. Meet four Atlanta kids causing a stir in the kitchen. Jasmine Stewart
Age 13; Milton Winner of Season 5 of FOX MasterChef Junior Jasmine Stewart remembers cooking with her parents from a young age. Even through mishaps in the kitchen, her mom told her to keep going, advice she took with her on MasterChef Junior. “Through the show, even when I was eliminated at one point, I remembered my mom saying it would turn out okay,” Stewart says. She was chosen for the show after auditioning in Atlanta. She pushed through numerous challenges, got eliminated and won the comeback challenge. She kept succeeding to become the winner of Season 5, against 40 other competitors. “My favorite thing was getting to work with the judges, Gordon and Christina, because they are huge idols to me from TV,” she says. “I also loved meeting other kids who love to cook.” Stewart hopes to host her own cooking show one day, “Like Giada or Bobby Flay,” she says and combine her love for cooking and a newly-discovered love of being in front of the camera.
Justise Mayberry
Age 12; Sugar Hill Runner-Up of Season 5 FOX MasterChef Junior Justise Mayberry would always snack in the kitchen when her dad cooked, and then took an interest in cooking herself. “I took it upon myself to learn and shared recipes with my mom,” Mayberry says. She decided to try out for MasterChef Junior and went through the process in Georgia and then California. “It was intimidating to be around a lot of chefs and judges, but I continued to push myself and set goals every week,” she says. Mayberry kept winning until she landed a seat as runner-up in Season 5. During the competitions, she even won a challenge to meet former first lady Michelle Obama at the White House. “I thought I knew a lot about cooking before the show, but I learned so many new dishes and techniques,” she says. “Gordon pushed us to be better, not to be mean, and he is there to support us.” In the future, Mayberry would love to open a restaurant, or be a teacher or a marine biologist. “I have the passion now and would love to open a restaurant as a kid or teen. I create images for what recipes will look like in my head.”
Shi Curry
Age 13; Stockbridge C.E.O. of S.N.A.C. it up! And shilachef.com Shi Curry started cooking at age 6, and began plating and presenting any food she could, even cereal, says her mom Celeste. Her parents noticed her love for cooking and encouraged this with each trip to the grocery store. “I remember watching MasterChef on TV and Gordon Ramsay,” Curry says. “Even though he yelled a lot, I liked him and his cooking.” She began copying Ramsay’s recipes and then started developing her own allvegan and vegetarian dishes. In 2012, she started her own brand, “Shi’s Natural Approach to Cooking” or S.N.A.C., where she shares healthy cooking demonstrations, recipes and positive thoughts through videos and her cookbook. When asked about her advice for young chefs she says, “Make sure you don’t wait until you are older, you can start now.”
20 Atlanta Parent January 2018
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Products for Kids who Love to Cook Pick up some of these products for your chef-in-training.
n Real Cooking Princess Cakes Deluxe Baking Set: Forget the Easy-Bake Ovens, kids can use this pan, roller and cutter to bake a princess or fairy cake in their own oven (with an adult’s help). $19.99. Available at most major retailers.
Yohan Obunai-Truex
Age 13; Decatur Son of Atlanta-based chef, Mihoko Obunai and Savannah-based chef, Joe Truex Yohan Obunai-Truex grew up with chefs as parents, and started helping in the kitchen at age 4. “I started by helping my mom and then I started making breakfast. By the time I was 10 or 11, I was making dinner for the whole family,” he says. He enjoys making pasta, and continues to practice under his mom, Mihoko Obunai, who appeared on Food Network’s Chopped, has been involved in several restaurant ventures and won the Ramen Battle at the 2015 StarChefs International Congress. Starting in January, Obunai-Truex will be coteaching other kids at The Cooking School at Irwin Street. “I am going to be teaching spaghetti and meatballs to kids my age with Jake,” Obunai-Truex says. “We are going to also teach a class called Whacko Tacos and we’ll be making tortillas from scratch with a press. It’s really easy and fun.” He says he doesn’t plan to be a professional chef, but he loves doing it. “Cooking is a really good skill to have and you can learn from your mistakes. You can save money not going out and spending at expensive restaurants,” he says.
MasterChef Junior Casting in Atlanta If your child has a talent for cooking, he or she could be the next winner of MasterChef Junior. FOX is now casting for the next season in Atlanta for ages 8-13. An open casting call is Jan. 13, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, 75 14th St., Atlanta. If you cannot come to the audition, you can mail in a video and application. To apply, visit masterchefjuniorcasting.com. Camp MasterChef, a one- or two-week camp for kids and teens with cooking lessons and culinary challenges will be held in Rabun-Gap this summer. Visit campmasterchef.com for more information.
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n Williams-Sonoma Kid Cookware: Williams-Sonoma has a great lineup of kid-sized cookware from the Junior Chef line, including pots, pans, bakeware and aprons. The store also offers the American Girl collection with colorful bake sets, utensils and cookware. New this season, the Harry Potter and Star Wars sets with movie-themed aprons and spatulas. Available at williams-sonoma.com
n Curious Chef: This Company makes real, mini cooking tools and sets perfect for little hands. They have everything from plastic knives to measuring sets to mixing bowls. Available at curiouschef.com
n Kitchen Helper Stools: One of the best ways to get young kids in the action is to purchase a kitchen helper stool. Kids can climb or be placed into the stool (which makes them tall enough to reach the counter) and help with age-appropriate tasks such as sorting or mixing. The stools can be found on various websites and on walmart.com.
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 21
Our A School Guide +
24 Get Ready for Preschool 28 Make the Most of
Online Communication
32 How Effective Is Homework?
38 What You Need
to Know About Changing Schools
42 Public School Profiles 46 Creative Ways
to Math Fun
51 Guide to Private Schools
Special Advertising Section
64 Countdown to Finding
the Right College
68 Going Away to Learn
Sponsored Content
71 Sampling of Private Schools
79 What Special Ed
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Teachers Want You to Know
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 23
Get Ready for Preschool When young children are exposed to reading, counting and working on fine motor skills it is to their advantage. Here are some ways to prepare for preschool and also reinforce curriculum at home.
Get Moving: Preschoolers who have better-developed fine
and gross motor skills are more likely to have good social behavior and ability to stay on task, according to researchers at Oregon State University. This means the more kids are playing games, stacking blocks, playing at the park or catching a ball, the more ready they will be to focus later on.
Work with STEM:
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education creates critical thinkers and increases science literacy. Start young with practicing at home. Let kids in the kitchen and have them count scoops of four. You can even discuss the purpose of certain ingredients in recipes such as baking powder. Encourage building with LEGOs or marshmallows and toothpicks. Talk about the weather and have them create a chart. Play with magnets and a cookie sheet.
Keep Spelling:
You may have already started with teaching your child to spell his name, but keep doing this with everything you can. Spell out the grocery list, spell out items in their room or spell out food on the dinner table. Encourage them to listen to the word and talk about what sounds they hear.
Write and Color:
Make sure they always have paper to color or tracing sheets for practice close by. Let them go wild with coloring animals, shapes, letters or anything they can imagine. This encourages creativity and helps work on fine motor skills. If you draw a dog, write the letter “d” and write the word “dog” by the drawing. Talk about letters and sounds while writing and drawing shapes and characters.
Practice Counting:
Set up a sensory bin at home with a variety of colored items, and use rice or beans as filler. Ask your child to find the red items and count them, then the blue items, then the green and so on. Sort Fruit Loops into piles by color. While grocery shopping,
24 Atlanta Parent January 2018
encourage counting of vegetables or fruit in the cart, or when eating, count pieces of food. An idea from handsonaswegrow.com: write large numbers on pieces of paper and place them in a row on the ground. Ask your child to stack a number of blocks with each number on the floor, five blocks for number five and so on.
Learn the Five Senses: Teach about touch by spraying
shaving cream on the table and letting kids trace shapes using their fingers. Fill a box with an assortment of items such as feathers, cotton balls or blocks and cut a hole in the top. Let kids reach into the box and tell you what it feels like “soft” or “hard.” Taste test different types of yogurt or ice cream. An idea from notimeforflashcards.com, squirt a few drops of imitation flavors into different colors of paint and have them paint the fruit it smells like: strawberry or banana. Play I Spy in the backyard or read an I Spy book. Print out pictures of animals and play animal sounds from YouTube. Have them circle the animal when they hear the roar, squeak or bark.
Read Daily: Have books in an easy-to-reach part of your child’s
bedroom so they can see book covers. Let them pick the book each night and bring it to you to read. Read aloud and trace along the words with your finger, stop to ask if they know what is going on in a picture or what sounds certain animals make. Sound out new words and be creative with your voice. After reading, have your child organize books into “song books,” “animal books” and “car books,” etc.
Pretend Play:
Have a day to “play school” and talk to your child about preschool. You can play teacher and sing songs, read books about school and even practice putting on a coat or tying shoes. When your child has already started school, have them play teacher to you and tell you what they learned in school. They can show you art projects, talk about friends, the playground or sing familiar songs.
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 25
Get Ready for Kindergarten with Georgia Pre-K
I
t’s hard to believe Georgia’s nationally recognized Pre-K program turns 25 this year, a milestone the state will mark with distribution of a book to 84,000 children to encourage reading. The book, “Behind the Little Red Door,” was written by Zac Brown Band guitarist Coy Bowles and illustrated by Joanna Davidovich. Here are a few key points about Georgia’s Pre-K program:
Readiness
What It Is
n Grasp the idea of different teachers for different lessons.
Pre-K is a free voluntary program that has a 6.5-hour instructional school day, five days a week, 160 days a year, and focuses on “readiness” skills. School systems or private child care centers may offer the Pre-K program, but are not required to offer it. Parents can apply to any Pre-K program for their child, though spaces may be limited. To find Pre-K programs in your area, call 1-877-255-4254 or visit allgakids.org. Each Pre-K provider sets its own registration dates, and it’s best to register your child as soon as the provider opens registration.
Pre-K teaches children to: n Practice morning routines, such as “moment of silence.” n Raise hands to answer questions. n Perform cafeteria tasks, such as carrying trays or opening milk cartons.
Curriculum
Eligibility
Pre-K has state curriculum standards that child care centers and schools must meet. Pre-K curriculum focuses on helping students grasp simple concepts to prepare them for more complex and multi-sequenced tasks in kindergarten.
All kids turning age 4 by Sept. 1, 2018 are eligible for the 2018-19 Pre-K program. In addition, 5-year-olds who have not previously attended the program and who have late birthdays or developmental delays that impact school readiness are eligible. The program is not income- or need-based.
n Use the library, school buses and tools such as the pencil sharpener. n Work with a friend on a puzzle, with symbol cards or painting. n Learn group or partner playground games. Source: Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.
Our 2018
Education Guide is here!
Also available online at atlantaparent.com 26 Atlanta Parent January 2018
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 27
FORWARD-THINKING PARENTS: How To Embrace Online Communication Styles In & Beyond The Classroom
by Christina Katz hings have changed dramatically since parents were in school thanks to technological advances. The more children you have in school, the more challenging it may feel to balance all the communication coming and going via technology. But if you familiarize yourself with what to expect and follow these tips, you will feel informed and prepared for the school commitments affecting your family’s schedule during the school year. Remember, parents, you always have a choice to see new communication methods in education as a boon to learning even if you’ve never tried them before. Here are a few types of communication to expect as your child progresses from elementary school through high school.
T
n PARENT-TEACHER EMAILS There are two types of teacher emails: group and individual. A teacher may email all the parents of students in one type of class at once on a regular basis. For example, the choir teacher may send out mass emails to announce upcoming concerts. Ask questions swiftly if you have any and then add any pertinent info to your family calendar. If you notice any errors in communication like an incorrect date or time, kindly point out the error to the sender. However do not offer grammatical advice or point out innocuous typos. No one appreciates that. Teachers are busy people, and they occasionally make mistakes just like the rest of us. A teacher may also reach out privately to the parents of one child. Don’t be alarmed if you get an email about your child’s behavior at school. You want to be informed when there is a reason for discussion, and your child’s teachers will let you know if there is. Take teacher emails in stride by not taking them personally, by wanting to be up to date about your student’s behavior, and by being as responsive and cooperative as you can regardless of the issue. Remember that even good kids can have poor behavior and that there is no such thing as bad kids; there is 28 Atlanta Parent January 2018
only poor behavior. When addressed with calm collaboration and a focus on finding swift solutions, teachers and parents can work together to get students cheerfully back on track.
n TEACHER BLOGS
Some teachers like to use blogs to post lessons, deadlines, and online resources. When teachers choose to use blogs, they are usually housed on the district’s website plan. Generally speaking, school-approved
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technology like teacher blogs are a safe, secure way for teachers and students to communicate more thoroughly. This type of service can be especially helpful when a student misses class because of an illness or field trip, although teachers still need to be notified about absences. If your child is trying to learn good organization habits, teacher blogs can be a real help. If the teacher is not using a blog, make sure your student has a planner and knows how to use it effectively, a skill that is expected to be mastered by the end of middle school. atlantaparent.com
n FLIPPED CLASSROOMS A flipped classroom means lessons are learned at home via videos or audios posted to a teacher blog or online classroom, so students can practice what they’ve just learned in the classroom with the assistance of their teacher. In the traditional model, lessons are taught in class and homework is used as practice. By flipping this dynamic, students can get more support in executing lessons and getting their questions answered more easily. If your child ends up in a class where the teacher is using a flipped classroom approach, it may take some time to adjust. As a parent, support your student in giving the approach a fair chance, and try to temper any automatic resistance you may have to the idea. Don’t be surprised if your student ends up preferring this method in the long run.
n GOOGLE CLASSROOM
Many schools encourage the use of Google Classroom, a versatile online platform that helps students express themselves and collaborate. Google Classroom is a password-protected service that makes everyone’s role easier by creating a paperless environment for the creation,
TAKE TEACHER EMAILS IN STRIDE BY NOT TAKING THEM PERSONALLY, BY WANTING TO BE UP TO DATE ABOUT YOUR STUDENT’S BEHAVIOR, AND BY BEING AS RESPONSIVE AND COOPERATIVE AS YOU CAN REGARDLESS OF THE ISSUE. sharing, distributing and grading of papers. Included in the online platform is Google Drive for the storage and distribution of documents, Google Docs, Sheets and Slides for the creation of writing, Gmail for communication, and Google Calendar for scheduling. Using Google Classroom allows school to consolidate a lot of class work into one universal online service. Some students will start using this platform as early as elementary school, so it’s wise for parents to familiarize themselves with it by watching online tutorial videos.
n SOCIAL MEDIA GROUPS
Parents who volunteer may already have some experience with social media groups, and students will likely be invited to participate in these types of groups by middle school or high school. Social media
groups are a convenient way to broadcast information and communicate swiftly on an ongoing basis. For example, a high school theater department may have a private Facebook drama club group composed of current members and parents of members administered by the school advisors. Drama club officers might use the group to post announcements for upcoming outings and events. Parent volunteers might use a sign-up service like Sign-up Genius to rally donations or fill time slots. The director’s of upcoming plays or musicals can create subgroups of students and parents in order to share specific information only with relevant audiences. Consult your student handbook for your school’s social media policies and encourage your student to be a good digital citizen no matter what methods of communication are in use.
A Christ-centered college preparatory school for grades PreK4 through 12
Family Open House January 20, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.
678.305.3027 whitefieldacademy.com atlantaparent.com
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 29
remarkable OUTCOMES Students of deep faith. Scores that rocket past the national averages. When our graduates enter their colleges or universities of choice across the world, they are faith-filled, magnanimous young men and women poised for a lifetime of happiness.
COME VISIT THIS WINTER
Preschool Thursday, January 25 Kindergarten Tuesday, January 16 Grades K-7 Friday, January 26 Grades 8-12 Wednesday, January 24 RSVP at holyspiritprep.org/visit
A Catholic Education Honor Roll school in Chastain Park, forming students 6 months-12th grade. holyspiritprep.org
30 Atlanta Parent    January 2018
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 31
THE HOMEWORK DEBATE by Jennifer V. Hutcheson
W
hen a Texas teacher announced a new no-homework policy for her second-graders in August, many parents cheered. A posting about the policy on Facebook has been shared more than 74,000 times. Some teachers and entire schools have adopted similar policies, but most have not. Homework remains a source of great debate: Does it improve student performance? Or, as the Texas teacher said in her note to parents, would students be better served if their families ate dinner together and read together and kids played outside and got a good night’s sleep? Atlanta Parent wanted to dig deeper into this issue and hear the perspective of local parents as well as the national experts. 32 Atlanta Parent January 2018
The Case for Homework Parent Teresa Ebbs of Atlanta, a mom of four, explains her approach to homework: “It should all be review. There should be nothing that they have never seen before. It should just be checking for understanding ... That way their teachers can see gaps in learning on homework instead of on tests and quizzes” and adjust their instruction. This approach to homework has helped to minimize stress and allowed Ebbs to see the benefits of the work that her three oldest children have been assigned at Immaculate Heart of Mary school in Atlanta. Her children have developed time management skills, responsibility and independence. She also appreciates the way the school gradually increases homework so that the students will be prepared for middle and high school. In a recent Harvard Ed Podcast, Duke University Professor Harris M. Cooper echos Ebbs, saying that his extensive research has revealed the following benefits of homework: n The opportunity to practice material learned at school n The opportunity to emphasize the importance of learning n Parental insight into what their child is learning n Teaching study skills, time management and independence
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The Case Against (Too Much!) Homework
How Much Is Too Much?
While working as a tutor, Mary Beth Martin of Decatur was disheartened to see students “come home despondent and broken down from a full day of school and having three hours of homework. They were being robbed of the best part of being a kid.” Martin’s training as an educator and experience with students both inside and outside the classroom have given her an even greater appreciation for her eldest son’s school and their approach to homework. She explains, “The Globe Academy homework is more project based; they do not have nightly homework. They say to go home and read, go outside and play, take a sport, pick a hobby, play with a friend, do a service project ... They say that when you are not in the classroom, go and experience meaningful things and we will do our best to give you the foundations at school.” “The Homework Myth” author Alfie Kohn states that homework “may be the single most reliable extinguisher of the flame of curiosity.” Like Martin, he believes that kids – especially young kids – will be more curious about the world around them without worksheets coming home every night. Cont’d on page 34
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Even Professor Cooper, who is an advocate for homework and its benefits admits that too much homework is counter-productive, especially for younger grades. But how do you know if your child is bringing home too much? Signs of severe stress, like panic attacks, sudden changes in sleeping or eating habits, as well as changes in temperament can indicate a problem. But sometimes the signs can be more subtle. To help determine if your child may be overloaded with homework, start with these telling questions:
1 2 3 4
Does your child’s homework regularly surpass the 10 Minute Rule? That is, he should have no more than 10 minutes of homework for each grade. So 10 minutes for a 1st grader, 20 minutes for a 2nd grader, and on up to 120 minutes for a 12th grader. Does homework prevent free-play after school? Kids work hard in school all day and need time to relax and unwind. Time for free-play is especially important for the youngest learners. Does homework prevent regular and relaxed family interactions? While quality family time may not be possible every day, when it does happen it should be focused on togetherness – not stressing about homework. Is homework interfering with sleep? Kids and teens need sleep, and if they sacrifice sleep for the sake of study, research indicates that their academic performance may suffer. If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, your child may have too much homework.
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 33
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THE HOMEWORK DEBATE The Middle Ground Several Atlanta-area schools have recognized the drawbacks of homeworkoverload and have adopted child-focused policies. Megan Vitale, Director of Admissions and Registrar at Cliff Valley School in Atlanta, shares their approach to homework: “At Cliff Valley students are engaged in challenging work in small groups throughout the day. That’s how we define rigor – not by giving hours of homework each night. Homework is about developing student skills, independence and responsibility and we’re able to accomplish that by giving approximately 10 minutes of homework per grade level per night. “Students are welcome to stay after school, in their classrooms, for supervised quiet time to finish homework. This allows students to be independent with their homework and gives families time to enjoy the evenings together.” Bobby Scott, Headmaster of Perimeter School in Johns Creek, also feels a commitment to help students – and parents – have balance in their lives. Perimeter School has had a minimal homework policy since its founding in 1983, though it has evolved over time as the pressures on students and parents have increased. Perimeter School emphasizes nightly reading with a parent for all grades and focuses on project-based work for the younger grades. This encourages a connection between home and school and reinforces concepts learned at school. Scott elaborates: “We don’t believe in busywork homework or that we should give homework just because every other school gives it. It has to be purposeful ... One major benefit [of our minimal homework policy] is
Homework “may be the single most reliable extinguisher of the flame of curiosity.” -Alfie Kohn, author of The Homework Myth
that it gives parents more undistracted time to build relationships with their kids; time to have conversations about what they’ve learned.” The upper grades at Perimeter School, Cliff Valley School, as well as Holy Spirit Prep in Sandy Springs all begin to gradually increase homework in middle school. This philosophy not only falls in line with the national PTA recommended “10 Minute Rule,” but also reflects the research, which reveals minimal (if any) benefits to elementary school homework, but positive benefits of homework for students in grades 7-12. Like most things in education and in parenting, there is no one-size fits all solution that works for every child – or even for every child in every stage of his life. This is not a case of military school versus Montessori or Tiger Moms versus Finish Moms. Some children need more time for freeplay and the length of the school day alone makes them feel stressed. Others do well with lots of structure and need to extend their learning in order to master the material or be challenged. And often times the same child that needs extra time for free-play and would only be frustrated by homework in the elementary grades, can benefit from thoughtful and reasonable amounts of homework in middle school and high school.
Child-Friendly Homework Policies
n Cliff Valley (Atlanta) – adheres
In lieu of busy work, these are some of the schools that put an emphasis on the importance of reading at home.
Creek) – minimal homework policy
to the “10 Minute Rule”
n Perimeter School (Johns n Parkview Christian School (Lilburn) – minimal homework policy
n East Cobb Christian School (Marietta) – minimal homework policy
n Oak Grove Elementary School (DeKalb County) – adheres to the “10 Minute Rule”
770-234-9111 www.focus-ga.org 34 Atlanta Parent January 2018
n Holy Spirit Preparatory School (Sandy Springs) – no homework policy through 6th grade
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Preschool - Grade 8 Decatur Nursery Program Inman Park 404-377-1315
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 35
Learn bravely The Midtown school for age 3 – grade 8. tcsatl.org Schedule a visit! Call 404.835.4603
36 Atlanta Parent January 2018
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“Embracing faith, service, love and learning in a Christ-centered community.”
REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Serving Children from Pre-K TO 8th Grade
OPEN HOUSE
January 28 2pm to 4pm TOURS AVAILABLE Every Thursday 10am to 12pm 2560 Tilson Rd. Decatur 30032 404-241-3063
spc-school.org
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 37
Changing Schools
What Every Parent Should Know
by Anne Wainscott-Sargent
Changing a child’s school is never a simple decision. Sometimes a family moves to a new school because of divorce, job loss or illness. In other cases, parents may realize their child has learning or other challenges or may need to be challenged more academically.
“The decision to change schools happens for any number of reasons, and parents usually do a good job of figuring out where their kids need to be,” says Elizabeth “Betsy” Donnelly, an educational consultant for 14 years and founder and president of Atlanta Educational Consultants. “The main point for parents is to look at your children realistically and to try to understand what their strengths and challenges are.” Often, what’s best for a child “doesn’t fit the mold of what we think of as K-12 education,” she adds. For at least two Atlanta area families, taking the crucial step to make a change is something they wished they had done earlier in their child’s education. 38 Atlanta Parent January 2018
Transferring to Another Public School Acworth resident Tara Thompson, a mother of three, decided to change her daughter’s public high school in Cherokee County mid-year to another high school in Atlanta Public Schools. Her teen daughter will resume her sophomore classes in January at the new school. “She has been very unhappy in her current school,” Thompson says, pointing out that her daughter didn’t participate in any school activities. “We noticed it her freshman year, but just thought it was because she was a freshman and need to adjust to high school.”
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Thompson says it’s important as parents to recognize that their children have different personalities, which means one child may not be comfortable in the same academic environment as his or her siblings. “I had two older children go through that same high school and it was a good fit for them,” Thompson says. “Sometimes the high schools offer programs within the school that may be better for the student such as dual enrollment where they are enrolled in high school and college and they could graduate high school with two years of college for free, or Georgia Virtual School, where they attend high school half day. This is good for students who are involved heavily in sports.” atlantaparent.com
Switching from Public to Private School Paige Spooner of Milton, also a mother of three, opted to move from a public to private school when her son, age 12, was transitioning from elementary to middle school. “We decided to leave public and move to private to meet his dyslexic needs,” says Spooner, who ultimately chose GRACEPOINT School, a private Christian school in Marietta focused on students with dyslexia. “He had an IEP in public school but we still found that because so many kids had them as well, he was lost in the crowd. He needed more specialized reading classes and smaller-sized classroom settings.” While Spooner is happy with their choice, which came about after a friend told them about GRACEPOINT, she says she wished they had started sooner. “I can’t help but think that our son would have benefited greatly by the extra accommodations and support that GRACEPOINT provides.” She adds that the hardest part for her son has been missing his friends in the public school. “My son is extremely social so he misses being in class and at school with all his buddies. This continues to be a daily challenge, but the way we have fostered these relationships is through sports and extracurricular activities. At least he gets to see them on the football field and weekends, which is a consolation for not seeing them during the day,” she says. The experiences of both the Thompson and Spooner families are not unique, Donnelly says, adding that parents can work collaboratively with schools and educational consultants to find the bestfit school based on their child’s individual needs. Atlanta’s education landscape has many progressive public and private schools that focus on students who are high achievers or have learning challenges, Donnelly says.
Cont’d on page 40
Changing to a Private School – Factors to Consider l Fit
l Preparation for standardized
l Space availability if seeking
testing (focus on strategy and not so much on learning content)
enrollment at non-traditional entry points. (Traditional points of entry are kindergarten, 1st grade, 6th or 7th grade depending on the school, 9th grade) l Testing: SSAT (Secondary School
Admissions Test) or ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination) for students seeking Elementary, Middle School or High School, JATP (Joint Admissions Testing Program) for Elementary students l Scheduling visits or attending open
houses – usually held throughout the fall
l Application Preparation:
Complete demographic information, parent statement, student statement, gather recommendations, send transcripts, all before an early winter deadline l Unless it is a school that
accepts students on a rolling enrollment basis, applications are submitted in January or early February and decision letters are sent in late March
Sinfo-Nia Youth Orchestra
David Robinson, Director & Alycia Robinson, Operations Director
2nd Semester Classes begin SAT., JAN. 6th Ages 7-18 (college students are also welcomed) Sat. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. & Mon. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
ALL LEVELS OF INSTRUCTION FOR STRINGS: Violin, viola, cello & double bass ADVANCED: Woodwind, brass & percussion SAVE THE DATE FOR SUMMER CAMP: JUNE 11-22, 2018
www.sinfo-nia.com • 404-328-0840 1st Congregational Church Commons 125 Ellis Street • Atlanta 30303
“One Love” Jamaica Performance Tour July 3-14, 2018
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Call for a tour or join us for an Open House on Saturday, January 27, 1:00-3:00pm 770-664-7764 • www.mcginniswoods.org
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 39
Changing Schools Determining When to Begin a School Search For students with learning challenges or behavioral or mental health issues, the search for a new school typically begins after the first grading period, after the first semester, or in March when parents realize that a private school contract will not be extended to the next year, Donnelly says. When students seek a school change for any other reason, such as to be challenged academically, moving, financial reasons, or to seek a specialty school, parents typically start the process before the next academic year. “In most cases, it is advisable to wait until the next year if possible,” she says. “Transition is difficult mid-year for almost any student. However, if individual circumstances warrant a change and real benefit can come from that change, it is not necessary to stay in a school just to complete a school year.” Thompson felt a sense of urgency to make a school change for her daughter sooner rather than later. “We changed her school mid-year instead of waiting until the beginning of the school year – we don’t want it to be too late and something happens,” she explains. “The only problem we have run into was she may miss a couple of days when school starts back up after the holidays because schools do not put grades in before the holiday and you have to get the grades before you withdraw from the old school or you can lose their grades.” Thompson says she asked around for referrals to find another school, and even attempted to look online but got “very generic information.” “I wanted to be able to ask kids questions and see if it was a good fit. We wanted her to be in a safe environment and we wanted diversity. We grew up in New York City public schools and it was very diverse,” Thompson says.
Different School Options l Move from Private to Public
or Public to Private l Enroll in an alternative
school that provides individual instruction, shortened academic day, online curriculum, variable creditearning possibilities and/or credit recovery l Online schools that can
grant variable credit (usually in .5 credits, but sometimes in increments less than .5 credit) l Homeschool l Private tutor to assist with
work sent from previous school (special circumstances) or to assist with online courses l Georgia Virtual School, but
with the limitation that there are 4 start dates over the year
A holistic education for students with dyslexia
dyslexia
Serving grades 1 through 8
300 Grimes Bridge Road Roswell, Georgia
Open House: January 20 40 Atlanta Parent January 2018
Program begins promptly at 10 a.m. RSVP to theswiftschool.org/openhouse
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Finding an Academic Model that Fits Donnelly says the most important criteria is determining if a school’s academic model works with a child’s individual learning needs. “Does your child need to be in a very structured environment, or does he or she need to experience education in a multi-sensory kind of way? Many students need both – structure and a multi-modal academic environment.” Donnelly looks at the curriculum and the academic model when advising her clients, as well as examining each student individually. Her clients are split evenly between children with learning or therapeutic needs and those seeking more of a challenge academically. She also has worked with homeschool families, and advises those families to be realistic about their child’s strengths and what their challenges are in teaching their child. “Seek out people who can fill those gaps,” she says, adding that a child moving from a homeschool environment to a traditional school may have difficulty with a rigid curriculum. “I would advise that these families find a school that is more experiential or offers flexibility in the curriculum.”
INFORMATION SESSIONS & TOURS January 12 • 9 am - 11 am January 24 • 7 pm - 8:30 pm
Register online at www.ArborMontessori.org
OPEN HOUSE
January 20 • 10 am - 12 pm Serving Students 18 months to 14 years at two Decatur campuses admissions@arbormontessori.org
Being Your Child’s Advocate Spooner encourages parents to be proactive about determining the best learning environment for their child. “As parents, we have to be our kids’ advocates. When they are young, they can’t speak for themselves as to what their needs are, which is why we have to watch closely and see where their deficits are and how we can help by putting them in a setting to help them succeed,” she says. “There are so many schools that meet just about every need a child may have. It takes research and sometimes long commutes, but hopefully in the end it will all pay off.” Thompson adds, “Pay attention to your child’s behavior and listen to what they are telling you or not telling you. Ask around, and get personal referrals, as well as the general school information you can find online. Take a tour if you can.” atlantaparent.com
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 41
Public School Profiles A snapshot of school districts in metro Atlanta Atlanta Public Schools
404-802-3500 www.atlantapublicschools.us Atlanta Public Schools is the sixth largest school system in Georgia with 51,927 students. There are 4,023 teachers, of which 34 percent have advanced degrees. n Number of Schools: 92 learning sites and programs;45 elementary; 11 middle; 12 high schools;5 alternative schools; 17 charter schools. n Pupil to teacher ratios: Kindergarten, 25 to 1; Grades 1-3, 26 to 1; Grades 4-5, 33 to 1; Middle, 33 to 1; High, 33 to 1 n Per pupil expenditure: $12,585
Bartow County School System 770-606-5800 www.bartow.k12.ga.us There are approximately 13,100 students attending Bartow County’s 20 schools (K-12), with 68 percent of 1,014 PSC certified teachers holding advanced degrees. n Number of Schools: 12 elementary; 4 middle; 3 high schools; 1 college and career academy n Pupil to teacher ratio: 18 to 1 n Per pupil expenditure: $8,500
Buford City Schools
770-945-5035 www.bufordcityschools.org There are 4,800 students enrolled in Buford City Schools. 80 percent of the 307 teachers have advanced degrees. n Number of Schools: 2 elementary; 1 middle; 1 high school. n Pupil to teacher ratio: 16 to 1 n Per pupil expenditure: $9,621
Cherokee County School District
770-479-1871 www.cherokeek12.net CCSD has 42,200 students attending 41 schools and centers. There are 2,600 teachers in CCSD, of which 70 percent have advanced degrees. n Number of Schools: 24 elementary; 7 middle; 6 high schools; 3 alternative centers; 3 preschool centers n Pupil to teacher ratio: 16 to 1 n Per pupil expenditure: $8,694
42 Atlanta Parent January 2018
Henry County Schools
Clayton County Public Schools
770-473-2700 www.clayton.k12.ga.us Clayton County has the fifth largest school system in Georgia with approximately 54,600 students. Of the district’s 3,482 teachers, 63 percent have advanced degrees. n Number of Schools: 37 primary/ elementary; 14 middle; 11 high schools; 4 educational programs; 1 alternative education center; 3 psychological education centers; 1 multi-purpose education center; included are: 3 magnet schools; 2 magnet programs; 1 state-certified STEM program. n Pupil to teacher ratio: 15.7 to 1 n Per pupil expenditure: $8,772
Cobb County School District
770-426-3300 www.cobbk12.org Cobb County has 112,084 students attending 112 schools. There are 9,037 certified employees with 37 percent having advanced degrees. n Number of Schools: 67 elementary; 25 middle; 16 high schools; 1 special education center; 1 adult education center;
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2 virtual academies; 1 performance learning center, 1 international welcome center, 1 independent charter school. n Pupil to teacher ratio: Varies by school. Meets or is lower than state mandated numbers. n Per pupil expenditure: $8,961
Coweta County School System
770-254-2800 www.cowetaschools.net Coweta County has 22,750 students and about 2,960 employees, 55 percent of whom are certified teaching employees. 60 percent of Coweta’s teachers hold advanced degrees. n Number of Schools: 19 elementary, 6 middle, 3 high schools; 1 College and Career Academy charter school (serving grades 8-12 with traditional and non-traditional learning models); and the school system’s Donald W. Nixon Centre for the Performing and Visual Arts. n Pupil to teacher ratios: Kindergarten: 20 to 1 with paraprofessional; Grades 1-3: 20 to 1; Grades 4-5: 24 to 1; Grades 6-8: 29 to 1 n Per pupil expenditure: $8,794
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City Schools of Decatur
404-371-3601 www.csdecatur.net City Schools of Decatur have 5,425 (Pre-Kgrade 12) students attending nine schools. Of the district’s 436 certified teachers, over 84 percent hold advanced degrees. n Number of Schools: 9 total; 1 early childhood learning center; 5 Kindergartenthird; 1 fourth-fifth; 1 middle; 1 high school. n Pupil to teacher ratio: Meets or is lower than state mandated standards. n Per pupil expenditure: $11,807
DeKalb County School System
678-676-1200 www.dekalbschoolsga.org DeKalb County School District is the third largest school system in Georgia with 102,000 students. More than 6,000 teachers and about 65 percent hold advanced degrees. n Number of Schools: 137 schools. School choice options are available in nearly 50 schools to include theme, magnet, IB, charter and Montessori options. n Pupil to teacher ratios: General: 27 to 1; Gifted: 16 to 1; CTAE: 24 to 1. n Per pupil expenditure: $9,242
Douglas County School System
770-651-2000 www.douglas.k12.ga.us There are approximately 26,082 students attending Douglas County’s 33 schools. 72 percent of the 1,964 certified employees have advanced degrees. n Number of Schools: 20 elementary, 8 middle, 5 high schools; 1 performance learning center; 1 college and career institute; 1 CCI Academy. n Pupil to teacher ratio: Meets or is lower than state mandated standards. n Per pupil expenditure: $8,419
Cherokee County School District
Fayette County Public Schools
770-460-3535 www.fcboe.org Fayette County School System has 20,095 students. More than half of the 1,346 teachers have advanced degrees. n Number of Schools: 14 elementary; 5 middle; 5 high schools; 1 alternative school; 1 open campus high school. n Pupil to teacher ratio: 13 to 1 n Per pupil expenditure: $9,750
Forsyth County Schools
770-887-2461 www.forsyth.k12.ga.us Over 47,800 students attend Forsyth County’s 37 schools. There are over 3,300 certified employees in the system, of which 87 percent have advanced degrees. n Number of Schools: 21 elementary; 10 middle; 5 high schools and 1 6-12 virtual school (open to out-of-county students). n Pupil to teacher ratio: 20 to 1 n Per pupil expenditure: $7,866
Fulton County Schools
470-254-3600 www.fultonschools.org Fulton County has more than 96,000 students and 7,000 certified staff members at 105 schools. Approximately 37 percent of the teachers hold advanced degrees. n Number of Schools: 59 elementary (with Pre-K programs); 19 middle; 17 high schools (2 with open campuses); 10 charter schools. n Pupil to teacher ratios: Kindergarten, 22 to 1; with paraprofessional; Grades 1-3, 23 to 1; Grades 4-5, 30 to 1; Middle, 30 to 1; High, 32 to 1 n Per pupil expenditure: $10,445 (estimated)
Gainesville City Schools
770-536-5275 www.gcssk12.net 7,929 students attend Gainesville City’s 8 schools. 581 teachers are employed by the system, and 60 percent of them have advanced degrees. n Number of Schools: 6 elementary; 1 middle school; 1 high school n Pupil to teacher ratios: Pre-K: 28 to 1; Grades K-5: 13 to 1; Grades 6-8: 16 to 1; Grades 9-12: 13 to 1 n Per pupil expenditure: $8,714
Gwinnett County Public Schools
678-301-6000 www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us With more than 180,000 students attending 139 educational facilities, Gwinnett County is the largest school system in Georgia. The average GCPS teacher holds a Master’s degree and has 14 years of experience. n Number of Schools: 80 elementary; 29 middle; 21 high schools; 9 other educational facilities. n Pupil to teacher ratio: Varies by classroom, per Strategic Waivers School System contract. n Per pupil expenditure: $8,853 Cont’d on page 44
Gwinnett County Public Schools
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 43
Public School Profiles Hall County Schools
770-534-1080 www.hallco.org There are 27,357 students and 1,980 certified staff at Hall County’s 34 schools. 69 percent of the teachers have obtained advanced degrees. n Number of Schools: 20 elementary; 7 middle; 7 high schools. n Pupil to teacher ratio: 18 to 1 n Per pupil expenditure: $7,866
Henry County Schools
770-957-6601 www.henry.k12.ga.us There are 42,000 students and 2,960 certified teachers in Henry County Schools. 75 percent of the certified employees have advanced degrees.
n Number of Schools: 26 elementary; 2 conversion charter elementary schools; 11 middle; 10 high schools; 1 alternative school; 1 charter college and career academy; 1 6-12 online school (Impact Academy). n Pupil to teacher ratios: Kindergarten, 24 to 1; Grades 1-3, 25 to 1; Grades 4-8, 32 to 1; Grades 9-12, 34 to 1 n Per pupil expenditure: $9,016
Marietta City Schools
770-422-3500 www.marietta-city.org Some 8,900 students attend Marietta City’s 11 schools, 1,200 certified employees with 75 percent of certified staff holding a Master’s degree or higher. n Number of Schools: 8 elementary (one is grades 3-5 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Magnet school); 1 6th grade academy; 1 middle; 1 high school. n Pupil to teacher ratio: 20 to 1 n Per pupil expenditure: $10,542
Fayette County Public Schools
Paulding County School District
770-443-8000 www.paulding.k12.ga.us The Paulding County School District has 34 schools, 29,130 students and 1,830 teachers. 70 percent of the teachers hold advanced degrees. n Number of Schools: 19 elementary; 9 middle; 5 high schools; 1 virtual academy; 1 alternative learning center. n Pupil to teacher ratio: 22 to 1 n Per pupil expenditure: $8,770
Rockdale County Public Schools
770-483-4713 www.rockdaleschools.org There are 16,730 students attending Rockdale County Public Schools. Approximately 71.5 percent of the 1,387 certified personnel hold advanced degrees. n Number of Schools: 11 elementary; 4 middle; 3 high schools; 1 college and career academy; 1 alpha school; 1 open campus; 1 magnet school; 11 school choice programs. n Pupil to teacher ratio: 13.3 to 1 n Per pupil expenditure: $9,287
Marietta City Schools
44 Atlanta Parent January 2018
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 45
25 Ways to Make Math
by Janeen Lewis
Do you dread hearing “I hate math!” this school year? While math may seem boring or challenging to some children, research shows most students can succeed at high levels in math and enjoy it. Here’s how to show that math can be interesting and fun.
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Use measuring and fraction skills when you bake or cook with your children, to show the relevance of math in their everyday life. At the grocery, have your child figure out how many pounds of produce to get without going over a certain dollar amount. For example, say “Please weigh and bring me $3 worth of Granny Smith apples.” Study and graph weather. Make bar graphs, circle graphs or pictographs for sunny, rainy, cloudy or snowy days. Find the mean, median, range and mode for the high and low temperatures each month.
46 Atlanta Parent January 2018
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Research cool careers that use math – architect, astronaut, fashion designer, forensic analyst and computer programmer. Learn about the lives of famous mathematicians and what they accomplished (for instance, Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton and John Nash, from “A Beautiful Mind.”) Let your child plan a special dinner. Then give him a budget to shop for the ingredients, not going over the budget. Volunteer in your child’s math class. You will find out what your child is learning, the teacher’s expectations and how to better help your child at home.
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Plan a trip together, calculate the miles you will travel at a designated speed. Decide how long it will take to get there. Give your child an allowance to manage. Together decide how much they will save, spend and give away. If your child is a teen with a job, help them write a budget and open a savings account.
If your child is struggling in math, ask your child’s teacher to help identify problem areas and recommend a tutor, or call the math department at your local university to find math majors willing to tutor.
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Fun
Fun Math Apps Preschool l Moose Math by Duck Duck Moose: Includes games that teach counting, addition and subtraction.
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When shopping for a new toy, backpack or school supply, look at sale flyers from several stores. Have your child find which store has the best bargain for the item they want. Play store with young children. Let them pick out toys and household items and put price tags on them. Then give them money to practice counting out to you to pay for the items. Read math picture books like “The Greedy Triangle,” “The Grapes of Math,” “The Doorbell Rang,” “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” or “How Big is a Foot?” Have your tween or teen pick out the make, model and year of a car they would like to buy when they are 18. Look up the value of the car and figure out how much they will have to earn every week until they are 18 to buy the car. Walk around your house and find examples of parallel and perpendicular lines in doorways, walls, furniture and more.
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Find various geometric shapes around your house and yard. Draw or take photographs and label the shapes and what they comprise (for instance, the roof, the mailbox, the deck railing) and make your own version of a book like Tana Hoban’s “Shapes, Shapes, Shapes.” Have daily countdowns to special events, or do a ___ shopping days until Christmas. Challenge both genders in math. Don’t promote gender stereotypes that suggest boys are better at math and girls are better at reading. Research shows that while girls do well in math in middle school and high school, women are underrepresented in post graduate STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) jobs. Play card games that involve math (for example Uno and Crazy Eights). Make up a word problem of the day every day and have your child solve it. Keep it fun and funny.
l Drive About Number Neighborhood: Kids travel through a seaside neighborhood and stop at different shops. Each shop has a different math game. l Sudoku Junior: Sudoku puzzles for beginners, but can challenge players of all ages.
Elementary School l Peter Pig’s Money Counter: By Visa, this app teaches students to identify, count and save money. Includes fun facts about U.S. currency. l Marble Math Junior: Students solve math problems as they roll their marbles through mazes. l Crazy Times Tables: Supports development of fluency in times tables. l Mathmateer: Students do math to earn money to build virtual rockets. l Chicken Coop Fractions: Helps children develop strategies for solving problems involving fractions. l Lobster Diver: This app is a game that involves scuba diving off the coast of Maine for lobster traps. Addresses number and operation standards established by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Cut food into fractional parts and talk about it. Use the food fractions to introduce equivalent fractions.
Middle/High School
Take a tour of your local bank. Talk to your child about words like loan, interest and principal.
l Math Ref: Helps find formulas across multiple disciplines, but focuses on algebra, geometry and calculus.
Celebrate Pi day and talk about what it means and why it is important. Make your child’s favorite pie.
l WolframAlpha: Finds formulas, gives graphic representations and shows how to get solutions to math problems.
Keep math resources on hand. Math tools like rulers, seamstress tapes, tangrams, pattern blocks, play money, fraction bars, counters and geometric shapes are great for kids to make discoveries with while playing. Also, keep a good math dictionary on your bookshelf to help with terms you may have forgotten.
l Meta Calculator: A graphing, scientific, matrix and statistics calculator app, this will help in those challenging upper level math classes.
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l Unit Converter: This app converts currency, data, energy, power or temperature.
l Khan Academy: Detailed lessons and practice for learners in early math through Calculus.
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 47
48 Atlanta Parent January 2018
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Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School | hies.org
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 49
Start Here, Stay Here Preschool | K4 | Elementary School | Middle School | High School
678-745-4121|SugarHillChristian.org 4600 Nelson Brogdon Blvd. | Sugar Hill 30518
Join us for Open House Sunday, January 28, 1-3pm
FORMING CHRISTIAN SERVANT LEADERS
from PreK 3 - 12th Grade 50 Atlanta Parent January 2018
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A Private PreK - 12 College Preparatory Catholic School 955 Peachtree Parkway Cumming, Georgia 770-888-4477 www.pinecrestacademy.org atlantaparent.com
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Guide to Private Schools Choosing where your child will earn his education is not an easy decision, especially with so many great schools in the Atlanta area. Use our guide to learn about differing approaches and academic environments to find the best fit.
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 51
Atlanta
Private Schools Academe of the Oaks
Arbor Montessori School
cademe of the Oaks, offers the formidable Waldorf highschool curriculum, integrating intellectual, practical, social, and aesthetic pursuits. Academe’s distinctive educational approach is both individual and global; it is holistic, humanistic, and purposeful. Academe’s college-preparatory curriculum includes coursework in mathematics, sciences, and humanities; fine and practical arts; drama and music; and environmental education. At Academe, hands-on, “experiential” learning in the lab and in the field complements study of primarysource materials, both classic and contemporary. Through an experiential approach and prioritizing knowing how to learn, students cultivate a skill set applicable in any class. A focus on performance and demonstrating knowing how to learn, allows students the opportunity to internalize the meaning of course material, and then rearticulate truths they discover and essentially teach each other. Each opportunity to perform builds understanding and establishes a life-long love of learning. Students leave Academe confident in their ability to ask the essential questions, and lead others to the discovery of meaning. Located just east of downtown Decatur, Academe of the Oaks serves students in grades nine through twelve. Please call to schedule a visit or see our website for more information. www.academeatlanta.org.
ounded in 1970, Arbor is one of the largest and oldest Montessori schools in the Southeast, serving 270 students from 8 months to 14 years. Arbor is one of only two Montessori schools in Georgia accredited by AMI, SACS and SAIS. The school has two Decatur campuses, one at 1434 Scott Blvd. and at 2998 Lavista Rd. For over 100 years, the hallmarks of a Montessori education have been creativity and innovation; critical thinking and problem-solving; communication; collaboration; and focus on character. These are the same core competencies being advocated in today’s education arena as the necessary “21st Century Learning Skills” for students to meet the challenges of a changing world. Montessori is the originator of project-based learning. An Arbor Montessori education cultivates concentration, motivation, self-discipline and love of learning in every child. This is accomplished through specially designed sensorial materials, multi-age classrooms, and teachers who are specifically trained to put the child in touch with exactly what is needed at that very moment to learn. In addition to an outstanding academic curriculum, Arbor offers art; music; Spanish; a before and after-school program; clubs and teams; and a close-knit community of families. Schedule a personalized tour by calling 404-321-9304 or emailing admissions@arbormontessori.org. More information at www.ArborMontessori.org.
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Atlanta Academy
Atlanta International School
tlanta Academy, a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School, serves 300 private preschool-8th grade students in North Atlanta. The school’s mission, to give every student the individual attention they need to succeed, is at the core of everything they do. Small class sizes allow teachers to understand students’ individual strengths and help them discover their own unique talents. A forward-thinking curriculum at Atlanta Academy is enriched with a variety of opportunities for students, in order to build the confidence and skills they need to succeed at prestigious private high schools, top-ranking public schools and magnet programs. More than 94 percent of graduates are accepted into their top choice high school. The Atlanta Academy faculty ranks among some of the best educators in the industry. 78 percent of Kindergarten through 8th grade teachers hold master’s degrees. High performing student achievement is nurtured in an inclusive, non-denominational atmosphere, where families are engaged. Together, they are fully invested in helping children grow into well-educated, independent problem-solvers who are prepared to excel in high school and beyond. To schedule a tour, visit atlantaacademy.com
tlanta International School (AIS) offers all three International Baccalaureate (IB) programs to 1,220 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 fullimmersion Preschool program in French, German, and Spanish. From fall of 2018, a new Mandarin program will be added to Preschool and Primary that welcomes students from beginners to native Mandarin speakers, who can join at any time before Grade 5. AIS 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. Along with the authorization to offer IB education, AIS is also accredited by the following academic programs: AdvanceED, Agency of French Teaching Abroad (aefe), Council for International Schools (CIS), European Council for International Schools (ECIS), and Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). For more information, please visit www.aischool.org
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52 Atlanta Parent January 2018
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[ Education Guide ] Special Advertising Section
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Atlanta Music High School
Atlanta Speech School
tlanta Music High School brings the professional faculty of two independent and established schools, Rivers Academy Atlanta and Community Music Centers of Atlanta, into collaboration at a shared campus, for the purpose of offering rigorous academics and deep immersion in pre-professional musical training. AMHS empowers classical, jazz, rock and folk music students (grades 5-8, 9-12) with an academic education that is not only accredited, but that is also sensitive and responsive to the time and resources it takes for a young performer or composer to become a great musician. Academics, including AP courses, meet on a condensed schedule, which leaves ample time for passionate musicians to develop musical artistry and a capstone portfolio. The AMHS experience thereby provides balance and harmony between traditional academics and intensive training, crucial for student happiness and success. AMHS believes students who train at an elite level and push themselves to reach their fullest potential in developing their own, authentic artistic perspective are prepared for life, whether they choose to continue in music or to go in another direction for college. Visit AtlantaMusicHigh.com for more information or call 404-614-0466 to schedule a tour, interview or scholarship audition.
s the nation’s most comprehensive center for language and literacy, the Atlanta Speech School’s four schools, five clinics and professional development center share one common mission: to work within each program and collaborate across all programs to help each person develop his or her full potential through language and literacy. While the four schools serve different types of learners, each program provides a language-rich environment that gives children the strongest possible foundation for communication and learning. Exceptional professionals tailor the latest cutting-edge research to the individual needs of each child, and provide the support and resources necessary so each child can excel. The schools include the Kenan Preschool, an early childhood education program that develops children who are exceptionally prepared for school; the Wardlaw School, an elementary school for children with dyslexia; Stepping Stones, a preschool and transitional kindergarten for children with speech and/or language delays; and the Hamm Center, a listening, spoken language and literacy program for children ages birth to 5 who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families. atlantaspeechschool.org. 404-233-5332.
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The Children’s School
The Cottage School
n 1970, our founder Lila McDill had one vision: children learn by doing. Today, The Children’s School is an age 3-grade 8 school located in the heart of Midtown, empowering students to dive in headfirst, hands-on and open-hearted into the grand lifelong adventure that is learning. At TCS, we know that play is serious learning. We embrace play in everything we do because it is essential to intellectual, social, emotional, physical and cultural development. As our students grow, learning through play becomes learning playfully. Through immersive project-based learning, we design projects around real-world problems facing our community to help students learn in a more meaningful way and tackle the kinds of questions that can’t be answered by Google. Learning takes courage. Our diverse, joyful and nurturing community shows up as their authentic selves everyday, encourages risk-taking and challenges our learners to academic excellence, noble character and emotional maturity, preparing them to make an impact on an everchanging world. Learn more at tcsatl.org.
or 32 years, The Cottage School (TCS) has provided a comprehensive program for middle and high school students with learning differences. Last August, TCS expanded its programs to include 4th and 5th grade. They offer a unique program that focuses on small class sizes, a collaborative student/teacher environment and a work-based model that promotes self-advocacy and fosters self-confidence. TCS provides an accredited academic college preparatory curriculum that meets Georgia graduation standards and HOPE scholarship requirements. Experiential classes and clubs include archery, drama, forensics and horticulture, among many others. The school’s 23-acre Roswell campus includes computer and science labs, a multi-purpose athletic and performing arts facility, indoor and outdoor classrooms, and trails for mountain biking and cross-country. Year-round sports include soccer, basketball, baseball, cross-country, tennis and golf. TCS offers 12-month rolling admissions and a summer program that includes enrichment as well as academic programming. They were recognized in 2015 by the Masters in Special Education Resource Guide as one of the top 50 schools in the United States. Please visit cottageschool.org to learn more, or call 770-641-8688 for a private tour.
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 53
Atlanta
Private Schools The Davis Academy
Fellowship Christian School
hen a child enters The Davis Academy, an educational experience begins that lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning and discovery. Students grow and flourish through an accelerated and enriched secular curriculum that is integrated with a comprehensive Jewish studies program that broadens their worlds and nourishes their spirits. Over time, students emerge as confident, capable learners with a strong sense of self and an enlightened appreciation of the world around them. Education of the whole child is at the heart of The Davis Academy’s mission, where the school’s outstanding faculty and staff strive to foster the development of each child’s unique talents. Davis Academy graduates excel at the best high schools and universities and become leaders in their communities. Serving students from age four through eighth grade, The Davis Academy facilities span across two campuses in the Sandy Springs/Dunwoody area, which includes a new 600-seat state-of-the-art performing arts theatre, full service dining hall and kitchen, a chapel and innovative learning spaces. The Davis Academy is recognized as the largest Reform Jewish Day School in the country, accredited through SACS and SAIS. Visit davisacademy.org for more information.
ocated in Roswell, Fellowship Christian School is celebrating its 32nd year as Atlanta’s premiere Pre-K through 12th Grade Covenant Christian school. The faculty and staff focus on a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, with an integrated biblical worldview. They offer four diploma tracks to emphasize students’ unique strengths and passion, including a Scholars diploma track, Artisan diploma track (Visual, Performing and Language Arts), and STEM diploma track (Engineering, Math, Digital Science, Life Science, Physical Science and Industrial Design). The college acceptance to 4-year programs is 100%, with graduates attending over 200 different universities worldwide. Fellowship encourages athletic participation and holds 19 area or region athletic championships, 4 individual State titles, and 56 graduates are committed for Collegiate athletics. Servant leadership is a core value of Fellowship Christian School, providing ample opportunities for students to serve their local and global community, with each graduating class devoting over 5000 hours to community service. Please visit fellowshipchristianschool.org or call 770-993-1650 to learn more about their tours and admission process. Be bold. Be fearless. Be who God designed you to be. This is Fellowship.
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The Galloway School
GRACEPOINT School
ocated in beautiful Chastain Park, The Galloway School is an independent day school that serves a diverse student body of around 750 students age 3 through grade 12. Guided by a unique approach to teaching and learning, Galloway offers students daring, deliberate, and dynamic learning experiences that inspire them to become fearless learners for life. The Galloway School’s educational philosophy and approach stem from the belief that learning should be an experience of discovery that is both challenging and joyful. It is only then that students develop an abiding love of learning and embrace it as a life-long endeavor. The Galloway School offers an environment of high expectations and low anxiety that challenges students to grow by teaching them to challenge themselves today and for the rest of their lives. Graduates attest that Galloway’s focus on the journey of learning and personal development is what makes the school truly different, and the results speak for themselves. Galloway graduates are mature, independent, and confident individuals who are well prepared for college and for a life lived as enlightened citizens who think independently, care deeply, and engage responsibly. For more information, call 404-252-8389 or visit the website at www.gallowayschool.org.
RACEPOINT School was founded in 2012 when two mothers stepped out in faith to provide their dyslexic children with a specialized education in a Christian setting. The school began with a mere four students and has steadily grown to an enrollment to exceed 100 students this school year. Students in grades one through eight receive a comprehensive, high quality education program that combines remediation with enrichment and acceleration. Students typically complete remediation in three to four years allowing them to transition into a more traditional educational environment. GRACEPOINT utilizes the OrtonGillingham method, a multisensory approach woven into all subject areas. Their students receive seventy-five minutes of explicit reading instruction daily by a certified OrtonGillingham teacher. The student/teacher ratio for reading is 5:1, while all other core subjects have a student/teacher ratio of 8:1. The mission at GRACEPOINT is to equip students with the skills needed to develop into independent and confident learners. They strive to instill a life-long desire for their students to grow in wisdom and knowledge of the Lord, so that each will fulfill God’s purpose and bring Him glory. GRACEPOINT is located in an independent building on the campus of Piedmont Church in Marietta. gracepointschool.org. 678-709-6634.
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Greater Atlanta Christian School
Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School
t Greater Atlanta Christian School, deep Christian faith and deep academic inquiry are fostered in equal measure. The committed and skilled faculty, each one an Apple certified educator, ensure strong scholarly foundations within a curriculum infused with project-based learning and the best of educational technology. They invite students to research and wrestle with real-world problems and bring their gifts of leadership and insight to shape potential solutions. Worldwide mission opportunities, as well as service opportunities closer to home, ensure students understand the global context and its inherent complexities. GAC offers award-winning drama, dance, and music – and an instrumental music program featuring ensembles that travel the world. The championship-caliber athletic program is guided by coaches who understand building character is far more important than the score at the end of the game. Learn more about GAC at an upcoming Open House event: January 17 and February 28. Please call Admissions Director Mary Helen Bryant at 770-243-2274 or email mbryant@ greateratlantachristian.org to schedule a visit.
oly Innocents’ Episcopal School is Atlanta’s only comprehensive Episcopal school, with 1,376 students ages 3 years old through 12th grade. On its 43-acre campus, HIES has a standalone Primary School, Lower School, Middle School and Upper School, as well as a Fine Arts Building, two modern gymnasiums and four expansive athletic fields. And the campus flagship building – a new, state-of-the art, three-story STEM Building – includes a robotics lab, greenhouse and cutting-edge broadcast studio. The HIES college-prep curriculum challenges students, encourages collaboration and inspires creative thinking. Course offerings include acclaimed reading and writing programs, foreign language classes for all ages, hands-on science programs, robotics, engineering, film and TV production classes and the Program for Global Citizenship. Students can discover their artist within at HIES, and the school has a proud athletic tradition, with many regional and state championships. The HIES campus is located just north of Atlanta’s Chastain Park and inside the Perimeter. For more information, visit hies.org
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Holy Spirit Preparatory School
Killian Hill Christian School
oly Spirit Preparatory School is a remarkable institution among the many independent schools in the Atlanta market. The young, accomplished school is one of the few independent Catholic schools in the Atlanta metro area. It serves students from 6 months all the way through 12th grade, so is perfect for families. Its high school keeps getting named one of the top Catholic high schools in the country by the Catholic Education Honor Roll. Their AP scores are way above state and national averages (in the hardest AP tests, like Chemistry and Calculus, their students average over a 4 out of 5, which is incredible), and their alumni get accepted to Ivy League schools, military academies, top 25 schools, and universities across the world. But, really, it’s all about fit. Because they maintain a smaller enrollment than most independent schools, they find the right place for each student - channeling them to the right club, the right gifted classes, the right team - and the right college fit after HSP. This school is all about personalized learning, small class sizes, and forming students in “mind, body, and soul” in a family of faith and learning. For more information, you can visit www.holyspiritprep.org or call or text them at 678-761-7992.
ecently recognized as the sixth best private high school in Georgia, Killian Hill Christian School, has been serving our community since 1972. KHCS is a fully accredited K-12 collegepreparatory school servicing hundreds of students on a beautiful 27-acre campus. Our goal is to promote individual and corporate spiritual vitality through sound Biblical instruction, academic rigor, worthy scholarship, and wide achievement. This results in exceptional preparation for the student’s college career and life experiences. Balanced fine arts and athletic programs complement our focus on proper self-discipline and worthy character. Highly credentialed and caring faculty teach every subject from a biblical foundation for each student’s personal development. Many students recount that KHCS is their home away from home because the teachers here care enough to challenge them and love them enough to get involved in their lives. Investigate us further through an Open House visit and see that Training Scholars, Making Disciples, and Graduating Leaders is more than a motto; it is something we strive to accomplish for God’s glory and your child’s individual achievement. Visit khcs.org to learn more.
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 55
Atlanta
Private Schools The Lovett School
Midtown International School
he Lovett School, founded in 1926 by Eva Edwards Lovett, is an Atlanta independent school serving children in Kindergarten through Grade 12. Lovett seeks to develop young men and women of honor, faith, and wisdom with the character and intellect to thrive in college and in life. Lovett provides integrated experiences in academics, arts, athletics, and service. Lovett’s reach extends beyond the Buckhead neighborhood – students come from 68 zip codes across Atlanta – and even into South America, where Lovett maintains 825 acres of Ecuadoran cloudforest as a preserve and research center. Experiential learning opportunities are key aspects of the student experience, with class trips in grades 5-11, junior internships, and senior projects. Partnerships with the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Georgia Aquarium, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and High Museum of Art, among others, allow learning to extend throughout the city. Lovett’s challenging college-preparatory curriculum includes 29 honors and 22 Advanced Placement courses, elective options such as honors astronomy, marine biology, and linear algebra, and interdisciplinary classes such as History of Global Nonviolence and The Holocaust and the History of Genocide. Studios and makerspaces in all three school divisions nurture curiosity and creativity and support the school’s commitment to design thinking, project-based learning, and STEAM initiatives. For more information, visit www.lovett.org.
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t Midtown International School, diverse and inquisitive students in grades K-10 (and growing!) yearn to engage in a world bigger and infinitely more complex than themselves. Through world languages and course-embedded travel, students quench their thirst for connecting intellectual, cultural, political, and artistic experiences. It is the unique combination of gifted education and global learning that sets the school apart. MIS is a school for ambitious, accelerated learners; the students thrive in settings where personal interaction drives breakthroughs, where challenge ignites creativity and invention, and where problem-based learning leads to the next exciting discovery. So what happens in a school designed for such curious, globally minded learners? No one waits to learn. With writing labs for dissecting writing, computer science instruction, diverse after school programs, competitive and award winning robotics, and the focus on moving every child forward, MIS has created an environment where students take ownership of their learning. Call 404-542-7003 or email admissions@ midtowninternationalschool.com to schedule a tour!
Montessori School at Emory
Montessori Academy at Sharon Springs Montessori at Vickery
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ontessori School at Emory was founded over 24 years ago becoming accredited as a Montessori School in 1993. With over 175 students, from 15 months through 14 years, the Montessori School at Emory supports the whole child and prepares them for life through accredited, authentic quality Montessori programs. Children are given one-on-one instruction from their teacher which creates an individualized program that engages their interests and skill levels. Montessori School at Emory offers several options. Full day, half day, 10 month or year round formats are available. Afternoon enrichment programs are also offered from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., in which children enjoy experiences in the creative arts and sciences such as music, art and foreign language. Also, early morning drop-off is available at 7 a.m. For more information about the Montessori School at Emory, call 404-634-5777 or visit www.MontessoriSchoolatEmory.com.
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Montessori education creates independent, entrepreneurial, confident children. They are selfsufficient, globally aware, environmentally conscious and respectful of oneself and others. Our schools offer children ages 8 weeks – 18 years meticulously prepared indoor and outdoor environments rich in learning materials and experiences. The Montessori curriculum includes mixed-age classrooms that allow students to interact on a variety of levels learning social, academic, and leadership skills. Teachers facilitate the learning process by guiding students toward meaningful activity and the children discover and develop their own interests & abilities. Montessori truly helps children develop a life-long love of learning while helping them create a vision for their personal future. Montessori Academy at Sharon Springs and Montessori at Vickery have both earned accreditation by the State, AdvancEd, and American Montessori Society, which affirms our school meets a standard of excellence recognized by Montessori educators worldwide. Please visit us to see how our Montessori schools can benefit your child. For more information, go to MontessoriAcademySharonSprings.com or MontessoriVickery.com.
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McGinnis Woods Country Day School
cGinnis Woods Country Day School is a private, non-parochial school offering a challenging Preschool, Elementary and Middle School education. The beautiful school is located in Alpharetta on the border of Forsyth and North Fulton counties. The Preschool accepts children as young as 6 weeks and the Elementary and Middle School teaches students in PreK 4 through 8th grade. McGinnis Woods Country Day School is GAC (Georgia Accrediting Commission), SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools), and NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) accredited. McGinnis Woods is also a member of the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA). Classes with low student teacher ratios, provide for frequent one to one learning. The students learn through a variety of groupings including class lessons, small group activities, hands-on STEM activities, and “buddy” classes which encourage multi-age groupings. The school is equipped with an in-house broadcast system, computer labs, tablets, wireless laptop labs, interactive whiteboards, two STEM labs and robotics. Frequent guest speakers and monthly field trips reinforcing classroom learning round out the classroom experience. Annual overnight class trips are offered for students in 1st-8th grade. The mission of McGinnis Woods is to inspire students with the passion to excel. This is accomplished by providing superior hands-on, minds on academics and inspiring a lifelong love of learning. An academic support teacher provides extra strategies for success including OrtonGillingham instruction. Classroom curriculum includes: The Letter People, Saxon Phonics and Math, Wordly Wise, McGraw Hill, Pearson, Harcourt, Glencoe, and Core Essentials. The excellent curriculum provides students with a strong framework on which to develop academically, socially and emotionally. All classes have daily study skills and tutoring opportunities. The entire school community is committed to helping each student achieve their full potential. Students at McGinnis Woods enjoy many enrichment classes
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as part of their curriculum including library and computer skills, Spanish, character education, health, music, art, band and chorus, physical education and quarterly electives for students in 5-8th grade. Community Service projects are emphasized throughout the year. Specials classes are taught by specialists and provide opportunities for students to explore and discover talents and strengths. Competitive sports, robotics, and drama teams train year round. Athletic teams include: soccer, volleyball, cross country, basketball, tennis, and track and field. Fine Arts offerings include: drama, chorus, band, visual arts, and special performances providing an avenue for creative expression. Elementary school hours are 8:30 a.m.-3:00 or 3:30 p.m. with Before and After School programs available for families needing extended hours. Discovery Clubs are offered during After School and include an impressive variety of choices including drama, band club, robotics, STEM club, Science Olympiad, Oratorical Club, ballet, chess, cheerleading, football, tennis, and cooking. The Preschool and After School programs are available from 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Exciting Summer Camps are also available. Junior and Senior Summer Camp Programs include a variety of theme based activities featuring fun field trips, enriching educational opportunities and on-site water activities. The school encourages all prospective parents to tour the beautiful campus and review the curriculum. Parent involvement is strong and parents are invited and encouraged to take an active role in their child’s education. McGinnis Woods is known as a wonderful, caring school where community is strongly valued and nurtured. An Open House will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018 from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. To experience the McGinnis Woods difference, visit www.mcginniswoods.org and set up a tour online or call 770-664-7764 to arrange a personal tour.
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 57
Atlanta
Private Schools Mount Paran Christian School
Mount Vernon Presbyterian School
ount Paran Christian School exists to provide a stellar academic experience in a Christian environment. It’s crucial to guarantee a moral and faith foundation through everything your child learns at school. Through curricular Bible classes, weekly chapel, discipleship groups, and service, faith becomes integrated into who they are. Within small class sizes, MPCS offers 56 AP/honors courses, instructional support, robotics, STEAM starting in PK3, and a 1:1 device program. Our job is to prepare servant-leaders - in the classroom, on the ball field, on the stage, and ultimately in our community. Mount Paran Christian School is a PreK3-12th grade private Christian, non-denominational, college-preparatory school. MPCS is committed to excellence in academics, awardwinning arts, and championship athletics. Founded in 1976, MPCS is fully accredited (SAIS/AdvancED) and located in the shadow of Kennesaw Mountain on a 68-acre collegiate-like campus. MPCS unites with home and church to prepare servant-leaders to honor God, love others, and walk in Truth. We invite you to experience the difference an MPCS education can make for your family at an Open House or personal tour by visiting www.mtparanschool.com/experience.
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stablished in 1972 and located in Sandy Springs, Georgia, Mount Vernon inspires innovation in Preschool through grade 12. Leading the national conversation around K-12 integration of design thinking, students collaborate through research, experiment with results, and ultimately produce prototypes to impact the world. We are dedicated to creating a learning environment that equips all students to be college ready, globally competitive and engaged citizen leaders. MVPS amplifies the skills needed to engage in real-world, people-centered problem solving through design thinking and project based learning. Mount Vernon’s Innovation Diploma offers an extraordinary opportunity for Upper School students in grades 9-12 to become lead designers of their own learning. Students who earn the Innovation Diploma observe, question, empathize, experiment, and lead as they implement solutions to human-centered issues. As a partner of Stanford’s d.School, Mount Vernon launched its Mount Vernon Institute for Innovation (MVIFI) in 2010, a research and design arm of the School. Students are constantly exposed to and encouraged to interact with experts in local, national and global communities to design a better world. Visit mvadmissions.youcanbook.me to schedule your tour today.
Mt. Bethel Christian Academy
Pace Academy
or nearly twenty years, Mt. Bethel Christian Academy has been the school of choice for families from East Cobb and beyond desiring a JK-12th grade, Christ-centered, education for their children. College-preparatory in its approach, Mt. Bethel’s curriculum challenges students with rigorous studies that include a dual track STEM program, honors and AP opportunities. A one-toone laptop program (5th through 12th) allows students to access their textbooks and reference material online and includes a communication tool connecting students and parents to teachers. With two campuses in East Cobb County, the combined facilities include spacious classrooms, performing arts, visual arts and video production studios, dining halls, learning commons with dedicated student collaboration space, an 1800 sq. ft. fully equipped fitness center, two indoor gymnasiums, a 6-lane, 25-yard year-round swimming pool, an outdoor pavilion covering a regulation-size basketball court, lighted tennis courts, athletic fields, and two recreational lakes. Beyond the classroom, a championship athletic program includes volleyball, soccer, basketball, swimming, crosscountry, baseball, golf, tennis, lacrosse, clay targets, archery, cheerleading, and an equestrian team. Bus service is available to the Main Campus (Jr. Kindergarten-8), located at 4385 Lower Roswell Road, and the North Campus (9-12), located at 2509 Post Oak Tritt Rd. Visit mtbethelchristian.org for more information.
n 1958, an interfaith group of community leaders envisioned a learning environment open to fresh ideas and debate. Pace Academy today is exactly what its founders had in mind. With 1,115 students in Pre-First through 12th grade, Pace strives to create prepared, confident citizens of the world. Student-teacher relationships are at the heart of the Pace experience, so the school maintains a studentteacher ratio of 9:1 and an average class size of 12. Pace develops children’s passions and strengths through academics, athletics and the arts, while providing global perspectives in the classroom and an integrated experience after the bell rings. Through the Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL), Pace students come to view the world through a global lens. The ICGL builds on an innovative academic curriculum and explores an annual, school-wide theme. Curricular and co-curricular activities, scholars in residence, fellowships, internships and international study tours support education around these themes. Through the ICGL, Pace students, guided by an outstanding faculty, develop a deep understanding of the world and the people around them. Pace graduates want to be successful and realize that true success means making a difference. For program information, visit www.paceacademy.org.
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Pinecrest Academy
Porter Academy
inecrest Academy is a PreK3-12th grade, college preparatory Catholic school, located in Cumming. Pinecrest is a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School and has been a Cardinal Newman Society Catholic School Honor Roll School of Excellence for nine consecutive years. The school provides an atmosphere of academic rigor and critical thinking, while offering personalized attention in a Christ-centered environment. Pinecrest prepares students to become Christian leaders, eager to transform society. This mission is accomplished in a gender-specific environment on a co-ed campus. Following the educational philosophy of the Legionaries of Christ, Pinecrest implements Integral Formation® to develop the intellectual, human, spiritual and apostolic dimensions of the whole person. Students are challenged to identify and use their gifts in service to others. Recognizing the parent as the primary educator of the child, the school’s mission embraces the entire family. Pinecrest provides a safe, moral, spiritual environment which leads to positive peer groups and joyful, caring and confident students. For more information, visit pinecrestacademy.org or call 770-888-4477.
e are so pleased with the progress he has made so far this year. He is beaming when he reads aloud and his confidence is soaring. He is no longer too timid to take chances and try something new. We couldn’t be happier!” - Porter Academy Parent When parents first come tour Porter Academy, many of them feel heavy with frustration, anxiety, and sadness because they have fought hard for their children, but with little success to show for their efforts. These same families, within a few months of enrollment, are able to relax and feel hopeful, knowing that their children are finally happy and learning. The school’s founder, Claudia Porter, didn’t teach a curriculum, she taught a child. She knew each child’s passions, strengths, and stumbling blocks. She knew that their past struggles had made them feel less...less capable, less important... and that these feelings had led many of them to resist trying. They had learned to slip through the cracks or to distract from the real problems by acting out behaviorally. Mrs. Porter knew that the first step to getting children to learn was to rebuild their self confidence and self respect. The school has grown, but the child-centered care and teaching persists, enabling each child to find joy and success in learning. For more information, visit www.porteracademy.org or call 770-594-1313.
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Saint Francis Schools
Smoke Rise Prep
aint Francis Schools is an independent, not for profit school with no religious affiliation, providing an exceptional college preparatory program serving the students of metro Atlanta since 1976. Grades K–8 are located on the Roswell campus while the High School is located on the Milton campus. The school’s commitment to small class sizes, low pupil-to-teacher ratio, and a strong emphasis on structure and organization allow students to enjoy academic success and develop the self-confidence necessary to be successful in college. Curriculum offerings include AP, Honors, traditional and support classes. The graduating seniors have a 100 percent acceptance rate to college and attend a wide variety of programs ranging from Ivy League schools, to small private colleges to prestigious Art Institutes. Saint Francis is a Google Apps for Education Classroom, utilizing laptops in grades 4–12. Specialized reading programs offered include Fundations®, Wilson Reading System®, Just Words® and supplemental support from Cars and Stars® Reading Comprehension. A full sports program is offered at the middle school and high school levels (GHSA) and includes football and equestrian. For information: 770-641-8257 Ext. 51 (grades K-8) or 678-339-9989 Ext. 33 (grades 9-12). saintfrancisschools.com.
n 2011, Smoke Rise Prep (SRP) was established by a group of teachers and parents who reimagined what preparatory education could be. Offering a vibrant learning environment, a rigorous curriculum, and smaller class sizes, SRP strives to instill a love of learning in every child. SRP offers education for students in grades 1-8, combining the best aspects of private, public, charter, and homeschool. Students consistently test higher than local, county, and state averages and 100% of 8th grade students take 9th grade level classes in multiple subjects. Students are provided with 1:1 technology in the form of Chromebooks and all classrooms are equipped with Smart Boards. School culture is key. SRP maintains high expectations for mutual respect and values individual differences. With social pressures put aside, students have the confidence to ask questions, make suggestions, and become engaged in their classes. Coupling a rigorous curriculum with a positive culture, the unique learning environment at Smoke Rise Prep provides students with an educational advantage that fully prepares them for high school and beyond. Visit www.smokeriseprep.org to learn more.
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 59
Atlanta
Private Schools St. Martin’s Episcopal School
St. Peter Claver Regional Catholic School
t. Martin’s Episcopal School is a place where each child can discover his or her unique gifts. Serving over 600 students from 2 years old through 8th grade, St. Martin’s has offered a quality education in a loving, Christian environment for more than 50 years. Every parent knows that the ability to learn, create, lead and serve is as individual as each child. With small classes and a nurturing community, students can safely explore, take risks, face challenges and celebrate each other’s success. They are not only well-prepared to be high achievers and strong leaders during high school, they also build a foundation that encourages lifelong learning. Students’ spiritual growth remains an important part of the school’s mission. While St. Martin’s is a Christian school with an Episcopal identity, children of all faiths are welcomed. Students also enjoy a variety of extracurricular opportunities in upper Elementary School and throughout Middle School in athletics, fine arts, journalism, science and more. St. Martin’s invites you to tour the campus to learn more. For more information, contact Director of Admission Blythe Marsau at 404-228-0709 or visit www.stmartinschool.org.
t. Peter Claver Regional Catholic School is located on a beautiful wooded campus in Decatur and is a part of the Archdiocese of Atlanta with a diverse student body and current enrollment of 119 in grades Pre-K to eight. The school is fully accredited by and meets all standards of the AdvancED Accreditation Commission. SPC is a 2017-2018 National Beta School of Distinction and has a proud tradition that reaches back to 1961 when its doors opened as a parish school. In 2001, the school was re-dedicated and named St. Peter Claver Regional Catholic School and today welcomes students from eight metro Atlanta parishes. All classrooms are outfitted with computers where a Blended Learning approach supports technology, project-based learning, Spanish and the Arts. In addition to a challenging curriculum, students have access to extra-curricular activities, field-trips and participate in service projects. Christ’s Love is foundational at St. Peter Claver where students strive to live out its mission to “learn, lead, inspire, and serve in local and global communities through Catholic teachings rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, rigorous academics, and spiritual formation.” Visit spc-school.org to learn more or call 404-241-3063 to schedule a tour.
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Sugar Hill Christian Academy
Swift School
ugar Hill Christian Academy currently serves students 12 months through 10th grade. They will be adding 11th grade Fall 2018 and 12th grade Fall 2019. Their mission is to offer an excellent academic and Christian education, while developing a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. At Sugar Hill Christian Academy they believe a successful education is only met by partnering with the parents during these important formative and academic years. Together, they will pray for, lift up and support your child to grow in character and faith and to be successful in the modern world while living as Disciples of Christ. Students begin each day by raising their hearts and voices to God in praise and worship. Character education and devotions are combined with song and prayer to start the day. Students also have a daily enrichment period that rotates weekly through the following subjects: art, computer lab, music, P.E. and Spanish. Academy students also visit the school library weekly and are encouraged to participate in Accelerated Reader. SHCA middle school and high school students compete with area schools in basketball, soccer, cross country, tennis and volleyball through Lanier Christian Athletic Conference (LCAC). Visit SugarHillChristian.org or call to schedule a tour at 678-745-4121.
wift School is an independent school for students in grades 1–8 with dyslexia and languagebased learning differences. At Swift, dyslexia is viewed through the lens of leadingedge brain science and seen as a brain type with great advantages. An individualized program is designed for each student to enhance their unique strengths and address specific challenges. Swift uses the Orton-Gillingham approach to teach students how to decode and understand language and helps students develop interpersonal skills that will allow them to thrive in life beyond Swift. With small class sizes and two teachers per homeroom, Swift’s Lower Division provides students a high degree of individualized instruction. The Middle Division offers a challenging program to prepare students for high school. In addition to classroom instructors, a team of learning specialists and speech-language pathologists support Swift students. Swift offers after school clubs for Lower Division students and interscholastic sports for Middle Division students. Swift School is located in Roswell off GA-400 at exit 7. Contact us at 678-205-4988 or visit theswiftschool.org to learn more.
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Tabula Rasa - The Language Academy
Trinity School
abula Rasa, The Language Academy Total Immersion School started in 2001 with a desire to create a family-like environment where babies through 5th grade become fluent in a second language (Spanish), become familiar with a third language (French) and learn the culture of the countries speaking that language. A strong aspect of the daily programs and activities involves diversity, respecting the environment and each other. The students come from a variety of backgrounds and countries and the teachers are native-speakers, all of which adds to the diversity and enrichment of the learning experience. Preschool instruction is all in the foreign language. Elementary School is bilingual Spanish/English, with a third language of French at the Sandy Springs campus continued in the afternoons. Tabula Rasa has an enrollment of 250 with a low student/teacher ratio, and helps students with their Spanish homework in the Afterschool program. Both locations are now accepting applications. For more information or to tour the campus and see reasons why students love the program, please call 404-409-0827, or visit trlanguages.com
verything Trinity School does is designed to help students ages three through Sixth Grade flourish. Established in 1951 and located on 43 acres in Atlanta, this unique elementary-only school is known for its rigorous academics, an amazing arts program, stateof-the-art indoor and outdoor learning spaces, and a community that cares like no other. At Trinity, students have opportunities to discover and explore. The School’s faculty and staff encourage them to try things they never imagined and cheer mightily when they succeed. Trinity’s unique approach to early childhood and elementary education allows their students to savor the joy of childhood while also acquiring a deep academic foundation and developing responsibility, leadership, and a strong sense of self. While the academic program is challenging, it is only one measure of success at Trinity. In addition to gaining proficiency in essential knowledge and skills, Trinity students are exposed to a wide variety of subjects and experiences, such as engineering and design, music, art, world languages, physical education, and community service. In every class, Trinity students learn to think deeply, explore freely, and express themselves with confidence. Call 404-231-8118 to schedule a tour or visit trinityatl.org.
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The Waldorf School of Atlanta
The Walker School
hildhood First. Celebrating more than 30 years, The Waldorf School of Atlanta offers a revolutionary notion – that in the midst of a high-speed world, children need schools where childhood is appreciated and allowed to unfold naturally. The school nurtures within students the will to become life-long learners by fostering their ability to think with clarity, feel with compassion, and act with purpose in the world. The Waldorf curriculum is rich in every branch of academics and enlivened with the arts and practical skills. As such, it honors children at each stage of their development, nurturing their current capacities and preparing them for new learning to come. Located in Decatur, with a satellite location in Inman Park, The Waldorf School of Atlanta serves children from ages 2 through 8th grade. Aligned with the ideals of Waldorf education – a century-old approach to learning, carried on by 1,200 schools worldwide – The Waldorf School invites you to learn more at www.waldorfatlanta.org
ocated just two miles from historic Marietta Square, The Walker School is the only Pre-K - 12 independent school in North Atlanta that provides each student with a tailored educational experience based on his or her talents, interests, and academic goals. Wonder guides the educational experience at Walker. Dedicated faculty members kindle students’ innate curiosity and channel it into challenging curricula, engaging interpersonal relationships, demanding athletics, and stimulating extracurricular activities. Walker’s goal is to help each child chart a path of self-realization, to discover who they are, and to become their best self. Equipped with a clarity of purpose, strong sense of self, and the confidence and skills to navigate a 21st century world, Walker students follow only where wonder leads. As a parent, it is a joy to see your child grow and mature, to discover and engage the wonder of life, and to develop into their own person. See where wonder will lead your child by scheduling a visit today at thewalkerschool.org/visit.
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[ Education Guide ] Special Advertising Section
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 61
Atlanta
Private Schools Westminster
Whitefield Academy
estminster is a coeducational Christian, independent school which seeks to serve students who are bright, motivated, and curious by nurturing them through challenge. The environment develops leaders of conscience who will be a positive force in the world. The School was founded in 1951, guided by a mission to prepare students for college and for life. With an enrollment of approximately 1,870 students in grades pre-first through 12, Westminster fulfills its mission through a curriculum that engages children across the key dimensions of their growth – academic, physical, and spiritual. The School’s dynamic curricular offerings are complemented by extracurricular opportunities including unique service learning projects that partner the students with nonprofit organizations locally and abroad; a dynamic arts program that includes music, visual arts, and drama; a nationally recognized athletic program with more than 84 teams across 17 sports; and interdisciplinary global programs spanning five continents. Westminster students are encouraged to deeply investigate and explore their passions under the guidance of gifted faculty. Learn more about Westminster’s academics, faculty, and extracurricular activities, or find more information about the admissions process at westminster.net.
hitefield Academy is a Christ-centered, collegepreparatory school serving more than 800 students in grades pre-K4 through 12. Located just off I-285 in Smyrna, Whitefield maintains a solid academic reputation with its numerous AP and honors courses, and a rigorous curriculum that sets the framework for 100 percent of its graduates to matriculate to colleges and universities. In fact, graduates from the past three years have averaged more than $6.1 million in scholarships, annually. The Whitefield learning environment facilitates discovery of student talents and interests that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. With more than 50 sports teams, including 20 varsity teams, Whitefield athletes have multiple opportunities for both participation and success – over 100 Whitefield alumni have moved on to NCAA competition in their chosen sport. In addition to academic and athletic prowess, Whitefield’s award-winning fine arts programs and newly debuted Innovation Lab are allowing students to explore and develop their passions in theater, music, and visual arts, as well as STEM subjects, such as engineering and robotics. For more information, visit whitefieldacademy.com.
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Atlanta Charter School
Woodward Academy
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t Woodward Academy, one size doesn’t fit even two. From pre-K through 12th grade, Woodward is a place where your child can study Gauguin and golf, Copernicus and coding, rhetoric and robotics – all in one day. With 2,700 students on two campuses spanning 133 acres, yet a student-teacher ratio of just 7:1, Woodward has the resources and opportunities of a college but the intimacy and attention of home. It’s about creating your own path within a truly diverse community under the guidance of caring faculty, coaches, counselors, mentors, and advisors – all while cultivating strong character and a deep respect for difference. At Woodward, we challenge our students to explore new academic frontiers and reach their fullest potential. What does success look like? Look no further than our 25 AP classes, renowned Transition Program for students with mild learning differences, 86 student clubs, 75 yearly arts performances, and 18 varsity sports. Our Global Connections Program offers extensive international study abroad programs, and our innovative STEM programs are woven into the curriculum every step of the way. A typical Woodward Academy graduating class attends more than 100 different colleges and universities, devotes 5,000 hours to community service, and earns more than $15 million in scholarship awards. Start your path today at woodward.edu. 62 Atlanta Parent January 2018
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International Charter School of Atlanta
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he International Charter School of Atlanta (ICSAtlanta) is the premier Metro Atlanta tuition-free charter school open to all Georgia students. With a focus on multiculturalism and inquiry-based learning, elementary grade students experience dual-language immersion education, with the ability to study French, German, Mandarin, or Spanish. ICSAtlanta, a Primary Years Candidate School, follows International Baccalaureate principles and educates students to become open-minded, principled global citizens. ICSAtlanta’s new middle school features small, culturallyinclusive classes where students thrive in an academicallyrigorous, 21st century learning environment. With a focus on global mindedness, scholars may choose from French, German, Mandarin, and Spanish to study as a second and/or third language. ICSAtlanta also offers additional, unique electives such as Coding and our Global Experiential Learning Seminar, a hands-on course focused on problem-solving skills to address global needs based on the United Nations’ development and human rights priorities. ICSAtlanta believes in nurturing students to become compassionate, lifelong learners who are committed to taking actions that will improve our world. For more information on tours and admissions, please visit www.icsatlanta.org or call 470-222-7420.
[ Education Guide ] Special Advertising Section
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Be Amazed. By and Beyond the Education.
Now celebrating our 25th year, The Davis Academy is committed to preparing students for the future. From age four through eighth grade our students grow through a challenging and enriching education based on an innovative, student-centric curriculum. We teach life skills, instill Jewish values and provide diverse experiences so that our students become well-balanced and self-confident individuals.
But don’t take our word for it. Come see for yourself! NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR. Schedule a private tour today by calling 678-527-3300 or visit us online at davisacademy.org/events. 8105 Roberts Drive, Atlanta, GA 30350 770-671-0085 | davisacademy.org
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 63
Countdown to College: Tips to Help Students Find Their Fit
Starting the Conversation It all starts with a conversation between parent and child. But often the question that starts the conversation is the wrong one, according to Rick Clark, Director of Undergraduate Admission at Georgia Tech. “Parents ask ‘Where do you want to go to college?’ “Clark says. The biggest question that parents don’t ask or lose sight of is, ‘Why do you want to go to college?’ ” That “why” is important, and should be followed up with questions like “What do you hope to get out of this? What do you want to study? What do you want to do long-term?” Clark says.
Freshman Year: Academics Are Important Rachael Fain, a mom of three who lives in Kennesaw, stresses the importance of the GPA during freshman year. Fain’s daughter, Hannah, graduated from the University of Georgia in 2017. Fain’s son, Matthew, is a sophomore at Kennesaw State University. “My children started taking high school classes in eighth grade,” Fain says. “A GPA is harder to bring up in junior and senior year, so our goal their eighth- and ninth-grade years was to keep their GPA high.” Erin McCubbin, Upper School Head of Academic and College Counseling at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School, specializes in helping students prepare for college. “The highest potential to insulate a student’s GPA for the future is during freshman year,” McCubbin says. The freshman year is also important for getting on a challenging track of classes. “Math in particular is something students need to pay attention to,” Clark says Taking challenging classes in high school helped Fain’s son make his college decision. After Matthew took dual credit classes at KSU, he decided to pursue his degree there. by Janeen Lewis
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high school student’s road to college may seem challenging. Parents and children don’t always agree on a college, plus they must meet deadlines and make tough financial choices. If that isn’t stressful enough, students should be checking off their to-do list of tasks each year. How do parents help them navigate all the details? Here is some advice from the pros – a parent who’s been through the process, a high school academic and college counselor and a college admissions counselor. 64 Atlanta Parent January 2018
Sophomore Year: Getting to Know You
At Mount Vernon Presbyterian School, McCubbin says the counselors guide students through self-reflection during their tenth-grade year. “We prompt students to name their strengths, to say, ‘Hey, I’m good at this!” We ask what are they interested in? What type of school are they interested in – big, small, liberal arts?” Students at Mount Vernon also take personality assessments like the Myers Briggs Type Indicator to help them find their best college and career paths. Taking the PSAT is another good way to figure out their testing strengths and weaknesses and allow students to prepare for the ACT and SAT when they are juniors and seniors. “We have the entire sophomore class take the PSAT,” says McCubbin. “It’s great practice as long as students think of it as practice. They shouldn’t do test prep for it.”
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Junior Year: Balancing Grades and Activities Grades are crucial during the junior year. Junior year also involves more challenging classes and leadership roles in clubs and activities. It’s hard to do it all, so how important are the extracurricular activities? “It depends on the student,” McCubbin says. “It depends on the school they are interested in.” McCubbin suggests letting your student find his own balance of activities and academics and then look for colleges that match. McCubbin also advises that colleges that emphasize activities want students that are involved in a complex way. “Don’t just be a swimmer. Ask how you can be more. Can you coach or teach swimming lessons to younger kids?” McCubbin also stresses how important it is for high school students to contribute to the world around them. “Help your student think about what they love to do and then how they can use that to create something that wouldn’t exist without them,” says McCubbin. At Georgia Tech, Clark says, one out of every four students who apply are accepted. “Most students that apply have good test scores, good grades and good courses. Then the review committee asks, ‘Is this kid a good fit for us?’” Clark says they look for students who are innovative or who are entrepreneurs, and they ask, “How does this student use their time?” “If they are a good student who goes home and plays video games, what will they contribute to the school?” Clark says. Students stand out if they are responsible, if they work a job or if they make an impact some way. Cont’d on page 66
Erin McCubbin, of Mount Vernon Presbyterian School, advises that colleges that emphasize activities want students that are involved in a complex way. “Don’t just be a swimmer. Ask how you can be more. Can you coach or teach swimming lessons to younger kids?”
BIG
WE THINK atlantaparent.com
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CONNECTING LEARNING TO LIFE AT EVERY LEVEL. paceacademy.org/admissions In October, students and faculty explored the 2017–2018 Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) theme of CONSERVATION during a study tour to Yellowstone National Park. Photograph by ICGL Director TRISH ANDERSON
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 65
Countdown to College Senior Year: Find Your Fit Clark says the most important thing about making a college decision is finding a good fit. “Fit doesn’t really mean can the student do the work, but are they aligned well to the school.” For example, Clark says Brown University and Cal Tech (California Institute of Technology) look the same on paper. A student will apply to each with the same grades and same test scores and get accepted to one and not the other. “That is what fit is,” Clark says. “How a student fits with a school, not just from an academic standpoint.” McCubbin says finding the right fit is the most difficult part of the process. “At the beginning, be up front with your child about your boundaries, such as financial boundaries, and then help them find their fit,” McCubbin says. “Your fit may not be your child’s fit.” If this is the case, Clark says how you approach the topic may resolve a lot of conflict over the situation. “Continue to tell your kids you love them, and that no matter where they go to college, it will be great.” The good news is that there are many schools across the country and probably more than one of them will match your student’s personality and academic standing. “If you or your child feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath and remember there is a school for every student,” Fain says. Janeen Lewis is a writer, teacher and mom who lives in Kennesaw.
Year-by-Year Checklist: Preparing for college can be overwhelming because of the many steps it takes to get an acceptance letter. But breaking the college to-do list into manageable steps for each year of high school makes the process less stressful and teaches students responsibility, the very thing they will need for what they want to achieve – a college education. Follow this step-by-step guide for students.
The good news is that there are many schools across the country and probably more than one of them will match your student’s personality and academic standing.
Junior Year n Take the PSAT. n Accept leadership roles in the activities that suit you best. n Narrow your list of possible careers. n Narrow your list of possible colleges. n Take the ACT and SAT. n During the summer, volunteer or find an internship or job
related to your future career.
Freshman Year
n Write a college entrance essay draft. Have it critiqued by a
n Talk to your parents and guidance counselor at the beginning of the year
to set goals.
guidance counselor or teacher.
Senior Year
n Take the most challenging courses available to you. n Make good grades.
n Narrow your college search to six to eight schools.
n Try a variety of activities. n Take advantage of opportunities to visit college campuses when you travel.
Sophomore Year
n Post all important deadline dates on a wall calendar. n Retake the ACT or SAT if needed. n Polish your resume. n Ask for teacher recommendations.
n Visit college and career fairs. n Build your resume. Make a list of awards, accomplishments, and activities. n Take the PSAT for practice (you can take it your sophomore and junior
n Visit the colleges you are applying to. n Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA),
year, but it won’t count until you are a junior).
a form that is required to receive federal student aid, including federal grants and federal loans.
n Start studying for the ACT and SAT. There are many test prep guides
n Send out all your college applications.
available online and in book form. n Assess your strengths and weaknesses and take a personality inventory.
n After you receive your acceptance letters, compare
n Research possible careers.
scholarship and financial aid packages and make your final decision.
n During the summer begin researching colleges that might be a good fit.
n Notify all the schools you were accepted to of your decision.
66 Atlanta Parent January 2018
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Inspiring Innovation. Preschool-12 mountvernonschool.org
Junie
Sixth Grader
Performer. Experimenter. World Traveler.
Campus Tours Preschool-1 Feb 5 at 9:30 a.m. Grades 2-4 Jan 11 at 9:30 a.m. Grades 5-6 Jan 23 at 9:00 a.m. Grades 7-12 Jan 31 at 8:30 a.m.
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WE ARE PIONEERS Why is Atlanta choosing Mount Vernon?
watch tomorrow’s pioneers today bit.ly/mvpioneers [ Focus on Education ]
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 67
SPONSORED CONTENT
Boarding Schools: Going Away to Learn Families choose boarding schools for their strong emphasis on academics, character and leadership. Saint Mary’s School Saint Mary’s School in Raleigh, N.C., is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory boarding and day school for girls in grades 9-12. Dedicated to academic excellence and personal achievement for young women since 1842, Saint Mary’s knows girls and knows what they need to learn, grow and thrive. That’s why Saint Mary’s offers AP and honors courses, world languages, a rich arts program, 11 sports, leadership opportunities and real-world experiences. The school’s downtown location and close-proximity to the Research Triangle enrich the student experience and provide unique learning opportunities in and out of the classroom. At Saint Mary’s School, the possibilities are endless. sms.edu
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
Saint Mary’s School
Founded in 1903, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is a unique community of learners dedicated to nurturing and challenging students as they prepare for college and beyond. Rabun Gap, a co-ed boarding and day school for grades Pre-K to grade 12, is two hours North of Atlanta. Boarding begins with grade 7. Students hail from 40+ countries and 15+ states, creating a vibrant community of diverse backgrounds. Curriculum consists of collegeprep, AP and STEAM, with afterschool programs including athletics, fine arts, outdoor trips and environmental stewardship. 75 percent of students receive financial aid and scholarships. 100 percent of students are accepted into top colleges and universities. rabungap.org
Massanutten Military Academy
Massanutten Military Academy
68 Atlanta Parent January 2018
Founded in 1899, Massanutten Military Academy focuses on character development, leadership, and service to help each student grow to reach their fullest potential. MMA is a co-ed military boarding and day school located in Woodstock, Va. only 90 minutes from our nation’s capital. While attending, students not only develop academic knowledge, but also an understanding of structure and time management. The school offers an outstanding STEM program, AP and dual-enrolled courses, arts, all major sports, JROTC and more. Massanutten Military Academy has guaranteed college acceptance agreements with multiple colleges, and each graduating student receives an average of $90,000 in scholarships. militaryschool.com
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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
St. Margaret’s School St. Margaret’s School is committed to the well-being of girls, intellectually, physically and spiritually. Located on a historic riverfront campus in Tappahannock, Va., St. Margaret’s School is an Episcopal day and boarding school for grades 8-12. With a diverse student body from around the world, the school offers a welcoming community where girls can be themselves, grow and thrive. St. Margaret’s School promotes a culture of individuality, healthy curiosity and strong character. Girls have fun participating in athletics, visual and performing arts and community service. Seniors complete an independent study project in an area of potential career interest and graduate prepared to succeed in college and life. sms.org
Indian Springs School The mission of Indian Springs School is to develop a love of learning, a sense of integrity and moral courage, and an ethic of participatory citizenship, with respect for individuality and independent thought. Founded in 1952, Indian Springs is a coeducational day and boarding school for grades 8-12 located in Indian Springs, Ala. Springs aims to connect young people whose identities, beliefs, and experiences reflect rich diversity. Students can individualize their educational experience with 130 courses, including 16 AP classes, dozens of electives and numerous independent study options. Extracurricular involvement includes athletics, choir, and special interest clubs among many others. Students graduate ready for college and prepared for the world. indiansprings.org
St. Margaret’s School
Use this contact information to help with your boarding school search: n Indian Springs School Co-ed boarding and day school for grades 8-12. Indian Springs, Ala. indiansprings.org; 205-988-3350 n Massanutten Military Academy Co-ed military boarding school for grades 8-12. Woodstock, Va. militaryschool.com; 540-459-2167, opt. 1 n Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Co-ed boarding and day school for grades 5-12. Rabun Gap, Ga. rabungap.org; 706-746-7467 n Saint Mary’s School Episcopal boarding and day school for girls in grades 9-12. Raleigh, N.C. sms.edu; 919-424-4000 n St. Margaret’s School Boarding and day school for girls in grades 8-12. Tappahannock, Va. sms.org; 804-443-3357
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Indian Springs School
[ Focus on Education ]
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 69
More Than a School.
In every way, every day.
• 2-year-olds through 8th grade • Extended-day program available • Preparation for Atlanta’s top high schools • Respectful, collaborative learning environment • Welcoming Christian atmosphere
open house January 28, 2018 2 - 4 p.m.
Questions? Contact the Admissions Office at 404.228.0709 or visit stmartinschool.org.
3110-A Ashford Dunwoody Rd. | Brookhaven, GA 30319 3110-A Ashford Dunwoody Rd. | Brookhaven, GA 30319
70 Atlanta Parent January 2018
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A Sampling of Atlanta’s Private Schools Start your search for the right private school for your child with our listings. Schools are divided into four categories: non-sectarian, religious-affiliated, Montessori and special needs school. Tuition prices are approximate.
The Children’s School
Non-Sectarian Schools Schools listed offer classes at least through the third grade. They include the largest in the metro area as well as Atlanta Parent Magazine advertisers.
Academe of the Oaks. 146 New St., Decatur (DeKalb). 404-405-2173. 9th-12th. 94 students. $17,850/yr. academeatlanta.org. Atlanta Country Day School. 8725 Dunwoody Place., Atlanta (Fulton). 770-998-0311. 6th-12th. 25 students. $13,000-$18,000/yr. atlantacountrydayschool.org. Atlanta Girls’ School. 3254 Northside Pkwy., Atlanta (Fulton). 404-845-0900. 6th-12th. 260 students. $23,330/yr. atlantagirlsschool.org. Atlanta International School. 2890 N. Fulton Dr., Atlanta (Fulton). 404-841-3840. K3-12th. 1221 students. $21,958-$25,066/yr. aischool.org. Atlanta Music High School. 1934 Cliff Valley Way NE, Atlanta (DeKalb). 404-614-0466. 5th12th. Enrolling for 2018-19. $8,000-$18,000/yr. atlantamusichigh.com
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Brandon Hall School. 1701 Brandon Hall Dr., Atlanta (Fulton). 770-394-8177. 6th-12th. 170 students. $27,000/yr. brandonhall.org. Cambridge Academy. 2780 Flat Shoals Rd., Decatur (DeKalb). 404-241-1321. 2yrs.-8th. 225 students. $8,000-$9,500/yr. acambridgeacademy.org. The Children’s School. 345 Tenth St. NE, Atlanta (Fulton). 404-873-6985. 3yrs.-8th. 375 students. $13,500-$21,990/yr. tcsatl.org. Cliff Valley School. 2426 Clairmont Rd., Atlanta (DeKalb). 678-302-1302. 3yrs.-8th. 345 students. $17,290-$18,270/yr. cliffvalley.org. Cornerstone Schools. 4888 Browns Bridge Rd., Cumming (Forsyth). 770-205-8202. PreK-12th. 350 students. $8,000-$11,000/yr. cornerstonesch.com. The Cottage School. 700 Grimes Bridge Rd., Roswell (Fulton). 770-641-8688. 4th-12th. 165 students. $24,200-$24,950/yr. cottageschool.org. Eaton Academy. 1000 Old Roswell Lakes Pkwy., Roswell (Fulton). 770-645-2673. K-12th. 150 students. $12,000-$22,000/yr. eatonacademy.org.
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Foundations for the Future. 1500 Stanley Rd., Kennesaw (Cobb). 770-429-4799. 6wks.-6th. 202 students. $7,200-$9,800/yr. foundationsschool.com. Fulton Science Academy. 3035 Fanfare Way, Alpharetta (Fulton). 678-366-2555. PreK-12th. 510 students. $12,500-$13,250/yr. fultonscienceacademy.org. Galloway School. 215 W. Wieuca Rd. NW, Atlanta (Fulton). 404-252-8389. 3yrs.-12th. 750 students. $16,520-$26,999/yr. gallowayschool.org. George Walton Academy. 1 Bulldog Dr., Monroe (Walton). 770-267-7578. K4-12th. 775 students. $4,600-$12,000/yr. gwa.com. The Heritage School. 2093 Hwy. 29 N, Newnan (Coweta). 770-253-9898. 3yrs.-12th. 450 students. $5,125-$16,600/yr. heritageschool.com. High Meadows School. 1055 Willeo Rd., Roswell (Fulton). 770-993-2940. 3yrs.-8th. 400 students. $6,300-$18,750/yr. highmeadows.org. Cont’d on page 72
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 71
A Sampling of Atlanta’s Private Schools Lakeview Academy. 796 Lakeview Dr., Gainesville (Hall). 770-532-4383. PreK312th. 575 students. $8,712-$16,885/yr. lakeviewacademy.com. Lovett School. 4075 Paces Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta (Fulton). 404-262-3032. K-12th. 1670 students. $23,430-$27,720/yr. lovett.org. McGinnis Woods Country Day School. 5380 Faircroft Drive., Alpharetta (Forsyth). 770-6647764. 6wks.-8th. 400 students. $9,150-$12,600/yr. mcginniswoods.org. Midtown International School. 1575 Sheridan Rd., Atlanta (Dekalb). 404-542-7003. K-10th. 224 students. $18,100-$19,200/yr. midtowninternationalschool.com. Omni International School. 3940 Cascade Rd., Atlanta (Fulton). 404-865-1463. PreK2-6th. 70 students. $10,500-$12,250/yr. omnischoolatl.com. Pace Academy. 966 W. Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta (Fulton). 404-262-1345. Pre1-12th. 1115 students. $23,630-$27,225/yr. paceacademy.org. The Paideia School. 1509 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta (DeKalb). 404-377-3491. 3yrs.-12th. 1005 students. $13,143-$24,084/yr. paideiaschool.org.
The Walker School
Peachtree Academy Private School. 1801 Ellington Rd., 1760 Ebenezer Rd., 10125 Hwy. 14, and 14101 Hwy. 278, Conyers and Covington (Rockdale) (Newton). 770-860-8900. 6wks.-12th. 700 students. $5,500-$7,500/yr. peachtreeacademy.com.
Woodward Academy. 1662 Rugby Ave., College Park (Fulton). 404-765-4001. PreK-12th. 2668 students. $17,600-$27,750/yr. woodward.edu.
Piedmont Academy. 126 Hwy. 212 West, Monticello (Jasper). 706-468-8818. K3-12th. 250 students. $5,100-$7,330/yr. piedmontacademy.com.
Religious-Affiliated Schools
Rivers Academy. 38 North Main St., and 1934 Cliff Valley Way, Alpharetta and Atlanta (Fulton) (Dekalb). Alph: 770-475-0081, Atl: 404-4585160. 4th-12th. 300 students. $8,900-$9,500/yr. riversacademy.com. The SAE School. 6688 Mableton Pkwy., Mableton (Cobb). 678-239-3200. Preschool-12th. 375 students. $10,250-$12,250/yr. SAEschool.org. Saint Francis Schools. 13440 Cogburn Rd., and 9375 Willeo Rd., Alpharetta and Roswell (Fulton). 678-339-9989. K-12th. 700 students. $11,000$20,500/yr. saintfrancisschools.com. Tabula Rasa Language Academy. 5855 Riverside Dr., and 1430 Riverside Pkwy., Atlanta and Lawrenceville (Fulton)(Gwinnett). 404-409-0827. Preschool-5th. 250 students. $9,000-$15,000/yr. trlanguages.com. Trinity School. 4301 Northside Pkwy., Atlanta (Fulton). 404-231-8100. 3yrs.-6th. 612 students. $17,250-$24,450/yr. trinityatl.org. The Waldorf School of Atlanta. 827 Kirk Rd., Decatur (DeKalb). 404-377-1315. 2yrs.-8th. 250 students. $3,745-$16,075/yr. waldorfatlanta.org.
Schools listed below offer classes at least through the third grade. These listings include the largest religious-affiliated schools in the metro area plus Atlanta Parent Magazine advertisers.
Cherokee Christian Academy and Cherokee Christian High School. 3075 Trickum Rd., Woodstock (Cherokee). 678-494-5464. K5-12th. 402 students. $10,400-$13,200/yr. cherokeechristian.org. Christ the King School. 46 Peachtree Way, Atlanta (Fulton). 404-233-0383. K-8th. 554 students. $9,000-$12,390/yr. christking.org.
Alpharetta Christian Academy. 44 Academy St., Alpharetta (Fulton). 770-4755762. 18mos.-6th. 350 students. $10,000/yr. alpharettachristianacademy.com.
Collins Hill Christian School. 1612 Collins Hill Rd., Lawrenceville (Gwinnett). 770-9620642. K4-8th. 137 students. $2,250-$4,700/yr. chcscrusaders.org.
Annunciation Day School. 2500 Clairmont Rd. NE, Atlanta (DeKalb). 404-565-2850. 18mos.-8th. 120 students. $1,985-$9,923/yr. annunciationdayschool.org.
Community Christian School. 2001 West Jodeco Rd., Stockbridge (Henry). 678-432-0191. 6wks.-12th. 800 students. $4,800-$8,900/yr. communitychristianschool.net.
Arlington Christian School. 4500 Ridge Rd., Fairburn (Fulton). 770-964-9871. K4-12th. 225 students. $6,275-$9,625/yr. arlingtonchristian.org. The Atlanta Academy. 2000 Holcomb Woods Pkwy., Roswell (Fulton). 678-461-6102. 6wks.-8th. 300 students. $9,800-$21,500/yr. atlantaacademy.com. Atlanta Jewish Academy. 5200 Northland Dr., Atlanta (Fulton). 404-843-9900. 6wks.12th. 450 students. $16,000-$24,000/yr. atljewishacademy.org.
The Walker School. 700 Cobb Pkwy., Marietta (Cobb). 770-427-2689. 3yrs.-12th. 925 students. $12,000-$21,790/yr. thewalkerschool.org.
Bible Baptist Christian School. 2780 Mount Carmel Rd., Hampton (Henry). 770-946-4700. K4-12th. 158 students. $3,682-$6,777/yr. biblebaptistministries.com.
The Wood Acres School. 1772 Johnson Ferry Rd., Marietta (Cobb). 770-971-1880. 2yrs.-8th. 500 students. $4,500-$12,400/yr. woodacresschool.org.
Blessed Trinity Catholic High School. 11320 Woodstock Rd., Roswell (Fulton). 678-277-9083. 9th-12th. 1000 students. $12,500/yr. btcatholic.org.
72 Atlanta Parent January 2018
Bridgeway Christian Academy. 4755 Kimball Bridge Rd., Alpharetta (Fulton). 770-7511972. K3-8th. 170 students. $2,940-$11,375/yr. bridgewayca.org.
[ Focus on Education ]
Cornerstone Christian Academy. 5295 Triangle Parkway NW, Peachtree Corners (Gwinnett). 770441-9222. K-8th. 330 students. $10,075-$12,826/yr. cornerstonecougars.org. Covenant Christian Academy. 6905 Post Rd., Cumming (Forsyth). 770-674-2990. K4-12th. 265 students. $7,500-$8,100/yr. covenantrams.org. Covenant Christian Academy. 3425 Loganville Hwy. SW, Loganville (Gwinnett). 770-466-7890. K3-12th. 200 students. $7,050-$8,150/yr. covenantcougars.org. Covenant Christian School. 3130 Atlanta Rd., Smyrna (Cobb). 770-435-1596. K4- 8th. 191 students. $5,000-$9,000/yr. ccssmyrna.org. Creekside Christian Academy. 175 Foster Dr., McDonough (Henry). 770-961-9300. K3-12th. 812 students. $5,150-$6,250/yr. creeksideacademy.org.
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Cumberland Christian Academy. 2356 Clay Rd., Austell (Cobb). 678-426-1600. PreK3-12th. 447 students. $3,890-$8,300/yr. cumberlandchristian.org.
Greater Atlanta Christian School. 1575 Indian Trail Rd., Norcross (Gwinnett). 770-243-2000. K3-12th. 1700 students. $14,100-$20,900/yr. greateratlantachristian.org.
The Davis Academy. 8105 Roberts Dr., Atlanta (Fulton). 770-671-0085. Kprep-8th. 550 students. $18,503-$24,067/yr. davisacademy.org.
Greenforest-McCalep Christian Academic Center. 3250 Rainbow Dr., Decatur (DeKalb). 404-486-6737. K-12th. 223 students. $6,790$8,390/yr. greenforestacademy.org.
Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy. 2400 Hwy. 42 North, McDonough (Henry). 770-957-2927. K3-12th. 1100 students. $3,756- $12,888/yr. elcaonline.org.
Harvester Christian Academy. 4241 Central Church Rd., Douglasville (Douglas). 770-9421583. K4-12th. 330 students. $4,720-$8,075/yr. harvesteracademy.com.
Eastside Christian School. 2450 Lower Roswell Rd., Marietta (Cobb). 770-9712332. K-8th. 300 students. $6,310-$8,910/yr. eastsidechristianschool.com.
Hebron Christian Academy. 2975 Old Peachtree Rd., and 775 Dacula Rd., Dacula (Gwinnett). 770963-9250. K-12th. 900 students. $9,000-$11,000/ yr. hebronlions.org.
The Epstein School. 335 Colewood Way NW, Sandy Springs (Fulton). 404-250-5600. 18mos.-8th. 450 students. $6,995-$22,850/yr. epsteinatlanta.org.
Heritage Preperatory School. 1700 Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta (Fulton). 404-815-7711. PreK-8th. 140 students. $5,300-$15,750/yr. heritageprep.org.
Excel Christian Academy. 325 Old Mill Rd., Cartersville (Bartow). 770-382-9488. K-12th. 217 students. $6,000-$9,000/yr. excelca.org. Faith Lutheran School. 2111 Lower Roswell Rd., Marietta (Cobb). 770-973-8921. 15mos.-8th. 200 students. $5,000-$8,500/yr. faithmarietta.org. Fellowship Christian School. 10965 Woodstock Rd., Roswell (Fulton). 770-993-1650. PreK12th. 860 students. $3,789–$16,635/yr. fellowshipchristianschool.org. First Baptist Christian School. 2958 N. Main St., Kennesaw (Cobb). 770-422-3254. 2yrs.-5th. 140 students. $2,450-$6,750/yr. fbcskennesaw.com.
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Cherokee Christian Academy
The Friends School of Atlanta. 862 Columbia Dr., Decatur (DeKalb). 404-3738746. 3yrs.-8th. 167 students. $13,400$21,200/yr. friendsschoolatlanta.org. Grace Christian Academy. 355 McDonough Rd., Fayetteville (Fayette). 770-461-0137. K3-12th. 189 students. $4,765-$6,706/yr. gracechristian.info.
[ Focus on Education ]
Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School. 805 Mt. Vernon Hwy. NW, Atlanta (Fulton). 404-255-4026. 3yrs.12th. 1375 students. $10,540-$26,670/yr. hies.org. Holy Redeemer Catholic School. 3380 Old Alabama Rd., Johns Creek (Fulton). 770-410-4056. K-8th. 476 students. $8,135/yr. hrcatholicschool.org. Holy Spirit Preparatory School. 4465 and 4449 Northside Dr., and 4820 Long Island Dr., Atlanta (Fulton). 678-761-7992. 6mos.-12th. 575 students. $6,130-$24,065/yr. holyspiritprep.org. Cont’d on page 74
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 73
m 3pm
We Are Refreshing Education
Horizon Christian Academy. 1270 Sawnee Dr., Cumming (Forsyth). 678-947-0711. K-12th. 230 students. $9,450-$10,650/yr. hcaga.org.
• Grades 1-8 • Rigorous, standardsbased academic program • Small class sizes • Nurturing Environment • Balanced Learning • Tiered Approach to Education • Accelerated options Open Info for middle school Sessions Houses • Affordable tuition January 18 —10:30am February 18 —3pm SMOKE RISE PREP January 25 —5pm March 18 —3pm 5901 Hugh Howell Rd. February 8 —10:30am Private Tours available
Stone Mountain
A Sampling of Atlanta’s Private Schools Immaculate Heart of Mary. 2855 Briarcliff Rd. NE, Atlanta (DeKalb). 404-636-4488. K-8th. 500 students. $7,570-$10,060/yr. ihmschool.org. Intown Community School. 2059 Lavista Rd., Atlanta (DeKalb). 404-633-8081. K-8th. 245 students. $6,400-$10,000/yr. intownschool.org. Killian Hill Christian School. 151 Arcado Rd., Lilburn (Gwinnett). 770-921-3224. K4-12th. 370 students. $6,125-$11,550/yr. khcs.org. King’s Ridge Christian School. 2765 Bethany Bend, Alpharetta (Fulton). 770-754-5738. PreK-12th. 850 students. $6,500-$19,525/yr. kingsridgecs.org.
Visit smokeriseprep.org or call 678-585-4210 for more information.
Landmark Christian School. 777 Robinson Rd., and 50 SE Broad St., Peachtree City and Fairburn (Fayette)(Fulton). 770-306-0647. K4-12th. 805 students. $4,900-$15,375/yr. landmarkchristianschool.org. Loganville Christian Academy. 2575 Hwy. 81, Loganville (Walton). 770-554-9888. PreK-12th. 520 students. $3,500-$9,400/yr. lcalions.com. Marist School. 3790 Ashford-Dunwoody Rd., Atlanta (DeKalb). 770-457-7201. 7th-12th. 1100 students. $18,930/yr. marist.com. Masters Academy Arts & Academics. 770 Kennesaw Ave., Marietta (Cobb). 770-3643774. PreK-12th. 150 students. $800-$4,000/yr. mariettamastersacademy.com. Midway Covenant Christian School. 4635 Dallas Hwy., Powder Springs (Cobb). 770-5901866. K3-8th. 300 students. $1,600-$6,900/yr. midwayschool.org. Mount Paran Christian School. 1275 Stanley Rd., Kennesaw (Cobb). 770-578-0182. K3-12th. 1100 students. $3,500-$17,900/yr. mtparanschool.com.
AtlantaParent
t Magazine’s Atlanta Paren
January 2018 / atlantaparent.com
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74 Atlanta Parent January 2018
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Mount Pisgah Christian School. 9820 Nesbit Ferry Rd., Johns Creek (Fulton). 678-336-3400. 6wks.-12th. 900 students. $14,950-$19,995/yr. mountpisgahschool.org. Mount Vernon Presbyterian School. 471 and 510 Mt. Vernon Hwy. NE, Atlanta (Fulton). 404-252-3448. 6wks -12th. 936 students. $8,235$22,195/yr. mountvernonschool.org. Mt. Bethel Christian Academy. 4385 Lower Roswell Rd., and 2509 Post Oak Tritt Rd., Marietta (Cobb). 770-971-0245. PreK-12th. 650 students. $9,950-$14,430/yr. mtbethelchristian.org. North Cobb Christian School. 4500 Eagle Dr., Kennesaw (Cobb). 770-975-0252. K3-12th. 915 students. $4,600-$14,725/yr. ncchristian.org. Notre Dame Academy. 4635 River Green Pkwy., Duluth (Gwinnett). 678-387-9385. PreK2-12th. 580 students. $4,765-$15,455/yr. ndacademy.org. Old Suwanee Christian School. 4118 Old Suwanee Rd., Buford (Gwinnett). 770-9455451. K3-12th. 184 students. $6,000-$6,200/yr. oldsuwanee.org.
Holy Spirit Preparatory School
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School. 861 Hwy. 279, Fayetteville (Fayette). 770461-2202. 9th-12th. 300 students. $12,400/yr. mercycatholic.org.
Our Lady of Victory Catholic School. 211 Kirkley Rd., Tyrone (Fayette). 770-3069026. PreK-8th. 225 students. $8,585/yr. olvcatholicschoolk-8.org.
Our Lady of the Assumption School. 1320 Hearst Dr., Atlanta (DeKalb). 404-364-1902. PreK4-8th. 500 students. $8,500-$10,000/yr. olaschool.org.
Peoples Baptist Academy. 850 Mill Rd., McDonough (Henry). 770-914-7388. K312th. 215 students. $5,750-$6,650/yr. peoplesbaptistacademy.org.
Perimeter School. 9500 Medlock Bridge Rd., Johns Creek (Fulton). 678-405-2300. K-8th. 525 students. $5,466-$11,643/yr. perimeterschool.org Pinecrest Academy. 955 Peachtree Pkwy., Cumming (Forsyth). 770-888-4477. PreK312th. 785 students. $9,250-$16,750/yr. pinecrestacademy.org. Cont’d on page 76
a school where your child learns
HALF OR FULL DAY, YEAR ROUND PROGRAMS
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY, JAN. 27 10 AM-3 PM
• By Individual Instruction • A Love of Learning An • To Think Outside the Box Authentic AMI Accredited • Independence Montessori • Respect for Others School • A Solid Foundation • Foreign Language, Music, Cooking, Gardening and More
Montessori School at Emory
3021 N. Decatur Road • Decatur, GA 30033 MontessoriSchoolatEmory.com • 404-634-5777
Accredited Toddler Through Middle School Programs atlantaparent.com
[ Focus on Education ]
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 75
A Sampling of Atlanta’s Private Schools Providence Christian Academy. 4575 Lawrenceville Hwy., Lilburn (Gwinnett). 770-279-7200. K-12th. 700 students. $8,400$16,710/yr. providencechristianacademy.org. Queen of Angels Catholic School. 11340 Woodstock Rd., Roswell (Fulton). 770518-1804. K-8th. 504 students. $8,200/yr. qaschool.org. Shiloh Hills Christian School. 260 Hawkins Store Rd. NE, Kennesaw (Cobb). 770-9267729. K3-12th. 170 students. $4,000-$8,500/ yr. shilohhills.com. St. Benedict’s Episcopal School. 2160 Cooper Lake Rd., Smyrna (Cobb). 678-279-4300. Preschool-8th. 498 students. $7,620-$11,630/ yr. stbs.org. St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School. 1618 Ben King Rd., Kennesaw (Cobb). 770-4198601. K-8th. 389 students. $7,700-$8,245/yr. scsiena.org. St. John Neumann Regional Catholic School. 791 Tom Smith Rd., Lilburn (Gwinnett). 770-381-0557. PreK-8th. 250 students. $7,890-$10,290/yr. sjnrcs.org. St. John the Evangelist Catholic School. 240 Arnold St., Hapeville (Fulton). 404-767-4312. PreK-8th. 315 students. $7,200-$8,600/yr. sjecs.org. St. Joseph Catholic School. 81 Lacy St., Marietta (Cobb). 770-428-3328. K-8th. 480 students. $6,715-$8,730/yr. stjosephschool.org. St. Jude the Apostle Catholic School. 7171 Glenridge Dr., Atlanta (Fulton). 770-394-2880. K-8th. 500 students. $8,595/yr. saintjude.net. St. Martin’s Episcopal School. 3110-A Ashford-Dunwoody Rd., Atlanta (DeKalb). 404-237-4260. 2yrs.-8th. 600 students. $11,500-$20,600/yr. www.stmartinschool.org.
Mount Vernon Presbyterian School
The Weber School. 6751 Roswell Rd., Atlanta (Fulton). 404-917-2500. 9th-12th. 238 students. $26,700/yr. weberschool.org. Wesleyan School. 5405 Spalding Dr., Peachtree Corners (Gwinnett). 770-448-7640. K-12th. 1159 students. $16,700-$22,210/yr. wesleyanschool.org. Westminster. 1424 W. Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta (Fulton). 404-355-8673. Pre1st12th. 1874 students. $24,220-$28,090/yr. westminster.net. Whitefield Academy. 1 Whitefield Dr., Mableton (Cobb). 678-305-3000. PreK412th. 810 students. $10,350-$22,620/yr. whitefieldacademy.com.
Montessori Schools Montessori schools use the teaching technique developed by Dr. Maria Montessori. Schools listed below have elementary classes through at least the third grade.
Arbor Montessori School. 2998 Lavista Rd., and 1434 Scott Blvd., Decatur (DeKalb). 404321-9304. 18mos.-14yrs. 270 students. $9,800$19,100/yr. arbormontessori.org. Atlanta Montessori International School. 1970 Cliff Valley Way NE, Atlanta (DeKalb). 404325-6777. 8wks.-15yrs. 250 students. $11,000$17,000/yr. amischool.com. Casa Montessori. 150 Powers Ferry Rd., Marietta (Cobb). 770-973-2731. 18mos.-6th. 150 students. $9,100-$11,000/yr. casamontessori.com.
St. Paul Lutheran School. 700 Ardenlee Pkwy., Peachtree City (Fayette). 770-4863545. 12mos.-8th. 190 students. $1,700$7,050/yr. stpaulptc.org.
Christian Montessori. 7395 Brown’s Bridge Rd., Gainesville (Forsyth). 404-862-5437. 2.5yrs.-5th. 50 students. $7,900-$9,500/yr. christianmontessori.org.
St. Pius X Catholic High School. 2674 Johnson Rd., Atlanta (DeKalb). 404-636-3023. 9th-12th. 1100 students. $12,975/yr. spx.org.
Counterpane Montessori. 839 Highway 314, Fayetteville (Fayette). 770-461-2304. 3yrs.-12th. 100 students. $13,000/yr. counterpane.org.
St. Thomas Moore Catholic School. 630 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur (DeKalb). 404-373-8456. K-8th. 482 students. $7,750$10,665/yr. stmga.org.
Country Brook Montessori School. 2175 N. Norcross-Tucker Rd., Norcross (Gwinnett). 770-446-2397. 18mos.-3rd. 75 students. $7,250$10,800/yr. countrybrookmontessori.com.
Strong Rock Christian School. 4200 Strong Rock Pkwy., Locust Grove (Henry). 678-8331200. PreK3-12th. 825 students. $5,917$12,198/yr. strongrockchristianschool.com.
Covered Bridge Montessori School. 488 Hurt Rd., Smyrna (Cobb). 770-801-8292. 14mos.-4th. 100 students. $7,050-$8,150/yr. coveredbridgemontessori.com.
Sugar Hill Christian Academy. 4600 Nelson Brogdon Blvd., Sugar Hill (Gwinnett). 678745-4121. K4-10th. 350 students. $2,400$8,589/yr. sugarhillchristian.org.
Crabapple Montessori School. 12387 Crabapple Rd., Alpharetta (Fulton). 770-569-5200. 18mos.-12yrs. 160 students. $7,000-$12,000/yr. crabapplemontessori.com.
Torah Day School of Atlanta. 1985 Lavista Rd., Atlanta (DeKalb). 404-982-0800. K-8th. 325 students. $12,000-$14,000/yr. torahday.org.
Discovery Montessori of Georgia. 3391 Dogwood Dr., Hapeville (Fulton). 404-767-5005. 4wks.-12yrs. 77 students. $6,100-$10,020/yr. discoverymontessoriacademy.com.
76 Atlanta Parent January 2018
Arbor Montessori School
[ Focus on Education ]
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The Duluth Montessori School. 2997 Main St., Duluth (Gwinnett). 770-476-9307. 14mos.15yrs. 140 students. $8,664-$11,205/yr. duluthmontessori.com. Fayette Montessori. 190 Weatherly Dr., Fayetteville (Fayette). 770-460-6790. 20mos.-6th. 78 students. $3,530-$9,276/yr. fayettemontessori.com. Harbour Oaks Montessori. 1741 Athens Hwy., Grayson (Gwinnett). 770-979-8900. 18mos.-12th. 130 students. $7,000-$9,800/yr. harbouroaks.org. Ivy League Montessori School. 1791 Kelly Mill Rd., Cumming (Forsyth). 770-781-5586. 18mos.12yrs. 100 students. $165-$890/mo. ilmsnet.com. Montessori Academy at Sharon Springs. 2830 Old Atlanta Rd., Cumming (Forsyth). 770-2056277. 6wks.-18yrs. 220 students. $8,000-$12,000/ yr. montessoriacademygeorgia.com. Montessori Academy at Vickery. 6285 Post Rd., Cumming (Forsyth). 770-777-9131. 18mos. - 9yrs. 154 students. $8,000-$12,000/yr. montessorivickery.com.
St. Martin’s Episcopal School
Montessori In Town. 678 Moreland Ave., Atlanta (Fulton). 404-784-1038. 14mos.12yrs. 120 students. $9,300-$12,100/yr. montessoriintown.com.
Montessori School at Emory. 3021 N. Decatur Rd., Decatur (DeKalb). 404-634-5777. 15mos.-14yrs. 190 students. $965-$1,595/mo. montessorischoolofdecatur.com.
Noble World Montessori School. 2502 East Piedmont Rd., Marietta (Cobb). 770-509-1775. 6wks.-1st. 75 students. $7,000-$11,000/yr. nobleworldmontessori.com.
Montessori Scholars Academy. 13100 Morris Rd., Milton (Fulton). 770-754-0777. 6mos.-12yrs. 110 students. $500-$1,275/mo. montessorischolars.com.
Montessori School of Cumming. 4601 Post Rd., Cumming (Forsyth). 770-205-6773. 15mos-12yrs. 66 students. $4,450-$10,700/yr. montessorischoolofcumming.com.
Northwoods Montessori. 3340 Chestnut Dr., Doraville (DeKalb). 770-457-7261. 12mos.12yrs. 60 students. $11,500-$16,335/yr. northwoodsmontessori.com. Cont’d on page 78
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[ Focus on Education ]
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 77
Children’s
A Sampling of Atlanta’s Private Schools
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Oak Meadow Montessori School. 2145 Collins Hill Rd., Lawrenceville (Gwinnett). 770-9638303. 15mos.-5th. 130 students. $6,000-$9,500/ yr. oakmeadowmontessori.com. Old Peachtree Montessori. 33 Hills Shop Rd., Hwy. 324, Auburn (Gwinnett). 770-963-3052. 15mos.-6th. 130 students. $6,600-$11,628/yr. opmontessori.com. Rising Star Montessori School. 440 E Lanier Ave., Fayetteville (Fayette). 770-461-1595. 18mos.-6th. 75 students. $5,050-$9,900/yr. risingstarmontessorischool.com. Riverstone Montessori. 455 Casteel Rd., Marietta (Cobb). 770-422-9194. 2.5yrs.9th. 120 students. $9,666-$15,723/yr. riverstonemontessori.com. Springmont. 5750 Long Island Dr., Atlanta (Fulton). 404-252-3910. 18mos.-8th. 240 students. $9,900-$22,800/yr. springmont.com. Village Montessori. 1610 Woodstock Rd., Roswell (Fulton). 770-552-0834. 18mos.-8th. 150 students. $5,100-$14,000/yr. vmschool.com.
4728 Wood Street • Acworth 30101 At the corner of North Main St. and Wood St., north of the Hwy 92 overpass
Special Needs Schools Alexsander Academy. 1090 Powers Place, Alpharetta (Fulton). 770-777-0475. 1st12th. 30 students. $9,000-$19,000/yr. alexsanderacademy.org.
PLEASE RECYCLE 78 Atlanta Parent January 2018
Atlanta Speech School. 3160 Northside Pkwy., Atlanta (Fulton). 404-233-5332. 6wks.-6th. 354 students. $14,263-$36,004/yr. atlantaspeechschool.org. Bedford School. 5665 Milam Rd., Fairburn (Fulton). 770-774-8001. 1st-9th. 152 students. $19,250/yr. thebedfordschool.org.
[ Focus on Education ]
Brookwood Christian School. 4728 Wood St., Acworth (Cobb). 678-401-5855. 1st-12th. 60 students. $17,000/yr. brookwoodchristian.com. Center Academy. 3499 South Cobb Dr., Smyrna (Cobb). 770-333-1616. 4th-12th. 60 students. $16,295/yr. centeracademy.com. Cumberland Academy of Georgia. 650-A Mt. Vernon Hwy. NE, Atlanta (Fulton). 404-8359000. 4th-12th, post grad. Program. 100 students. $23,400/yr. cumberlandacademy.org. GRACEPOINT School. 570 Piedmont Rd., Marietta (Cobb). 678-709-6634. 1st-8th. 110 students. $20,500/yr. gracepointschool.org. The Howard School. 1192 Foster St., Atlanta (Fulton). 404-377-7436. K-12th. 270 students. $31,180-$32,720/yr. howardschool.org. Jacob’s Ladder Neurodevelopmental School and Therapy Center. 407 Hardscrabble Rd., Roswell (Fulton). 770-998-1017. PreK-12th. 110 students. $33,500/yr jacobsladdercenter.com. Joseph Sams School. 280 Brandywine Blvd., Fayetteville (Fayette). 770-461-5894. Newborn-22yrs. 80 students. $9,100-$21,200/yr. josephsamsschool.org. Mill Springs Academy. 13660 New Providence Rd., Alpharetta (Fulton). 770-360-1336. 1st-12th. 290 students. $23,958/yr. millsprings.org. Porter Academy. 200 Cox Rd., Roswell (Fulton). 770-594-1313. 4yrs.-14yrs. 68 students. $19,923/ yr. porteracademy.org. The Schenck School. 282 Mt. Paran Rd., Atlanta (Fulton). 404-252-2591. K-6th. 250 students. $32,550/yr. schenck.org. Swift School. 300 Grimes Bridge Rd., Roswell (Fulton). 678-205-4988. 1st-8th. 235 students. $26,325-$27,250/yr. theswiftschool.org.
atlantaparent.com
Are You a ‘Challenging’ Parent? What Special Education Teachers Want You to Know
by Ellen Notbohm
P
arents of children with special needs learn to be strong advocates for their children – after all, it’s a parent’s job to ensure a child gets the resources he needs to reach his full potential. But sometimes parents can cross the line and become what special needs educators call “challenging.” Here’s the view from the other side of the desk, the voice of your special education teacher. It’s worth keeping in mind as you help your child navigate teachers and therapists. n Please be team-oriented. A
n There is a difference between
slate. You may have had bad experiences with previous teachers or schools, but putting past conflicts or issues onto me, before you even have a chance to get to know me or my program, is counterproductive. “This is what has happened in the past and I expect the same from you” is looking for trouble where possibly none exists.
being assertive and being aggressive. Teachers appreciate the parent who is a knowledgeable, effective advocate. Knowing what your rights are and requesting services and accommodations firmly but respectfully is far different from being a fist-pounder. “We are not here for the money or the recognition,” says an elementary school resource teacher. “We are here because we love these kids. In an ideal world, I want to share with the parent any inside perspective I have about ‘the system’ and how it affects decisions made about their child. But if I sense that the parent will use the information in a way that comes back on me or threatens my job, it is only natural that I will not share.”
atlantaparent.com
[ Focus on Education ]
combative attitude does not enhance our ability to make progress with your child. Our relationship should be an alliance, not an adversarial face off. We are all here because of the child; he or she is our common interest, and it is important not to lose sight of that. It is not about me or you or whether we like each other. n Give me the courtesy of a clean
n Undermining me
undermines your child’s learning. Communicating to your child that everything that is going wrong is the school’s fault undermines your child’s ability to trust me, to comply with necessary classroom boundaries, and ultimately, to learn. All children, even children with special needs, need to assume some level of responsibility for their behavior and its consequences. We are sometimes faced with parents who say, “I cannot believe my child would do such a thing. It must be somebody else’s fault. If you had been doing this, he wouldn’t have been doing that.” Sometimes that’s the case. However, when a parent insists it is always the case, I need to gently suggest that a closer look be taken at what is actually going on. Step back and listen as openmindedly as possible when faced with information that makes your blood pressure rise. It’s very common for children to exhibit a different set of behaviors at school than they do at home. Cont’d on page 80
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 79
Are You a ‘Challenging’ Parent? n Having to be both teacher
and case manager can put me in a very difficult position. Especially in early childhood education, it often falls on the teacher/case manager to identify the fact that my particular classroom or program isn’t the best fit for your child. “Please know,” says an early intervention teacher, “that when I tell you we need to transition your child to a different setting, it isn’t because I ‘don’t like him.’ Hear me as objectively as possible when I tell you that he is struggling too hard in the current placement and would benefit from a different setting, that we need to modify the IFSP or IEP and find a better environment.” n Don’t assume I know
everything about your child. I may only have the prior year’s academic information, and perhaps no personal information at all. Tell me anything you think is important for me to know about your “whole child.” Be a resource for us, a bridge between programs. Share with us what has worked or not worked with your child in the past.
80 Atlanta Parent January 2018
n We cannot do everything for
Special education is intended to provide for adequate growth, not maximum possible growth. Federal law mandates that we make sure kids who have a disability are making adequate progress, as defined and measured yearly in their IEPs. The idea behind it is that without accommodation, they wouldn’t make adequate progress in general education, and therefore would not be getting a free and appropriate public education.
[ Focus on Education ]
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your child. Your child is entitled by law to a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive setting. That is not equivalent to the best possible education. As one teacher put it: “You get the Chevy; you don’t get the Cadillac. You get safe, reliable transportation but you don’t get the CD player and the leather seats.” It’s a distinction many parents don’t understand:
It’s a distinction many parents don’t understand: Special education is intended to provide for adequate growth, not maximum possible growth.
Porter Academy Enabling Children with Learning Differences to Succeed
• Pre-K–8th • Small Groups • Individualized programs
n Your child is not my only
student. When I am meeting with you, when we are in a discussion and problemsolving mode – in that moment, your student is the only one I am concerned about. But back in my classroom, I have anywhere from a few to a few dozen other students in my caseload, and I have the scheduling restrictions that naturally come with that caseload. It simply is not possible for the needs of one child to dictate my entire day. Asking that of me is painful for both of us. n Early intervention works. Here
is an extension of a universal truth: The earlier the better – and the better the earlier the better. Catch things early, intervene well, and include your family, not just the school. No one was ever sorry they intervened early, but legions of families regret “waiting to see if he outgrows it.” n See the positive in your child.
Have an honest understanding of what the range of your child’s disability means, but also recognize his strengths. Too often, the most difficult parents to work with are the ones who cannot see the positive qualities of their kid. Their focus is stuck on what the child can’t do. Perhaps they do not want to have a child with a disability. Perhaps they are stuck in the grieving process. But for the teacher, it is very hard to deal with. n Promote independence. Help
your child learn to do things for himself, rather than doing it for him. Many teachers are parents themselves and understand the time stress families are under. But whether it’s homework or personal organization, expedience in the moment will impede his learning to be independent in the long run. If you pack and unpack his backpack for him every day, how will he learn the importance of being organized, knowing where things are when they are needed, how to find items or information? The parents who are most effective are the ones who teach as well as parent. The two are synonymous. Notbohm is the author of “Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew” and other award-winning books on autism. atlantaparent.com
• Hands-on learning activities
770-594-1313 | www.porteracademy.org | 200 Cox Rd., Roswell
APS is caring Caring for parents and students. Do you know a child who resides within the city of Atlanta in need of special education services? Atlanta Public Schools Child Find services can open a window of hope for a brighter future for infants, children and young adults identified with a disability or developmental delay. For more information, call the Dept. of Special Education at 404-802-1609 or 404-802-2665.
AN EXCEPTIONAL SCHOOL FOR EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS
I’M EXCEPTIONAL ...
“At Cumberland, I’ll study college prep academics or prepare for a vocational career, try a sport or a club for the first time – ever. I’ll learn I’m not so different after all.”
650-A Mt. Vernon Hwy NE • Atlanta 30328 cumberlandacademy.org • 404-835-9000
[ Focus on Education ]
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 81
SAVE THE DATE FOR KIDS EXPO 2018!
all about
brought to you by
aily Post
Gwinnett D
expo s s · Teen
een ids · Tw K · s t o ·T Babies by Presented
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@KidsExpoGA Events@Scompapers.com
SCNIevents.com/Kids_Expo atlantaparent.com
Family Fun Guide * Eating Out
n
Free Fun
n
Exhibits
n
Playground
Not-to-miss events for January
n
Calendar
ng Worki s Tour90 Page
1
Dinosaur!
Alliance Theatre Limited availability Jan. 9-Feb. 17. See alliancetheatre.org for showtimes. The Theatre for the Very Young and Fernbank Museum of Natural History present an introduction to the prehistoric world. Science and art intersect, and guests interact with models of the largest dinosaurs to ever walk the Earth. Recommended for ages 5 and younger. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-5000. Adults, $10; ages 6-17, $5; 5 and younger, free. alliancetheatre.org
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2
Disney’s The Lion King Fox Theatre / Jan. 10-28. See foxtheatre.org for showtimes. The Tony Awardwinning Broadway sensation comes to Atlanta. See the classic story come to life when lions roar, giraffes strut, birds swoop and gazelles leap. 660 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 855-285-8499. $39 and up. foxtheatre.org
Family Fun Guide
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Alliance Theatre
Atlanta Parent Magazine’s Camp Expo North Point Mall / Jan. 27. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Don’t miss Atlanta Parent’s 22nd annual Camp Expo to get ready for camp before it’s too late. Meet camp representatives from Atlanta and beyond and choose where your child will make lasting summer memories. 1000 North Point Cir., Alpharetta. 770-454-7599. Free. atlantaparent.com
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 83
Family Fun Guide FOURWAYSFORWINTERFUN CLOSE TO HOME
Play in the Snow
Go Ice Skating
Stone Mountain Park transforms into a winter wonderland called Snow Mountain, and brings lots of snow. Brave Avalanche Alley, a snowcovered 400-foot tubing hill, side down the Tube Runners or experience Galactic Snow Tubing with lights and lasers after 5:30 p.m. In the SnowZone, whirl down mid-sized slides, build a snowman or shoot snowballs. There is even a snow play area for ages 3 and younger with small tubing hills. Select dates through Feb. 25. Visit stonemountainpark. com/events/snow-mountain for schedule and tickets.
There are many opportunities to practice twists and twirls around metro Atlanta this winter season. Some are close to city lights and others are large enough to do lap after lap of skating. Try one of two Ice Days rinks, made from real ice in Olde Town Conyers or Downtown LaGrange. Try Ponce City Market’s rooftop rink for great views of the city or The Battery Atlanta’s rink right next to the home of the Atlanta Braves. For a complete list of ice skating rinks close to you, visit atlantaparent.com/ice-skating-atlanta
ROAD TRIPS
Try Skiing or Snow Tubing
Head to the Smoky Mountains
Sapphire Valley Resort is only a few hours north from Atlanta in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and makes for a fun family winter getaway. Head to the Frozen Falls Tube Park and slide down snow hills by tube; a moving sidewalk makes it easy to go time and time again. Smaller slopes allow for beginners to learn skiing and snowboarding basics and the small footprint of the resort allows families to ski together regardless of skill level. For more information, visit skisapphirevalley.com
Gatlinburg, Tenn. has lots of family attractions to experience this winter. Start at the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area and amusement park with skiing and snowboarding areas, the ski mountain coaster and the indoor ice skating rink at the top of the mountain. You can access this ski area from the Aerial Tramway, which is fun in itself with views for miles across Tennessee. For more information, visit obergatlinburg.com. Gatlinburg has other downtown attractions, hiking opportunities, family-friendly restaurants and more. Visit gatlinburg.com to learn more.
84 Atlanta Parent January 2018
Family Fun Guide
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Attention Campers and Parents!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Atlanta Parent’s Camp Expo 2018
It’s time to think about how your kids will make lasting memories at summer camp. Registration is under way and spaces are filing up quickly – let Atlanta Parent be your guide. Don’t miss our Camp Expos, where you can gather information and plan your child’s summer. Meet camp directors and former campers, watch camp videos and collect brochures from programs suited for any interest. While there, pick up the latest issue of Atlanta Parent and our annual Camp Guide along with other Atlanta Parent annuals. Camp Expo Dates: n North Point Mall: Jan. 27, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. n Perimeter Mall: March 3, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Mario the Maker Magician
Woodruff Arts Center, Rich Theatre Feb. 10. 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mario the Maker Magician is known for his signature brand of DIY electronic and robotic magic. His show explores a S.T.E.A.M. theme, presented in a hilarious manner. Ideal for ages 3-10 and their families. mariothemagician.com
The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice
Philips Arena, Feb. 15-19; Infinite Energy Center, Feb. 22-Feb. 25. Join Mickey and Minnie Mouse on a walk down Disney memory lane. Dory is back with friends Nemo and Marlin, travel to Arendelle with Anna and Elsa as well as see other favorites Rapunzel, Snow White, Aladdin and more. philipsarena.com and infiniteenergycenter.com
H I G H
HIGH MUSEUM OF ART ATLANTA | HIGH.ORG
Enjoy free admission and special programs on the second Sunday of each month.
JAN. 14 • FEB. 11 Designed for little kids, big kids, and the whole family, Second Sundays are for everyone. Visit us each month and experience new interactive, innovative family activities inspired by our collections and ever-changing exhibitions. Second Sundays are sponsored by the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation.
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 85
Indoor Play at the Mall by Elsa Simcik
During Atlanta’s cold and rainy winter months, nothing beats indoor mall play areas for free, energy-burning fun for preschoolers. So head to these malls to play and shop.
Avalon
Cumberland Mall
Avalon
Kids can get the wiggles out by climbing on the under-the-sea themed structures. This enclosed, soft play area also has a large TV screen, keeping younger kids entertained even longer. Near the Sears entrance. 2860 Cumberland Mall, Atlanta. cumberlandmall.com
It may not be an indoor mall, but Avalon is worth a visit for its super cool play area. Families love the 1,300-square-foot space and kids can even climb on giant, soft squirrels. A neat feature: garage-style doors that are open in good weather and closed when it’s cold. Next to the movie theater. 400 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta. experienceavalon.com
Can You Imagine Your Child Loving To Go To The Dentist?
What to expect: Children’s Dental & Orthodontic Care of North Atlanta Michael P. Healey, DDS, FAAPD A classical doctor-owned & operated practice.
• Dental & Orthodontic Care for Children and young adults • All the current advances in pediatric care including white zirconium crowns for children and gag free x-rays • Orthodontic Care included porcelain or stainless steel brackets. For teens lingual braces also available • Parents accompany children for all visits • Special day set aside each week for children with special needs • Saturday appointments available • In-network provider for Aetna, Assurant, Cigna, United Concordia and Care Credit
3480 Preston Ridge Road, Suite 125 | Alpharetta, GA 30005 | (770)993-9395 | dochealey.com 86 Atlanta Parent January 2018
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North Point Mall Children love to take a break from shopping at this soft play area. Kids have the choice of climbing (on an ambulance, fire station dog and a bridge), or running laps around the “street” in the play area. Parents can sit and supervise on the soft benches surrounding the area. Bonus for the grown-ups: this one has tables, chairs and a charging station. Outside of Von Maur. 1000 North Point Cir., Alpharetta. northpointmall.com
Town Center Mall Families flock to this 1,100-square-foot play area. Kids can side or climb on cars, boats and planes, play interactive games and use the photo cutouts to snap a fun photo. Parents can supervise from the soft benches in the enclosed play area. The skylights above make this area especially bright and airy. Just outside the upper level of JC Penney. 400 Ernest W. Barrett Pkwy., Kennesaw. simon.com/mall/town-center-at-cobb
Town Center Mall
Mall of Georgia The mall’s play area provides not only soft climbing structures, but also a decent-sized clubhouse complete with a slide. It’s spacious with plenty of soft seating and tables for parents. Just outside Dick’s Sporting Goods. 3333 Buford Dr., Buford. simon.com/mall/mall-of-georgia
ity & Matern ens’ r d il h C s! Clothe
Celebrating over 35 years!
Now Accepting SPRING & SUMMER Clothes Selling Online at
www.sweetrepeatsatlanta.com 800 Miami Circle • Buckhead 404•261•7519 atlantaparent.com
Family Fun Guide
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 87
10 Slurp-
Worthy Places for Soup in Atlanta by Dalia Faupel
When the weather turns cooler, a comforting bowl of soup can hit the spot. Here are our favorites.
Souper Jenny
Newk’s Eatery
Order at the counter in this casual-chic spot for soups, salads and sandwiches. The menu changes daily and the restaurant uses local produce from area farms. As you might guess from the name, they are well known for their homemade soups: My Dad’s Turkey Chili and chicken tortilla have loyal followings. Four Atlanta locations. souperjennyatl.com
Newk’s offers delicious homemade soups that change daily. Favorites include loaded potato and Lobster & Crab Bisque. Try getting half a salad or sandwich with a cup of soup or opt for a bowl. They also have a wide variety of pizzas. The Grab-N-Go area has pre-made soups, salads and sandwiches ready to pick up and warm at home. 9 Atlanta locations. newks.com/locations/
Café West Express
Sweet Tomatoes Dig into the soups, salad bar and hot pasta at this buffet restaurant famous for their fresh options. The menu changes weekly, so check the website or call to make sure they have your favorites. Adults and kids will love the Big Chunk Chicken Noodle soup and the flavorful Deep Kettle House Chili. Don’t forget to grab some soft serve for dessert. Four Atlanta locations. souplantation.com/find-us
For a healthy pick, Café West Express offers vegan soups packed with fiber and made from scratch. From Chicken Wellness to Magic Mushroom, you can’t go wrong with these yummy options to pick up or eat in store. Choose from medium, large or quart sizes, which include one topping pick (avocado, greens, etc.) They also make delicious wraps, salads and smoothies. 3792 Roswell Rd., Atlanta. cafewestexpress.com
Fresh to Order
Farm to Ladle Farm to Ladle offers plenty of pre-made items in the refrigerated case to grab and go when shopping with the kids. Locally-sourced ingredients go into a selection of soups each day, including turkey chili, tomato basil bisque and split pea. Try a trio, to sample a sandwich, salad and soup combo. Two Atlanta locations. farmtoladle.com
Dip into chef-inspired homemade soups like wild mushroom and tomato bisque alongside paninis, burgers and salads at this quick service healthy food spot. The cozy atmosphere’s highlights are the comfy booths and open kitchen where you can watch food being prepared. In addition to fresh soups, the kids’ menu impresses with selections beyond the basics, like seared salmon and coconut curry chicken. Seven Atlanta locations. freshtoorder.com
Tom and Chee
Sophie’s Uptown
Not much beats a warm cup of tomato soup and a melting grilled cheese. Tom and Chee offers both and in a variety of flavors from kidfavorite Grilled Mac + Chee with mac and cheese inside to meat-filled options such as Turkey Pesto. Choose from a “dipper” of tomato soup for your grilled cheese or a cup or bowl. 1200 Ernest W. Barrett Pkwy. NW, Kennesaw. tomandchee.com
Sophie’s serves up soup, sandwiches, salads, quiche and casseroles every day but Sunday. Order the cactus chili, which shows Tex-Mex flair and the right amount of heat or the home style chicken and dumplings. Specials change daily. The restaurant was named for a beloved rescue dog, and 25 percent of the proceeds benefit homeless animals in Atlanta. Kids will enjoy the doggie décor throughout the café. 54 Pharr Rd., Atlanta. sophiesuptown.com
Breadwinner Café and Bakery
Joy Café
Gluten-free and vegan soup options abound here in a casual setting with at-the-counter service. Try the grilled vegetable, tomato basil bisque or lentil sausage soups. Beyond the bowl, the freshly made sandwiches and salads are flavorful and fresh. Also, the breads here are outstanding, and you’ll want to bring home a loaf of pumpkin, banana or cranberry-orange bread. 220 Sandy Springs Cir., Sandy Springs. breadwinnercafe.com
A husband and wife executive team combine Southern influences and rural European recipes to create a unique café concept. For ultimate comfort food in a bowl, there’s the rich loaded baked potato soup with cheddar, bacon and sour cream. The décor is modeled after a French bakery, with a big outdoor patio for seating when the weather’s nice. The lunch and menu features salads and sandwiches, including gourmet grilled cheeses and the popular pastrami Reuben. 1100 Peachtree St., Atlanta. joycafeatl.com
88 Atlanta Parent January 2018
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Remembering MLK Celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with these activities, events and service projects planned throughout Atlanta. MLK Day of Service. Nationwide. Honor Dr. King’s legacy through service initiatives around Atlanta and Nationwide. Jan. 15. Visit nationalservice.gov/mlkday for a complete list of opportunities and times. MLK Park Day. Enjoy free entrance day at National Parks in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Some local sites include Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. Jan 15. Location times vary. nps.gov/findapark MLK Day 5K. Piedmont Park. Walkers and runners join together for a race through Piedmont Park. A drumline plays along the race. Ice skating session at Park Tavern rink included. Jan. 15. Music, 8 a.m. Line up, 8:45 a.m. 400 Park Dr., Atlanta. mlkday5k.com. $35. Commemorative Service. Ebenezer Baptist Church Horizon Sanctuary. The commemorative service features tributes to the life and achievement of King from national and international leaders. Jan. 15. 10 a.m. 101 Jackson St., Atlanta. 404-688-7300. Free. MLK Museum Day. Atlanta History Center. Free admission and special programs to honor MLK. This year features a film screening and conversation about “A Trek to the River’s Edge.” Jan. 15. 10 a.m.5:30 p.m. 130 West Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta. 404-814-4000. Free. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade/Peace March. Downtown McDonough. Honor MLK with a parade and peace march. Jan. 15. 10 a.m. Begins at 37 Lemon St., McDonough and continues in downtown McDonough. 404-433-3290. Free.
Stay up to speed on the latest events.
MLK Day 5K
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Imaginator Jerry G. White recites Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous I Have a Dream speech, storytimes, and paper dove craft. Jan. 15. 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr., Atlanta. 404659-5437. $15.95-$18.95; younger than 1, free. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Parade. Downtown Fayetteville. Honor Dr. King and enjoy a program following the parade. Jan. 15. 10:30 a.m. Begins 1 Tiger Trail through downtown Fayetteville and ends with a commemorative program at 205 Layfayette Dr., Fayetteville. 770-954-6021. Free. Gwinnett County MLK Parade and Celebration. Lawrenceville Hwy. Bands, community groups and more flow down the street to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan 15. Ceremony, 11 a.m. Parade, 11:20 a.m. Begins 75 Langley Dr., Lawrenceville and continues down Lawrenceville Hwy. gwinnettmlkparade.com. Free. Check with your local library for storytelling and special events to honor MLK
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Family Fun Guide
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January 2018 Atlanta Parent 89
Working Tours Around Atlanta
Kids will love learning how stuff is made during these tours of working businesses Chick-fil-A
n Ages: All Tour time: 30 minutes or less Most CFAs offer behind-the-scenes kitchen tours of their restaurants. Small groups can visit to see the preparation stations, including the hundreds of lemons used to make homemade lemonade, learn about CFA history and see how customer orders get taken and filled each day. Contact the manager at your local Chick-fil-A to schedule a tour.
Whole Foods
n Ages: All Tour time: One hour Tours include an introduction to organics, local farms, quality standards and healthy eating. To schedule, contact the marketing leader at your nearest store at least two weeks before you’d like to visit.
Fire Station
n Ages: All Tour time: 2 hours Fire safety is the main theme of a tour to a local fire station, where visitors can see where firemen work and live while on duty, including the kitchen, living areas, dispatch office and fire trucks. Contact your local fire station to schedule. City of Atlanta contact Tammie L. Stallworth, TLStallworth@ AtlantaGa.Gov. Remember, firefighters may be called for an emergency at any time, so prepare the kids to be flexible.
Georgia Department of Transportation Lab
n Ages: 10 and older Tour time: 1 1/2 to 2 hours Tours, available for small groups, include a brief orientation to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and the Office of Materials and Testing followed by visits to testing units in the central lab building. Guests observe real physical and chemical tests on real Fire Station Tour materials (like asphalt and concrete) that are part of the construction and maintenance of Atlanta’s roads. Schedule tours ahead of time by phone; visits are arranged during working hours. 15 Kennedy Dr., Forest Park. 404-608-4700. Great Harvest Bread Company
Great Harvest Bread Company
n Ages: 4 and older Tour: 45 minutes Take a group of 10 or more kids to learn the art of bread making! The Great Harvest Bread Company makes bread from scratch daily. Visitors see the stone mill used to grind wheat, the kneading station and the commercial baking equipment. Each child is given a round of dough to knead while the guide explains the history of bread. The tour concludes with a taste testing session. Reservations are required; tours are free. Tours only at the Johns Creek and Alpharetta locations. Tours Mon.-Thurs. 10 a.m.; 2 p.m. greatharvest.com
90 Atlanta Parent January 2018
California Pizza Kitchen
n Ages: 4-10 Tour time: 30 minute tour; one hour pizza-making Behind-the-kitchen tours are offered at most CPK locations for groups and schools, giving kids the chance to visit the drink stations, walk in the freezer, see how to wash dishes and even make their own pizza. Each kid also receives an activity book and a certificate for a free CPK meal on a future visit. To submit your tour request visit the CPK website or call the manager of your local store. Tour prices vary by location.
North Fulton Community Charities
n Ages: 5 and older Tour time: 30 minutes Schedule a tour with NFCC for a group, large or small, and visit the food pantry, sorting area and thrift shop of this organization that assists needy local families. Check the website to see which non-perishable items are most in need when you plan to visit, but tours are provided with or without a donation. 11270 Elkins Rd., Roswell. 678-387-4459. nfcchelp.org
Family Fun Guide
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Child Models We’ve booked kids for $2,000 per day and more, others at $50 - $60 per hour.
Could your baby, toddler or kid be one?
Atlanta, New York, LA
404-636-1974
Chick-fil-A
www.williamreynoldsagency.com
Scottsdale Farms
n Ages: All Ages Tour: 30-60 minutes Bring a group or just your family for a tour of Scottsdale Farms. See what’s growing in the organic veggie garden and other plant beds around the property. Meet the resident goats, pigs and chickens, or stop by the fish pond. Contact Laura, lauram@scottsdalefarms.com or 770 777-5875 to schedule a tour. Tours are $5 per person. 15639 Birmingham Hwy, Alpharetta. scottsdalefarms.com
Roswell Recycling Center
n Ages: 7 and older Tour: 45 minutes Learn what happens to the newspapers, plastic bags and other items you recycle on a tour that follows the steps from receiving materials to sorting. Tours also include information about how to become better at recycling at home and reduce waste. 11570 Maxwell Rd., Alpharetta. Email Trevor Williams to make a reservation: recyclingcenter@roswellgov.com. roswellgov.com
CalyRoad Creamery CalyRoad Creamery
n Ages: 8 and older Tour: 30 minutes Learn how cheese is made from local cow’s milk and regional goat’s milk. Take a peek into one of the three aging rooms and check out the 350 gallon cheese vat. Guests can also sample a few varieties of cheese. Tours are by request and for a maximum of 20 participants. 225 Hilderbrand Dr., Sandy Springs. 678773-0843; calyroadcreamery.com/visit/ $5 per person.
Water Treatment and Waste Water Treatment Plants
Water Treatment Plant Tour
n Ages: 8 and older Tour time: About one hour Plant tours cover how people around the metro area get clean water, what happens to the water when it leaves our toilets and tubs, and water conservation practices. Two to try: Clean Water Atlanta, multiple Atlanta plants; The Cecil B. Wood Water Treatment Plant, Roswell. 770-641-3816.
Johns Creek Environmental Campus
n Ages: 7 and older Tour and program: 2 hours Take a free guided behind-the-scenes tour highlighting the water treatment cycle, water conservation and water purification. Learn about what happens to our water before and after we use it. Visit the lab to perform experiments and then go on a live plant tour of the water treatment facility. Reservations and a minimum of 10 participants are required. 8100 Holcomb Bridge Rd., Roswell. Call or email Cheryl E. McClellan to schedule your appointment: 404-613-3012 or Cheryl.McClellan@veolia.com. fultoncountyga.gov/home-jcec
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Calendar
January S M T W TH F S
n
Visit our Calendar at atlantaparent.com for calendar updates and ongoing events and attractions in Atlanta.
n
Events may be canceled or changed after our deadline.
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Submit your family-friendly Calendar event at least 8 weeks prior to the event by visiting atlantaparent.com/event/submit.
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Please call the event beforehand to confirm dates and times.
ATLANTA BOAT SHOW
classes
Georgia World Congress Center Hall C JAN. 18-21. THURS. AND FRI. 11 A.M.-9 P.M. SAT. 10 A.M.-9 P.M. SUN. 10 A.M.-6 P.M.
INK Craft Weeks. Interactive Neighborhood for Kids. Create different themed crafts each week. Check inkfun.org for schedule. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 1-5 p.m. 999 Chestnut St., Gainesville. 770-536-1900. $1 with museum admission. $8. Toddler Tuesdays. Center for Puppetry Arts. Activities include gallery games, storytelling and more. Ages 2-4. First Tues. of each month, 10 and 11:30 a.m. 1401 Spring St. at 18th, Atlanta. 404-873-3391. $8.50 per person.
Nautical fun for all ages, including fishing demonstrations, a sailing simulator and a kids’ zone. Bounce house, balloon art, face painting and more. Family Day is Jan. 18 with prizes and discounts. 280 Northside Dr., Atlanta. 401-651-3220. Adults, $14; ages 12 and younger, free with an adult. atlantaboatshow.com
Mommy and Me Preschool Program. The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. Fun lessons and hands-on activities. Recommended for ages 3-5. Every Thurs. 10 a.m.,11 a.m. and noon. 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw. 770-427-2117. Included with admission. Adults, $7.50; ages 4-12, $5.50; 3 and younger, free. Toddler Thursdays. High Museum of Art. Create masterpieces to complement the museum’s current exhibits. Recommended for ages 2-4. Every Thurs. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-4400. Included with admission. Ages 6 and older, $14.50; 5 and younger, free. Drop-In Art Classes. Treehouse Kid & Craft. Enjoy weekly activities including painting, drawing and sculpting. Every Sat. 10 a.m. (ages 2-4) and 11 a.m. (ages 5-10). 533 W. Howard Ave. Ste. A, Decatur. 470-355-8305. $12. Crafts at Lakeshore Learning. Lakeshore Learning. Make a different craft each week. Every Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Ages 3 and older. 4287 Roswell Rd., Marietta. 770-578-3100. Free. Saturday Morning Art Classes. Vinings School of Art. Piano, guitar or art classes. Every Sat. Times vary, see viningsschoolofart.com for schedule and to register. 1675 Cumberland Pkwy. Ste.102, Smyrna. 678-213-4278. $10.62$15 per hour. Drop-In and Draw. GAS-ART Gifts at North DeKalb Mall. Create a different project each week. Every Sat. and Sun. Between noon-3 p.m. 2050 Lawrenceville Hwy., Decatur. 404-801-4926. $5.
Contemporary Kids. Atlanta Contemporary. Interactive family program to help introduce kids to contemporary art through media and handson activities. Jan. 21. Noon-2 p.m. 535 Means St., Atlanta. 404-688-1970. Free.
exhibits Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Discover the story behind one of Rome’s most brutal and celebrated traditions, gladiators. Play Roman games, build Colosseum puzzles, dress up like a classic Roman, read myths and put on a puppet show. Through Jan. 7. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6300. Adults, $18; ages 3-12, $16; ages 2 and younger, free.
Mice Tours. Marietta Museum of History. Mascots Murray and Etta mouse introduce history through tours, storytime and crafts for ages 3-5. Reservations required. Second Wed. of each month. 10:30 a.m. 1 Depot St., Marietta. 770-794-5710. $5 per family (one adult and up to three children).
Sid the Science Kid: The Super Duper Exhibit. Children’s Museum of Atlanta. The PBS Kids show comes to life. Explore Sid’s room, set the table for breakfast, play with simple machines and explore science and the senses. Through Jan. 15. Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr., Atlanta. 404-659-5437.$15.95$18.95; younger than 1, free.
Second Thursday Program. Southeastern Railway Museum. Parents and preschool program includes storytime, an activity and craft. Ages 2-4. Second Thurs. of each month. 10:30 a.m.-12:05 p.m. Check-in before 10:20 a.m. 3595 Buford Hwy., Duluth. 770-495-0253. $10 per child, one adult free, additional adult, $12.
Puffins. Georgia Aquarium. With partnership with the Alaska SeaLife Center, this new exhibit will feature four different species of seabirds from the North Pacific, including: horned puffins, tufted puffins, common murres and pigeon guillemots. Opens Jan. 19. Visit georgiaaquarium.org for hours. 225 Baker St., Atlanta. 404-581-4000. Adults, $39.95; ages 3-12, $33.95; ages 2 and younger, free.
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Family Fun Guide
Painter and Poet: The Wonderful World of Ashley Bryan. High Museum of Art. See the 50-year career of children’s book author and illustrator Ashley Bryan displayed with styles that reflect a wide variety of influences, from African folktales to jazz and poetry. Through Jan. 21. Tues.-Thurs. and Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun. noon-5 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-4400. Ages 6 and older, $14.50; ages 5 and younger, free. Al Taylor, What Are You Looking At? High Museum of Art. More than 150 sculptures, drawings, and prints by artist Al Taylor. He uses broomsticks, coffee cans, and hula hoops, to construct his three-dimensional works. Through March 18. Tues.-Thurs. and Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun. noon-5 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-4400. Ages 6 and older, $14.50; ages 5 and younger, free. The Robot Zoo. Tellus Science Museum. Robotic animals and hands-on activities illustrate fascinating real-life characteristics, such as how a chameleon changes colors and a fly walks on the ceiling. Through May 6. Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 100 Tellus Dr., Cartersville. 770-606-5700. Adults, $15.95; ages 3-17, $11.95; ages 2 and younger, free. The World at Your Fingertips. Tellus Science Museum. This exhibit traces the evolution of everyday technologies such as telephones, cameras, televisions, radios, music players, clocks and other tools. Through June 10. Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 100 Tellus Dr., Cartersville. 770-606-5700. Adults, $15.95; ages 3-17, $11.95; ages 2 and younger, free.
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BIG APPLE CIRCUS Photo by Maike Schultz
Healthyville. Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Explore nutrition and fitness through handson areas including good foods market to create healthy meals, nutrition balance, healthyville park to get moving and the care center. Jan. 27-May 28. Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr., Atlanta. 404-659-5437. $15.95-$18.95; younger than 1, free.
Verizon Amphitheatre JAN. 26-FEB. 25. SHOWTIMES AT BIGAPPLECIRCUS.COM/ TOUR This Circus is back with juggling, dance, acrobatics and more. Seven-person pyramid on a high wire, grandma clown and other high-flying acts. 1775 Founders Pkwy., Alpharetta, 800-745-3000. $25 and up. bigapplecircus.com/tour
ice skating Ice Days: Sweetland on Ice. Downtown LaGrange. Covered ice skating rink with real ice. Spectator section with heaters, concessions, and more. Through Feb. 19. See icedays.com for hours; some days closed for events. 110 Smith St., LaGrange. 678-374-7655. $10; skate rental included. Ice Days: Old Towne on Ice. Olde Town Conyers Pavilion. Indoor/outdoor rink in a botanical setting with real ice at Through Feb. 25. See icedays.com for hours; some days closed for events. 949 S. Main St., Conyers. 678-374-7655. $10; skate rental included. Winter Wonderland Ice Skating Rink. Glover Park. Open-air rink in the Marietta Square. Through Jan. 7. See winterwonderlandmarietta.com for hours. 50 N. Park Sq., Marietta. $12 including skate rental.
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The Ice Rink. North Georgia Premium Outlets. A 3,200 square-foot ice skating rink with free popcorn and drinks for purchase. Through Jan. 15. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. 800 GA-400 S, Dawsonville. 770-616-2503. Adults, $16-$18; ages 4-11, $12-$14. Skate rental included. Skate at the Battery Atlanta. Skate right outside of the Braves Stadium and hear music played by a DJ. Through Jan. 14. Mon.-Thurs. 4-9 p.m. Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. See batteryatl. com for special holiday hours. 800 Battery Ave., Atlanta. 404-783-0045. Adults, $13-$15; ages 12 and younger, $10-$12.
Family Fun Guide
Avalon on Ice. Lace up your skates and glide on the ice. Through Jan. 21. Mon.-Fri. 3-10 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sun. noon-7 p.m. Jan. 1-5, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 400 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta. 770-765-1000. Adults, $18; ages 9 and younger, $14. Includes skate rental. The Ice Rink at Sugar Hill. Practice your ice skating moves on this real ice outdoor rink. Through Feb. 11. See haidrink.com for schedule. 5039 West Broad St., Sugar Hill. 770-554-7506. Adults, $12; ages 8 and younger, $10.
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Calendar
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
SKATE Atlantic Station. A large, open-air ice skating rink. Through Feb. 14. Mon.-Thurs. 4-10 p.m. Fri. and Sat. noon-11 p.m. Sun. noon-9 p.m. Holidays, 3-11 p.m. 1380 Atlantic Dr., Atlanta. 404-410-4010. Adults, $15; ages 12 and younger, $12. Skate rental included.
Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center JAN. 26. 5-9 P.M. Visit after hours and see how exhibits come alive. Mystery museum tours, sensory experience with touch, feel and smell stations, campfire stories, glow-in-the-dark games and more. 2020 Clean Water Dr., Buford. 770904-3500. $10 per person. gwinnettehc.com
Skate the Sky. The Roof, Ponce City Market. Twirl across 3,500 square feet of ice while enjoying skyline views. Through Feb. 14. Mon.-Wed. 3-10 p.m. Thurs. and Fri. 3-11 p.m. Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun. noon-9 p.m. Fri. and Sat. ages 21 and older after 5 p.m. Ages 5 and older. 675 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta. 770999-1530. Skyline Park, Adults, $10; ages 12 and younger, $7 (not suitable for ages 4 and younger); Skating (additional, not included in admission): Adults, $15; ages 5-12, $8. The Rink at Park Tavern. Heated tent, stateof-the-art sound system and rinkside dining. Through Feb. 19. Mon.-Fri. 4:30 p.m.midnight. Sat. and Sun., 11:30 a.m.-midnight. Ages 16 and older starting at 8 p.m. 500 10th St., Atlanta. 404-249-0001. $15-$20, all day skate.
nature movies Planetarium Shows. Fernbank Science Center. Various shows per month about the solar system in the newly-renovated planetarium. See fernbank.edu/planetarium for full schedule. 156 Heaton Park Dr., Atlanta. 678874-7102. Adults, $7; ages 3-18, $5; 2 and younger, free. Tiny Giants 2D. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Discover the astonishing lives of the smallest of animals during an adventure of giant proportions. Through Feb. 8. See fernbankmuseum.org for showtimes. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6300. Giant Screen Theater: Adults, $13; ages 3-12, $11; ages 2 and younger, free. Incredible Predators. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Scenic and aerial views of nature show how the relationship between predator and prey is a fundamental building block of ecology. Through Mar. 22. See fernbankmuseum.org for showtimes. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6300. Giant Screen Theater: Adults, $13; ages 3-12, $11; ages 2 and younger, free.
music
First Day Hike. Panola Mountain State Park. Start the new year with a hike and s’mores and hot chocolate around a campfire. Jan. 1. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Ages 10 and older. 2620 Highway 155, Stockbridge. 770-389-7801. Pre-register. $10; parking $5. Wildlife Feeding Time. Chattahoochee Nature Center. Join a naturalist for an in-depth look at one of the resident animals as the Wildlife Department feeds them. Every Tues. and Sat. 4 p.m. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770-992-2055. Included with admission. Adults, $10; ages 3-12, $6; ages 2 and younger, free. First Saturdays. Dunwoody Nature Center. Different nature theme the first Sat. of each month. This month’s theme is bowl burning. Following the hike, gather by the campfire to write down your burdens from 2017 and throw them in the fire. Jan. 6. 1-2 p.m. 5343 Roberts Dr., Dunwoody. 770-394-3322. Free. Intro to Tree Climbing. Panola Mountain State Park. Introductory program to recreational tree climbing. Participants will use rope and harness to climb a large tree. Ages 8 and older. Jan. 20 and 21. 1-4 p.m. 2620 Hwy. 115, Stockbridge. 770-389-7801. $15; parking, $5.
special events
Music for the Very Young: Music of Africa. Atlanta Symphony Hall. Explore music from around the world and learn about the differences between melody, harmony, rhythm and more. Jan. 13 and 14. Sat. 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Sun. 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-7335000. Adults, $15; ages 6-17, $8; ages 5 and younger, free.
Snow Mountain. Stone Mountain Park. Stone Mountain transforms into a Winter Wonderland, and brings lots of snow to Atlanta. Build a snowman, shoot snowballs, tube down snow slides and more. Select dates through Feb. 25. Galactic Snow Tubing with lights and lasers after 5:30 p.m. 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. 800-401-2407. Visit stonemountainpark.com for times and prices.
Jurassic Park in Concert. Atlanta Symphony Hall. Hear the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra perform the score to “Jurassic Park” while the movie plays. Jan. 20 and 21. Sat. 8 p.m. Sun. 3 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-7335000. $39 and up.
Repticon. Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. Explore thousands of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, spiders and small exotic animals. Jan. 6 and 7. Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 2405 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Lawrenceville. 863-268-4273. Adults, $10$15; ages 5-12, $5; ages 4 and younger, free.
94 Atlanta Parent January 2018
Family Fun Guide
Second Sundays. High Museum of Art. Free admission to the Museum the second Sunday of each month, and family programs including art making, storytimes and more. Jan. 14. noon-5 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-4400. Free. Family Free Day. Museum of Design Atlanta. Free admission the second Sunday of each month. Special programs include design and STEAM activities. Jan. 14. noon-6 p.m. 1315 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-979-6455. Free. Family Fun. Woodruff Arts Center. Families can enjoy activities including interactive musical storytimes, composers-in-training sessions, instrument making, drop-in acting classes and more. Jan. 14. 1-4 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-4200. Free. Pirate Day. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Set sail for a swashbuckling adventure. A day of pirate-themed activities including costumed pirates, pirate games, crafts and more. Costumes encouraged. Jan. 20. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6300. Adults, $18; ages 3-12, $16; ages 2 and younger, free. Callanwolde Arts Festival. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. Two-day indoor festival featuring artists, live music, dance performances and more. Jan. 20-21. Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 980 Briarcliff Rd. NE, Atlanta. 404-872-5338. $5 per person. Southeastern Stamp Expo. Hilton Atlanta Northeast. Activities for young stamp collectors and free stamps for kids. Jan. 2628. Fri. and Sat. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross. sefsc.org. $5 per family, no limit on number of family members. Trains, Trains, Trains. Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. Model train expo with railroad artifacts and moving trains. Jan. 27-28. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw. 770-427-2117. Adults, $7.50; ages 4-12, $5.50; ages 3 and younger, free. Freeze Frame! Aurora Theatre. The Big Thinkers’ chilling look into the world of dry ice. Young explorers can discover what dry ice is and how it behaves. Jan. 27. 10 and 11:30 a.m. 128 East Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222. $7.
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Calendar Celebrate Chinese New Year: A Cultural Exploration. Children’s Museum of Atlanta. The Atlanta Chinese Dance Company will give a special performance. Hear “Bringing in the New Year” during storytime and build a Chinese drum. Jan. 28. 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr., Atlanta. 404-659-5437. $15.95-$18.95; younger than 1, free.
storytelling Grandma Snazzy’s Storytime. Crabapple Kroger. Grandma Snazzy reads every Mon., Thurs. and Fri. 10 a.m. 12460 Crabapple Rd., Alpharetta. 770-740-2050. Free. Storytime by the River. Chattahoochee Nature Center. Storytellers will encourage your child’s participation by acting out the movements and sounds of storybook characters. With nature crafts, stories, songs and your child’s participation, make nature stories come alive. Jan. 3. 10:30 a.m. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770-9922055. Adults, $10; ages 3-12, $6; ages 2 and younger, free. Storybook Time. Atlanta Botanical Garden. Listen to stories about bees, butterflies, frogs and flowers. Meet in the Children’s Garden Amphitheater. Jan. 3. 10:30-11 a.m. 1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta. 404876-5859. Included with admission. Adults, $21.95; ages 3-12, $15.95; ages 2 and younger, free. Storytime at Little Shop. Little Shop of Stories. Storytime each week with different stories read aloud. Tues., Thurs. and Fri. 11 a.m. Sun. 3 p.m. 133A East Court Sq., Decatur. 404-373-6300. Free. Wren’s Nest Storytelling. The Wren’s Nest. Ramblers host storytelling every Sat. at 1 p.m. 1050 Ralph D. Abernathy Blvd., Atlanta. 404-753-7735. Adults, $9; ages 5-12, $6; ages 4 and younger, free. Children’s Storytime. FoxTale Book Shoppe. Storytimes are followed by dance and songs. Every Sat. 11 a.m. 105 E. Main St. #138, Woodstock. 770-516-9989. Free. Magic Monday: Storytime. Atlanta History Center. Explore beloved fairytales, fables and nursery rhymes. Kids create costumes of their favorite characters and help act out stories that teach important lessons. Jan. 8. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 130 W. Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta. 404-814-4000. Adults, $6.50; ages 3 and younger, $5.50.
Year-Round Classes and Summer Camps for ages 8-18. Make games, apps, and create with technology! Classes and camps include coding with Minecraft, Unity Game Design, and Coding with Python and Java.
Coding Classes and Summer Camps
Frozen Storytime with Anna and Elsa. FoxTale Book Shoppe. The sisters will read a story and then meet and greet their guests as well as pose for pictures. Jan. 20. 11 a.m. 105 E. Main St. #138, Woodstock. 770-516-9989. Free.
At Start Code , we focus on wonder of tech the creativity the skills and nology while giving stud and en direction to cr eate tomorro ts w.
Tadpole Tales. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Preschoolers will enjoy a story with a Fernbank educator along with an activity or song in the Naturalist Center. Jan. 20. 11:30 a.m. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6300. Free with admission. Adults $18; ages 3-12, $16; 2 and younger, free.
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Family Fun Guide
January 2018 Atlanta Parent 95
Calendar theater The Adventures of Gingerbread Man. Center for Puppetry Arts. All Hands Productions weaves together classic stories such as “Hansel and Gretel,” “Androcles and the Lion” and “The Frog Prince.” Jan. 2-7. See puppet.org for showtimes. 1404 Spring St., Atlanta. 404-8733391. $19.50 per ticket; 1 and younger, free. Russian Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty. Fox Theatre. The State Ballet Theatre of Russia performs the classic story about a sleeping princess and a handsome prince. Jan. 7. 3 p.m. 660 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 855-285-8499. $45 and up. Darci Lynne and Friends Live. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. See Darci Lynne Farmer, 13-year-old ventriloquist, singer and Season 12 winner of America’s Got Talent perform live. Jan. 13. 3 and 7 p.m. 2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy., Atlanta. 770-916-2800. $22 and up. Cinderella: The Remix. Aurora Theatre. Audiences may know the old-school version, but the classic fairy tale gets a modern twist in a version that brings girl power to the forefront. Jan 20. 10 and 11:30 a.m. 128 East Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222. $10-$15. Rainforest Adventures. Center for Puppetry Arts. Go on a wild adventure beneath the Brazilian treetops to experience traditional Brazilian-style music and come face-to-face with more than 30 exotic plants and animals.
Jan. 23-March 4. See puppet.org for showtimes. 1404 Spring St., Atlanta. 404-873-3391. $19.50 per ticket; 1 and younger, free.
ENCHANTED WOODLAND TRAIL
Around the World in 60 Minutes. Georgia State University Clarkston Campus Gym. WSB-TV’s Nicole Carr narrates the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra’s Annual Children’s Concert with portrayal of music from around the world. Jan. 28. 3 p.m. 555 North Indian Creek Dr., Clarkston. 678891-3565. $5.
beyond atlanta Full-Moon Suspension Bridge Hikes. Tallulah Gorge State Park. Enjoy watching the moon rise above the gorge from the suspension bridge and learn interesting facts about the moon. Jan. 1, 5:45-7:15 p.m. and 31, 6:45-8:15 p.m. 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr., Tallulah Falls. 706-7547981. Advance registration required. $5; parking, $5. Run! Jump! Fly! Adventures in Action. Creative Discovery Museum. Explore activities such as kung fu, surfing, snowboarding, yoga and horizontal climbing. The primary goal of the exhibit is to get kids into action by playing. Through Jan. 15. 321 Chestnut St., Chattanooga, Tenn. 423-756-2738. $13.95; younger than 1, free.
Chattahoochee Nature Center THROUGH FEB. 28. MON.-SAT. 10 A.M.-5 P.M. SUN. NOON-5 P.M. More than a dozen fairy and gnome houses are on display around Kingfisher Pond Trail. Stop by the play area to create a house of your own. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770992-2055. Included with admission. Adults, $10; ages 3-12, $6; ages 2 and younger, free. chattnaturecenter.org
IN A DOGEAT-DOG WORLD, BEARS RULE.
To learn more, visit mercer.edu.
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A shaky child on a bicycle for the first time needs both support and freedom. The realization that this is what the child will always need can hit hard. SLOAN WILSON 98 Atlanta Parent    January 2018
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