The Best Private Schools in Clarkston, Georgia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Clarkston. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Waldorf School of Atlanta
Waldorf Education
The Waldorf School of Atlanta offers a comprehensive Waldorf education from early childhood through high school, located just minutes from Clarkston. The school emphasizes holistic development, artistic expression, and experiential learning. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, students receive individualized attention while developing critical thinking skills. The campus features beautiful natural surroundings, dedicated art studios, music rooms, and outdoor learning spaces. The school's curriculum integrates academics with practical arts, movement, and music, preparing students for college and beyond while fostering social responsibility and environmental stewardship.
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The Paideia School
Independent School
Located in the Druid Hills area of Atlanta, The Paideia School serves families from Clarkston and throughout the metropolitan area. This highly respected independent school offers a progressive college preparatory education from preschool through high school. Paideia emphasizes individualized learning with a balanced approach to academics, arts, and athletics. The school features extensive facilities including science labs, art studios, performance spaces, and athletic fields. Known for its diverse community and strong parent involvement, Paideia graduates consistently attend top colleges and universities while being well-prepared for leadership roles.
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Cliff Valley School
Independent School
Cliff Valley School, located just 15 minutes from Clarkston, offers a unique educational experience combining Montessori principles in early childhood with progressive elementary education. The school serves students from pre-K through 5th grade with a focus on hands-on learning, critical thinking, and community engagement. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and extensive outdoor learning environments. Cliff Valley emphasizes social-emotional development alongside academic excellence, with specialized programs in Spanish, music, art, and physical education. The school maintains small class sizes and strong parent-teacher partnerships.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Clarkston, Georgia
What are the primary private school options for families residing in Clarkston, Georgia, and are they located within the city limits?
While Clarkston itself is a smaller city, families have access to several highly-regarded private schools in the immediate and surrounding metro Atlanta area. Notable options include The Waldorf School of Atlanta (located in Decatur, ~4 miles away), The Paideia School (in Atlanta, ~7 miles away), and Cliff Valley School (in Atlanta, ~10 miles away). There are also various parochial and independent schools in neighboring cities like Decatur and Stone Mountain. It's important for Clarkston parents to consider commute times, as most top-tier private schools are located in adjacent communities, making transportation a key factor in school choice.
How does Georgia's Tuition Tax Credit (GOAL) program benefit Clarkston families considering private school?
Georgia's unique GOAL Scholarship Program allows Georgia taxpayers to redirect a portion of their state income tax to nonprofit Student Scholarship Organizations (SSOs). These SSOs then provide need-based scholarships for students to attend participating private schools, including many in the Atlanta area accessible to Clarkston residents. This can significantly reduce the net tuition cost for qualifying families. Parents should inquire directly with schools like The Waldorf School of Atlanta or Cliff Valley School about their participation in GOAL and other financial aid programs, as availability and criteria vary.
Given Clarkston's reputation as one of America's most diverse communities, do local private schools reflect this diversity in their student bodies and curricula?
Yes, this is a distinctive consideration for Clarkston. Many private schools in the area, particularly those with progressive missions like The Paideia School and The Waldorf School of Atlanta, actively prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values. Their curricula often emphasize global citizenship, multicultural studies, and language programs that resonate with Clarkston's international community. When visiting schools, parents from Clarkston should specifically ask about demographic data, community outreach programs, and how the curriculum incorporates diverse perspectives and lived experiences.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools near Clarkston, GA, and how early should we apply?
The admissions process for sought-after Atlanta-area private schools is highly structured and competitive. For a fall start, the application cycle typically opens in August or September, with deadlines for applications and financial aid requests between January and February for the following academic year. Key steps include submitting an application, parent interviews, student assessments/visits, and obtaining teacher recommendations. For schools like The Paideia School, which have limited seats, families in Clarkston are advised to begin research and attend open houses a full 12-18 months in advance of the desired enrollment date.
For a family in Clarkston weighing options, what are the main practical differences between the DeKalb County public schools and the nearby private schools?
The key differences involve class size, curricular approach, and resources. DeKalb County public schools are large and offer standard state curricula, with some specialized charter programs. In contrast, private schools like those near Clarkston offer much smaller class sizes (often 15:1 or lower), alternative pedagogical approaches (e.g., Waldorf or progressive education), and often more robust arts and foreign language programs from an early age. However, this comes at a high financial cost. A practical consideration for Clarkston parents is that private schools may offer a more consistent educational environment, while navigating the specific assigned public school and its unique offerings and challenges within the DeKalb system is crucial for a fair comparison. Transportation is also a major factor, as private schools rarely provide bus service from Clarkston.
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