The Best Private Schools in Cumming, Georgia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Cumming. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Pinecrest Academy
Independent Catholic School
Pinecrest Academy is a premier PreK-12 Catholic independent school located in Cumming, offering a classical education model combined with International Baccalaureate programs. The school features a 68-acre campus with state-of-the-art facilities including modern classrooms, science labs, fine arts center, and athletic complexes. Known for its strong academic rigor, character formation, and college preparatory focus, Pinecrest maintains small class sizes and offers extensive extracurricular activities including competitive sports, performing arts, and community service programs.
Programs:
The Davis Academy
Independent Jewish Day School
Located in nearby Sandy Springs, The Davis Academy serves families throughout North Metro Atlanta including Cumming. As Atlanta's Reform Jewish Day School, it offers a comprehensive dual curriculum combining rigorous secular education with meaningful Jewish learning. The school features innovative learning spaces, technology-rich classrooms, dedicated STEM labs, and extensive arts facilities. With a focus on whole-child development, Davis Academy provides robust athletics, music, drama, and community service programs while maintaining strong academic outcomes and personalized attention.
Programs:
Mill Springs Academy
Independent School for Diverse Learners
Mill Springs Academy in Alpharetta serves students from Cumming and across North Atlanta who learn differently. The school specializes in educating bright students with learning differences, ADHD, and other challenges through individualized instruction and small class sizes. The 75-acre campus features specialized learning centers, technology labs, athletic facilities, and outdoor learning spaces. With a comprehensive college preparatory program, Mill Springs focuses on developing executive function skills while offering robust arts, athletics, and extracurricular programs tailored to diverse learning needs.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Cumming, Georgia
What are the primary private school options available within Cumming, Georgia, and what are their core educational philosophies?
Cumming, GA, offers several notable private schools, each with distinct approaches. **Pinecrest Academy** is a private, Catholic, classical liberal arts school serving PreK-12, emphasizing character formation and a classical curriculum. **The Davis Academy**, while headquartered in Atlanta, has a significant presence and serves students in the area with a Reform Jewish educational framework focused on academic excellence and inclusivity. **Mill Springs Academy**, located in nearby Alpharetta but serving many Cumming families, is a premier school for students with learning differences, utilizing a personalized, multisensory approach. Additionally, there are local Christian academies and preparatory schools that serve the growing community, offering various religious and college-preparatory environments.
How does tuition for private schools in Cumming, GA, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in Cumming's private schools is generally competitive with or slightly above the Georgia state average for private education, reflecting the area's growth and the specialized programs offered. For the 2024-2025 academic year, full-time K-12 tuition can range from approximately $12,000 to over $20,000 annually, depending on the school and grade level. Most schools, including Pinecrest Academy and Mill Springs Academy, offer need-based financial aid, scholarships, and sometimes parish subsidies (for affiliated religious schools). Georgia's **Student Scholarship Organization (SSO) Tax Credit Program** is a significant local consideration, allowing donors to redirect a portion of their state taxes to provide scholarships for students to attend private schools, which many Cumming-area families utilize.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Cumming area that leverage local resources or community partnerships?
Private schools in Cumming often integrate the region's technological and natural resources into their programs. For example, **Pinecrest Academy** offers robust STEM initiatives and a House System for character and leadership development, reflecting the community's values. Given Cumming's proximity to Lake Lanier, several schools incorporate environmental science and outdoor education programs. Furthermore, partnerships with local businesses in the thriving North Fulton/Forsyth County tech corridor provide unique internship and robotics competition opportunities for high school students. Schools like **Mill Springs Academy** offer specialized programs in executive functioning and technology integration tailored to their student population, which are unique offerings in the region.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Cumming, and are there long waitlists?
The enrollment process for Cumming private schools typically begins in the fall, one year prior to the desired entry date (e.g., applications open in September/October for the following August). Key steps include open houses, application submission (often with essays and records), student assessments/interviews, and financial aid applications due in winter. Due to high demand and limited seats, especially in entry grades like Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 6th grade, many top schools have waitlists. It is highly advisable for Cumming parents to begin research 18-24 months in advance. Some schools, like **Mill Springs Academy**, may have a different timeline due to their specialized admissions process for students with learning profiles.
For families moving to Cumming, how do the local public schools (Forsyth County Schools) compare to private options, and what factors might sway the decision?
Forsyth County Schools are consistently ranked among the top public school districts in Georgia, offering excellent academics, facilities, and extracurriculars. The decision for Cumming families often hinges on specific needs and values. Parents might choose private schools for: a specific religious education (e.g., Pinecrest's Catholic identity); smaller class sizes and more individualized attention; specialized curricula (classical or tailored for learning differences at Mill Springs); or a desire to avoid the large-scale environment of the rapidly growing public schools. The public schools are tuition-free and offer extensive Advanced Placement and gifted programs. The choice is deeply personal, often balancing the high quality of the free public option against the mission-specific environment and community of a private school.