The Best Private Schools in Stone Mountain, Georgia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Stone Mountain. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Schenck School
Independent School
The Schenck School is a nationally recognized independent school specializing in educating students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences. Founded in 1959, the school utilizes the Orton-Gillingham approach and provides intensive, multisensory reading instruction. The campus features specialized classrooms, a comprehensive library, technology labs, and athletic facilities. Serving students from Stone Mountain and across metro Atlanta, the school focuses on building foundational literacy skills while offering a full academic curriculum. Parents consistently report significant academic gains and praise the expert faculty, supportive environment, and successful transition programs to mainstream schools.
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The Howard School
Independent School
The Howard School is a highly-regarded independent school specializing in serving students with learning differences and attention issues. Founded in 1970, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory program with small class sizes (8:1 student-teacher ratio) and individualized instruction. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, technology centers, and athletic facilities. The school serves students from Stone Mountain and throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area, with a strong focus on developing academic skills, self-advocacy, and confidence. Parents consistently praise the transformative educational experience and dedicated faculty.
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The Children's School
Independent School
The Children's School is a highly-rated progressive independent school serving students from early childhood through middle school. Established in 1970, the school emphasizes project-based learning, social-emotional development, and creative expression. The 4-acre campus in Midtown Atlanta features modern classrooms, art studios, science labs, and outdoor learning spaces. The school maintains small class sizes and offers a diverse curriculum that includes robust arts, music, and physical education programs. Families from Stone Mountain and surrounding areas appreciate the inclusive community, experienced teachers, and strong academic foundation that prepares students for competitive high schools.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Stone Mountain, Georgia
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Stone Mountain, Georgia, and are there any located within the city limits?
While Stone Mountain itself has a limited number of standalone private campuses, families commonly look to the broader metro Atlanta area, particularly the nearby neighborhoods and cities to the northeast. The schools you mentioned—The Howard School (in Sandy Springs), The Children's School (in Atlanta), and The Schenck School (in Atlanta)—are highly regarded but require a commute. More local options within DeKalb and Gwinnett counties include smaller parochial schools (like St. John the Evangelist Catholic School in Hapeville or various Christian academies) and independent schools in surrounding towns. It's important to note that finding a true "Stone Mountain, GA" address for a major independent school is rare; most private education here involves considering schools in the surrounding region.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Stone Mountain, GA, area compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for top-tier Atlanta-area private schools like those often considered by Stone Mountain families can range significantly, from approximately $20,000 to over $30,000 per year for K-12. This is above the Georgia state average for private schools, which is influenced by these high-cost Atlanta institutions. However, more affordable parochial and faith-based options exist closer to Stone Mountain, with tuition often between $8,000 and $15,000. Most established private schools in Georgia offer robust financial aid programs based on demonstrated need. Additionally, Georgia has the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program, which provides tax-credited scholarships to eligible students attending participating private schools, an important financial consideration for many families in the state.
For a child with dyslexia or other language-based learning differences, what specialized programs are available at private schools accessible from Stone Mountain, GA?
Stone Mountain is uniquely positioned near some of the Southeast's leading schools for dyslexia. The Schenck School, located in Atlanta, is exclusively dedicated to students with dyslexia and is a national leader in Orton-Gillingham instruction. The Howard School also specializes in serving students with language-based learning differences and attention issues. While these require a commute, their proximity makes them a primary consideration for Stone Mountain families seeking these specific services. Other local private schools may offer learning support departments, but the concentration of highly specialized programs in the Atlanta area is a notable asset for the Stone Mountain community.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Atlanta area that serve Stone Mountain, GA, families?
The timeline for competitive Atlanta-area private schools is rigorous and early. The process typically begins 12-18 months before the desired start date. Key steps include: attending open houses in the fall (September-November), submitting applications by January or February for the following academic year, completing student assessments and school visits, and receiving decisions in March. For Stone Mountain families, factoring in commute time is a critical part of the visit and assessment process. Many schools also have waitlists. It is highly advisable to start research and tours even earlier, especially for entry grades like Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 6th grade.
How do the educational environments and resources of private schools in the greater Atlanta area compare to the public schools in the Stone Mountain, GA, area (DeKalb County Public Schools)?
This is a key consideration. DeKalb County Public Schools offer a diverse range of programs, including high-performing charter schools and magnets, but can vary widely in performance and resources by individual school. Private schools in the region often promise smaller class sizes (e.g., 12-1 student-teacher ratios vs. 20+ in public), specialized curricula (like International Baccalaureate or targeted learning support), and more extensive extracurricular offerings from a younger age. For Stone Mountain families, the decision often hinges on seeking a specific pedagogical approach (Montessori, progressive, classical), a particular focus (arts, STEM, dyslexia), or a consistent environment that avoids the redistricting and funding fluctuations common in large public systems. The trade-off is the significant financial cost and, for top schools, a substantial daily commute.