I attended a charity event at The Ron Clark Academy and it was an amazing and imaginative…read moreexperience. It was very whimsical with dragons and castles and Harry Potter visualization. There were photos of students and Ron on the walls. The event was a masquerade ball and the atmosphere was just right. The decor was beautiful. There was also musical entertainment. I would like to come back to learn about the academy itself.

The information that is pushed out during the Ron Clark experience is a lot but it has a lot of…read morevalue as well. The school is energetic and provides for its students.

I am a 1969 graduate.My parents drove me from Roswell.I had attended Morgan Falls Elementary public…read moreschool through sixth grade.I was the youngest person in my 7th grade class at Westminster.I attended Duke on a full scholarship and later UGA Law .I became a trial lawyer.Needless to say Westminster positively changed the course of my life. E.Marcus (Marc)Davis

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

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

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

After 9th grade, when my public school became so violent and overcrowded that it was no longer…read moresafe, I got sent to Paideia. My 3 years here were the best years of my entire educational career - including college and grad school! This place really is the most amazing school ever. I remember my first day just like it was yesterday. I was accompanied by one of my best friends, who was also making the big switch to a more civilized school. We sat in front of the bathrooms for like 10 minutes trying to figure out which one was for boys and which was for girls. Turned out you just use whichever one is open! In addition to just being an awesome environment, where you are accepted for being whoever you are, Paideia has a great curriculum. The year is divided into short and long terms. In the long terms, you take the standard stuff - physics, math, languages, etc. The short term is for classes that are a little more outside the box - Sociology of American Rock & Roll anyone? The teachers here are absolutely outstanding! You can totally tell that they love the school and truly believe in it's mission. And Paul, the headmaster, is just an all around great guy. Graduation was awesome. My graduating class was 57 people and Paul made a short speech about every single one of us! I am so thankful that I was able to go to Paideia on a scholarship. I regularly give them money so that others can do so as well. I am also backing them in their efforts to take over the whole block! Go Paideia!

From the owner: Paideia is an independent pre K-12 school located in Druid Hills. The school has become known for…read morethe individual attention it provides its students, for strong academics, for strong athletics and arts programs, and for a vibrant community spirit. Paideia is recognized nationally as a top college preparatory school.

Amazing K-12 institution, great family atmosphere and an Ivy league secondary education. Very…read moreexcited to be part of the school.

My son has been at the school now for four years and I could not imagine where we would be without…read morethis amazing school. The facility, faculty and services are truly encompassing and incomparable.

If your child has a moderate to severe LD then this is a school you should look at hard at. We…read moremoved my son to Howard at the start of the 6th grade. He had been struggling to learn his entire academic career. His self esteem was low. Homework was a 2-4 hour struggle every night. Within a month of his attending Howard, we noticed a dramatic change in his attitude towards his education! His self confidence soared! 4 years later and we are still amazed at the education he is receiving! Warning! The school is far from cheap. Money well spent in my book!

This isn't a review of the high school itself - if you're basing where to send your kid to school,…read moreyou're gonna have to look deeper than yelp - but is just about the physical school itself. It's gargantuan! My kids had a dance competition this weekend at this high school. We were driving south on I-75 and as we were approaching the exit I could see a big corporate building and thought the school had to be close by it - I had no idea that IS the school! Apparently the building used to be an IBM complex and judging from the Brutalist design was 1960s or 1970s (ah, eventual googling says 1977). Just a massive pouring of concrete - you'd think the earth will eventually give way and this thing will collapse right into the molten core of the globe. And I doubt it'd stop there. So the building is grand and imposing from the outside, and the car drop-off area into the "lobby" is magnificent with its tiles and stairs [note: I'm not an architect, just a guy who thinks this stuff is cool, so forgive me if I speak in incorrect terminology]. If you're familiar with Marcel Breuer's Atlanta public library, you'll be reminded of it here. To go to my event, I wandered down the main hall, which is nonstop glass windows to my right giving me a look of nearby woods and a pond that the building is built atop of. Gazing into the waters in the afternoon provided a mirror image of the building, and the symmetry of it made it look like the building descended deep into the earth in repetitive iterations. In summary, this is just another one of those great hidden discoveries. Short of some press a few years ago when this building was converted into the school (at no small price, natch) you don't really find much info on the utter greatness of this campus. So now you know. You don't even have to go inside to appreciate it, though it's nice if you can. I don't wish to relive my high school years, but i imagine if I went here I'd at least have one positive memory to reflect on.

The only good teachers shine in the AP and IB classes. Other than that, standard and honors…read moreteachers are mostly a prank to the Georgia Department of Education.

I walk at Mays High one day a week and I look forward to it! For starters, the school is beautiful…read moreand sits atop a hilly area of So. Fulton County, Atlanta. I've even run into deer in the parking area below the school. Come out and take a walk around Mays! I think you would love it!

This review is for the track not the school.** I love this track, it's great for trying to get in…read moreshape. I feel safe here and I love that so many in the community come out to get in shape. You can either walk the track or up and down the hilly area around the entire school (which is two miles). Sometimes like during my walk today there are practices or classes that make it difficult to walk in peace but what can you do, it's their track lol. But I enjoy seeing them and watching them strive to become great athletes. If you're looking to start working out and prefer not to spend money at the gym, or endure the awkwardness of "gym politics" then this is a great alternative.

We've only been here for two years, seventh and eighth grade. The middle school is so impressive…read more I'm blown away everyday at how attentive the teachers and administrators are with the kids. My son has flourished here. He rides the bus to and from school everyday. They have a great system with stops all over the city. Their bus drivers are some of the safest in the country winning multiple awards over the years. It is also a very diverse learning environment earning an A+ on the Niche website. If you're considering private school in the Atlanta area you have much to choose from. I highly recommend Woodward Academy. Call for a tour! UPDATE: We're quarter into the school year of my sons 9th grade. EVEN BETTER THAN MIDDLE SCHOOL! He absolutely loves his school and teachers. They have so much time to finish assignments during the day. I see why Woodward grads are so ready for College. They learn time management early! Love love LOVE this school. (Wish I could've gone here!)

Woodward Academy Lower School (4-6 grades) is not the place to send your child. The administration…read moreis nice, until you complain about the bullying or a teacher. When you complain Mrs Bragg quickly becomes rude and dismissive. They won't honor simple requests like classroom changes or any other suggestions, regardless of the situation. The counselors shouldn't counsel a trash can, definitely not a child. Mrs Lauchlan is pretty good at accomplishing nothing. Mr Lawrence isn't certified and he has the maturity level of a 6th grader. Bottom line: Look at the test scores compared to other private schools. The kids complain about the lunch. The co-curricular and athletic options are good. Your kid will be bullied. Your kids will receive a public school education with perks. Don't waste your money.

I love the curriculum at this school. The staff is very friendly and the teachers are amazing,…read morethey show soooooo much dedication and passion for what they do and do so well with the students. They are constantly communicating with us parents and strive to instill excellence in every student, they expect the best and it shows everyday. I just wish they offered a high school program for Fulton county residents.