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.

The Westminster Schools is a private K-12 Christian school in the heart of Atlanta's Buckhead…read moreneighborhood. If you go on their website, you can find the facts that almost speak for themselves: stellar college placements, consistent state champions on a variety of teams, and a campus that rivals many liberal arts colleges. Beyond all of that, however, this is where I learned to study hard and grow as a human being. The religious nature of the school allowed me to gain a comprehensive education in Christianity, and the teachers here are second to none. Even five years out, I still keep in touch with many of them. The price tag is steep, and the social and academic pressure is high, but Westminster gave me a middle school and high school education that made me who I am today. For that, I thank you. Five stars cannot cover what I learned here.

I went to this school as a student back in 2010-15 and I loved every year of it! Staff were very…read morefriendly, My peers were nice and I was in the after school program while waiting for my parents! Sadly nearly every staff member has left since I left but nice to see the place still thriving. For the parents reading this, I went out thinking I would forget or never see anyone BUT some kids went to the same Middle/High School as me! It was awesome to catch up with them after not seeing them for years!! Anyways, I loved this place and would 100% recommend this place to anyone.

This is a long and detailed review however please take the time to read it before enrolling your…read morechild in this school. This is also the very first review I have ever written on an online forum in my more than 40-year life, so please know this situation was a very impactful one to my son and our family as a whole. Our journey with Alpharetta International Academy (AIA) was mixed. My son attended for two and a half years, and the first two years were positive. The staff seemed attentive, and my son thrived in a supportive environment. During the third year, things changed. Because he was not fully potty-trained, AIA didn't promote him to the 3-year-old class, even though developmentally and academically he was capable of tasks well-suited to a preschool environment. Instead, he was placed in a class with toddlers as young as 18 months, which seemed overcrowded, leaving his teacher (what was perceived to be) overwhelmed. Her teaching style changed, as did her overall demeanor and patience level. As a result, our son became bored and unchallenged, which impacted his behavior. We began receiving calls to pick him up due to what we believe stemmed from the teacher's frustration. These calls came on two separate occasions, one for the teacher's inability to redirect him during circle time and once when he picked up a Montessori-sized chair and when he put it down, it came down on the teacher's foot. Mind you, these two times were the only time in now almost three years that we were called for these things or that there was any type of misbehavior communicated to us on behalf of the school. Both times we picked him up, we were assured by the head of school that his teacher would follow up with us about his behavior, but this never happened. We twice asked the teacher to move him into a developmentally appropriate class. Just two weeks prior to his withdrawal I urged her to move him into the developmentally appropriate class temporarily as a "trial". All of these suggestions and requests were refused. It was disappointing for the teacher to be so unresponsive to our requests to address this clear mismatch in placement. This was the same teacher who had worked wonderfully with him for two years and who had previously shown genuine care and understanding, so we were left confused as to her actions, or lack thereof. As a Licensed Professional Counselor with experience working with children, as well as the daughter of two Doctorate Level public school teachers, I understand that children are at their best when they're engaged in age-appropriate, stimulating settings. It was disheartening to see that the AIA staff now seemed unable to understand the impact a poorly suited classroom environment could have on our son's behavior and learning. To add to our distress and disappointment, the head of school sent a disingenuous response to my email with my intent to withdraw my son from her school due to a lack of a suitable and appropriate classroom environment. She did express regret at our decision, saying she loved our son and was committed to working with him. Her email response was a conflicting message, combining both overly kind and positive statements with underlying hurtful remarks. She informed us that we would still be responsible for paying a sizable early withdrawal fee, totaling thousands of dollars. Although we were aware of this fee in the enrollment agreement, my husband responded to explain that, given the circumstances leading to the change, we felt it was unfair to be held financially responsible for their choices and when we were already having to spent thousands to place him in a different learning environment. He also mentioned we would be leaving an honest review of our experience to better inform other families considering AIA. In response, the head of school reiterated the fee due and informed that we should "please understand that any communication perceived as a threat has been formally documented and will be addressed through the proper channels if necessary". This statement was unnecessary and upsetting to us, as we were simply expressing our intent to share our experience honestly. Ultimately, while we value the initial positive experience our son had at AIA, the handling of this final chapter left us with reservations regarding AIA's ability to make decisions that are best for the children they serve and questions regarding their authenticity in their mission statement. I hope this review helps AIA consider ways to better support students' needs and communicate open and in real time with parents. Lastly, I hope this review enables other parents considering AIA to make the most informed decision that leads to the most positive outcome for their child and family as a whole.

I love this school! I really wish that I had found it when my son was three. I had him in another…read more"high-end" daycare that was supposed to get him ahead with reading/writing/Spanish/computer, but they never did much. He started having horrible melt downs before school and he became a challenge at home. Fall 2016 I enrolled him in WAS. We have never been happier! He loves his school so much. Mornings are great because he can not wait to get to school. The staff is amazing and attentive. He is starting basic math already and has a pretty good Spanish vocabulary. He has truly blossomed at this school and I can not say enough great things about everyone there.

From the owner: The Wood Acres School is a well-known and well-respected private, accredited non-denominational…read moreschool in Marietta, Georgia. Wood Acres has been educating students since 1969 and is proud of both its rich traditions as well as its focus on developing resilient, compassionate, engaging, and articulate young men and women ready to tackle life and living in the 21st century and beyond. The arts thrive at the Woods and STEAM(Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) also has a home here with a nationally recognized experiential science program as the adopted curriculum - all nestled on 9 acres with walking paths, playfields, and places to laugh, learn, and linger with friends, old and new.

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 learned so much here! This school is incredible. I went off to college leaps and bounds ahead of…read moremy peers, not only academically, but also on an EQ level as well. FYI that is not me, that was all Woodward.

Bad experience being flat out ignored when I tried to ask for guidance during the admissions processread more

This school is amazing! It is run on a foundation of offering children a wonderful education in a…read moreloving environment.

I'm living this review after my child no longer attends the school. At first the experience seemed…read moreamazing until staff started changing (high turnover rate) the owner of the school is disrespectful, greedy and not professional at all. The only reason why my child stayed at this school is because the GA-Prel program is amazing and her Teachers Ms.Gabby and Ms.Lynda are very good at their job protecting and watching over my child. The staff doesn't communicate with each other at all. I have had multiple incidents and the director (JaNice) reponds with "I'll have you removed, why are your kind so difficult." when it comes to speaking up for your kid! We have caught this location multiple times either stealing money or sating we haven't paid, which I start asking other parents and they were having the same issues with stealing and lack of communication, left feeling drained and unheard... Needlless to say, enrolli your child is at your own risk but just because a school had "academy and God incorporated" into their schools does make them the best school or the school for your child.

Wasted application fee and my child's time. Never heard back from school after application, even…read moreafter following up several times. I'm sure they don't enroll every student that applies but a notification would have been nice. Particularly after paying the application fee.

Montessori In Town is one of the most authentic Montessori schools I have experienced. My 3…read morechildren who attend absolutely love their guides and are always excited to go to school. My children are happy and always come home with new facts and love to share everything that they have learned. Montessori has had a great impact in our home where my children are now fully independent with their responsibilities at home and taking care of our environment. Our extended family also sees how Montessori's has shaped our children's curiosity, respect for others and nature and their confidence. We love Montessori In Town and the beautiful community it has to offer.

Such a great choice for our family over the past three years. MIT is quite well-run, with amazing…read moreteachers, high-quality facilities, and very positive parent network. I appreciate that the director is always looking for ways to improve and grow the school, which is not always the case at small private schools. They recently hired for a new position, Pedagogical Specialist, to work across the classrooms, which shows how they reinvest in the kids and in supporting teachers.

We feel like we've hit the daycare jackpot. From the ownership, the staff, and the teachers…read more.. everyone is so great & truly seems to care about your child. I struggled dropping my baby off for the first time, but we have both grown to love daycare so much. Now when I pick him up, he doesn't even want to leave. New ownership in 2023 has made so many great changes. There is better communication, cosmetic touch ups to the school, and I believe there is more teacher training. We can't recommend Goddard Holcomb bridge enough.

We are missing our school dearly since leaving for kindergarten! The updates, the pictures/videos…read moreand communication meant so much . We have been attending since early 2020 and have had several great teachers and caregivers along the way. Some moments were extra hard to leave a classroom. We've watched our child grow and learn so much over the years and I believe it's been a large contributor to combat her shyness. Goddard has been the one and only place we've entrusted with our daughter since 6mo of age and Ms. Zina / Ms. Pam have been there for us all the way-what gems, it's been such a pleasure to know them. The latest great addition at the beginning of the year has been Ms. Tiffany (pre-K) who, with Ms. Mary, livens up the room and brings many different ideas/activities to the class. My girl was definitely ready for the next big step, thanks to them. They all really love on our kids and it takes a special soul to deal with so many personalities on a daily basis. May God continue to bless this staff and touch so many lives. It can be hard to vet a quality childcare provider, but this one has proven to exceed our expectations.

Hess has been a great fit for my middle school child! It's a small, warm and accepting community…read morewith many great teachers. The small class sizes really help my child thrive. I also appreciate the focus on outdoor time and field trip experiences.

We discovered Hess Academy when we were looking for a preschool program for our son. By the time it…read morewas time for him to begin Kindergarten at City Schools of Decatur (he was zoned for Winnona), we were so in love with Hess that we decided to stay. There are so many things that are great about Hess, but here the three things that work especially well for us. First, plenty of healthy outside time. The kids begin the day with 20-30 minutes in the playground before they need to into their classes. Lunch and recess are another hour, and everyone finishes the day with another 15 minutes in the playground. Second, classes are capped at 12-14 students with two full-time teachers. The individualized attention that our son's intellectual and emotional needs receive are, therefore, outstanding. Finally, the kids (and teachers) do not go through the horrible Standardized Testing that has become the norm at the Public-School system (although teachers and educators have been saying for years that this kind of testing is pedagogically harmful). There is so much more to love about this school--like the devotion that Hess teachers show their students and the sense of community. Just go and tour the school!

My daughter has been going to Learning Time Daycare since she was 2. She is now in Pre-K and she…read moreloves her little blue school. Throughout the years Learning Time has had multiple Directors but the one who really stands out is Ms. Alex, she is very thorough, communicative and caring. My daughter knows all the teachers and TA's. Ms Dolly, Ms. Berna and Ms. Evonne have all been really critical parts in my daughters growth at this Daycare/School. I'm 100% satisfied either the care this school provides. I can tell they really value all their students and parents.

Non-responsive. I have tried to make several calls to inquire about their Georgia Prek program. No…read moreone ever answers, message simply says "mailbox full. I made a trip to the location, it was dark, doors locked but someone was clearly there. I used the call button and again, no answer. Went back to my car and dialed there number as listed on building and still no answer. I really wanted to give this location a try but as a parent, their lack of responsiveness is unacceptable.