Top Private Schools in Atlanta: Where They Are and How to Identify Them

Attending a private school has many advantages including smaller class sizes, more one-on-one attention per child, the incorporation of individual family values, and more student autonomy. If you live in Atlanta and are looking for a private school, you know there are many options to choose from. So, what are the top private schools in Atlanta? Here we’ll discuss where they are and how to identify them. 

Identifying a Top Private School in Atlanta 

When looking at top private schools in Atlanta, some ways to help you identify them are test scores, teacher to student ratio, reviews, graduation rates, college acceptance, and specific programs they’re known for. 

Test Scores 

School test scores are public knowledge and easily accessible through online search. Test scores are a great indicator of the academic expectation at a certain school, and gives insight to how students who attend that school typically perform on statewide assessments as well as tests like the SAT and ACT. 

Teacher to Student Ratio

In general, private schools have a smaller teacher to student ratio than most public or charter schools. This is one of the top reasons families choose a private school education. Teacher to student ratio is a good indicator to how much one-one-one attention your child will receive throughout the day. The smaller the teacher to student ratio, the more likely it is that your child will be provided with an education that is tailored to their individual learning strengths and needs. The top private schools in Atlanta have as low as a 6:1 student to teacher ratio, giving the teacher ample opportunity to serve each child as an individual.

Reviews 

Parent and student reviews are a great way to get insight into how other families felt about their experiences in the top private schools in Atlanta. Honest reviews will give prospective families an opinion outside of school personnel, who often see the school in terms of their “numbers” or performance. Reviews will give an idea of how students and families felt while attending, which is an indicator of how your child may feel while attending! Did previous students feel safe and happy during their time in this private school? It’s likely your child will too!

Graduation Rates and College Acceptance 

A large indicator of performance in private schools is their graduation rates and their college acceptance statistics. Many of the top private schools in Atlanta have 100% graduation rates and will divulge the colleges that their students go on to attend to provide an idea of what your child can expect to achieve after graduation. 

Programs They’re Known For

Another way to identify a top private school in Atlanta that’s right for you is to look at the specific programs they’re known for. For example, if your child is interested in entering the technology field, a school top ranked in their STEM program may be their best option. 

Top Private Schools in Atlanta 

Calculated based on test scores, teacher-student ratio, reviews, and graduation rates, here are the top 5 private schools in Atlanta. 

1. Westminster Schools (K-12)

Test Scores: Average SAT Score 1420

Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1

Graduation Rate: 100%

Program Rankings: #1 Best High School for STEM in Georgia, #1 Best Private High School in Georgia, #1 Best Christian High School in Georgia 

Top Colleges Attended Post Graduation: University of Georgia, Vanderbilt University, Emory University, Stanford University 

Westminster is generally regarded as the best private school in Georgia and one of the best private schools in the entire southeast.

2. Pace Academy (K-12)

Test Scores: Average SAT Score 1340

Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1

Graduation Rate: 100%

Program Rankings: #2 Best Private K-12 School in Georgia, #5 Best High School for Athletes in Fulton County 

Top Colleges Attended Post Graduation: University of Georgia, Vanderbilt University, University of NC at Chapel Hill, University of Virginia 

3. Atlanta International School (PK-12)

Test Scores: Average SAT Score 1320

Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1

Graduation Rate: 100%

Program Rankings: #5 Most Diverse Private High School in Georgia, #7 Best High School for STEM in Georgia, #4 Best Private High School in Georgia 

Top Colleges Attended Post Graduation: University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, New York University 

4. The Paideia School (PK-12)

Test Scores: Average SAT Score 1360

Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1

Graduation Rate: 100%

Program Rankings: #4 Best College Prep Private High School in Georgia, #1 Best High School for STEM in DeKalb County 

Top Colleges Attended Post Graduation: University of Georgia, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Vanderbilt University 

5. Woodward Academy (PK-12)

Test Scores: Average SAT Score 1280

Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1

Graduation Rate: 100%

Program Rankings: #3 Best High School for Athletes in Fulton County, #5 Best College Prep Private High School in Fulton County

Top Colleges Attended Post Graduation: University of Georgia, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Auburn University


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