Atlanta’s elementary school landscape offers families a broad range of options across public, private, charter, and specialized educational models, reflecting the metro area’s diverse population and the high priority Atlanta families place on educational quality for their children. The city’s public school system, Atlanta Public Schools, operates numerous elementary schools across Atlanta’s neighborhoods, while the Fulton County, DeKalb County, and Cobb County systems serve the surrounding communities with additional public options. Atlanta’s private elementary school sector is particularly robust, with an above-average percentage of K-12 students attending private schools compared to Georgia state averages, driven by the professional and corporate community’s willingness to invest in educational options that offer small class sizes, specialized curricula, and enriched programming. The metro area’s educational landscape includes progressive independent schools, faith-based institutions, Montessori programs, and IB World Schools, giving families genuine choice in how their children experience foundational education.
When evaluating elementary schools in Atlanta, visit the school during active instruction time rather than relying exclusively on open house presentations, as classroom observation reveals teaching quality, student engagement, and the actual culture of learning in a way that marketing materials cannot replicate. Ask specifically about teacher qualifications, tenure, and professional development programs, since the quality and stability of classroom teachers is the most consistent predictor of elementary school student outcomes. Red flags include schools that focus their admissions presentations primarily on facilities and extracurriculars while discussing curriculum and teaching methods only superficially, have high teacher turnover rates they are reluctant to discuss, or cannot clearly articulate the evidence base for their educational approach. For private schools, verify accreditation through recognized organizations like SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools) or Cognia, which provide independent quality standards beyond state licensing minimums.
Top Elementary School Companies in Atlanta
1. Trinity School
Founded: 1951
Address: 4301 Northside Pkwy NW, Atlanta, GA 30327
Phone: (404) 231-8100
Website: https://www.trinityatl.org
Services:
- Elementary education ages 3 through Grade 6
- Progressive inquiry-based curriculum
- Arts, music, and physical education
- After-school programming
- Summer programs
About: Trinity School is an independent elementary school that has served Atlanta families since its founding in 1951, offering children ages three through sixth grade an inquiry-based, progressive educational experience in a community that spans Atlanta’s prestigious Buckhead and Sandy Springs neighborhoods on its Northside Parkway campus. The school’s seven-decade continuous operation reflects sustained community trust and consistent educational quality across generations of Atlanta families. Trinity’s elementary-only focus, rather than serving students through high school, reflects a deliberate commitment to the developmental stages and pedagogical approaches that best serve young children as a distinct educational constituency. Their Northside Parkway location within reach of Atlanta’s most active private school community places them among the city’s established independent school institutions.
2. Atlanta International School
Founded: 1985
Phone: (404) 841-3840
Website: https://www.aischool.org
Licenses & Certifications: IB World School; accredited by AAAIS, COGNIA, SACS, CIS, SAIS
Services:
- Elementary education (3K through Grade 12)
- International Baccalaureate curriculum
- World language immersion (multiple languages)
- Boarding program (Grades 9-12)
- Global cultural competency programs
About: Atlanta International School opened in 1985 and has grown into one of Atlanta’s most recognized private schools, offering an IB curriculum with world-class language immersion from the earliest grades alongside a deeply multicultural and intercultural learning environment. The school’s Buckhead/Garden Hills location serves one of Atlanta’s most international business communities, and its IB accreditation connects it to a globally recognized educational framework that prepares students for university study and careers in a connected world. AIS offers both day school from 3K through Grade 12 and a boarding option for high school grades, attracting internationally mobile families who value educational continuity through the IB framework. Their multiple accreditations from COGNIA, SACS, CIS, and IB reflect institutional rigor and quality standards validated by multiple independent organizations.
3. The Galloway School
Founded: 1969
Phone: (404) 252-8389
Website: https://www.gallowayschool.org
Licenses & Certifications: AAAIS, AdvancED/SACS, GHSA, NAIS, SAIS accredited
Services:
- Elementary through Grade 12 (PreK3-Grade 12)
- Progressive educational model
- Individualized learning approach
- STEM and arts integration
- Chastain Park campus setting
About: The Galloway School has offered progressive, joyful learning in Atlanta since its founding in 1969 on eight beautiful acres in the Chastain Park area, building a reputation over five decades for an educational model that genuinely values each student’s individual gifts and development trajectory. Galloway’s PreK3 through Grade 12 continuum allows families who join the school community in the elementary years to remain through high school graduation, building long-term relationships and a deeply cohesive school culture. The school’s progressive approach, NAIS and SAIS accreditations, and active membership in national independent school organizations reflect a commitment to educational best practices that are validated by external standards bodies. Galloway’s location in Atlanta’s northwest neighborhoods provides convenient access for families in Buckhead, Sandy Springs, and the surrounding northside communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I compare Atlanta public and private elementary schools for my child?
A: Begin by comparing standardized test performance, teacher quality metrics, and school culture, recognizing that each school’s specific environment matters as much as aggregate statistics for predicting whether a particular child will thrive there. Atlanta’s public schools vary significantly in quality by neighborhood and magnet program, so researching the specific school your child would attend based on your home address is more informative than comparing systems overall. Private schools in Atlanta offer smaller class sizes, specialized curricula, and often more stable teacher staffing, but require significant financial investment that ranges from $8,000 to $30,000+ annually. Many Atlanta families take advantage of both systems at different points in their child’s educational journey, using private schools where they add the most differentiated value and public options where the specific program is strong.
Q: What does private elementary school typically cost in Atlanta?
A: Private elementary school tuition in Atlanta averages approximately $19,000 per year, which is significantly above the Georgia state private school average of $14,198. At the high end, schools like The Children’s School and Atlanta International School charge $22,000 to $28,000 per year for elementary grades. Faith-affiliated private elementary schools in Atlanta typically offer more accessible tuition starting around $8,000 to $15,000 annually. Most Atlanta private elementary schools offer financial aid and need-based scholarship programs that can significantly reduce the out-of-pocket cost for qualifying families. The application process for financial aid typically requires the same timeline as the admissions application, so families interested in aid should begin both processes simultaneously.
Q: What accreditation should Atlanta private elementary schools have?
A: The most widely recognized accreditation bodies for Atlanta private schools are SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools) and Cognia (formerly AdvancED and SACS), which conduct comprehensive evaluations of curriculum, teaching quality, governance, and student outcomes. IB World School authorization from the International Baccalaureate Organization validates the implementation of IB curriculum frameworks. NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) membership indicates voluntary commitment to professional standards and ethical guidelines beyond accreditation requirements. Schools holding multiple accreditations, as Atlanta International School and Galloway do, have undergone more rigorous independent evaluation across multiple dimensions of institutional quality. A school’s willingness to discuss accreditation status directly and provide access to their most recent accreditation review report is itself a positive signal.
Conclusion
Atlanta’s elementary school market offers distinguished private options for families seeking educational environments beyond the public school system. Trinity School brings over seven decades of elementary-focused education from its Northside Parkway campus for children through sixth grade. Atlanta International School delivers an IB-accredited, multilingual curriculum with genuine international community culture from its Buckhead location. The Galloway School provides a progressive, individualized educational experience from PreK3 through Grade 12 on its eight-acre Chastain Park campus. Contact each school directly to schedule a campus visit and review admissions and financial aid timelines for enrollment.