Atlanta’s private school sector is one of the most developed in the Southeast, with 141 private schools serving nearly 30,000 students across the metro area and representing 18% of all K-12 students in the city, nearly double the Georgia state average of 9%. The metro area’s high concentration of professional and corporate families, strong tradition of independent school education, and robust network of faith-affiliated institutions have sustained a private school ecosystem that ranges from boutique early childhood programs to large multi-campus institutions with national athletic and academic recognition. Atlanta’s private schools span religious affiliations including Christian, Catholic, Jewish, and nonsectarian independent schools, offering families meaningful choice in educational philosophy as well as program model. The city’s average private school tuition of $19,061 per year is above the Georgia state average, reflecting the quality and comprehensiveness of programming at established Atlanta private institutions.
When evaluating private schools in Atlanta, look for schools with accreditation from recognized organizations including SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools), Cognia, NAIS, or IB World School designation, as these organizations conduct rigorous independent evaluations of curriculum quality, governance, and student outcomes. Ask about the school’s mission and whether it is genuinely reflected in the daily culture you observe during a campus visit, since many schools articulate admirable values in their marketing while operating with a culture that reflects different priorities in practice. Red flags include schools that cannot clearly articulate their educational philosophy in terms specific to their approach, have high administrative turnover that suggests leadership instability, or are reluctant to share comparative data on student outcomes, teacher retention, and financial health. For faith-affiliated schools, clarify expectations regarding religious participation and whether the school actively welcomes families from different faith backgrounds if that is relevant to your family’s situation.
Top Private School Companies in Atlanta
1. The Westminster Schools
Founded: 1951
Address: 1424 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30327
Phone: (404) 355-8673
Website: https://www.westminster.net
Awards & Recognition: 290 state championships; Blue Ribbon School; AP program test site since mid-1950s; top 20% of Georgia private schools across multiple metrics; 17 of 18 Georgia Athletic Directors’ Director’s Cup wins
Services:
- Pre-First through Grade 12 Christian independent education
- Advanced Placement courses (extensive catalog)
- Global programs across five continents
- 84+ teams across 17 sports
- Fine arts, visual arts, and music programs
- Service learning
- 180-acre Buckhead campus
About: The Westminster Schools was founded in 1951 and has grown on its 180-acre wooded campus in Buckhead into one of Atlanta’s most accomplished and comprehensive private schools, serving approximately 1,890 students from Pre-First through twelfth grade with a student-to-teacher ratio of 6.8. Westminster’s founding role as one of the original test sites for the College Board’s AP program in the 1950s reflects an institutional orientation toward academic rigor and innovation that has persisted through decades of leadership and campus development. The school’s 290 state championship record, near-perfect record in the Georgia Athletic Directors’ Director’s Cup, and comprehensive arts programming represent an institutional commitment to whole-student development that balances academic preparation with human flourishing across multiple dimensions. The school’s January 2026 completion of the Blake Center, a 40,000 square foot innovation and visual arts facility, signals ongoing investment in facilities that match Westminster’s educational ambitions.
2. Pace Academy
Founded: 1958
Leadership: Fred Assaf, Head of School
Address: 966 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30327
Website: https://www.paceacademy.org
Awards & Recognition: Niche #1 Best Private High School in Georgia 2026; US Department of Education Blue Ribbon School 2004-05; Isdell Center for Global Leadership
Services:
- Pre-First through Grade 12 education
- College preparatory curriculum
- Advanced Placement courses
- Global education (Isdell Center for Global Leadership)
- 37-acre Buckhead campus
- Championship athletics and arts programs
About: Pace Academy was chartered by Jane Tuggle on February 11, 1958, and opened that September with 150 students on the Buckhead campus that has remained the school’s home through its growth to 1,115 students. Under Head of School Fred Assaf, who assumed leadership in 2005, Pace has pursued an ambitious campus development and programmatic expansion including the Isdell Center for Global Leadership that ensures every graduate receives structured global education, and the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School completed in 2014. Pace’s ranking as Georgia’s number one best private high school on Niche and its top-20% standing across multiple metrics including SAT/ACT scores, AP course offerings, and endowment reflects sustained institutional investment in educational quality rather than historical reputation alone. The school’s Judeo-Christian values orientation without sectarian affiliation makes it accessible to families from diverse religious backgrounds who share its character and values emphasis.
3. Atlanta International School
Founded: 1985
Phone: (404) 841-3840
Website: https://www.aischool.org
Licenses & Certifications: IB World School; AAAIS, COGNIA, SACS, CIS, SAIS accredited
Services:
- Pre-K through Grade 12 (Day) and Grades 9-12 (Boarding)
- Full IB curriculum (PYP, MYP, DP, CP)
- World language immersion
- STEAM programs
- Arts and athletics
- Intercultural global community
About: Atlanta International School opened in 1985 as one of the few genuinely international schools in Atlanta, offering the full continuum of International Baccalaureate programmes from primary through diploma level alongside world-class language instruction from the earliest grades. The school’s Buckhead and Garden Hills campus serves day students from pre-K through Grade 12 and welcomes boarding students from grades 9 through 12, creating a residential school option within Atlanta for families seeking an international educational environment in a Southern city. AIS holds accreditation from six independent organizations including the International Baccalaureate Organization, CIS (Council of International Schools), and COGNIA, reflecting institutional quality validated at the highest standards of international school evaluation. The school’s STEAM programs, championship athletics, and award-winning arts programs operate within a student body whose diversity and international character are genuine rather than aspirational.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I find the right private school in Atlanta for my child?
A: Begin with your child’s learning style, social-emotional needs, and academic profile, then identify schools whose educational philosophy aligns with how your child actually learns and thrives rather than the school’s general reputation. Schedule campus visits and insist on observing actual classrooms during instruction, not just meeting with admissions staff, since the quality of teaching relationships is the most important variable in educational outcomes. Ask schools about their approach to students who need additional academic support, as this reveals whether the school is genuinely committed to each student or primarily focused on maintaining selective admission standards. Speaking with current and former families who have children with profiles similar to your child’s is the most reliable source of honest information about the day-to-day experience of specific schools.
Q: What financial aid is available at Atlanta private schools?
A: Most established Atlanta private schools offer need-based financial aid funded from endowments and annual giving, with aid packages that can range from modest tuition discounts to comprehensive grants covering the majority of tuition costs. Westminster, Pace Academy, and Atlanta International School all maintain financial aid programs that the schools fund at meaningful levels as an expression of their commitment to community diversity. The financial aid application process in Atlanta private schools typically mirrors the admissions timeline, with both applications submitted simultaneously and decisions communicated together. Families are encouraged to apply for aid regardless of their assumptions about eligibility, since aid offices assess financial need against the specific cost of attendance at each school rather than against an abstract means test.
Q: What is the admissions process like for Atlanta private schools?
A: Most Atlanta private schools conduct a multi-step admissions process that includes an application, student assessment or testing, classroom observation or visit day, and parent interview. Selective schools like Westminster, Pace, and AIS have competitive admissions that review academic preparation, character attributes, and family-school mission alignment simultaneously. Application deadlines for Atlanta private schools typically fall between November and February for the following school year, with decisions announced in March or April. Some schools maintain waitlists for grades where demand exceeds available seats, and waiting list movement can continue through late spring and summer as families make final decisions. Starting the admissions process in the fall before your intended enrollment year is advisable for all Atlanta selective private schools.
Conclusion
Atlanta’s private school market offers families access to some of the Southeast’s most distinguished and comprehensively resourced independent educational institutions. The Westminster Schools delivers an 180-acre Buckhead campus, 290 state championships, and a rigorous college preparatory program with deep AP and global education commitments. Pace Academy provides Georgia’s top-ranked private high school experience under stable leadership with global education programming and a strong character development foundation. Atlanta International School offers the full IB curriculum continuum from pre-K through Grade 12, with genuine international community culture and boarding options for high school students. Contact each school’s admissions office to begin the inquiry process and schedule campus visits ahead of the upcoming admissions cycle.