When it comes to picking the perfect location for your new Atlanta home, one of the biggest factors in consideration is the available educational opportunities. Many potential homebuyers scour the Internet to find out which schools in their area are the best, and which schools may offer specialized learning programs to help their children succeed.

Here’s a look at some of the top specialized schools in the metro Atlanta area:

City of Atlanta

  • Atlanta International School: This school, which is based on international education, is one of only 10 schools nationwide to offer a full continuum of the International Baccalaureate curriculum for students kindergarten through 12th grade. Located in Buckhead, the school enrolls around 1,000 students and offers award-winning theater and robotics programs, as well as a new cross-curricular arts, sciences and design building.
  • South Atlanta High School: Located in the southeast corner of Atlanta, South Atlanta High School is broken into a campus of four small schools.The School of Law and Social Justice, which was ranked no. 5 of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s best City of Atlanta schools, offers unique courses in forensic science, current issues, street law, sociology and criminology. The school’s building includes a 115-person courtroom, law library and science and computer labs. At The School of Computer Animation and Design, students choose between two pathways of study: computer animation and industrial design. The school offers hands-on training in a variety of fields, and has several business partnerships to help bring learning to life. The School of Health and Medical Sciencesprepares students for careers or higher education students in health sciences, biotechnology and biomedical and scientific research. Last, but not least, the campus also houses the School of Leadership and Economic Empowerment.
  • The New Schools at Carver: This high school also includes many schools in one including those for early college, technology, the performing arts, entrepreneurship and health science and research.
  • D.M. Therell High School: Located near I-285 and the Greenbriar Mall, this campus operates three schools for health and science research; law, government and public policy and technology, engineering, math and science.
  • Wesley International Academy: Located in Atlanta, this International Baccalaureate World Programme School serves students kindergarten through eighth grade in a single gender setting, while also offering education in Mandarin Chinese.
  • Latin Academy Charter School: This free college-preparatory public middle school in southeast Atlanta offers an extended day and school year, and challenging classical curriculum with double periods of mathematics and English/language arts.
  • Westlake High School: Located in southwest Atlanta, Westlake’s math/science magnet programs prepares students for careers in the fields of math, science, engineering and technology through coursework and relevant experiences.

Fulton County

  • Riverwood International Charter School: Ranked no. 7 for Fulton County schools by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, this Sandy Springs IB World school offers the International Studies Magnet and International Baccalaureate Programs.
  • North Springs High School: Students at this Sandy Springs school can participate in the math/science magnet program which incorporates mathematics, science and technology, or the visual and performing arts magnet program for drama, dance, coral and instrumental music, visual arts, technical theater and film and graphic arts.
  • Fulton Science Academy: This innovative public charter school, which is located in Alpharetta, focuses on the use of educational technology and computing resources to better equip students for the 21st century. Every student receives a laptop, and curriculum is focused on math and sciences.

Forsyth County

  • iAchieve Virtual Academy: Located in Cumming, this school serves students in sixth through 12th grade by offering them the opportunity to engage in a digital learning environment.

Cobb County

  • South Cobb High School: This public high school located in Austell is part of the Cobb County magnet program offering The Academy of Research and Medical Sciences. This rigorous, selective program is for students interested in the research and healthcare fields. Students take difficult courses, and can receive college credit for certain coursework, and they participate in medical internships.
  • Kennesaw Mountain High School: Students at this Cobb County magnet school can participate in The Academy of Mathematics, Science & Technology program with courses on technology in the modern world, magnet research, internships and accelerated math and science classes.
  • Joseph Wheeler High School: Wheeler High School’s Center for Advanced Studies in Science, Math and Technology in Marietta is a highly respected and selective magnet program. The program is a member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology with college courses and internships at local businesses.
  • Campbell High School: Offering the International Baccalaureate Program, this Smyrna school provides international recognized, challenging curriculum that results in an IB diploma.
  • Pebblebrook High School: This Mableton school serves students with exceptional talent in the arts through extensive training programs and classes in drama, dance, technical theater and vocal music.
  • North Cobb School for International Studies: Located in Kennesaw, the primary goal of this student is to provide an advanced educational experience that emphasizes the development of global perspectives on culture, politics and science. Students also participate in service learning, cultural exchanges, international travel, extracurricular activities and a senior project.

Gwinnett County

  • Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology: Ranked as the number one school in Georgia by U.S. News & World Report, curriculum at this school is heavily focused on mathematics, science and technology with many options that are not generally available to high school students. Students all have personal laptops, and technology in the classroom includes SMART boards, LCD projectors, foreign language labs, interactive music labs and more.

DeKalb County

  • Arabia Mountain High School-Academy of Engineering: Ranked in the top 20 schools in Georgia by U.S. News & World Report, this school in Lithonia hosts DeKalb County School System’s Environmental Energy and Engineering Magnet Program with a strong college preparatory instructional program. Arabia is also the first public school in the start of Georgia to achieve LEED Certification.
  • DeKalb School of the Arts: Students receive a comprehensive education at this school located in Avondale Estates, including special knowledge and experience in the arts with courses in drama, dance, vocal and instrumental music, visual arts, video technology, creative writing, multimedia and design and production.
  • DeKalb Early College Academy: This early college initiative that operates in joint partnership with Georgia Perimeter College allows students to receive up to 60 hours of college credit. Located in Stone Mountain, this school has received U.S. News & World Report’s best high school bronze award for two years running.
    Gwinnett County Online Campus: Students in all level of high school coursework may complete their education online to receive a high school diploma.
  • Maxwell High School of Technology: This Lawrenceville school offers programs in aircraft flight operations, auto collision and repair, automotive services, architecture, construction, cosmetology, culinary arts, early childhood education, electronics/robotics, healthcare services, graphic design, interior design, law & justice and welding.
  • New Life Academy of Excellence: This Norcross school was created for the purpose of teaching children in kindergarten through eighth grade the Chinese language in order to create bi-lingual students who are ready to work in today’s global economy.

As we get ready to head back to school in just a couple of weeks, we hope you will take this list into consideration either when enrolling your child in a school near your recently purchased Atlanta new home or when searching for unique educational opportunities where you already live.

Great information provided by Atlanta Real Estate Forum

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