Moving to Atlanta and head is spinning....please help... (Sandy Springs: sale, home)

[AnsleyPark]

For something not so mainstream, you may wish to look into Galloway - a private school located at Chastain Park. Smaller than W'minster, Lovett, Pace, et al, but has a great reputation.

[AtlJan]

I am a Pace insider and love the school. Amazing small classes, incredible teachers. I have nothing bad to say about any of the three, Westminster, Lovett, or Pace. The top students at these schools are Ivy League bound, the middle and bottom will be at small liberal arts and well-respected state schools--and all will be very literate, very polished by graduation. School culture is slightly different T each, but not radically different. I wouldn't get my heart set on any of the three til you have acceptance.

[arjay57]

I'd say Chastain, Brookhaven, North Buckhead or Sandy Springs would be right up your alley.

[AtlJan]

And one more school to add to your list, especially if you choose to live in Sandy Springs or Dunwoody: The Wesleyan School. Great leadership at the school, Christian emphasis, good academics, good athletics.

[staywarm2]

Originally Posted by AtlJan

(downtown Roswell does offer some cute eclectic shops and restaurants. . .maybe best of both worlds?)

Downtown Roswell is cute, but I've heard that the restaurants are crowded and it's difficult to get a seat, even during the week. Also, Roswell is in Fulton County, which has high property taxes. Of course, so are Sandy Springs, Buckhead, and Brookhaven.

[roxyrn]

Canton Street as well as parts of Alpharetta Highway, Oak Street and the square all have numerous non-chanin restaurants with a huge variety of food and atmospheres so that if one is crowded, there is always another close by. It is a great atmosphere and fun to walk down the street, take in a gallery, shop or some live music.
I can't remember where the OP is locating from, but our Fulton County property taxes are 30% less than we paid in New York and our house is 50% larger. Plus, Roswell offers so much in the way of beautiful parks, lots of sporting opportunities, preforming arts and tons of classes and kid's camps. Also, nature (Chattahootchee) and history ( the three antebellum homes that offer numerous events).

[lastminutemom]

The headmaster at your children's school should be able to make phone calls for you to metro area peer schools. The current headmaster should be able to get a feeling about space available, chances etc, I would think.

However, if you want to switch them to public make that your initial priority. You can always move again when they grow up. Check out the public schools and the neighborhoods that feed them. See what you think. Go from there. You have a year and you will be living here, correct?

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by Gablesfamily

If (and, that is a massive $$ saving "if") we settle on an OTP neighborhood, is there much difference in the public high schools between East Cobb and Roswell?

...There's not necessarily a really big difference between the public schools in East Cobb and the public schools in Roswell.

That's because Roswell High School (and the schools in its feeder zone) are very good schools in their own right for the most part.

It's just that the schools in Roswell (Roswell HS feeder zone west of GA 400, Centennial HS feeder zone east of GA 400) are not anywhere near as highly-touted and highly-regarded as the schools in East Cobb are (Walton, Pope, Lassiter, Sprayberry and Wheeler High School feeder zones).

That's because the five aforementioned East Cobb high schools and the elementary and middle schools in their feeder zones are widely-regarded as some of the best public schools in the entire state of Georgia.

Walton High School is overwhelmingly regarded and recognized by most as the best public high school in the state of Georgia and one of the best public high schools in the entire nation.

If your child does well throughout their academic careers at one of these five high schools and their feeder schools, your child will likely be in consideration for an academic scholarship at some of the best colleges and universities in the country, including many Ivy League schools.

Link to Great Schools overview page for Centennial High School (serves the section of Roswell that is EAST of GA Hwy 400...good school, but not necessarily as highly-regarded as Roswell HS and its feeder schools):
Centennial High School - Roswell, Georgia - GA - School overview

Link to Great Schools overview page for Roswell High School (serves the section of Roswell that is WEST of GA Hwy 400...good school, but not necessarily as highly-regarded as the five aforementioned school feeder zones in East Cobb):
Roswell High School - Roswell, Georgia - GA - School overview

Link to Great Schools overview page for Walton High School (a school and feeder zone that is widely-regarded and recognized by many to be the best in the state of Georgia and one of the best in the country):
Walton Comprehensive High School - Marietta, Georgia - GA - School overview

[Gablesfamily]

Originally Posted by AtlJan

I am a Pace insider and love the school. Amazing small classes, incredible teachers. I have nothing bad to say about any of the three, Westminster, Lovett, or Pace. The top students at these schools are Ivy League bound, the middle and bottom will be at small liberal arts and well-respected state schools--and all will be very literate, very polished by graduation. School culture is slightly different T each, but not radically different. I wouldn't get my heart set on any of the three til you have acceptance.

Can u comment further on this point? How do the cultures differ?

[Gablesfamily]

Originally Posted by Born 2 Roll

...There's not necessarily a really big difference between the public schools in East Cobb and the public schools in Roswell.

That's because Roswell High School (and the schools in its feeder zone) are very good schools in their own right for the most part.

It's just that the schools in Roswell (Roswell HS feeder zone west of GA 400, Centennial HS feeder zone east of GA 400) are not anywhere near as highly-touted and highly-regarded as the schools in East Cobb are (Walton, Pope, Lassiter, Sprayberry and Wheeler High School feeder zones).

That's because the five aforementioned East Cobb high schools and the elementary and middle schools in their feeder zones are widely-regarded as some of the best public schools in the entire state of Georgia.

Walton High School is overwhelmingly regarded and recognized by most as the best public high school in the state of Georgia and one of the best public high schools in the entire nation.

If your child does well throughout their academic careers at one of these five high schools and their feeder schools, your child will likely be in consideration for an academic scholarship at some of the best colleges and universities in the country, including many Ivy League schools.

Link to Great Schools overview page for Centennial High School (serves the section of Roswell that is EAST of GA Hwy 400...good school, but not necessarily as highly-regarded as Roswell HS and its feeder schools):
Centennial High School - Roswell, Georgia - GA - School overview

Link to Great Schools overview page for Roswell High School (serves the section of Roswell that is WEST of GA Hwy 400...good school, but not necessarily as highly-regarded as the five aforementioned school feeder zones in East Cobb):
Roswell High School - Roswell, Georgia - GA - School overview

Link to Great Schools overview page for Walton High School (a school and feeder zone that is widely-regarded and recognized by many to be the best in the state of Georgia and one of the best in the country):
Walton Comprehensive High School - Marietta, Georgia - GA - School overview

Many thanks. This is very useful.