Best Public Schools in Atlanta Area for Special Needs (Autism/Asperger's/ASD) (Roswell: school district)

[HighFuncAtlParent]

I am looking for some guidance on choosing the best public school in the Atlanta area for my son who is on the autism spectrum (high functioning). He has done very well in a mainstreamed pre-school environment with support from his occupational therapist weekly after school. He will be going into Kindergarten next year, and we're looking to move into a good school district to support his needs. Our current district and elementary school don't seem sufficient. Where are the best elementary/middle/high schools in Atlanta for children on the spectrum? My husband and I both work in Midtown, so ideally we will move somewhere with less than a 30-40 minute commute.

Are there any good private schools in the area that are great for very high-functioning children who are still on the spectrum? Thanks in advance!

[lastminutemom]

It would help me to know what school you aren't sure will work so I can have a sense of where your head is right now.

I would start by having a conversation with his team -- I presume he has services other than OT, right?

What do they think an ideal K class (and beyond) looks like for him?

Hawthorne Elementary School (in DeKalb) came immediately to mind because of the feeder pattern from Coralwood. However, the school has had a fair amount of leadership turnover and sometimes people are happy with it and sometimes not.

If he is totally mainstreamed with little support, likely any elementary school that appeals to you is doable.

[PTC Dad]

Fayette County/ Peachtree City has excellent schools and one of the best private schools in Atlanta for Special Needs children is the Joseph Sam's School in Fayetteville, but if your son is high functioning he would probably do great in a regular school. The commute to midtown from the northern part of Fayette County is about 40 minutes.

The Joseph Sams School | Serving Children with Special Needs

I'd also look in North Fulton (Roswell, Alpharetta, John's Creek), East Cobb (Walton, Lassiter, Pope), or the City of Decatur.

48. Peachtree City, GA | TIME

[bu2]

There is Tapestry Public Charter in DeKalb (Doraville). It is MS/HS. But you have to get in via the lottery.

This is their mission statement:
The mission of Tapestry Public Charter School is to offer an inclusive, individualized learning environment that is academically engaging, both for neurotypical students and those on the autism spectrum, and to create a positive school culture that empowers all students to take possession of their innate talents and become creative builders of their own future.

Among the private schools, there are a bunch of special needs schools on the northside, all of which target slightly different populations. As lastminutemom suggests, check with your service providers. The Marcus Autism Center in DeKalb is another place you might get information.