| We are considering a move to Buckhead and researching school. Hearing Lovett is the best and most like Sidwell. Does anyone have experience with Lovett or similar schools in Atlanta? Are they like top DC schools just with southern accents? |
| Westminster is generally considered to be better than Lovett. |
| Best school in Atlanta is Westminster Schools, along with Woodward and Lovett. But they are very big compared to the large K-12's around here, like Sidwell and GDS, so that's something to keep in mind. I think you'll find a wider range of "acceptable" colleges, so the kind of insane orientation towards the Ivies and all that comes with that is easier to distance yourself (and your kids) from, if that's not your priority. But they offer the full range of advanced and honors classes, have incredible facilities, and all the opportunities you'd expect here in terms of extracurriculars, trips, etc |
| I’ve always heard that Westminster is the best. Also have known people that went to Pace |
| Not from Atlanta but Ive heard Paideia is like GDS. |
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Westminster = StA and NCS
Lovett = Sidwell Woodward = GDS |
| I attended a conference at Woodward and it looks like a college campus. It's amazing. |
I’ve also heard it’s a pressure cooker and tends to lock in kids to certain tracks very early on. |
Disagree. Woodward is not similar to GDS. The Paideia School would be most similar. Or maybe Paideia would be most similar to Field - definitely the most low key option for mainstream privates. Woodward is pretty large and very-Atlanta, but with a great reputation despite being in a rougher area. Not close to Buckhead but would be easy to get to on MARTA. Lots of local athletes and rappers (no joke) send their kids there. Westminster is the best school, great campus. Lovett is also highly regarded. Other options to at least take a look at would be Pace or Galloway (which are both near Buckhead). |
| Now I’m just curious. Growing up I felt like everyone wanted to go to Marist. Where does it fit in? |
Best and most like Sidwell doesn’t work. |
Marist a great Catholic option, which OP did not seem to be asking about. |
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While these comparisons seem sort of generally right to DC privates, there is a huge delta in terms do DC and Atlanta privates that you are missing in terms of educational pedigree and academic rigor and just general kids/families educational orientation. There is nowhere quite like DC in terms of the kids school achievement. Maybe NY is close and Boston second.
There is also a wealth gap. Rich DC is often a BigLaw partner. Rich Atlanta is owning a mid size regional business. Meaning Atlanta rich is usually richer. |
You need to get out more. |
My niece is currently there and my nephew is a recent grad. Neither reported a pressure cooker environment. |