Meet the Admissions Team
Pauline Jennett
Director of Enrollment Management
404-873-6985
paulinej@tcsatl.org
Alison Schers
Associate Director of Advancement
404-873-6985
alisons@tcsatl.org
Apply today for the 2024-25 school!
The Children’s School’s values of childhood, play, and diversity drive our age 3 – grade 8 nationally recognized, innovative curriculum. It’s why 97 percent of our parents say TCS fosters a love of learning, 95 percent say TCS is building a foundation for their child’s future success, and 92 percent of our families feel like they belong here.
The TCS admission team is available to talk to you about how our expert teachers deliver academic challenge in a nurturing environment and why our families chose – and continue to choose – TCS.
Admission Events
The Children’s School offers students challenging academics embedded within a nurturing environment. At TCS, every child is known and stretched – not stressed – to reach their full academic and social-emotional potential.
The best way to learn about our school is to experience it yourself! We offer the following opportunities for you to learn more about TCS.
Virtual Open Houses
Virtual Open Houses offer prospective parents a wonderful opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of TCS’s commitment to nurturing and challenging children ages 3 – grade 8. Hear from the head of school, the directors of Lower and Upper School, current parents, and students during each open house.
- Wed., Oct. 25, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. (preschool – grade 8)
- Wed., Nov. 15, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. (preschool – grade 8)
- CANCELED: Tues., Dec. 12, 9:30 – 11:00 p.m. (preschool – grade 8)
- Wed., Feb. 14, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. (preschool – grade 8)
To register:
- Contact Alison Schers, associate director of advancement, at 404-873-6985 or alisons@tcsatl.org.
- Log into Ravenna (new users will need to create an account). From the dashboard, select “School Directory”. Click “The Children’s School”, then click “Upcoming Events”
Campus Tours
On select Thursdays between October and February, prospective parents are encouraged to tour our Midtown Atlanta campus. Visit our classrooms, learn more about our program and curriculum, and ask questions about the admission process. Tours generally last forty-five minutes to an hour, and are for parents only who are looking at preschool – grade 5 and parents and students interested in our Middle Grades program (grades 6-8).
- CANCELED: Thurs., Oct. 12 at 9:30 a.m.
- Thurs., Oct. 19 at 9:30 a.m.
- Thurs., Oct. 26 at 9:30 a.m.
- Thurs., Nov. 9 at 9:30 a.m.
- CANCELED: Thurs., Nov. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
- Thurs., Nov. 30 at 9:30 a.m.
- Thurs., Dec. 6 at 9:30 a.m.
- Thurs., Dec. 13 at 9:30 a.m.
- Thurs., Jan. 11 at 9:30 a.m.
- CANCELED: Thurs., Jan. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
- Thurs., Jan. 25 at 9:30 a.m.
- Thurs., Feb. 8 at 9:30 a.m.
- Thurs., Feb. 22 at 930 a.m.
Virtual Coffee and Conversation
Grab your favorite morning beverage and join the admission team as well as other members of our community to learn more about The Children’s School, our programs, and the admission process.
- Wed., Oct. 11
- Wed., Nov. 8
- Thurs., Nov. 16
- Tues., Dec. 12
- Wed., Jan. 10
- Thurs., Jan. 18
- Thurs., Feb. 1
To attend a “Coffee and Conversation,” please register in advance using one of the following methods:
- Contact Associate Director of Advancement Alison Schers at 404-873-6985 or alisons@tcsatl.org.
- Log into Ravenna (new users will need to create an account). From the dashboard, select “School Directory”. Click “The Children’s School,” then click “Upcoming Events.”
Take a Virtual Tour of Our Campus
Peek into classrooms, view family resources, and hear from parents, teachers and students about what makes The Children’s School the ideal learning environment for brave learners.
Apply today for the 2024-25 school year!
We began accepting applications for the 2024 – 25 school year on Oct. 1, 2023.
- Dec. 15, 2023 application deadline for early decisions to our Early Learning program (3’s/4’s and 4’s/5’s) with a fee of $50.00
- Feb. 2, 2024 application deadline with a fee of $50.00 (Early Learning – grade 8)
Recognizing that there are reasons why a family may need to submit an application after the February deadline, we do accept late applications. We cannot, however, guarantee that we will have openings beyond our initial round of acceptances. We are happy to consider your application if space becomes available.
Application Instructions
We are accepting applications for specific grade-levels where we have limited availability. Please contact Associate Director of Advancement Alison Schers (alisons@tcsatl.org, 404-873-6985) for more information.
Ravenna Solutions hosts our online, web-based admission process. The TCS Admission Office uses Ravenna to guide families through the entire application process from inquiry to application to decision.
If you have any questions about our process, please contact Alison Schers, associate director of advancement, at 404-873-6985 or alisons@tcsatl.org.
If you have a question about Ravenna, please contact help@ravennasolutions.com. Ravenna is happy to answer your question by phone, however, they require that all support inquiries are initiated through the email address you used to create your Ravenna account.
Steps to Apply
- Go to Ravenna. New users will need to create an account with Ravenna using an email address you will have access to throughout the admissions season. Return users can log in using their username and password. This will be your primary email contact with The Children’s School.
- Select “The Children’s School” from the list of Atlanta schools who are using the online tool.
- Click on “The Children’s School” and select “Apply.”
- Applicants to our Early Learning 3’s/4’s program must be at least 3-years old and toilet trained by the first day of school of their year of entry
- Applicants to our Early Learning 4’s/5’s program must be at least 4-years old by Sept. 1 of their year of entry
- Applicants to our kindergarten program must be at least 5-years old by Sept. 1 of their year of entry
- Complete the preliminary application and pay the non-refundable application fee. Payment should be made by credit card online.
This one-on-one meeting with an administrator is an opportunity to learn more about TCS as well as share more about your family, including your hopes and goals for your child(ren).
These Zoom or in-person meetings are intended for parents only and students will have another opportunity to experience TCS.
Teacher Evaluation Forms
- Delegate the grade-specific “Teacher Evaluation” forms and the “Principal/Counselor Evaluation” form to your child’s current school via Ravenna. Have your child’s current school fill out the forms after Dec. 1, 2023.
- For applicants applying for early decision to the Early Learning Program (3’s/4’s and 4’s/5’s), forms must be received by Jan. 5, 2024. All other applicants must return the forms to The Children’s School by Feb. 16, 2024. Incomplete files will not be reviewed for an admission decision.
Transcript Release Form
All applicants to grades 1-8 should download and print the grade-appropriate “AAAIS Transcript Release” form and submit to your child’s current school.
The school must send the report card or transcript directly to TCS Admission Office.
Families can apply for Financial Aid starting Nov. 1, 2023 through Clarity. The application is due by Jan. 5, 2024 for applicants applying for early decision to the Early Learning Program (3’s/4’s and 4’s/5’s).
For all other applicants, the application must be received by Feb. 16, 2024 for a decision on March 30, 2024.
Sign our Memorandum of Understanding.
As a member of the Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools (AAAIS), The Children’s School has agreed to abide by certain common admissions procedures. Online notifications will be posted after 8:00 a.m. on Sat., March 30, 2024, and the reply date is Thurs., April 11, 2024.
All member schools have agreed not to initiate contact with families between those dates. While we will return phone calls, this policy does not allow for visits to campus or meetings with representatives of our school during this period. To learn more, follow this link to the AAAIS Principles of Best Practice.
Tuition
The Early Learning Program is for children ages three- to five-years-old and offers a combination of half and full-day options.
Children in our Early Learning 3’s/4’s program must be at least 3-years old and toilet trained by the first day of school of their year of entry. Children in our Early Learning 4’s/5’s program must be at least 4 years old by Sept. 1 of their year of entry.
School starts at 8:30 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays.
Ages 3 yrs. to 4 yrs. Half-Day (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
2023 – 24 Tuition*: $16,036
Activity and Tech Fee**: $630
Ages 3 yrs. to 4 yrs. Full-Day (8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.)
2023 – 24 Tuition*: $21,676
Activity and Tech Fee**: $630
Ages 4 yrs. to 5 yrs. Full-Day (8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.)
2023 – 24 Tuition*: $21,676
Activity and Tech Fee**: $630
*Tuition includes lunch and your choice of milk or juice.
** The activity and tech fee covers student consumables, books, individual and class photographs, technology, yearbook, and Parents’ Association fees.
Elementary Learning (K–Grade 5) Tuition
The Elementary Learning Program begins with full-day kindergarten and continues through grade 5.
Children entering kindergarten typically have turned 5-years-old by Sept. 1.
Day school starts at 8:30 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays and ends at 3:15 p.m. Monday – Friday.
2023 – 24 Tuition: $24,384
Activity and Tech Fee*:
- K–Grade 2: $630
- Grade 3: $1,003
- Grades 4-5: $1,576
* The activity and tech fee covers student consumables, books, individual and class photographs, technology, yearbook, and Parents’ Association fees. For grades 3–8, the activity fee also includes apps.
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Tuition
TCS middle school encompasses grades 6-8.
Day school starts at 8:30 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays and ends at 3:15 p.m. Monday – Friday.
2023 – 24 Tuition: $26,105
Activity and Tech Fee*:
- Grades 6-7: $1,978
- Grade 8: $2,149
* The activity and tech fee covers student consumables, books, individual and class photographs, technology, yearbook, and Parents’ Association fees. For grades 3-8, the activity fee also includes apps.
Extended Day Program
The TCS Extended Day program includes after-school programming for age 3 – grade 8 students from TCS on Mondays – Fridays from 3:15 – 5:30 p.m. for TCS students and students at Morningside Elementary, Springdale Park Elementary and Mary Lin Elementary.
TCS offers a free before care program for TCS students from 7:30 – 8:00 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. On late start Wednesdays, before care runs 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. and requires registration.
Please contact Vaunghn Benjamin at vaughnb@tcsatl.org with any questions.
2023 – 24 Rates for TCS Families
Annual = $3,622.50/year
Monthly = $517.50/month
Weekly = $130/week
2022 – 23 Rates for Extended Day Only Families
Annual = $4,000/year
Monthly = $500/month
Tuition Payment Options
Plan A
Total payment with contract at time of enrollment or no later than July 1.
Plan B
Two semester installments due July 1 and December 2.
Plan C
A 10-month payment plan available through FACTS
Visit factsmgt.com for more information.
Financial Aid
The Children’s School (TCS) is a highly engaged, compassionate, and diverse community of student and adult learners. We believe that the socio-economic diversity of our student body is essential to developing each student’s intellectual, social, and cultural competency, and we are committed to making a TCS education accessible to as many children and families as possible with whom our mission resonates.
Through our Financial Aid Program, each family pays the tuition amount they can afford based on their unique circumstances. Today, almost 25 percent of our students receive financial aid. The average financial aid award for the 2023 – 24 school year is $11,000.
Families can apply for Financial Aid starting Nov. 1, 2023 through Clarity. The application is due by Jan. 5, 2024 for applicants applying for early decision to the Early Learning Program (3’s/4’s and 4’s/5’s) and Feb. 16, 2024 or all other applicants.
To learn more about Financial Aid at TCS, contact Alison Schers at 404-873-6985 or alisons@tcsatl.org.
Applying For Financial Aid
TCS’s Financial Aid Program is based on demonstrated financial need; merit scholarships are not awarded.
To learn more about the financial aid application process at TCS, call Director of Enrollment Management Pauline Jennett at 404-873-6985.
– Step 1
Complete the financial aid application in Clarity beginning Nov. 1. Click here to apply at Clarity. (Note: Parents/Guardians living in separate households must submit separate applications.) The application is due by Jan. 5, 2024 for applicants applying for early decision to the Early Learning Program (3’s/4’s and 4’s/5’s) and Feb. 16, 2024 or all other applicants.
– Step 2
Sign Memorandum of Understanding regarding the financial aid program (print, sign and return to Associate Director of Advancement Alison Schers via email (alisons@tcsatl.org).
– Step 3
Tax Documentation
- Submit Form 1040 for 2022 including all schedules, W-2’s and/or 1099 for 2022, and year-end paystub for 2023 to Clarity via upload, fax or mail
Financial Aid FAQs
When can I apply for Financial Aid?
You can begin the application process in Clarity starting on Nov. 1. The application is due by Jan. 5, 2024 for applicants applying for early decision to the Early Learning Program (3’s/4’s and 4’s/5’s) and Feb. 16, 2024 or all other applicants.
What is the TCS Financial Aid Program?
At TCS, each family pays tuition to their capacity. Every family is expected to contribute to the cost of tuition and fees and to support the community with their time, talents and philanthropy as their personal circumstances allow. We are proud that nearly 25% of TCS students receive Financial Aid, with an average award of $11,000. Please note that Financial Aid is not available for our Early Learning 3’s/4’s Half Day Program.
How is Financial Aid Determined?
TCS’s Financial Aid Program is based on demonstrated financial need per guidance provided by Tuition Aid Data Service (Clarity). An application for Financial Aid must be completed and submitted. The online application can be found here. Many factors are considered in determining a family’s Financial Aid award, including annual income, assets, family size, the number of children in tuition charging schools, unusual expenses (such as care of an aging parent and/or educational loan payments), and other discretionary costs and financial obligations. Each family’s circumstances are unique and are considered individually.
Does an application for Financial Aid affect my child’s chances of being admitted to TCS?
Absolutely not. TCS has a need-blind admission process. Applicants are evaluated for admission without regard to a request for Financial Aid. The Financial Aid Committee operates separately from the admission process.
When will my family learn if we have been offered Financial Aid?
Current TCS families will be notified of any Financial Aid award at the time they are re-enrolling for the next school year.
New TCS families will receive a Financial Aid notification when admitted to TCS.
If my family receives a Financial Aid award this year, will we receive financial aid in future years?
If your family demonstrates the same level of financial need each year, your family can expect your Financial Aid amount to stay within the same range. All Financial Aid applications are reviewed annually and the Financial Aid Committee requires a financial aid application and updated financial statement each year.
Is my family’s financial information and financial aid award confidential?
Yes. The Financial Aid Committee maintains strict confidentiality and TCS also expects families receiving Financial Aid to maintain confidentiality with regard to their Financial Aid amount.
Tara Beverly
Upper School Director of Student Life & High School Counseling
404-873-6985
tarab@tcsatl.org
Our graduates are passion-driven young adults who lead lives of empathy and purpose in an interconnected world. Counseling our eighth graders in their next steps after The Children’s School is an essential part of our educational process. TCS works closely with students and their families to ensure they find a school that matches the student’s talents, needs and interests and which complements their intellectual, physical, and social development.
The Children’s School has strong ties with all of our receiving schools, and each school values the fact that TCS has prepared our students to meet the demands of their next educational environments.
The director of student life and high school counseling works closely with each eighth-grade family. The process begins in the spring of the student’s seventh-grade year with an individual meeting with each student and their parents. Our approach is highly individualized and collaborative and also includes close partnerships with each student’s advisor and teachers.
LEARN MORE ABOUT LIFE BEYOND TCS
High School Counseling Timeline
March – June
- Students and their families have individual planning meetings with the director of student life and high school counseling
September – November
- SSAT prep classes begin at TCS
- Set up Ravenna accounts
- Students and families begin visiting prospective schools
- Parents register students to take the SSAT. Parents submit special accommodation request to TCS via SSAT website
- Public high schools release transition-to-high-school dates for middle school parents
- Ongoing check-in meetings/phone calls with the director of student life and high school counseling
November – December
- Parents applying for financial aid begin the process as detailed by the prospective schools
- Students take the SSAT at TCS
- Parents submit transcript release form to TCS
- Parents send teacher evaluation requests to Middle Grades faculty via Ravenna
- Parents and students begin filling out applications
- Students begin preparing for interviews with the director of student life and high school counseling
January – February
- Teachers complete evaluation forms and submit them to the Learning Support Team for review
- Ongoing interview prep the director of student life and high school counseling
- Submit all applications to prospective schools
- TCS uploads sixth, seventh, eighth-grade report cards and CTP5 scores to Ravenna
- Students attend visit day/interview at schools
Late February – March
- The director of student life and high school counseling has ongoing conversations with each school regarding applicants
- Atlanta-area schools (AAAIS) mail decisions and decisions are posted on Ravenna
- Get ready to register for public high school
April
- AAAIS reply deadline for accepted families
May
- Graduation!
Learning at The Children’s School is a joyful adventure. Play is woven into everything we do because through play, children gain the confidence to dive in, follow their curiosity and courageously explore their world.
As children mature, play-based learning transitions to learning playfully. Campus diversity intentionally reflects our local and global communities, because learning with and from each other is critical to fostering the cultural fluency and compassion our future leaders need to take on the big global issues and thrive.
Our nationally recognized curriculum engages and inspires young minds through immersive, project-based learning. Our faculty is exceptionally gifted at recognizing unique strengths and bringing out the fearless, enthusiastic learner in every child. And our central location in Midtown provides an ideal launch pad for students to engage with the broader community.
Our 3’s/4’s classrooms have a student-teacher ratio of 8:1 and our 4’s/5’s classrooms have a 10:1 ratio. Kindergarten through grade 8 has a ratio of 12:1.
Our 3’s/4’s, 4’s/5’s, kindergarten and sixth grade classrooms are the starting point for many families. However, there are varying entry points depending on the year and the particular grade for which you are applying. We accept applications for all grade levels.
It is best to begin the application process the year before you would like your child to enter The Children’s School. We highly recommend that you get to know our community of brave learners by attending a virtual event and/or visiting campus before submitting an application.
We highly recommend that parents visit the school on one of our designated dates for individual family tours. We look forward to helping you discover our community of brave learners and doers.
Once an application has been submitted, prospective parents can schedule their parent one-on-one meeting with a member of our admission or administrative team.
The deadline to apply for the 2024-25 school year is Feb. 2, 2024 (Dec. 15, 2023 for Early Learning 3’s/4’s and 4’s/5’s early decision).
Recognizing that there are reasons why a family may need to submit an application after the February deadline, we do accept late applications. We cannot, however, guarantee that we will have openings beyond our initial round of acceptances, and inform families that we will be happy to consider their application if space becomes available.
Please contact Associate Director of Advancement Alison Schers (alisons@tcsatl.org, 404-873-6985) with questions about the deadline.
We require no standardized testing beyond what your child’s current school administers in the course of the year. We also do not require the JATP. If your child takes the SSAT or ISEE and you want to share the scores, please send them to admission@tcsatl.org.
We find it very helpful to receive all reports for applicants who have received psycho-educational testing. Please send these evaluations to admission@tcsatl.org.
Early Learning Program 3’s/4’s: Children must be three-years-old by the first day of school in August of the year they enter TCS. Children who turn three after the first day but before Sept. 30 can be considered for admission.
Early Learning Program 4’s/5’s: Children should be four-years old by Sept. 1 of the year they enter TCS.
Kindergarten: Children should be five-years old by Sept. 1 of the year they enter TCS.
Each child’s developmental readiness is assessed in house during their virtual visit. When making an admission decision, we take into account developmental readiness, academic and social cohort groups, and the appropriate class placement for each applicant.
TCS is proud to be a family school and we strive to keep families together. All applicants (regardless of family connection to the school) must apply for admission and are evaluated according to the same criteria, and all admission decisions consider the best interest of each individual child.
Diversity is our strength. Our founder, Lila McDill, determined from the beginning that the school would be open to “all elementary children whose emotional and intellectual endowment will enable them to work within this group, regardless of race, ethnic, or religious background.” Inclusivity is part of our DNA.
Our faculty, staff and families are some of the most diverse among our fellow independent schools in Atlanta and nationally. In fact, 53 percent of our students identify as being a person of color. TCS students come from 50+ zip codes and 25 percent of our students are enrolled in our Financial Aid Program.
We believe that when children learn among peers from broadly varying backgrounds, they come to value the possibilities inherent in multiple perspectives. This awareness leads to strong local, cultural and global competencies that enables our children to fully, sensitively and effectively engage in the broader community.
Our Learning Strategies and Academic Support Services (LSASS) program expanded in 2021.
In 2023, LSASS began offering an enhanced, fee-based program with individual and small group support in literacy, math, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and executive function coaching.
The LSASS team can support students with many different learning profiles; however, there are occasions when our program cannot adequately support a child’s needs and it will be in the family’s best interest to find another setting for their child’s success. These situations are approached carefully and thoughtfully in partnership with parents and with the school reserving the right to make the final decision.
Click here to learn more about the LSASS program.
Our graduates have the knowledge, skills and character to thrive in many different high school environments. Empathetic and bold, they are prepared to engage in and impact their immediate environment and make their mark on a complex and constantly changing world.
The director of student life and high school counseling works closely with each eighth-grade family. The process begins in the spring of the student’s seventh grade year with an individual meeting with each student and their parents. Our approach is highly individualized and collaborative and also includes close partnerships with each student’s advisor and teachers. In addition to attending various Atlanta-area public schools, during the last five years, our graduates have been accepted to and thrive at range of secondary schools including:
- Academe of the Oaks
- Atlanta Girls’ School
- Atlanta International School
- Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School
- Holy Spirit Preparatory School
- Landmark Christian School
- Marist School
- Mt. Vernon School
- Pace Academy
- Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
- St. Pius X Catholic High School
- The Galloway School
- The Lovett School
- The New School
- The Paideia School
- The Thatcher School (Ojai, CA)
- The Westminster Schools
- Woodward Academy
Absolutely! Parents are a vital element of our community, and there are many ways that they can choose to contribute their time, energy and talents to The Children’s School. All parents are members of our Parent Association which is involved with a wide range of programs and events.