MDE School stands as a beacon of hope and excellence for families seeking specialized education that truly makes a difference. Since our founding, we have been committed to creating an environment where students with developmental differences don’t just learn, they flourish, grow confident, and develop the skills they need for lifelong success.
Our Approach to Exceptional Special Education
We believe that students who learn differently thrive in environments designed for their unique needs. Our approach is rooted in the understanding that each student learns best when engaged in all aspects of the curriculum within developmentally appropriate classrooms that emphasize communication, including verbal and nonverbal expression, and independence.
The foundation of our success lies in maintaining small student-to-teacher ratios that allow for truly individualized attention. Our flexible classroom atmosphere incorporates group instruction, one-on-one teaching, and independent work. This combination enables our special education teachers to customize each student’s educational experience to capitalize on their unique learning style.
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What Sets MDE School Apart
Accredited Excellence
Our K-8 program is accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission Inc., ensuring we meet the highest educational standards while providing specialized support for students with developmental differences.
Award-Winning Recognition
MDE School has been honored as “Best Special Needs/Learning Differences School” by My East Cobb in both 2002 and 2023, reflecting our sustained commitment to educational excellence over more than two decades.
Experienced Leadership
Under the guidance of founder and Executive Director Mindy Elkan, a speech pathologist with extensive training and experience working with neurodiverse children, MDE School has developed innovative approaches to special education that produce remarkable results.
Comprehensive Age Range
As the only area special education school serving neurodiverse students from preschool through young adulthood, we provide educational continuity that eliminates stressful transitions between institutions.
Specialized Reading Support
Our four specially trained reading specialists employ Max Scholar, a Science of Reading aligned curriculum grounded in the Orton-Gillingham approach, providing personalized one-on-one sessions twice weekly for students needing additional reading support.
Small Classes, One-on-One Academics
MDE School serves preschool to grade 12 students with developmental delays through small class sizes and one-on-one academics, fostering personalized growth in a supportive, nurturing environment tailored to each child’s unique needs.
Parents as Partners
We believe parents are integral partners in their student’s success. Open communication between families, teachers, and our director maximizes each child’s total learning experience and ensures consistency between home and school environments.
Our commitment to collaboration extends beyond families to include coordination with outside professionals. We actively work with your child’s speech, physical, and behavioral therapists to reinforce therapeutic goals within the classroom setting, creating a unified support system that accelerates progress.
On-Campus Therapeutic Integration
Through our unique partnership with Greater Atlanta Speech and Language Clinic, students can receive speech, occupational, and physical therapies during the school day. This integration eliminates the stress of additional appointments while allowing therapists and teachers to work as a coordinated team, ensuring consistent reinforcement of therapeutic and educational goals.
Holistic Development Focus
Beyond academics, we continuously provide opportunities to teach age-appropriate life and social skills. Our comprehensive approach includes specialized programs such as PE, art, music, yoga, and monthly special interest clubs like dance, golf, pottery, and Lego building — all designed to support social and emotional wellbeing alongside academic achievement.
Our special education teachers lovingly guide students to learn cooperation with peers, fostering positive educational experiences that encourage growth, build confidence, and develop the social skills essential for lifelong success.
Communities We Serve
MDE School proudly serves families throughout the greater Atlanta metropolitan area, including:
Why Choose MDE School in Marietta
At MDE School, we understand that choosing the right educational environment for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Our award-winning, accredited programs combine specialized teaching expertise with therapeutic integration and individualized attention that helps every student reach their full potential.
From our small class sizes and evidence-based teaching methods to our unique preschool-through-adulthood continuum, MDE School provides the comprehensive support your child needs to build confidence, develop independence, and prepare for a successful future.
Contact us today to learn more about how MDE School can support your child’s educational journey and discover why families throughout the Atlanta metro area trust us with their most precious gifts.
For enrollment inquiries, we invite you to complete the form on the right, and our team will be happy to connect with you.
MDE school is staffed with the most professional, hardworking teachers and support staff I have ever seen. Each child is treated as an individual. Everyone works hard to ensure that every child’s educational goals are met and that life skills are imparted to better prepare them for life beyond school. Mindy Elkan has cultivated an amazing, all inclusive atmosphere for her students.
Who We Are
MDE School is the only special education school in the Atlanta metro area supporting neurodiverse students from preschool through early adulthood. As a nonprofit private school, we provide personalized education for students with developmental delays who may not thrive in traditional settings.
Our tailored academics, enrichment programs, and life skills training empower each student to reach their full potential in a supportive, nurturing environment. When ready, students can transition seamlessly to MDE Vocational Academy on our campus, serving young adults ages 15+ with a focus on vocational, life, and social skills.
Our experienced team specializes in working with students with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, communication disorders, and other learning differences supporting each child’s academic, social, and emotional growth at their own pace.
