For families throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area seeking exceptional special needs education, MDE School in Marietta stands as a beacon of hope and excellence. Our comprehensive programs provide the specialized support and individualized attention that empowers neurodiverse learners from preschool through young adulthood to achieve remarkable success.
Founded in 2009 by speech pathologist Mindy Elkan, MDE School has been honored as the “Best Special Needs/Learning Differences School” by My East Cobb in both 2002 and 2023. This recognition reflects our sustained commitment to educational excellence and our reputation as the premier choice for Atlanta area families seeking transformative special education.
Accredited Excellence in Special Education
Our K-8 program holds accreditation from the Georgia Accrediting Commission Inc., ensuring we maintain the highest educational standards while providing specialized support for students with developmental differences. This accreditation gives Atlanta families confidence that their children receive quality education that meets rigorous academic benchmarks.
We serve students across the full spectrum of learning differences, including autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, global developmental delays, communication disorders, sensory processing challenges, learning disabilities, and auditory processing disorders. Each student’s educational journey is carefully crafted through individualized programming that celebrates their unique strengths.
Distinctive Advantages for Atlanta Families
MDE School uniquely serves students from preschool through young adulthood, making us the only area institution providing this complete educational pathway. Atlanta families appreciate this continuity, which eliminates disruptive transitions and maintains consistent support throughout their child’s development.
Evidence-Based Reading Instruction
Our team includes four specially trained reading specialists who implement Max Scholar, a Science of Reading aligned curriculum based on the Orton-Gillingham approach. Students needing additional literacy support receive two personalized one-on-one sessions weekly, ensuring strong foundational reading skills.
On-Campus Therapeutic Integration
Our exclusive partnership with Greater Atlanta Speech and Language Clinics, located directly on our campus, provides seamless access to speech, occupational, physical, feeding, and vision therapy services during school hours. This unique arrangement eliminates scheduling conflicts for busy Atlanta families while ensuring coordinated therapeutic and educational support.
Whole-Child Development Approach
Beyond academic instruction, we prioritize social and emotional growth through diverse programming including physical education, art, music, yoga, and rotating monthly clubs featuring activities like dance, golf, pottery, and Lego building.
Comprehensive Programming Options
Preschool Program (Ages 2-5)
Our preschool program welcomes neurodiverse students, creating natural social learning opportunities while building essential academic readiness through engaging, play based learning activities tailored to each child’s developmental level.
Specialized K-12 Education
Small class environments and flexible instructional approaches enable our experienced educators to customize learning experiences for each student’s unique needs. Individual Education Plans (IEPs) guide personalized goal-setting with regular family collaboration and progress monitoring.
Vocational Academy Transition (Ages 15+)
Our on-campus vocational academy provides seamless transition opportunities for older students, focusing on practical life skills, employment preparation, and community integration that builds independence and self-confidence.
Why Atlanta Area Families Trust MDE School
Parents across the greater Atlanta region consistently choose MDE School because we deliver what traditional educational environments often cannot: genuine individualized attention, specialized therapeutic coordination, and a nurturing community where every child’s differences are understood and celebrated.
Atlanta families benefit from the convenience of our Marietta location, offering easy access without the stress of traveling across the metro area.
Essential Support Areas We Address
Atlanta families often seek our specialized services when their child requires:
Frequently Asked Questions About MDE School
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Our Marietta campus offers convenient access from throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area, typically 20-30 minutes depending on your specific location and traffic patterns.
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We do not provide transportation services. Many families coordinate carpools or rely on nannies or babysitters to help with school transport duties.
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Our intentionally small classes typically serve 6-8 students with multiple qualified staff members, ensuring every child receives substantial individual attention throughout the day.
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Absolutely. We actively collaborate with families’ existing therapeutic teams to ensure consistent approaches and maximize progress across all environments.
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Having Greater Atlanta Speech and Language Clinics on our campus means therapy happens during school hours with direct coordination between therapists and teachers, eliminating the need to schedule and transport your child to therapy services across town after school hours.
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Our experienced team provides comprehensive guidance through the special education process, from IEP development to connecting families with community resources and support networks.
Real Impact on Student Lives
Our individualized approach consistently produces meaningful outcomes for students and families. Children who struggled in previous educational settings often experience renewed enthusiasm for learning, develop stronger self-advocacy skills, and make significant progress in academic, social, and behavioral areas.
The positive transformation we witness daily, from improved communication abilities to increased independence in self-care tasks, reflects our commitment to seeing every student reach their highest potential.
We chose MDE School because we wanted to find a school where our son could make friends, get one-on-one attention academically for math and reading, and continue to grow as a student and young man. We love the vocational academy program he attends at MDE School. As a result, he is becoming more independent. He is starting to make his bed at home and is learning life skills, including cooking.
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.
Discover MDE School’s Impact for Your Atlanta Family
Experience firsthand why Atlanta area families choose MDE School for their children’s special education needs. Our welcoming campus demonstrates how specialized programming, therapeutic integration, and individualized attention create an environment where every student can flourish.
Located at 1517 Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta, MDE School provides accessible, exceptional special needs education for families throughout the greater Atlanta area. Contact us today to schedule your personalized tour and discover how our comprehensive approach can support your child’s unique learning journey while building the foundation for lifelong success.
