East Cobb families seeking premier special needs education have found their trusted partner at MDE School in nearby Marietta, where innovative programming and personalized attention create life-changing educational experiences. Our celebrated institution has been transforming the lives of neurodiverse learners from preschool through young adulthood since 2009, establishing ourselves as the gold standard for families throughout Cobb County.
Understanding MDE School’s Approach
MDE School creates learning environments where neurological differences are understood, celebrated, and supported through evidence-based instruction and comprehensive therapeutic services. Our programs address the unique needs of each student while building on their individual strengths and abilities.
Comprehensive Programming for Diverse Learning Needs
Complete Educational Journey
As the only area institution serving neurodiverse students from preschool through young adulthood, MDE School provides East Cobb families with unmatched educational continuity. This comprehensive pathway eliminates the anxiety of finding new schools as children grow and ensures consistent, high-quality support throughout development.
Science of Reading Excellence
Our dedicated team of four specially trained reading specialists utilizes Max Scholar, a state-of-the-art Science of Reading curriculum founded on the proven Orton-Gillingham methodology. Students needing enhanced literacy support receive two individualized sessions weekly, building strong reading foundations essential for academic success.
Integrated Therapeutic Program
Our unique on-campus partnership with Greater Atlanta Speech and Language Clinics provides East Cobb families with unparalleled convenience and coordination. Students receive speech, occupational, and physical therapies during school hours, with seamless collaboration between all therapeutic and educational professionals.
Holistic Development Approach
Beyond traditional academics, our programming emphasizes comprehensive growth through diverse enrichment opportunities including physical education, creative arts, music enrichment, mindfulness yoga, and rotating monthly clubs featuring golf, dance, pottery, and innovative building activities.
Private Educational Program Offerings
Preschool Program (Ages 2 – 5)
MDE School’s preschool fosters an inclusive, nurturing environment where neurodiverse children thrive. Our multisensory, research-based curriculum supports authentic social connections and builds essential academic foundations, preparing each child for lifelong learning and success.
Individualized K-12 Programming
Small class sizes and adaptive instructional methods enable our experienced educators to customize learning experiences for each student’s unique needs and strengths. Detailed Individual Education Plans (IEPs) ensure personalized goal development with continuous family partnership and regular progress assessment.
Vocational Academy Advancement (Ages 15+)
Our campus-based vocational academy offers seamless transition opportunities for older students, emphasizing practical life skills, career readiness, and community engagement that builds independence, confidence and self reliance.
We serve students with diverse learning profiles, including autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, global developmental delays, communication and speech disorders, sensory processing challenges, learning disabilities, and auditory processing disorders. Each student’s educational experience is thoughtfully crafted around their individual abilities and potential for growth.
Why East Cobb Families Choose MDE School
East Cobb families consistently select MDE School because we provide what traditional educational settings often cannot deliver: authentic individualized attention, coordinated therapeutic support, and a nurturing community where each child’s unique qualities are recognized and celebrated as valuable assets.
Our convenient Marietta location offers exceptional accessibility for East Cobb families while providing the distinctive advantage of integrated therapeutic services, eliminating the typical stress of coordinating multiple appointments across different facilities throughout the week.
Specialized Support Areas We Provide
East Cobb families frequently turn to our expertise when their child needs:
Frequently Asked Questions About MDE School Near East Cobb
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Our Marietta campus provides excellent accessibility from East Cobb, typically requiring just 10-20 minutes travel time depending on traffic conditions and your specific location within East Cobb.
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As the recipient of My East Cobb’s “Best Special Needs/Learning Differences School” award in both 2002 and 2023, we have deep roots in the East Cobb community and understand the unique needs of local families.
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We maintain a small student-to-teacher ratio to provide individualized support, meaningful engagement, and the attention each student needs to succeed.
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Yes, we actively collaborate with families’ current therapeutic teams to maintain consistency and maximize your child’s progress across all educational and therapeutic environments.
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Having Greater Atlanta Speech and Language Clinics directly on campus means therapy occurs during school hours with direct coordination between all professionals serving your child.
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Our experienced team provides comprehensive guidance through every aspect of special education, from IEP development to connecting with local community resources and support networks.
Proven Student Success and Growth
Our personalized educational approach consistently produces remarkable outcomes that transform student experiences and strengthen family dynamics. Children who previously faced challenges often rediscover their love of learning, develop stronger self-advocacy abilities, and achieve significant progress in academic, social, and personal development areas.
The extraordinary transformation we witness daily — from enhanced communication abilities to increased independence in daily activities — reflects our dedication to helping every student achieve their maximum potential while developing essential skills for lifelong success and fulfillment.
Being able to have our son in a school where he can get what he needs and having all of his therapies in one place has been a game-changer for our family! No longer are we having to spend hours in the car driving around to several different clinics just to get him the therapies he deserves. After what has felt like a hard road so far in our son’s journey, we feel like finding MDE has been a bright light. We are so thankful to have found MDE.
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.
Experience MDE School’s Excellence for Your East Cobb Family
Discover why East Cobb families have consistently recognized MDE School as the best choice for specialized educational needs. Our comprehensive campus tour will demonstrate how our award-winning programming, therapeutic coordination, and individualized attention create an environment where every student can achieve exceptional growth.
Located at 1517 Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta, MDE School provides convenient, exceptional special needs education for East Cobb families seeking the highest quality educational opportunities. Contact us today to schedule your personalized campus visit and learn how our comprehensive approach can support your child’s unique learning journey while building the foundation for lifelong achievement and success.
