MDE School’s K-12 Program is designed for students with developmental delays who benefit from individualized instruction and a supportive learning environment. Serving students in kindergarten through grade 12, our program provides a structured yet flexible educational experience that helps each child grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
With a low student-to-teacher ratio, our students receive the attention they need to succeed. Instruction is further strengthened through personalized one-on-one academic support, allowing educators to tailor lessons to each student’s learning style, strengths, and goals.
MDE School offers accredited academic programs for grades K–8, ensuring a strong educational foundation. Students in grades 9-12 participate in a comprehensive curriculum and earn a certificate of completion, preparing them for greater independence, vocational pathways, and life beyond the classroom.
Our experienced educators work closely with every student to foster confidence, independence, and a love of learning, helping each child progress at their own pace and reach their full potential.
Our Educational Philosophy
- Low student-to-teacher ratio
- Customized 1:1 instruction tailored to each child’s developmental level and learning style
- Group learning activities
- Flexible classroom atmosphere
- Muti-sensory approach
- Life skills training
- Includes art, music, PE, yoga and outdoor playtime on our sensory-enriching playground
- Sensory room
Our program facilitates the growth of:
- Cognitive Skills
- Communication Skills
- Emotional Development
- Gross and Fine Motor Skills
- Functional
- Math Skills
- Reading Skills
- Social Skills
Our Curriculum
At MDE School, we believe a multi-sensory special education teaching approach is the key to student learning success. Our top priority is for students to reach their full potential while increasing their self-esteem and confidence. The low student-to-teacher ratio fosters a positive learning experience throughout the day. We provide opportunities for students to develop social skills along with academics. Some strategies and materials we use include, but are not limited to:
Math
- IXL
- Math You See
- Touch Math
- Connecting Math
- Math Seeds
- And more
Writing
- Everyday Phonics
- Everyday Vocabulary – Manipulatives
- Handwriting Without Tears
- Kinetic Spelling
Reading
A-Z Reading – Edmark – IXL – Science of Reading – Starfall – Reading Eggs
In addition to regular reading instruction in the classroom, if needed, your child will receive two personalized, one-on-one sessions each week with a skilled reading specialist focused on building phonemic awareness, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary.
This targeted instruction empowers your child to grow into a more confident and capable reader.
Our experienced instructors specialize in supporting neurodiverse learners and hold Level 3 Orton-Gillingham (OG) certification.
The Reading Support program uses Max Scholar, a Science of Reading-aligned curriculum grounded in the proven OG approach.
Science & Social Studies
We use grade-level science and social studies curriculum that is developmentally appropriate for our students.
Art
Art class engages children’s senses and supports the development of cognitive, social-emotional, fine motor skills, and creativity.
Physical Education
Students enjoy sports activities that are modified to fit their individual physical needs.
Music
In their twice weekly music class, students engage in activities such as playing instruments, rhythm exercises, and singing.
Life and Social Skills
Life and social skills are not innate and require a lot of practice for children with special needs to learn them. Students at MDE School are taught these critical skills in a small group class with opportunities for one-on-one attention. Skills covered include daily living, safety, cooking, communication, shopping, and using money. In addition, teachers emphasize social skills like teamwork, friendship, manners, and building personal character throughout the school day.
Outdoor Playground
Our fenced-in multi-sensory playground provides a variety of activities for students to enjoy daily. Playground time also facilitates social interaction between the students.
Clubs
It’s important for special needs students to develop interests and hobbies that add to their life satisfaction. This is why MDE School offers activity clubs for students that meet one afternoon per month. Your child can choose a club that matches their interests: Dance, Pottery, Golf, Lego, Cheerleading, and Earthbound.
Yoga
Our students benefit from weekly yoga instruction taught by a trained specialist.
Therapy Available On-Site
MDE School is proud to share the campus with Greater Atlanta Speech and Language Clinic, where your child can receive speech, occupational, feeding, vision and physical therapies during the school day.
It is often beneficial for the students to receive therapy on-site to assist with attention and focus, sensory regulation/stimulation, and goal continuity. All therapists and teachers have a team approach to addressing the needs of each student.
Greater Atlanta Speech and Language Clinic employs a family-centered approach that combines research-based therapy techniques with innovative ideas to create an individualized program for each child. For more information please call 770-977-9457 for more information.
Payment of therapy services is in addition to school tuition.
MDE Admissions Process
- Initial Phone Interview – A preliminary phone interview will be conducted to determine if MDE is a suitable fit for your child.
- Parent Tour – Following the phone interview, parents will have the opportunity to tour the school and meet with Executive Director Mindy Elkan.
- Student Meeting & Assessment – If the family wishes to proceed after the tour, the prospective student will meet with the Executive Director for an academic evaluation to determine class placement.
- Enrollment & Deposit – Upon mutual agreement on the next steps, enrollment paperwork will be completed. To secure a spot for the upcoming school year, a $500 non-refundable deposit is required. This deposit will be applied toward tuition.
Tuition Information
MDE School Tuition for the 2026/2027 school year $27,500 (excludes therapies)
MDE School offers flexible payment options to meet the needs of our families. Tuition may be paid in one of the following ways:
- Annual Payment: One full payment made before August 15th (a 4% discount will be applied to tuition)
- Semester Payments: Two equal payments due at the beginning of each semester (August and January)
- Quarterly Payments: Four equal payments due in August, October, January, and March
- Monthly Payments: Ten equal payments due the first of each month from August through May
All families are required to complete a Tuition Authorization Form.
- Electronic payment (ACH, debit card, or credit card) is required for all quarterly and monthly plans and for all before and after school care payments. Payments will be processed no later than the third calendar day of each month unless otherwise communicated.
- Annual and semester payers may pay by check or electronic payment.
- In the event an electronic payment fails, a 1.5% late fee per month will be applied to any payment not received within 15 days of the invoice due date.
In addition, Activity Fees ($300 per student) and Parent Council dues ($100 per student) will be processed in August.
If you have questions about payment plans or need assistance, please contact our administrative office. We’re here to help.
Financial Aid
There are several ways to offset the cost of your child’s education at MDE School.
Georgia Special Needs Scholarship (SB 10)
If you are interested in transferring your child from a public school to a private school in Georgia, you may be able to take advantage of a Georgia Special Needs Scholarship. These scholarships provide funding that can be used to offset tuition costs at participating private schools in the state of Georgia. Eligibility will be determined by using the scholarship calculator on the GSNS website. For more information on the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship and the parent application process, please visit the Georgia Department of Education’s website.
Georgia Student Scholarship Organization (GaSSO)
Georgia Student Scholarship Organization, Inc. (GaSSO) is one of the original and largest non-profit SSOs in the State of Georgia. GaSSO allows taxpayers to redirect a portion of their state taxes to help pay for private school education.
Since 2008, GaSSO is proud to have partnered with over 100+ Georgia private schools and have provided more than $55 million dollars in tuition scholarships supporting preK-12th grade.
GaSSO’s objective is to provide the State of Georgia taxpayer’s and accredited private schools with a simple, easy way to contribute and process funding to their preferred educational institutions.
For more information on how to participate in GaSSO to help fund tuition for your child, or to fund general scholarships at MDE School, please visit the GaSSO website (https://www.georgiasso.com/)
Summer Camp for ages 5 to 13
Continue learning all summer long with MDE School’s Special Needs Summer Camps.
Designed specifically for neurodiverse students, our camps serve children with developmental differences, including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and communication disorders.
Our adaptive summer day camps offer engaging, hands-on experiences that support the development of social and academic skills, helping your child stay on track and transition smoothly into the new school year. Each week, campers build skills across key developmental areas, including academics, social interaction, language, sensory processing, and fine and gross motor development.
Campers also enjoy plenty of summer fun, with outdoor play, creative arts and crafts, and enriching activities that make learning both meaningful and exciting.
Our neruodiverse summer camp is conveniently located in Marietta, Georgia. Campers from the Atlanta metro area attend, including Alpharetta, Duluth, Johns Creek, Kennesaw Mableton, Powder Springs Roswell, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Woodstock, and more.
Monday – Friday. 9:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Before and after camp care is available for an additional fee.
- Before camp care is available for $15 per morning beginning at 8:00 a.m.
- After-camp care is available for $30 per day until 5:00 p.m.
The cost of summer camp is $450.00 per week. There is a discount for multiple weeks.
Please call (770) 971-4633 to register for camp. Spots are limited.
Summer Camp Ages 5 – 13
| Camp Weeks | Themes | Description |
|---|---|---|
| May 26 – May 29 | Camp Rock | Have fun in the sun with music, crafts, and a talent show. |
| June 1 – 5 | What’s Cooking? | Enjoy cooking and edible crafts. |
| June 8 – 12 | Bugging Out | Explore bugs with crafts, nature walks, games, and bug trivia. |
| June 15 – 19 | Team Spirit | Learn sports skills, team building, and have fun being active. |
| June 22 – 26 | Animal Planet | Engage in animal-themed games, activities, and crafts. |
| July 6 – 10 | Winter in July | Enjoy winter-themed experiments, activities, and treats. |
Once we toured MDE School, the decision was easy. Everyone welcomed us with love and understanding. It truly felt like we had found our tribe. Knowing my son is in a nurturing environment, surrounded by staff who genuinely want to see him thrive and grow, gives me an immeasurable sense of peace.
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.
