Reaching young adulthood can be a challenging time for special needs students and the parents who love them. Questions abound.
Will I get a job? Will I live on my own? How much independence will I have?
At MDE Vocational Academy, we are here to help you navigate this new chapter.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help young adults with special needs, age 16 and above, maximize their independence and meet their full potential through vocational and life skills training.
Our Approach
At MDE Vocational Academy, we believe every young adult deserves the chance to shine. Our dynamic program helps neurodiverse individuals explore different career paths, develop real-world job skills, and gain the confidence to be as independent as possibe in the future. With hands-on training and personalized support, students uncover their strengths, discover their passions, and step into their future with pride and purpose.
Vocational Training
At MDE Vocational Academy, young adults will gain hands-on experience that helps them learn job skills across various fields. We offer job training in the following area:
- Food Service
- Grocery
- Clerical
- Retail
Program Features
- Career exploration
- Vocational skills taught for a variety of job fields
- Supported work opportunities supervised by MDE Vocational Academy coaches at local retailers, restaurants, assisted living facilities, and farms.
- Social and communication skills
- Task analysis
- Interview and job search skills
- Safety
Independent Living Skills
Whether the goal is to take on more responsibility for self-care at home or live independently someday, MDE Vocational Academy helps every student reach their maximum potential for autonomy and self-reliance. Each student receives training tailored to their unique skills and goals.
Program Features
- Executive functioning skills – time management, organizing, prioritizing, regulating emotions
- Laundry, meal preparation, nutrition, cleaning
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Personal hygiene
- Responsibility and integrity
- Attitude and demeanor
- Independent living skills
- Personal financial management
Coaches
MDE Vocational Academy employs dedicated coaches to help your student reach their full potential. We strive to create a safe and supportive environment where students thrive and grow.
Community Involvement
At MDE Vocational Academy, we’re connecting students with top local companies to gain hands-on experience and real-world vocational skills. Our fully accessible mini-bus, equipped with a wheelchair lift, ensures safe and reliable transportation to exciting job training opportunities throughout the community. Our students don’t just learn, they thrive, building confidence and independence through meaningful work experiences they love!
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.
Therapy Available On-Site
MDE Vocational Academy 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.
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.
MDE Vocational Academy Summer Camp Ages 13 – 22
MDE Vocational Academy summer camp gives neurodiverse young adults an excellent opportunity to develop their social skills. Our summer camp program it’s a fun-filled adventure. The engaging outdoor activities and creative crafts ensure that every day is filled with joy and excitement, making it a summer to remember.
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.
| Camp Weeks | Themes | Description |
|---|---|---|
| May 26 – May 29 | Wild About Nature | Have fun doing nature crafts, planting projects, and activities. |
| June 1 – 5 | Carnival | Enjoy carnival games, prizes, and fun challenges. |
| June 8 – 12 | Games and Puzzles | Play board games, complete puzzles, and enjoy DIY challenges. |
| June 15 – 19 | Happily Ever After | Dive into Disney-themed crafts, games, and dress-up days. |
| June 22 – 26 | Color Splash Creations | Create tie-shirts, colorful art, and explore painting techniques. |
| July 6 – 10 | Amazing Minds Lab | Explore simple experiments, STEM projects, and sensory science. |
MDE Vocational Summer Academy Camp Ages 13 – 22
MDE Vocational Academy summer camp gives neurodiverse young adults an excellent opportunity to develop their social skills. Our summer camp program it’s a fun-filled adventure. The engaging outdoor activities and creative crafts ensure that every day is filled with joy and excitement, making it a summer to remember.
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.
More Information
If you are interested in learning more about our program or enrolling, please reach out to the Program Director, Mindy Elkan, at (770) 971-4633
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.
