Sandy Springs families seeking leading special needs education have found their trusted partner at MDE School in nearby Marietta, where values-driven programming and individualized care create exceptional learning experiences. Our award-winning institution has been transforming the lives of neurodiverse learners from preschool through young adulthood since 2009, establishing ourselves as the premier educational choice for families throughout the North Atlanta metro corridor.
Foundation Built on Core Values
The MDE acronym represents far more than our school’s identity. It embodies the character qualities that define our educational philosophy and daily practice. Motivation inspires our relentless pursuit of each student’s success and potential. Dedication demonstrates our unwavering commitment to individualized support and family collaboration. Excellence establishes our standards for academic programming, therapeutic coordination, and transformative student outcomes.
Our K-8 program maintains accreditation from the Georgia Accrediting Commission Inc., providing Sandy Springs families with confidence that their children receive educational services meeting the highest quality standards while experiencing these core values in every classroom interaction and learning opportunity.
Superior Program Advantages for Learning Differences
Unmatched Educational Continuity
As the only regional institution serving neurodiverse students from preschool through young adulthood, MDE School offers Sandy Springs families unparalleled educational consistency. This complete pathway eliminates stressful transitions and ensures steady, high-quality support throughout each child’s entire developmental journey.
Advanced Reading Methodology
Our team of four specially trained reading specialists utilizes Max Scholar, an innovative Science of Reading curriculum founded on the proven Orton-Gillingham approach. Students needing enhanced literacy support receive two individualized sessions weekly, building essential reading foundations for long-term academic achievement.
Therapeutic Service Excellence
Our unique on-campus partnership with Greater Atlanta Speech and Language Clinics provides Sandy Springs families with exceptional convenience and coordination. Students receive speech, occupational, and physical therapies during school hours, with seamless collaboration between all therapeutic and educational professionals.
Well-Rounded Development Programming
Beyond traditional academics, we emphasize holistic growth through diverse enrichment opportunities including physical education, creative arts, music education, yoga mindfulness, and rotating monthly clubs featuring golf, dance, pottery, and innovative building activities.
Special Education Program Pathways
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
Customized K-12 Instruction
Small class environments and flexible teaching approaches enable our experienced educators to personalize learning experiences for each student’s unique profile and needs. Detailed Individual Education Plans (IEPs) ensure targeted goal development with ongoing family partnership and regular progress assessment.
Vocational Academy Preparation (Ages 15+)
Our campus-based vocational academy provides smooth transition opportunities for older students, emphasizing practical life skills, employment readiness, and community integration that builds independence and confidence for successful adult participation.
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 reflects our commitment to Motivation, Dedication, and Excellence in meeting their individual needs.
Private Education & Therapy Programs Excellence for Sandy Springs
Sandy Springs families consistently choose MDE School because we deliver what traditional educational environments often cannot provide: authentic individualized attention, coordinated therapeutic support, and a nurturing community where every child’s unique qualities are understood and celebrated as valuable contributions to our learning environment.
Our convenient Marietta location offers excellent accessibility for Sandy Springs families while providing the distinctive advantage of integrated therapeutic services, eliminating the typical challenge of coordinating multiple appointments across different facilities throughout the metropolitan area.
Essential Support Areas We Address
Sandy Springs families often turn to our expertise when their child requires:
Frequently Asked Questions About MDE School Near Sandy Springs
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Our Marietta campus provides excellent accessibility from Sandy Springs, typically requiring 20-30 minutes travel time depending on traffic conditions and your specific location within the Sandy Springs area.
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Our core values of Motivation, Dedication, and Excellence guide every aspect of our programming, from individualized instruction to therapeutic integration, ensuring each student receives inspired, committed, and outstanding educational support.
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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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Absolutely. We actively collaborate with families’ existing 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 guidance through every aspect of the special education process, from understanding IEPs to connecting with valuable community resources and support networks.
Remarkable Student Growth and Achievement
Our individualized educational approach consistently produces meaningful 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 milestones in academic, social, and behavioral development.
The extraordinary transformation we witness daily — from enhanced reading comprehension to increased independence in daily tasks — demonstrates how our commitment to Motivation, Dedication, and Excellence translates into real progress and lifelong success for every student.
We chose MDE so Dillon could get the 1:1 attention he needs for learning the way HE needs to learn. I could tell the Public Schools were more interested in putting him in spaces that he would not thrive in. Lots of tears were shed. Now I have no worries about the decision to enroll him at MDE School. An added bonus is that he can get all the therapies he needs at Greater Atlanta Speech and Language Clinic which is on the same campus as the school.
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 Sandy Springs Family
Discover why Sandy Springs area families choose MDE School for their children’s educational needs. Our campus tour will demonstrate how our values-driven programming, therapeutic coordination, and individualized attention create an environment where every student can achieve remarkable growth and success.
Located at 1517 Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta, MDE School provides accessible, exceptional special needs education for Sandy Springs families seeking educational excellence grounded in Motivation, Dedication, and Excellence. Contact us today to schedule your personalized campus visit and learn how our approach can support your child’s unique learning journey while building the foundation for lifelong achievement and independence.
