2026-2027 Admissions
For the 2026-2027 school year, we are accepting applications for our Early Childhood programs through Grade 8.
Let’s Get Started.
We are glad that you are considering The Garden School of Marietta. The significance of choosing an educational path and community for your child is not lost on us! Our admissions process is designed to explore this potential fit so that you can make the best decision for your family and we can make the best decision for ours. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our admissions team at 770-765-2036 or via email at admissions@thegardenmarietta.org.
Admissions Overview
The Garden School of Marietta is a small, Waldorf-inspired forest school that emphasizes relationship-based learning, rhythm, outdoor education, and hands-on, collaborative experiences. Our program is designed for students who can safely and independently participate in a highly active, outdoor-centered school day and engage in group-based instruction.
While we value neurodiversity and recognize that children learn in different ways. The Garden School is not a therapeutic or special education program. Due to our small size and staffing model, we cannot implement or support Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), 504 plans, or provide specialized therapeutic services.
Students who typically thrive in our environment are able to:
Follow teacher guidance and classroom expectations within a group setting
Transition between indoor and outdoor activities with age-appropriate adult support
Participate in extended periods of outdoor learning and forest-based activities
Remain within established safety boundaries in natural environments
Engage in age-appropriate academic and creative work with minimal individualized support
Demonstrate age-appropriate independence with self-care skills, including toileting and dressing appropriately for outdoor conditions
As part of the admissions process, students participate in a classroom and forest observation. Admissions decisions are based on teacher observations and the school’s ability to meet a student’s needs within the scope of our Waldorf-inspired forest program.
Our goal is to ensure that every child enrolled at The Garden School is positioned to thrive in a rhythm-rich, outdoor, and collaborative learning environment.
Choose Your Program
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Visit us for a tour of the school or attend an open house to see our school in action.
Complete the application for admissions online via TADS along with a non-refundable $100 application fee per child, a photo, and a copy of your child’s birth certificate.
If your child is currently attending another school, please provide the teacher’s email here. We will request a Teacher Evaluation form on your behalf.
Once all required documents have been received, we will contact you to schedule a visit to our school for student observation. More information will be provided to applying families.
-
Visit us for a tour of the school or attend an open house to see our school in action.
Complete the application for admissions online via TADS along with a non-refundable $100 application fee per child, a photo, and a copy of your child’s birth certificate.
If your child is currently attending another school, please provide the teacher’s email here. We will request a Teacher Evaluation form on your behalf.
Once all required documents have been received, we will contact you to schedule a two day visit to participate in the life of our school. More information will be provided to applying families.
-
Visit us for a tour to see our school in action.
Complete the application for admissions online via TADS along with a non-refundable $100 application fee per child, a photo, and a copy of your child’s birth certificate.
Submit the following forms by emailing your completed documents to admissions@thegardenmarieta.org or by using the upload document feature on this page.
School Records Release (submit to current/prior school)
Once the application and all required forms are submitted, we will contact you to schedule a one-on-one assessment with the class teacher of your child’s grade.
Students applying to the Grades Program are required to visit and participate for three full observation days. More information will be provided to applying families.
After a successful observation visit, you will be contacted to schedule a parent interview.
-
Visit us for a tour to see our school in action.
Complete the application for admissions online via TADS along with a non-refundable $100 application fee per child, a photo, and a copy of your child’s birth certificate.
Submit the following forms by emailing your completed documents to admissions@thegardenmarieta.org or by using the upload document feature on this page.
School Records Release (submit to current/prior school)
Once the application and all required forms are submitted, we will contact you to schedule a one-on-one assessment with the class teacher of your child’s grade.
Students applying to the Grades Program are required to visit and participate for three full observation days. More information will be provided to applying families.
After a successful observation visit, you will be contacted to schedule a parent interview.
Upload Admissions
Documents
Grade Placement
How old does my child need to be for each program?
The cut-off date for entering our Grades programs is May 31st, rather than the September 1st of public schools. Premature or hurried academic instruction can sometimes hinder an organic love of learning. To prevent this, our school uses this earlier cut-off date for Grades entrance placement.
In a New York Times article From Finland, an Intriguing School-Reform Model, Dr. Pasi Sahlberg of Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture says, “The first six years of education are not about academic success. We don’t measure children at all. It’s about being ready to learn and finding your passion.” Our Joyful Beginnings and Forest Kindergarten programs are play-based, allowing this time for children to develop their love and will for school and learning. Providing an extra year of growth for children with a summer birthday will allow that child to be on level socially and academically with his or her peers in school. Children who have turned 6 by May 31st of their Kindergarten year are considered a rising first grader, and all of our grades placement continues from that, as shown below.
