Student Voices
"Our field trips are exciting. I like our Cook's Warehouse classes. I'd tell anyone to come here so they can enjoy things the School does." - Bragg (Student)
Before COVID, the School enjoyed Community-based instruction. It was the key to motivating students to learn and assisting them in forming connections between reading and understanding materials. They experienced real-life opportunities, which required them to use social skills. Children were in the community each month, learning from experts in their respective fields. For example, researchers in various fields explain the scientific process; artists explore visual and language arts, and professional chefs offer cooking classes. Some of our community-based outings include trips to:
- Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Atlanta History Center
- The Michael C. Carlos Museum
- The Children's Museum
- The Museum of Puppetry Arts
- Etowah Indian Mounds State Park
- Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
- Fernbank Science Center
- The Fox Theater
- The Georgia Aquarium
- The High Museum of Art
- Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield
- New Echota Historic Site
- Zoo Atlanta
- The Cook's Warehouse
- The Oglethorpe Weltner Library and Art Gallery
Additionally, a few courses are taught at the School through community-based programs, including Art by Art-at Home, Drama by City Springs Theater Company, and Physical Education by Atlanta Contact Point. A curriculum in Career Exploration is offered through didactic coursework using computer-assisted instruction through E-dynamic Learning. High school students had job placements at Oglethorpe based on their interests. Students had a mentor from the University and a job coach through Piedmont. Additionally, students in the upper school meet weekly with an autistic adult working at the university level and completing doctoral-level studies. Discussions include self-advocacy, organization, and planning.
We hope our students remember these experiences and incorporate them into their interests, recreation, and leisure time during after-school hours and for the rest of their lives.
