Learning Tailored To The Student

Middle School is a time of great change and growth for students. They are shifting from children to young adults, experiencing physical and mental transformations, and feeling the effects of increasing hormones. Add learning difficulties to the mix, and you have a very puzzling developmental stage for young adolescents.   Students with ADHD possess an immense amount of energy, and concentrating on schoolwork can be a challenge. This is where The Cottage School Middle School’s positive learning environment can make a huge impact on your child’s learning experience.

TCS follows Fulton County Curriculum, employs small class sizes for optimal learning, and balances academics with afternoon experiential classes in which students can expend their energy developing their creative side.  Project-based learning experiences combine academics, communication skills and creative expression, and instill a sense of teamwork and accomplishment.  Social skills classes, sports, clubs and field trips support students in developing appropriate means of communication and interaction and, as a result,  self-esteem improves.

The Middle School Staff is dedicated to facilitating the growth of the total student…academically, mentally, physically, and socially.  Teachers take the time to identify each student’s learning style, therefore teaching according to their individual strengths.  The result is a well-rounded teen who is more confident, more capable, and more prepared to take on High School and post-secondary opportunities

We welcome you to visit The Cottage School Middle School in action. Be prepared to see busy, involved students at their most important job of their young years: learning. Not only book learning, but learning about who they are, what they do best, and what needs improving.

The Cottage School has an adaptive special education program reaching 4th and 5th grade students in our Elementary School. The program is designed for those students whose early academics have proven challenging in a traditional classroom. Our students benefit from small class sizes, experiential learning, and individualized education plans. We work with our students to adapt to the social, emotional, and academic challenges they meet each day in a school setting. 

Every student in the Lower School benefits from the support of a speech and language pathologist, a learning specialist, a technology specialist, and weekly interactions with a school counselor. We recognize that students are more than just academic learners. These early years allow us to address the social and emotional growth of our young citizens as well. 

Our academics are rigorous and experiential. We follow the Georgia State Standards of Excellence when addressing the content and standards we expect our students to learn. Students take an active role in setting their personal goals each year. Lessons are adapted to their individual needs. Concepts are experienced through labs and hands on activities that connect the content to their everyday lives. 

In addition, students attend their chosen electives and clubs daily, to grow their personal interests in the arts, music, STEAM, technology and robotics. They attend weekly  field trips and lab days every Friday which improve their social skills, expand their interests, and connect them with their global community. Every aspect of their personal growth is explored and supported here at the TCS Elementary School. 

In support of The Cottage School mission, the Counseling Department is dedicated to serving the individual needs of each student. We invite you to visit our office to introduce yourself and get to know our counseling team.

Our staff offers guidance and counseling in three major areas: personal, academic, and post-secondary planning.  Our goal is to help you make the most of your Cottage School education by providing support to help you reach your personal and education goals. We do this by discussing values, perspectives, and issues; providing information and strategies; and sharing your joy in achieving your goals while helping you with your concerns when you face challenges.

Each counselor focuses on one or more of these specific areas so that you can best benefit from their knowledge and develop consistent relationships. When you enter The Cottage School, you will be introduced to the counselor(s) who will help you address your personal and academic needs. You will work with the counselor(s) each year in grades 9-12, you will begin post-secondary planning with a focus on career exploration ending is post-secondary options to meet your specific goals. Our objective is to develop a partnership with you and other school departments that will encourage and support you in reaching your personal and academic goals.

Our doors are open to welcome you, and we look forward to visiting with you, sharing in your successes, addressing your questions, and offering you support. We hope that we can assist you in making this exciting period of your life meaningful, happy, and productive.