Making The Grade

Taking The Stress Out Of Homework

By Michelle Bourg

Back in the day, homework was something kids could do before dinner— a page of math problems and maybe a chapter of reading, done with the radio or TV on. Not any more: today’s academic environment is much more challenging, designed to help students meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. Homework is an integral part of that process. In addition, students encounter more demands on their time, with sports, clubs and community service frequently on the agenda. This means that handling homework efficiently while truly learning from it is an essential skill to learn.

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Montessori Education

A Hands-On Approach To Education

By Phil Keeling

Navigating Atlanta’s educational landscape means discovering many types of schools with descriptions that may sound somewhat familiar: magnet, charter and special needs are just a few. One type of school that’s gaining more popularity in the metro area is Montessori education, named for Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator. These independent schools are rooted in the concept that children learn best through hands-on exploration that they follow at their own pace.

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Finding a Special Needs School

Selecting the Right Fit for Children with Learning Difficulties

By Mary Welch and Donna Neale

Choosing a school for your child can be a complex process for any family, but it’s especially true if your son or daughter has a learning disability or struggles to learn effectively in a conventional school setting. Identifying the nature of your child’s difficulties and sorting through available educational options can be very daunting tasks.

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Take the Stress Out of Tests

Helping Your Child Stay Calm and Focused 

By Larry Anderson

 Any student can tell you: Tests cause stress. That stress can come from many places. Most students want to perform well on tests, so a little anxiety is natural. On top of that, children—especially teenagers— can be subject to a swirling mass of emotions, causing them to doubt and criticize themselves. They may feel pressure to perform as well as their friends. And then they may feel pressure from their parents, especially when it comes to the SAT, which many colleges and universities use to measure a student’s readiness for college. 

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Catholic Education

Connecting strong academics with faith

By Jon Ross

When considering educational options for their children, many parents may overlook one popular option: Catholic schools. But there are a number of reasons why parents might want to consider a Catholic education for their child.

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Building a Strong Character

An education that goes beyond academics

By Daniel Beauregard

For many parents, a good education means much more than academics. While reading, math, and science are all important, having their child learn about such values as kindness, respect, and empathy for others is just as important, if not more so. Fortunately, most Atlanta area public and independent schools incorporate some form of character education in their curricula, placing an emphasis on guiding children to become caring, involved members of society.

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Moving on Up

Easing into Middle and High School

By Whitney Brennan

The transitions to middle and high school can be daunting for both children and parents. And the stress of those transitions is only compounded when you’re relocating to a new city or a new neighborhood. Middle and high school students enter larger schools and have to learn to cope with more peers, new teachers, and unfamiliar subjects, as well as becoming the youngest students in the school—again.

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Benefits of a Boarding School

Making an educated decision about your child’s future

By Phil Keeling

Mention the words “boarding school,” and many people may immediately think of images conjured from books and films. These images often go from one extreme to another: whether they’re drab, military inspired classrooms filled with unruly and troubled students that require discipline and uniformity, or elitist institutions reserved for the super wealthy. These impressions are particularly common in America, where parents may have far less experience with the boarding school environment, and often misunderstand their benefits.

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What It’s Like to Teach Your Child

Educators Share Their Joys And Struggles

By Michelle Bourg

Teaching has to be one of the most rewarding professions there is. Helping to mold the next generation, seeing “the light come on” when they finally grasp an elusive concept, watching as their confidence and skills grow day by day— teachers cite all these things as what has inspired them to enter the field and what continues to motivate them in the classroom during every school year.

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Left Out of the IN Crowd

Dealing with School Cliques

By Michelle Bourg

Things are going well: your children are enrolled in a good school, doing well in their classes and seem to be happy. Then one day, your second-grader comes home in tears after finding out she was the only one not invited to Susie’s birthday party. Or your usually gregarious high-schooler becomes withdrawn and is noncommittal when asked about his friends. They’re experiencing something virtually every child encounters at some point during their school years: cliques.

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