Woodward Academy in Atlanta [Expert Review 2024]

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H2 Woodward Academy in Atlanta

Woodward Academy is a top-rated private school in Atlanta, Georgia. The school is dedicated to providing a well-rounded academic experience and maximizing each student's potential. It is known both for its size—one of the largest private schools in the country—and for its diverse student body. It also boasts an impressive 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio.

H3 Where is Woodward Academy located?

Woodward Academy has two campuses. Students in PreK -6th grade may choose to attend the main campus, in College Park, or its second location in Johns Creek. All students in 7 - 12th grades attend the main campus. College Park is a southern suburb of Atlanta near the airport. Johns  The main campus of Woodward Academy (Pre-K-12) is in College Park in Atlanta. Woodward North is their second campus in Johns Creek, a northeastern suburb of Atlanta.

H3 Woodward Academy Ranking

Woodward Academy ranks in the top 20% of Georgia private schools by PrivateSchoolReview.com and #5 in private high schools in Georgia by Niche.

H2 Woodward Academy Brief History

Woodward Academy was founded in 1900 as Georgia Military Academy. It began as an all-male school emphasizing the qualities of a good citizen: service to others, strong character, responsibility, and problem-solving. Having survived two world wars and the Great Depression, the school admitted its first female students in 1964 and its first students of color in 1971. The school also began phasing out its military program in the 1960s, increasing its physical footprint and expanding its academic program to include kindergarten through 5th grade. Today, Woodward boasts one of the largest student bodies in the country and one of the most diverse.

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H2 Woodward Academy Programs

Woodward Academy serves students in PreK - 12th grade (students entering PreK must be 4 years old by the first day of school in August). Students in the Primary School (3k-3rd) can expect a warm, nurturing environment created by a low student-teacher ratio. In addition to strong, age-appropriate academics, students in PreK and beyond benefit from art, music, movement, and Spanish classes in addition to the more "traditional" subjects. Play is an encouraged part of the learning process, particularly in the youngest grades.

As students move into the Lower (4-6) and Middle (7-8) schools, they can expect more challenging academics and more choices for individualized interests both in the classroom and through co-curricular activities.

Woodward offers an expansive upper-level curriculum, including twenty-six(26) AP courses and College Prep, Enriched Prep, and Honors Prep courses. The school caters to students with different specialties and interests, offering a variety of classes, from Advanced Music Production and Acting to Discrete Mathematics and Personal Finance. The Upper School (9-12) also accepts international students.

H2 Woodward Academy Campus

Woodward Academy serves students in 3k - 12th grade. Its primary and original location in the southern suburbs of Atlanta is divided into "schools" as follows: Primary (Pre-K - 3rd), Lower (4th - 6th), Middle (7th - 8th) and Upper (9th - 12th). In 1990, the school added an additional campus in Johns Creek, northeast of the city, which offers 3k through 6th grade. Students who start at Johns Creek and wish to attend the Middle and Upper School at the primary location do not need to reapply.

H2 Woodward Academy Admission Requirements

Woodward Academy follows pretty standard private school admissions requirements. For the youngest students, a student interview, parent interview, and playdate. The school also has its own Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRT), which was developed in-house. Students applying in the lower grades with some past school experience will be asked to provide academic records from their previous school(s). For students applying for 6th grade and up, SSAT scores are required.

H2 Woodward Academy Acceptance Rate

Like most private schools in the United States, Woodward Academy does not release acceptance rate data. A limited number of spots are available each year.

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H3 How hard is it to get into Woodward Academy?

According to Private School Review, Woodward Academy is a highly competitive school but not the most competitive in the city. That being said, there are approximately 170,000 children of school age in Atlanta, Georgia. Roughly 29,000 attend a private school, and Woodward Academy enrolls approximately 2450 students. This means only about 1% of students in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area are able to attend the school.

H2 Woodward Academy Tuition

Tuition for the 2024-25 school year is the following:

The transition learning support program, offered in Grades 2- 8 and designed for students needing extra attention or with diverse learning styles, costs an additional $12,000 annually. International students (Grades 7 -12) pay an additional $9,550 in annual fees and $1200/mo to stay with a host family.

H2 Woodward Academy Scholarships

Woodward does not offer merit-based or athletic scholarships, but it does offer need-based financial grants. Clarity, an independent third-party platform, calculates each family's financial need, through which the family will apply for financial aid. The financial aid application is first available in October and closes at the beginning of February.

For the 2025-2026 school year, the financial aid application will be available on October 1, 2024, and close on February 1, 2025.

H2 Woodward Academy Admission Process

The admissions process of Woodward Academy is similar to that of other private Atlanta schools.

1. Families must first create a basic family profile in the Veracross platform. Once the profile is complete, families can complete the additional application information and pay the $75 application fee.
2. Students entering PreK or Kindergarten must attend a playdate.
3. Regardless of age/grade, both a student and parent interview are required.
4. Students who have attended school somewhere else must submit their academic records from previous schools.
5. Students entering in Grade 6 or higher must submit SSAT scores.
6. The school may request additional information on a case-by-case basis.

For families applying for the 2025-2026 school year, here are the important admissions dates:

August 12, 2024 - Campus tour sign-ups open

October 1, 2024 - Admissions and Financial Aid applications become available

February 1, 2025 - Deadline for admissions and financial aid applications

April 5, 2025 - Admissions decisions released

April 17, 2025 - Response deadlines for admitted students

H2 How to get into Woodward Academy in 3 easy steps

If your family is looking to get into Woodward Academy, we recommend the following:

1. Do your research. Just as you're looking for the best school for your child, the school is looking for families who will be an excellent cultural fit for the school. They want to know that parents will be engaged and involved, not just as a parent but as members of the school community. Make sure to schedule a tour and talk with current/past students and their families about their experiences. Consider a consultant if you're still unsure about the best schools for your child/family.

2. Prepare for your interviews. Regardless of your child's age, they'll perform their best at their interview and playdate (for younger children) if they know what to expect ahead of time. Explain to younger children what the interview or playdate will look like and what is expected of them. You know your child best, so whether you need to amp up the pressure to ensure good behavior or tone down the pressure for an anxious child, prepare in a way that meets your child's social/emotional needs. For older children, doing some mock interviews will help them feel more confident in the actual interview.

3. Get ready for the SSAT. For students applying to 6th grade or higher, the admissions process will require submitting SSAT scores. The SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) is used for private Middle and High school admission. Depending on the student's grade level, the SSAT has an upper, middle, and elementary level. Consider working with Ivy Tutors Network if you need extra support preparing for this critical admissions test. We're here to help you and your student earn the best score possible.