Application Process

We welcome your application.

For all applicants, the Shared Applicant Information Form, Paideia Parent Application, Parent Involvement Form and $85 application fee are required. The entire admissions process, including registering, visiting, attending webinars, applying and scheduling interview appointments is hosted by Ravenna, our admissions software platform.

Apply Now

Thank you so much for your interest in our school. We’re glad your family is considering Paideia.

Our application deadlines for the 2026–27 school year have now passed. Families who choose to apply after the deadline are welcome to do so through our Post Deadline process. To begin, you’ll submit the Shared Applicant Information Form, the Paideia Parent Application, the Parent Involvement Form, and the $125 application fee through Ravenna, our admissions platform. Once those items are received, we ask that all remaining materials (see below) be submitted within two weeks so the application can be considered complete.

Our next admissions cycle will open in fall 2026 for the 2027–28 school year. In the meantime, we invite you to create an account in Ravenna (www.ravenna-hub.com) and select “Explore” Paideia for 2027–28. This ensures you’ll receive notifications about campus tours and upcoming events as soon as they are posted. We look forward to welcoming your family and sharing more about our community.

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What is Needed

Half Day (Ages 3-5)

Teacher Evaluation Form (if applicable)
Half Day Preference Statement
Student and Parent Interviews

Full Day Kindergarten

Teacher Evaluation Form (if applicable)
Kindergarten Preference Statement
Student and Parent Interviews

Elementary (Grades 1-6)

Transcripts (2 ½ years where applicable)
Teacher Evaluation Forms
- Grades 1-5: Classroom Teacher
- Grade 6: English and Math
Principal/Counselor Evaluation Form (Grades 5 and 6)
Student and Parent Interviews

Junior High & High School

Student Application
Graded Assignment (High School only)
Transcripts (2 ½ years)
Teacher Evaluation Forms (English and Math)
Principal/Counselor Evaluation Form
Student and Parent Interviews

We recognize the significant investment that an education at this level requires, which is why our Financial Aid program supports as many families as we can. Learn more about Paideia’s commitment to affordability.

Tuition and Financial Aid

International Students
A Better Chance Applicants

International Students

Each year there is increased interest in The Paideia School from students outside the United States. As a community committed to diversity, we value the many contributions international students bring to our campus. On the occasion we accept an international student, they are enrolled as a visiting student in our high school (9th - 11th grades). Because we do not have a boarding program, international students who come to Paideia must reside locally with a parent or guardian throughout their enrollment. Additionally, Paideia does not provide I20 forms for attaining an F1 visa. Interested students should contact Liz DeSimone (desimone.liz@paideiaschool.org; 404-270-2300 ext. 103) to discuss the application and interview process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Paideia have an entrance exam?

What are the admission requirements for international students?

Is there an ESOL (English Speakers of Other Language) Program?

Does Paideia work with educational consultants or international student placement agencies?

Does Paideia offer a boarding or host family program?

Does Paideia provide assistance in processing student visa applications?

When do international applicants receive Paideia admissions decisions?

There are two answers to this question:

The Paideia School is a member of the Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools (AAAIS), and follows the common admissions principles set forth by the association. Applicants applying to only one AAAIS school and moving from outside the United States may receive a decision notification at any time. If admitted, , the family will receive the enrollment contract on the common notification date; the response date is the same for all admitted students.

International students who apply to multiple AAAIS schools will receive decisions on the common notification date.

Visit aaais.org for a list of AAAIS member schools and details about our common practices.

A Better Chance Applicants

Since 1988 The Paideia School has been a member school with A Better Chance, a school referral service noted for its success in identifying, recruiting, and developing the leadership ability of students of color. We encourage applicants from A Better Chance to learn about our school by exploring this website and attending admissions events and visiting programs, which begin in October for the coming school year.

At this point, we encourage interested students to create an account with Ravenna, our admissions software provider, and register for a campus tour (for rising 6th graders) or visiting day (for junior high and high school applicants). Please register as soon as possible because these events often fill up.

When applying to The Paideia School as a referral from A Better Chance, you should complete the following parts of our application:

Shared Applicant Information Form
Paideia Parent Application
Parent Involvement Form
Student Application (7th - 12th grade applicants only)
Graded Assignment (9th - 12th grade applicants only)
Register: Student Interview
Parent Interview: you can expect to be contacted by one of our parent volunteers to schedule a conversation

Please note: The Paideia School waives the application fee for all applicants referred to us by A Better Chance. Please call or email to receive the waiver code (404/270-2312; admissions@paideiaschool.org).

We will automatically receive the following materials as part of your A Better Chance SAO application:

English Teacher Evaluation (grades 6-12)
Math Teacher Evaluation (grades 6-12)
Principal/Counselor Evaluation Form (grades 6-12)
Transcript 2022-2023
Transcript 2023-2024
Transcript First Semester 2024-2025

You can expect these application steps to be marked complete in Ravenna once we run our SAO/ Ravenna integration in late January.

If you have any questions about applying to The Paideia School through the A Better Chance program, don’t hesitate to contact JoJo Cadray, Associate Director of Admissions (cadray.jojo@paideiaschool.org; 404/270-2381).

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Decisions

Decisions are difficult because almost all of the applicants to Paideia are qualified, yet we have only a limited number of openings each year. In selecting new students, attention is given to age, gender balance, family involvement and all the areas of diversity important in creating a rich and interesting school community.

As a member of the Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools (AAAIS), Paideia has agreed to abide by certain common admissions procedures, including uniform notification dates for admission decisions and financial aid awards. Applicants can access their admission decisions by logging into their Ravenna accounts.

AAAIS members have also agreed not to contact families between the notification date and the reply date. While we are happy to return phone calls, this policy does not allow for visits to our campus or meetings with representatives of our school during this period. To learn more, follow this link to the AAAIS Principles of Good Practice in Recruiting and Admitting Students.

A signed enrollment contract and the first tuition payment must accompany acceptance of our offer of admission by the reply date deadline. (For more information about affording Paideia, see Tuition and Financial Aid.)

Half Day (Ages 3-5)

Full Day Kindergarten

Elementary (Grades 1-6)

Junior High & High School

Half Day Application (Ages 3 – 5)

Regular Application (Full-Day K - High School)

Decisions