Face of private schools changing

Atlanta's private schools are trying to attract minority students. The hope is that the diverse campuses will enable all students to learn about different cultures, races and lives. DP

Many in metro Atlanta trying to fill demographic void
By D. AILEEN DODD

ajc.com: They are the country club campuses where privileged students in crisp khakis dart down stone paths to class and stately brick buildings cast an intimidating shadow on those of limited means.

The prestigious profile of metro Atlanta’s private schools has long shut out parents who figured they could never afford the cost of tuition. Or compete with the Joneses.

To many outsiders, the face of private school appears elitist — white and wealthy. Its students, spoiled spendaholics who get to drive Daddy’s BMW to campus instead of piling three-deep on a public school bus seat.

But the homogenous bubble hovering over metro Atlanta’s private institutions is bursting — from the inside. These days, the children of celebrities and CEOs may attend classes with the sons and daughters of hair stylists and baseball ticket-takers.

Independent schools across Georgia are increasing their minority and low- income populations to fill what they see as a cultural void in their campuses.

Private school parents and administrators, like those at public schools, find value in having diversity in the classroom and curriculum. It is a business and social imperative for them. As the nation becomes more multicultural, so does the pool of potential students.

Nearly 42,000 Georgia students attended private schools affiliated with the Georgia Independent School Association last year. Approximately 15 percent of them were minority students.
Be sure to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.