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The Suzuki School is one of the
oldest and most respected private preschools in
Atlanta and in the Southeast United States.
Founded in 1976 by Marlene Lerer in
collaboration with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, the
school incorporates the concepts Dr. Suzuki
developed for music education into an early
childhood curriculum.
The school first opened on Andrews Drive as a
preschool program for children ages three and
above. After a short time, a program for young
toddlers was added at the request of prospective
parents. After the school relocated to the Cains
Hill address, an infant stimulation program was
launched.
In the fall of 2004, the school expanded once
more, opening the Primary School (for children
ages three, four and five) on Buckhead Avenue to
meet the academic expectations of our oldest
children. The school campus on Buckhead Avenue
was designed to provide learning communities in
age-specific pods. In the pod system, each level
has a large common area with smaller classrooms
surrounding it. We have found this approach to
be a much better and supportive learning
environment for the children, incorporating
strong collaboration between teachers and
creating a 'village' atmosphere in which to
teach our children. The Primary School children
thrived in their new environment, the teachers
experienced a much higher degree of innovation
and accountability, and mastery of skills were
strengthened.
With the opening of the Primary School, Marlene
Lerer (Founder) began to look for partners to
carry the School into the next generation. In
2005, Debra Markham (Head of Schools) and Paula
and Robert Charles (former Suzuki parents)
became co-owners with Marlene. Marlene and Debra
were now able to focus exclusively on the
genuine passion of both - academic programming
and faculty development. Debra continues to lead
the school while Paula and Robert focus on the
administrative aspects of the day-to-day
operations.
In 2006, the school appointed two Assistant
Directors and a Parent Liaison position. These
three individuals, gifted educators, with strong
ties to the School and over forty years of
teaching experience, are committed to the
success of each child in the school.
On January, 1 2007, The Suzuki School changed
its name from Suzuki Learning Center in
recognition of a heightened focus on Early
Childhood education.
In August 2007, we merged the Pre-Primary School
(located on Cains Hill Place) and Primary School
(located on Buckhead Avenue) and relocated both
to a state-of-the-art new facility at 447 East
Paces Ferry, approximately 1/3 mile east of the
former Primary School. Designed with the
collaborative teaching model uppermost in mind,
the school provides the teachers, parents and
children with an environment in which all can
learn and grow.
In the Fall of 2008, The Suzuki School opened a
second campus at 600 Peachtree Battle Avenue.
The Northside campus, located in the annex of
the Ahavath Achim Synagogue, is licensed for 186
students. Although the school is kosher
sensitive and is closed for select high
holidays, it does not have a religious
orientation. In every area -- curriculum,
teaching methods, educational philosophy and
collaborative approach -- the Northside campus
is identical to the Buckhead school. |