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 was 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 443 East Paces Ferry Road, 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 187 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.

In April 2009, The Suzuki School obtained accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), making the school part of only 3% of all preschools that are SACS accredited.