Today, families have an overwhelming variety of educational options for their children. Schools vary based on academic priorities and emphasis on social-emotional development. The education system is notorious for its ever-changing recommendations, but at Atlanta Academy we believe our commitment to a Kindergarten-8th grade (K-8) model will continue to stand the test of time. Through the years, research has shown the benefits of the K-8 model. We believe students are more confident when they can gradually adjust to middle school, build positive teacher-student relationships, and feel an overall sense of belonging. We have found that middle-school-age students learn and behave better when they remain in a familiar environment for nine years and have opportunities to serve as leaders and role models for younger students.