The Citizen ran a story headlined, “Counterpane Celebrates 30 Years in Fayette” on November 19th, 2003. Twenty years later the school is still located on 16 wooded acres on Highway 314, where all graduates have been accepted into 4-year colleges and universities, a place where learning is contagious, and “one of Fayette County’s best kept secrets.”
Counterpane School is accredited with Quality by the Georgia Accrediting Commission and follows the Montessori approach to education so each community of children includes small, mixed-age classes, student-directed work, curriculums individualized for each student, 1-on-1 time with teachers, and hands-on work in each subject. This approach fosters each student’s independence, responsibility, and love of learning.
Many only know Montessori for young children as most Montessori schools are limited to children younger than 12 years of age. However, Montessori is also ideal for teens as well. Counterpane School extends the Montessori approach to education from age 3 through high school graduation.
The school’s 100th graduate matriculated in 2020 when there were three seniors. Where are they now?
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- Aidan Hatfield will be graduating cum laude from the Rochester Institute of Technology in May and is majoring the 3D Design and minoring in Theatre.
- Marquis Grissom, Jr. studied computer science and played baseball at Georgia Tech. However, once Marquis was drafted in 2022 by the Washington Nationals, his college is now interspersed with spring training and playing during the 2024 season then returning to his studies during the off-season. He was named to the organization’s 2023 All-Star team.
- Alexander Cowen has one more year at the University of Georgia in their Double Dawgs 5-year program working toward his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s in Business Administration.
Our librarian is a Fayette County resident who also was a student here for 12 years. Erin Malcolm attended Santa Clara University, graduated cum laude, and is now in flight school in the afternoons and evenings. During the mornings, she helps the students find interesting books and assists with their research.
The current school year has 7 seniors, 2 of whom graduated in Dec 2023. College acceptances for current seniors include the University of Georgia, the University of North Georgia, Agnes Scott College, Kennesaw State University, the University of West Georgia, Mercer University, Georgia State University, Berry College, the University of Mississippi, and Oklahoma State among others. These seniors are looking to delve deeper into their passions including computer science, creative writing, acting, education/teaching, psychology, political science, animation, and forensic science.
Like the current school year, Counterpane has always drawn a diverse cross-section of families from Atlanta’s southern crescent. A surprising change for the 2024-25 school year is a decrease in tuition to continue that tradition of diversity. Families interested in learning more about the school can call or email for more information and schedule a tour. (770-461-2304, info@counterpane.org)
Brenda Erickson, the school’s founder, continues guiding the Montessori Primary community of 3, 4, and 5-year-olds. She is also active in the Rotary Club of Peachtree City and is showing her paintings at the Dogwood Gallery and Framer in Tyrone.
As Counterpane prepares for its next 50 years, it will continue empowering students and preparing them for life.
