Once a family

has narrowed the field of potential schools, the next step is to complete

the application.

There is typically

a small registration fee, and several forms will likely be required (varies

report cards, and possibly discipline records; birth certificate and Georgia

certificate of immunization; and written letters of recommendation from

the pastor of the church the child attends, teachers and possibly guidance

counselors at the current school.

Kathy Taussig,

the admissions director at Landmark Christian School, indicated that the

pastor recommendations and family participation in church life are especially

important aspects of Landmark's admission's process. Landmark is interested

in knowing what the student and parents are looking for when they apply.

Taussig commented

that Landmark is not looking for students who are running from anything

in the public school system. Rather, they are looking for students who

are running to Christian education. They are specifically interested in

Christian families who want to partner with the school in preparing students

to impact the world for Jesus Christ.

Once the completed

application is received by the school, students are scheduled to take

standardized entrance tests administered by the school.

Test dates

are usually set in February, March and April. At some schools, like Landmark

Christian, pre-Kindergarten candidates are asked to visit the school and

spend the day so the teacher can know more about the student's pattern

of emotional academic, and social development. At Mt. Zion, on the other

hand, parents or guardians of pre-K candidates are asked to complete a

checklist of entrance requirements for the purpose of proper grade placement.

Interviews

are granted to applicants whose qualifications meet the school's admission

standards. After the interview is completed, the applicant's file is reviewed

every week during March, April, and May to consider those candidates who

have completed the full admissions process.

The process

itself, because of the paper flow, can take from four to six weeks. Each

applicant is notified concerning status of acceptance, and some students

may end up on a waiting list.

Once the application

is approved and any financial aid paperwork is completed, an annual enrollment

contract is signed by the financially responsible parties and by the school.

Then, depending

on the school's dress code, it may be off to the uniform store for back-to-school

shopping. That may be tough to think about while shivering in January;

but, if you hope to enroll a student in private school this fall, now

is the time to make those initial calls and check out school Web sites.

Area private

school open houses (not a complete listing)

Arlington Christian

School (K5 - 12th grade)

770-964-9871;

www.arlingtonchristian.org

Sunday, Feb.

9, at 3 p.m.

4500 Ridge

Rd., Fairburn 30213; Near intersection of Hwy. 92 and Ridge Rd.

Community Christian

School (K3 - 9th grade)

678-432-0191;

www.ccs-kids.com

Friday, Jan.

31, at 7 p.m.

2001 W. Jodeco

Rd., Stockbridge 30281; Half mile west of I-75, exit 222

Fayette Christian

School (K3 - 12th grade)

770-461-3538;

link at www.fayetteministries.org

Early March;

to be announced

152 Longview

Rd. Fayetteville 30214; off Hwy. 314 north of Fayette Pavilion

The Heritage

School (K3 - 12th grade)

770-253-9898;

www.heritagehawks.org

Sunday, Feb.

2, at 2 p.m. in the student life center

2093 Hwy. 29

North, Newnan 30263; I-85 Sharpsburg/McCollum exit

Landmark Christian

School (K4 - 12th grade)

770-306-0647;

www.landmarkchristianschool.org

Sunday, Feb.

9, at 2 p.m.; the whole family is welcome

50 E. Broad

St., Fairburn 30213; 1.5 miles from Ga. Hwy. 74 and I-85, exit 61

Newnan Classical

School

678-423-9976;

link at www.christchurchnewnan.org

Friday, Feb.

21, at 7 p.m.; location to be announced. Call to arrange tour and info

packet

195 Fischer

Rd. Sharpsburg; Immanuel Bible College campus

Our Lady of

Mercy Catholic High School (9th - 12th grade)

770-461-2202;

www.olmbobcats.org

Saturday, Feb.

1, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

861 Hwy. 279,

Fairburn 30213; at intersection of Hwys. 138 and 279

PACE Christian

School (K4 - 12th grade)

770-719-1633

(middle/high), 770-461-8484 (K4 - 6th);

www.pacechristianschool.org

Mid-February;

call after Feb. 1 for details

K4 - 6th: 819

Hwy. 314 North, Fayetteville

7th - 12th

grades: 93 Johnson Ave., Fayetteville

St. Paul Lutheran

School (Age 2 - 8th grade)

770-486-3545;

www.stpaulptc.com

Sunday, Feb.

9, from 2-4 p.m. and Sunday, March 9 from 2-4 p.m.

700 Ardenlee

Pkwy., Peachtree City 30269; off Hwy. 74 North in Ardenlee subdivision

Woodward Academy

(K5 - 12th grade)

Main campus:

404-765-4000; Busey campus: 770-765-4480; www.woodward.edu

Sunday, Feb.

9, from 2-5 p.m. - Main campus (K5 - 12th grade)

Thursday, Feb.

20, at 7 p.m. - Busey feeder campus (preK - 6th grade)

Main: 1662

Rugby Ave., College Park 30337; I-85 South, Virginia Ave. West exit

Busey: 8009

Carlton Rd., Riverdale 30296; near intersection of Old National and Hwy.

314