A Message from Amy and Suzanne

Thank you for your interest in the Academy. Our community is full of people just like you — committed parents who want something different, something better, something more meaningful for their children’s education.

The world of education is changing, and parents have more options than ever before. Traditional schools don’t work for everybody. Some students need more: More challenges, more support, more curiosity, more opportunities to figure out how they learn best. Some students need less: Less teaching to the test, less stress, less time trapped inside a classroom.

We’re not promising a Goldilocks solution, but because of the way our school is built, we have the opportunity to see every single student as an individual, with individual needs and individual goals. Our faculty is committed to helping every student at the Academy grow and thrive and to fulfill our mission of making learning meaningful again.

Before you apply, let’s chat about your student. Help us understand who they are and what they need and want from their educational life. Come and visit the school — your student can spend a day learning with us and get a feel for what the Academy is really like. If you’re inspired and excited by what you see, you can move forward with the application process.

It’s a pleasure to be a part of your educational journey, and we’re here to help however we can.

The first step to applying for admission to the Academy is speaking to one of our faculty advisers. Set up a meeting right now.

The Admission Process

We’re so happy you’re considering enrollment at the Academy! Over the years, we’ve found that the number-one predictor of student success is that students choose to be here. Our admission process is a little different because it’s set up to give students an opportunity to imagine themselves learning at the Academy. If they go through all the steps and feel like it’s the right fit for them, they’re pretty much always correct! (And if it doesn’t feel like a perfect fit, they’re usually right about that, too.)

ADMISSION TO THE JUNIOR HIGH

Set up a phone consultation with one of our faculty. Call (470) 219-5860, email us, or make an appointment with our online scheduling system. You can learn more about our program, discuss your student’s specific needs, and determine whether the Academy might be a good fit for your family.
Attend an Admissions Open House. This is an opportunity to see the school in person, have a more in-depth conversation about the junior high, and ask questions of the faculty. (NOTE: Due to COVID-19, we have no Open Houses scheduled at this time and are instead scheduling one-on-one school tours and/or zoom meetings. Please contact Suzanne Rezelman at suzanne@rezelman.org to schedule a meeting.)
Fill out the application, including:
- $50 non-refundable application fee
Schedule a class visit. We encourage students to spend a full day at the junior high to get a feel for how it works. It is not your typical school, and actually being there is the best way we know to determine whether it’s a good fit for a particular student. This is also our opportunity to get to know your student better, and functions as the junior high admission ‘interview’.
After the class visit, if we feel that the Academy would be a good fit for your student, we will send an invitation for your student to join the junior high. Decisions about invitations are usually made within a week of the class visit.

ADMISSION TO THE HIGH SCHOOL

Set up a meeting with one of our faculty. Call (470) 219-5860, email us, or make an appointment with our online scheduling system. You can learn more about our program, discuss your student’s specific needs, and determine whether the Academy might be a good fit for your family.
Schedule a class visit and in-person meeting. We encourage students to spend a full day at the high school to get a feel for how it works. It is not your typical school, and actually being there is the best way we know to determine whether it’s a good fit for a particular student.
Fill out the application, including:
- $50 non-refundable application fee
Submit most recent transcript (unofficial is fine) and one letter of recommendation from a teacher, volunteer leader, or community member.
Schedule a student interview. This is your opportunity to learn more about the school as well as an opportunity to get to know us, so please come with questions! Some students bring transcripts, work samples or projects, artwork, or other samples with them; others come with just themselves. We're interested in whatever you want to share with us, but you don't need to bring anything—and you certainly don't need to dress up. Two or more faculty members attend each admission interview, and parents are welcome to sit in. We will ask you questions about your educational experiences and interests as well as your goals and ambitions.
Our admissions team will consider your application and make a decision about your student’s possible acceptance to the Academy high school. Decisions are usually made within two weeks once the application and interview have been completed.

Tuition and Fees

The Academy is committed to providing an affordable education alternative to middle and high school students in the Atlanta area. Our tuition is significantly lower than the cost of comparable schools, and we offer a flexible payment schedule.

SCHOOL

Junior High

High School

TUITION

$10,000 / year

Payment Plans: HSL Academy automatically provides a standard 10-payment schedule (covering the full annual tuition) to all admitted students. The 10-payment plan consists of the deposit (due upon enrollment) plus 9 monthly payments due August through April on the 5th of each month. Other payment plans can be arranged through the Director of Admissions, Suzanne Rezelman.

Financial Aid: Need-based financial aid is available to all students applying to HSL Academy. Over 90% of our students receive financial aid in the form of tuition reduction. To apply for financial aid during the admission process, contact our Director of Admissions, Suzanne Rezelman, at suzanne.rezelman@gmail.com

Tuition Guarantee: For all students whose tuition accounts are in good standing, tuition will not be raised while they are enrolled at HSL Academy. The annual tuition due will continue at the rate at which they were initially admitted (including families who are receiving a financial aid reduction), even if it is raised for new students at some later date.

No Annual Contract Required: If a student has to withdraw from HSL Academy mid-year, tuition payments must be current through the withdrawal date, but no payments due after the withdrawal date will be collected.

Change in Family Circumstances: Families who experience a change in circumstances while their student is enrolled are welcome to discuss financial aid opportunities and/or changes in payment schedules with the Director of Admissions, Suzanne Rezelman.

Additional Charges / Fees: All textbooks and classroom materials are provided for students at no additional cost. Throughout the year, there may be special events (prom, etc) that require an attendance fee, and there is a graduation fee for high school seniors (to cover robes and diploma). Fun Fridays and any other regular social events are included with tuition and require no additional fees.

Refunds: No refunds are given on deposit or tuition payments (including pre-paid tuition).

FEES SUMMARY

Application fee (non-refundable): $50

Tuition:

$700 deposit due at registration (non-refundable)
the remainder payable in monthly, semester, or annual installments

Additional official transcripts: $50 (Your tuition includes an official copy of your transcript)

Your tuition as a student includes:

Ten hours of classroom instruction each week (over a two-day period), totaling four to seven credit hours per year, depending on classes selected
Friday Enrichment classes (an optional roster of optional academic enrichment, including workshops, classes, and social activities)
Optional homework help (ask about office hours)
Required textbooks (to be returned at the end of the semester) and curriculum materials
One-on-one mentor support to discuss academic, career, and college planning. (This includes helping students create their learning contracts, navigate and meet the requirements for dual enrollment, internship and apprenticeship support, and guidance for college applications, recommendations, and requirements.)
Full transcript for each enrolled semester