CLIFTON SCHOOLS
Family Essentials & Resources
We strive to act as a family support system by providing easy access to the tools you need most—from daily nutrition and health guidelines to community connections and trusted educational partners
Why Choose Us
Our Programs
The Infant Village
In the Infant Village, we believe that the curriculum is not a separate lesson plan, but the relationship itself. Our teachers view daily routines—diapering, feeding, and rocking to sleep—as the primary opportunities for one-on-one interaction and bonding.
- Nutrition & Nursing Support We respect the individual feeding rhythms of every infant. To support your family’s choices, we provide Enfamil Neuropro formula and Gerber baby foods at no additional cost. We are also proudly breastfeeding-friendly, welcoming mothers to nurse on-site or send expressed milk for their child.
- Enrichment Activities Throughout the year, The Clifton School offers rotating enrichment experiences designed to spark creativity, movement, and early skill development. These optional programs vary by season and age group. Spanish (Winter) Toddler 2 and Preschool students enjoy engaging 30-minute sessions that introduce basic vocabulary through songs, stories, and interactive play. KinderDance Available for Toddler 1, Toddler 2, and Preschool classrooms, this 30-minute movement class builds coordination, balance, and confidence through music and creative expression. Playball (Summer) Offered for Toddler 2 and Preschool, these outdoor sessions focus on teamwork, motor development, and introductory sports skills in a fun, supportive environment. Opus Music Designed primarily for Infants and Toddler 1, this live music experience features sing-alongs and hands-on exploration of instruments like drums, shakers, and guitar. Enrichment offerings rotate seasonally and may vary by campus.
- The Environment Our "homelike" classrooms are flooded with natural light and open directly onto age-appropriate outdoor spaces where infants can safely feel the grass and fresh air
The Toddler Villages
As children graduate into Toddler I and Toddler II, their world expands into the “Piazza”—our shared community space where they begin to interact with a wider circle of friends. Our curriculum focuses on supporting their growing desire for independence (“I do it!”) while fostering social connection.
- Family-Style Dining A cornerstone of our toddler program is family-style dining. Instead of pre-plated trays, children sit together at low tables, pass bowls, serve themselves, and clear their own places. This daily ritual builds fine motor skills, teaches community manners, and empowers children to listen to their own hunger cues.
-
Enrichment & Extracurriculars We integrate specialized instruction directly into the school day to support rapid developmental growth:
- Opus Music: Continues for Toddler I students, encouraging rhythm and movement.
- Kinder Dance: Available for both Toddler I and II, combining dance and gymnastics to build balance and confidence.
- Spanish: In Toddler II, children begin 30-minute immersive sessions involving songs and stories to introduce new vocabulary.
- Outdoor Discovery Our toddler playgrounds are designed as learning landscapes. Children transition from simple exploration to active play on tricycle paths, sandboxes, and hills, utilizing the environment to test their physical limits in a safe, enclosed setting.
Preschool Village
Investigators at Work (Ages 3 – 5 years) In the Preschool Village, the curriculum expands as children begin to test their own theories about the world. Teachers act as researchers, observing the children’s interests—whether it’s shadows, construction, or nature—and building Emergent Curriculum projects around those topics
- Project-Based Learning: On-going projects may last weeks or even months, allowing children to investigate subjects like math, language, and science deeply
- The Piazza: Our classrooms open into shared community spaces called "piazzas." These areas allow preschoolers from different classrooms to collaborate on large-scale art projects and social play
- Documentation: We make learning visible. You will see photos, transcripts of conversations, and artwork displayed on the walls ("Documentation") to show the process of your child's critical thinking
Georgia Pre-K at The Clifton School
Georgia’s lottery-funded Pre-K program provides free, high-quality learning for Georgia’s four-year-olds, preparing them for kindergarten in a nurturing, engaging environment.
Enrollment is determined through a lottery process. Children not selected are placed on a waitlist and offered enrollment if space becomes available.
- Eligibility: Children must be four years old on or before September 1 of the current school year and must be Georgia residents
- Schedule: The program provides 6.5 hours of instructional time Monday through Friday
- Extended Care: For families requiring a full workday schedule, we offer before-and-after care (7:00 AM – 6:00 PM) for a monthly fee of $500
- How to Apply: Spaces are limited and awarded via a lottery system. Applications should be emailed to Gaprek@thecliftonschool.org
Extracurricular Activities
Beyond the Classroom We provide specialized enrichment activities included in our programming to support physical and linguistic development.
- Spanish: Toddler II and Preschool classes participate in engaging 30-minute sessions that introduce vocabulary through songs and stories
- Kinder Dance: Available for Toddler I through Preschool, this movement class combines dance and gymnastics to build balance and confidence
- Playball: Offered during the summer for Toddler II and Preschool, this program focuses on sports skills, teamwork, and coordination in an outdoor setting
Summer Discovery Camp
Discovery Camp is a fun-filled summer of exploration, creativity, and hands-on learning. Campers enjoy exciting in-house field trips and engaging activities in science, art, sports, nature, and more — all in a safe, interactive environment.
Artistic Adventures • Jungle Safari • World Cup • Superheroes • Messy Madness • Super Splash • Mad Scientist • TCS Got Talent
Tuition includes all field trips, breakfast, lunch (for Jr Campers) and snack. Sr. Campers bring their lunch.
- Junior Camp: For rising Kindergarteners (located at Clifton or Clairmont campuses).
- Senior Camp: ages 6-10 and list the location as on the Emory Campus because the house location has changed.
- The Experience: Campers enjoy weekly themes like "Ocean Explorers," "Lego My Eggo," and "Culinary Creations". Tuition includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, and all field trips
- Eligibility: Registration is open to employees of Emory, CDC, and CHOA, as well as full-time Emory students
See Our Villages in Action
The best way to understand our “third teacher” environment is to experience it yourself.