Admissions Join The Clifton School Family Experience a state-of-the-art learning community exclusively for the families of Emory, CHOA, and the CDC, where we cultivate a culture of wonder and respect the rights of every child Apply Here
CLIFTON SCHOOLS

Who is Eligible to Enroll?

The Clifton School is a non-profit learning community exclusively designed to serve the families of our founding partner organizations. To maintain our mission of providing state-of-the-art childcare for our community, enrollment eligibility is strictly limited to the following groups:

Benefits-Eligible Employees:
Our programs serve the active employees of Emory University, Emory Healthcare, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Extended Family Members:
Eligibility applies to parents, grandparents, and legal guardians who are benefits-eligible staff members at these institutions.
Full-Time Students:
We also welcome the children of full-time Emory University students.
CLIFTON PROCESS

The Enrollment Journey

Follow our transparent four-step roadmap, designed to guide your family from initial discovery to your child’s first day in one of our villages

01
Take a Tour
In-person tours are held at different times per location. Schedule Tour
02
Apply
Submit your application and $100 registration fee to join the waitlist Application
03
The Waitlist
Enrollment is offered year-round as space allows, with most openings occurring in August. Our new site will expand capacity and support shorter wait times overall.
More Info
04
Offer & Acceptance
Offers are extended as spaces become available throughout the year, with the majority of offers typically sent in the spring for an August start.

See Our Villages in Action

The best way to understand our “third teacher”
environment is to experience it yourself.
Schedule a Tour
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Tours

See Our “Third Teacher” Environment Before You Apply

We strongly encourage all families to see our “third teacher” environment firsthand before applying. In-person tours are held on Tuesdays at 10:30 AM.

Tour Schedule

  • Clairmont Campus: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month.
  • Clifton Road Campus: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month.
  • Note: Tours are not held on school holidays.
Schedule Tour

Tour Time

All tours begin at 10:30 AM on Tuesdays. Please confirm availability in advance, as schedules may shift around holidays.

Admissions Update

Current Wait Times:

The Clifton School is a highly sought-after community, and enrollment timing can vary based on age group and availability. While some families are offered spaces quickly, others may experience a wait. With the opening of our new Sheridan Road location, we anticipate shorter wait times and expanded enrollment opportunities across all three of our sites.

How enrollment offers are prioritized

  • Application Date: The earlier you apply, the better.
  • Sibling Status: Siblings of current students receive priority.
  • Age Group: The Preschool Village (ages 3–5) is our largest village and typically has more availability than Infant or Toddler rooms.
  • Flexibility: Opting for “First Available Site” on your application may shorten your wait time.

Tip to potentially reduce your wait

If your schedule allows, selecting “First Available Site” can improve your placement timeline compared to a single-site preference.

Schedule Your Campus Tour

Clifton Campus

in-person tours will be conducted on the second (2nd) and fourth (4th) Tuesday of every month (holidays excluded)

Clairmont Campus

in-person tours at 10:30 AM. Tours will be conducted on the first (1st) and third (3rd) Tuesday of every month (holidays excluded) 

As a non-profit corporation, we are managed by a Board of Directors composed of representatives of EmoryChildren’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Our daily operations are administered by the Executive Director and by the Site Directors at Clifton and Clairmont.

Hayden Mathieson~ President

Chief Business Officer
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

TaWanda Austin, R.N.,M.S.N.

Department  Director, General Surgery
Emory Healthcare

Ashley Teal~ Treasurer

Business Manager
Research & Health Sciences

Mekeshua North

Director of Human Resources Staff Development and Training
Emory University

Laura Markle

Director of Benefits
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Kenya Ford

A representative of the CDC employee population

Katherine Turner Hoffman, MPH~ Vice President

A representative of the CDC employee population

Callan Bahr~ Secretary

Director of Physician Practice Operations
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta