Little Da Vinci International School in Atlanta

Posted: July 13, 2022

I have loved my time with DVIS. Since we first entered the school in 2016 to now I have felt that DVIS is a nurturing environment for my kids. Both of my kids started at 18 months there. What I think DVIS does so well is teach kids to their level and make learning fun. My kids loved going to school and I credit DVIS for instilling the love of learning and a sense of worldly community to the kids. I truly was blown away by the projects, vocabulary and reading comprehension my kids were exposed too. Our children have made friends and learned different cultures from DVIS too. Soraya ( the school's director) makes herself available around the clock even after school hours as needed. She cares about the children and it shows. I love the trilingual program DVIS offers. My children are fascinated with languages and want to learn more! I can't say enough good things about DVIS. If you are looking for a worldly and caring environment for your kinds that is full of diversity and uniqueness this is the place for you.

Posted: February 14, 2022

Do your research before enrolling in this school! My child went to the Little DaVinci school for 4 years (2K through 5K) and the quality of the education will take a very sharp decline as your child gets older. The owner, Soraya, as well as her staff pride themselves in being emotionally attuned to the children and providing care, which is nothing but a guise for a total lack of expertise and sheer incompetence. In fact, Sorayas pitch and only point of reference is her own experience as a parent - so if you are expecting your child to be surrounded by early education experts, you will be sorely disappointed. Not only is the staff ill equipped, the school also does not deliver on the quality you would expect at a $23k/year education: 1. There is NO counselor on staff, therefore, you will not receive any support if your child has a disability or is bullied, 2. All decisions (like covid response as pointed by another review on this page) is entirely subjective and based on the peoples feelings, 3. Your children will NOT be supervised if you pay for any after school activities, there is a ratio of 1 teacher to as many children they can put in one place, 4. The Spanish teachers were NOT all native speakers, in fact, many spoke as if they barely had a high school education. As the old adage goes, the biggest danger is not in the one who doesnt know, but the fool that thinks they have nothing to learn - this perfectly captures the The Little DaVinci School.

Posted: February 14, 2022

Posted: October 4, 2021

Da Vinci International provides French or Spanish language immersion. We love how this is curated to fully encompass the necessary elementary school curriculum while ensuring fluency in the chosen language. The immersion experience is provided only by teachers native to the language. Our child has transitioned from being unsure of his French to fluency in the spoken and written language.
Our child started attending Da Vinci International School (previously Little Da Vinci) at 3k, he has progressed and developed, and has been prepared to take on the challenges of middle school. We have found that the strong academic program that has placed our child and his classmates above the standard level for his grade. The small school environment fosters individual care.
Of course any school will have problems that arise from time to time, but being a small school we have always been able to reach teachers or administrators to resolve issues.

Posted: October 4, 2021

Posted: March 24, 2021

Our son registered at the school mid-year and we were impressed by the efficient way in which the teachers and staff evaluated his level of French and English and made sure he was supported appropriately. Our son made incredible progress over the first couple of months alone and enjoys his time at school. Class size is just right, and teachers are caring and very focused on ensuring student success. It is easy to communicate with them and we always have an easy way to get in touch!

Our son comes from a bilingual household and we feel like he is getting the level of French language learning that he would have had if we had still been in France.

Posted: March 24, 2021

Posted: March 19, 2021

We have sent all of our children at little Da Vinci (LDV) until we transitioned them to public school in kindergarten. There, they easily integrated because of the outstanding level and quality of education they received at LDV. Because of Covid and the perpetual shut down of APS, and because we had such a great experience at LDV, we put our youngest son back at LDV this year. We are thrilled to report that the level of education, attention and cultural exposure he is now getting at LDV, 3 years later, has exceeded our expectations.
We are particularly well positioned to assess schools having had 4 children with different learning styles. LDV covers them all! I cannot emphasize enough how the individual attention my child gets there has impacted the speed at which he has learned and the love he has developed for school.
He has been an A student while at Jackson elementary school and I was worried when We decided to leave Atlanta Public School, that the transition would leave him behind the learning curve. Well, it is quite the opposite. LDV has worked with him (and us) through his ADHD meds to get him, not only to catch him up on the written French that he had lost 3 years ago, but also to get him to perform 6th grade math because he wanted to be more challenged. One exceptional technique that LDV has developed, which is novel to us but incredibly effective in developing strong foundation of knowledge and self confidence, is having students help other students learn some of the concepts taught. My son is thrilled when he is able to teach division in French to a child who had in turn taught him the imparfait tense.
The community feel is international, and crosses economic barriers, which is not what I found to be the case at the atlanta International school or other private schools that we have tried. There is joy and celebration for the individual rather than forcing everyone into a mold. The teachers are absolutely passionate about there role in the childs development. I cannot thank the school enough for what they are doing.
The facility is modest, clean, and safe and they take safety very seriously which is important to me.

Posted: March 19, 2021

Posted: March 17, 2021

Two of my children attend DVIS, and are so happy! Every day they are so excited to go to school. Weve attended from 18 months through 1st grade and every year has felt more special than the next. I feel that my children are safe and they are having such valuable learning experiences. The staff and teachers are qualified, intelligent, and I can tell they enjoy being at DVIS. Its a welcoming environment, where my children have been challenged, encouraged, and grown leaps and bounds academically and socially!

Posted: March 17, 2021

Posted: March 12, 2021

First of all, let me start with the reality. Most of the positive reviews you see have been done by the marketing/recruitment staff.
Look the details, the school does not have access to the nature preserve because the owner got into a fight with the nature preserve.
The backyard is a mud pit where classes are not allowed to go when it rained because water is standing. My children came back with multiple mosquito bites because of it.
Now let's talk about manipulation, rules apply depending on how much the need you.
CDC protocols depend if they need the staff or parents complain.
Overall stay away from the lies and got to a real structure like AIS if you want an international system. Our children are so much better there.
Sorry Soraya and Onur but your constant bullying towards parents and staff will kill your school.

Posted: March 12, 2021

Posted: December 14, 2020

Our daughter was born with hearing loss. She was diagnosed and given hearing aids at three months old. Fortunately, she hears normally with hearing aids. We speak two languages at home and had planned on sending her to the Da Vinci school before we found out she was hard of hearing.

We started her in early intervention programs and enrolled her at a local school known for their work with deaf & HoH kids to catch her up to her hearing peers. We quickly realized it was not what we wanted for our child. They felt that she had other issues. They were trying to diagnose her with disorders at a year old. Our Pediatrician, myself and her other therapists did not agree with their findings. Eventually they told us she'd be unable to re-enroll at the end of the semester unless we agreed to have her evaluated by their recommended physicians. We were really angry. When we voiced our frustration, we were told they haven't been wrong in thirty years. They constantly insinuated that we were so lucky to have our daughter enrolled at their very exclusive school. We feel that it is on the school to find a way to connect with the child. Not the other way around.

We pulled her out of that school before the end of the semester and called DVIS. What a change!! Soraya let us know one of the major reasons she started the school was because she wanted a school that cared and listened. She had a lot of experience dealing with the same attitudes from other private schools. It was a breath of fresh air to us. They welcomed us with open arms.

Fast forward 9 months and our daughter is thriving in both languages and her hearing is no big deal. I don't worry about it anymore. Her teachers have connected with her and it shows. On the mornings that she doesn't go to school, my two year old gets her lunchbox and starts to pack her lunch. She stands by the garage door and says "GO TO SCHOOL" in both languages. The school has gone above and beyond to protect the children during COVID. I am so impressed with what theyve pulled off. I wish all schools were modeled after DVIS. I am very grateful our child is enrolled here and I couldn't be happier with the outcome.

Posted: December 14, 2020

Posted: August 18, 2020

I am so thankful that my children are able to attend DVIS. We have been a family for the past 3 years, and the experience has been wonderful. My family only speaks English at home, and immersion experience has been very successful for our children. Every single teacher has been able to create a challenging but fun learning environment. When there have been personal concerns, the headmaster Soraya, was so welcoming and supportive of our child.

During the beginning of COVID, the school was able to adapt so well that our children still got a wonderful education, even though we were virtual. I was very impressed. DVIS has gone above and beyond to implement effective and safe health strategies for students and teachers, and we are so thankful to be back in person. This truly is a wonderful place for children to learn and develop.

Posted: August 18, 2020

Posted: May 24, 2019

As parents, some of us dream of sending our children to small, cosy, protected and magical schools, in the middle of the woods; where, whilst in a safe and familiar environment, they are able to grow in confidence, develop their curiosity for learning and their autonomy. All of this, if possible, in a trilingual context.

Well I am here to let you know that when I moved from France to Atlanta a few years ago, I found the school of our dreams. It's called Da Vinci International and it's on the Blue Heron plantation.

It is full of wonderful fairies who embrace and bring out the uniqueness of every single child. Fairies like Marie D. who, with total dedication, love and patience, strengthen our children´s wings. Fairies like Nikia who believe in our children and have magic wands that turn skeptical listeners into eloquent speakers and voracious readers. Faries like Céline who come down to the level of each child, showing true and genuine respect and admiration for every element of their being, while secretly empowering them to achieve much more than they think they are capable of.
And many many more.

Our American adventure is sadly coming to an end, and we are moving back to Europe. However, my childrens´ hearts are not torn or broken because of leaving, their hearts are full of love and confidence instilled in them at the Blue Heron.

Thank you Soraya for your vision and your courage. Without them, DVIS would only exist in our dreams.

Posted: May 24, 2019

Posted: October 9, 2017

I am sorry I have to say that but actually bullying is encouraged in this school.

Posted: October 9, 2017

We had a terrible experience at this school as you can see in the thread instead of adressing issues the admin is busy blaming individuals.

Posted: October 9, 2017

Posted: October 28, 2016

Homework at Da Vinci International School is minimal and targets the specific needs of the learners. Homework is, therefore, differentiated to target the learner's path to mastery in the elliptical spiral of learning.
In a multilingual setting, there is a need for reinforcement.
Homework policy in our school doesn't mean busy, automatic work. If needed it means meaningful and effective practice.

Posted: October 28, 2016

Da Vinci International School has developed a very competitive hiring and retention process. Our lead teachers have a master's degree in education starting in 3K Class, and at least a Bachelor degree in early childhood education in 2K Class.
Most of our teachers have from 6 to 16 years experience in their field. Furthermore, they are passionate and innovative.
Da Vinci International School teachers are trained and experienced to be the architect and designer of the curriculum in their class. Our curriculum is designed to fit the needs of our learners in each class every year.

Posted: October 28, 2016

Da Vinci International School strives to create a school environment where the learners and their families are treated fairly. We are the advocate of our learners to the point where we are ready to loose a family if the child's interest is at risk.
Unfortunately, the 3 negative posts are not coming from a parent. They were an aggressive target by an unprofessional program that has been targeting our families, teachers with no success. We hope they will find the way to grow their program without using slander and defamation tactics.

Posted: May 1, 2016

It starts with the philosophy of the founder and principal of the school, Soraya Rouchdi. She marries a great combination of classical academic curriculum with out-of-the-box ways to teach content. The kids have fun, but we can see how advanced they are versus other private and public school students. On top, they do a marvelous job in teaching in a bilingual setting, with the kids fluent in both of their chosen languages. We have been in the school for 5 years, and cannot say enough good about the teachers and the administrative staff. The school is well run, and Soraya recruits to an exacting specification. Underlying the entire program, whether the French or Spanish track, is French pedagogical methods

Posted: January 24, 2016

This is our fourth year with the school and we're so happy we found it when we did. The teachers love the children, are passionate about learning and teaching the kids, and are also very nurturing. The school's founder and director is always very present in the school. Her passion for what she believes in shows in her staff, and in the happiness of the children coming to school. We absolutely love our school!

Posted: November 9, 2015

I am a college professor who teaches adults around the world about mindfulness and health. My family has three nationalities from three continents. We attended public and private schools. We hold the highest degrees in higher education and do understand the value of education. When we moved to Atlanta and had our only daughter, we researched every single school. We can honestly say that Little Da Vinci International Preschool is the very best a parent could ask for: the education is European, intuitive and creative; the families have their own background and simply enrich the school life with their stories; the children are happy. No crying. No screaming. They strive in different languages and show every promises of active future citizens in this world. They are unselfishly opened to discovering, sharing meaningful experiences. We commute one hour each way at minimum, sometimes more. There is nothing more important than an education that is global and open minded. This school is one of the best in the nation. The intellectual investment is worth it: teachers received degrees such as engineering and simply nurture the European education. We are so proud to be part of it and we know our daughter will be appreciative to become an alumni. even though LDVI is not big on sports, it is refreshing to see the children get interested in different aspects of entertainment. If you have any hesitation, the director will welcome you with her arms opened and show you the school. She is dedicated to learning a different way, away from early standardized testing that ruin the critical thinking. We are so proud of the educators' efforts and hers. Our child is improving every day and it is clear to us that we made the right decision when we decided to stay away from cheaper daycares that thought their education was international without the immersion. LDVI offers the very best immersion in Spanish and French.

Posted: November 9, 2015

Posted: November 6, 2015

This is my son's third year at Little Da Vinci International School and I am convinced that he is in one of the best elementary schools of Atlanta. The commitment and teaching style of his teachers is exceptional and that has been the case in every grade. He comes home happy and excited about learning. The school is unique in so many ways. For one, because the school sits at the edge of a Nature Reserve, the students are able to explore the outdoors and the teachers use those explorations as teaching lessons. My child is in the French program and his ability to read French and English equally in the first grade is quite amazing. The bilingual education they receive allows LDVIS kids to learn both languages in a fun and exciting way. He is so excited at the end of the day. As soon as he gets in the car he tells me all about the grammar he learned, the activities they did, the friends he played with on the playground.

The individual attention he receives is also great for his energy level. He is a ball of energy and the teachers have been able to observe him and find great ways to keep his attention so that his academic level remains high. I am always reassured by Teacher/Parent conferences because that's when I realize just how much the teachers really understand my son and actually take the time to know what works best for him to learn.

Another positive aspect of the school for me is the friendships I have developed with other parents. I love the international community and was never able to make those kinds of connections in the other schools that my son attended.

The director/founder Soraya Rouchdi is very careful about her selection of teachers and, as a former educator myself, I am impressed by her devotion to maintaining strong academics in a fun and exploratory setting! That is not always an easy thing to do, and she manages to balance those very well.

Posted: November 6, 2015

Amazing teachers!!! The kind of project based learning they use produces original thinkers. I am impressed all the time by their commitment to each individual student.

Posted: November 6, 2015

This is our second year at LDVIS and we couldn't be happier! If you're going to pay for private school, you should get the best and for us, this is the best. Both our children attend this school and have thrived. The curriculum is outstanding, the teacher/child ratio is such that children get individual attention and progress at their own pace, ensuring all foundations are thoroughly acquired before expanding upon them. Our French teachers are creative and extremely knowledgeable and our English teacher is exceptionally patient and helpful. She had my children loving reading in no time! All in all, you won't find a more caring and committed staff, whether it be the director of the school, the administrative personnel or the teachers. My children just love going to school everyday despite the commute each way and all that entails.

Posted: October 11, 2015

Our experience with Little Da Vinci has been fantastic. Academic standards are among the highest I know of in the Atlanta area, if not the highest. The teaching style is very progressive and child centric. Teachers manage to make learning fun and adapted to every kid. And cherry on the cake, this is an international school that takes international very seriously. Putting your kid in the french section of Little Da Vinci would get him/her ready to join a school in Paris or Bordeaux with very little adjustment. Mixing the best of French and American education is a powerful combo. Little Da Vinci is a hidden gem and certainly one of the very best schools in Atlanta.

Posted: October 11, 2015

Teachers in Little Da Vinci are highly educated and incredibly committed to each kid, individually....The amount of preparation that they do every day is stunning. And they go above and beyond by studying, exploring and testing new education methods to enrich the learning environment....

Posted: October 11, 2015

#	Name	Type	City	State	Overall Rating	Distance
1	Garden Hills	Condominium/Townhouse	Atlanta	GA		2.2 mi
2	Heritage Farms	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Marietta	GA		14.1 mi

Base	Distance
Dobbins ARB	8.5 mi.
Fort Gillem	17 mi.

Little Da Vinci International School

Atlanta, GA 30342

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Atlanta, GA 30342

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