Private schools are often associated with unflattering uniforms and hefty tuition checks. And while that can sometimes be true, those associations barely scratch the surface of their importance. Like everything in life, private school is a matter of perspective. You can perceive it as an expensive shelter for your children, or you can recognize it as an investment in both your child and their future. Landmark Christian School emphasizes just that.
The Landmark Class of 2025 consisted of 72 graduates, all of whom were accepted to at least one of the 193 colleges that offered admission. Collectively, they received $13.4 million in scholarships before the HOPE and Zell Miller awards were even applied for. These numbers are impressive in themselves, but the true return on investment lies not only in statistics - it is found in how students adjust to life beyond high school.
“They have a different confidence level,” says Kirsten Williams, speaking as both Director of Admission and Enrollment and as the parent of an alumna who attended Landmark from first grade through high school graduation. While Landmark’s academic curriculum may appear rigorous or intimidating on paper, it ultimately propels students forward in their academic journeys after earning their diplomas.
For some, this means entering college with credits already completed, sometimes positioning them academically at a sophomore level. For others, it means being so accustomed to academic intensity that college coursework feels manageable or even easier by comparison. Landmark’s academic structure is designed to prepare students thoroughly for higher education.
Part of that preparation can be attributed to the student-to-teacher ratio of 18:1 or sometimes lower. “It gives them a better support structure than they may have in a class of 25 or 30,” Kirsten explains. That support extends well beyond academics. Smaller class sizes allow teachers to understand how each student learns best, while also fostering meaningful personal relationships. Many students maintain connections with their teachers long after graduation, especially those who spent the majority of their formative years at Landmark.
The support system reaches beyond teachers and students. Private schools often create communities where families with shared values build relationships with one another. These connections encourage students and parents to surround themselves with peers who prioritize growth and encouragement.
Beyond academics, Landmark offers programs designed to cultivate a well-rounded student experience. “We have a lot of options that challenge students and help them feel like they’re achieving the personal goals they’ve set for themselves,” Kirsten says. From arts and athletics to the Scholars Program, Landmark not only offers something for everyone but also allows students the flexibility to participate across disciplines, creating well-rounded, cross-trained learners.
Private education also serves the entire family. Kirsten often tells undecided parents, “This isn’t just about the student. This is about the whole family.” That philosophy invites parents into classrooms and hallways, encourages involvement in events, and creates opportunities to give back in ways that feel meaningful to them. In doing so, parents build their own support networks alongside their children.
The long-term return on investing in private school, according to Kirsten, is “seeing your child grow and thrive and becoming young men and women who feel confident enough to step up and lead. You can’t put a price on that.”
As a member of the Class of 2017, I can personally attest to these returns. While I began at Landmark later than many of my peers – starting in my junior year of high school rather than in kindergarten – the relationships I formed and the knowledge I gained, both academic and personal, remain with me today.
Mrs. Hughes, my Bible teacher during my junior year before she retired that spring, and I still exchange texts from time to time to check in on one another. I graduated from the University of Georgia a semester early due to the dual-enrollment credits I earned at Landmark. During my senior spring, I used money I had saved from working to travel to Kenya on a mission trip – an experience that continues to shape me years later. The like-mindedness of my high school peers also instilled confidence in my parents and fostered a lasting positive outlook in me.
Private school, specifically Landmark, provided the attention and preparation I needed to succeed personally and academically. More than anything, it empowered me to enter both college and the workforce feeling prepared and confident. The same can be said for the rest of my graduating class. One former classmate now plays in the NFL, another is a motorsport engineer, and another is a Naval Flight Officer in the U.S. Navy.
Landmark not only prepared us to impact the world but also instilled confidence within us to believe that we can. For many families, that confidence is the true return on investment. Visit LandmarkChristianSchool.org for more information or to schedule a tour.
" ... the relationships I formed and the knowledge I gained, both academic and personal, remain with me today." – SK
“We have a lot of options that challenge students and help them feel like they’re achieving the personal goals they’ve set for themselves.” – Kirsten Williams