Gifted Atlanta

Located in the downtown Decatur area, Lighthouse Prep is a small, independent school serving grades 2 through 12 that gives students greater autonomy to choose what they learn and at what pace.

Students pick their courses from an online learning platform that school founder Mikala Streeter compares to Coursera. Streeter says it’s ideal for gifted kids, because they can choose a class that matches their interest and mastery level, even if they’re the only child in the school who wants to take that specific class, and even if the school year is already underway.

The school also emphasizes hands-on projects, which likewise match students’ level of expertise and personal interests.

In addition to its full-time program, Lighthouse Prep offers a homeschool hybrid option, where students attend the school one to three days per week.