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By Joyce Simmons
Choosing the right school for a child is one of the most significant decisions a family can make. The right school offers more than just academics; it creates an environment where students grow socially, psychologically and emotionally. It’s a place where children learn to relate to others and develop their own perspectives on the world. However, while tours, brochures and online testimonials can provide valuable insight, they often don’t capture the true culture and energy of a school. That’s where “shadow days” come in—a practice embraced by private schools, allowing prospective students to step into the shoes of a current student for a day.
With a wealth of outstanding private schools in metro Atlanta, each distinguished by its unique strengths, philosophies, and prestigious accomplishments, it can be challenging to make a choice based on brochures alone. For instance, schools like Pace Academy in Atlanta, The Lovett School in Buckhead, and The Walker School in Marietta each hold reputations for academic rigor, supportive communities and nurturing environments. These institutions attract families from across the state who are seeking a holistic, inspiring educational experience for their children. Yet, on paper, the schools can look remarkably similar in terms of prestige and achievement, so shadow days have become an essential step for families trying to understand the distinct “feel” of each institution.
Shadow days provide an immersive experience, giving prospective students a glimpse into the daily rhythms of school life. Unlike a typical tour, shadow days allow students to attend classes, interact with teachers and get a feel for the social and academic dynamics of the school. It’s about letting students and their families “try on” the school, helping them determine if it’s the right fit.
Ricky Emmons, admissions director at The Galloway School in Atlanta, explains, “A student’s shadow experience gives prospective students a chance to see what daily life at The Galloway School is really like. By spending the day with a current student, they can experience the school’s culture, see how classes are taught and meet other students. This helps them decide if the learning environment and community are a good fit for them.”
At The Walker School in Marietta, shadow days are intended to help prospective students feel part of the community by day’s end. “Overwhelmingly, students who shadow with us report having a very positive experience,” says Karen Park, director of communications. “Even students who arrive very nervous for their shadow day typically leave with a smile, excited to tell their parents about their experience.”
At Pace Academy in Atlanta, Mac McCallum, director of admissions and financial aid, emphasizes the authenticity of shadow days, saying, “The beauty of a shadow day is that it’s just an average day. There’s nothing special about it, and that’s what it should be.” At Pace, the goal is to give prospective students a genuine sense of daily life—no frills or embellishments, just the real experience.
Every school shapes its shadow day program to reflect its unique values and approach. At Atlanta International School, located in Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta, shadow days go beyond observation; from the moment prospective students step onto campus, they are welcomed as part of the community, highlighting the school’s emphasis on global citizenship and active learning.
Paideia School, located in historic Druid Hills, prefers the term “visiting day” over “shadowing” to reflect the individuality of each visitor’s experience. “We want prospective students to explore the school through their own lens,” shares Caroline Driebe, director of communications and marketing. Paideia pairs visiting students with “Pi Ambassadors,” current students selected for their warmth and dedication to helping newcomers feel welcome. These ambassadors serve as personal guides, introducing visitors to Paideia’s distinct learning environment.
Pace Academy has fine-tuned its shadow day experience to be as seamless as possible for busy families. “We know that families are often juggling multiple school visits,” explains McCallum. “So, we make it easy—our shadow days are scheduled almost daily throughout the school year, allowing families to choose a day that works best for them.” Pace even considers the parent experience, allowing parents to go through the drop-off carpool process. “Parents also get a taste of what it’s like to be a Pace parent,” he says, describing the iconic Castle, where prospective students are greeted.
At The Walker School, shadow days allow prospective students to see current students “in action” as they engage in classes and activities. “The best way to get to know The Walker School is to visit our campus and see us for yourself,” Park adds. “We love our school and are excited to share with prospective students what makes our school, students and community so exceptional.”
For families, shadow days can offer clarity beyond any brochure or tour. These experiences give them a sense of the school’s 
warmth, curiosity and the relationships among students and teachers. At Mount Paran Christian School in Kennesaw, shadow days serve as both an introduction and an evaluation. “It’s a chance for us to further evaluate the prospective student in academic and social settings,” explains Tiffany Westbrook, admissions director. The day provides a window into the student’s abilities and comfort within a supportive Christian environment.
At The Galloway School and GRACEPOINT School, shadow days focus on observing how prospective students engage with typical classroom activities and navigate social spaces. For both schools, these observations are essential for families to assess whether the environment feels like a good match for their child. For example, GRACEPOINT offers shadow experiences for students with dyslexia, ensuring that each visitor gets a taste of the supportive learning atmosphere tailored to their needs. “The shadow experience is designed to see if a student is an appropriate fit for our remediation program and for them to feel more comfortable and excited to enter our environment as a student,” says the school’s admissions team.
At Paideia, the emphasis is also on hands-on experience. Watching how students respond to an inquiry-based, interactive learning style helps families determine if the school’s approach aligns with their own values. By the end of a shadow day, students and families often leave with a clearer sense of whether the school feels like the right place to grow.
The success of a shadow day often rests on the shoulders of the current students who volunteer to be “shadow partners.” These ambassadors are carefully chosen to represent their school’s values, providing a welcoming, genuine experience. At Galloway, students are selected for their leadership and communication skills and are encouraged to be engaging and genuinely curious about their visitors.
Pace Academy takes this role seriously. “What’s distinctly different at Pace is the way the kids treat one another,” McCallum 
observes. “There’s no more powerful way to figure out whether a child is going to an environment that is going to bring out the best in them than to send your child into that environment to try it out.”
Trinity School in Atlanta also carefully selects shadow partners by sharing information about visiting students with teachers, ensuring a smooth pairing based on compatibility. This way, students feel comfortable and included from the moment they arrive. Similarly, at Springmont School, located in Sandy Springs, teachers match visitors with shadow partners based on common interests and personalities, ensuring that each prospective student makes the most of their time on campus.
At North Cobb Christian School in Kennesaw, upper school students have access to very specific shadow partners: Eagle Ambassadors. According to Elizabeth Cossick, director of marketing and communications, Eagle Ambassadors are “students who sign up to specifically volunteer and help represent NCCS in alignment with our school’s Christian mission and vision.” The middle and lower school divisions turn to the admissions office to find the right shadow match, ensuring that those individuals who are brought together share similar interests and academic strengths.
Making arrangements for a shadow day can be a fairly simple process, as at the Mount Vernon School, which allows parents 
to schedule the experience through online application portal Ravenna once an application has been submitted. Once that process is complete, then it’s time to get ready for the day. And although shadow days typically require no special preparation, schools offer helpful advice to make the day meaningful.
At The Galloway School, students are encouraged to arrive with an open mind and a willingness to engage. Comfortable attire and a good night’s sleep can help prospective students fully immerse themselves.
Paideia suggests that visitors come prepared with questions—whether about academics, extracurriculars or the school culture. This allows prospective students to better assess how the school aligns with their interests.
And at Pace Academy, McCallum underscores the importance of authenticity. He says, “By far, the most important thing that a student should tell themselves is to come here and be themselves. We don’t expect a student to be anything that they are or are not. We are interested in them bringing their whole selves to this campus.”
The consensus among these metro Atlanta private schools is clear: shadow days offer an invaluable experience. More than just a tour or information session, they provide a candid glimpse of the school’s everyday life, allowing families to see the energy, interactions, and community spirit firsthand.
The Lovett School encourages families to see shadow days as a fundamental part of the decision-making process, helping them assess whether a school is the right fit. According to Kavita Athalye, marketing communications manager, “The student is the end-user! Our shadow experiences offer a first-hand glimpse into the life of a Lovett student. We want 
students to leave the day intrigued, filled with wonder and hungry for more. Our goal is for them to feel connected to the community and to leave wanting to learn and explore more.”
Landmark Christian School in Fairburn echoes this, emphasizing that shadow days help students visualize themselves within the community, picturing what it would be like to belong. “We hope that the prospective student can see themselves at Landmark and that they gain a deeper understanding of all that Landmark represents,” says Kirsten Williams, director of admissions and enrollment. “The shadow experience is another step in ensuring that Landmark is the right fit.”
Navigating the admissions process can be overwhelming, but shadow days offer a uniquely personal and insightful 
experience. It’s about more than academics—it’s about feeling a sense of welcome, inspiration and excitement for what lies ahead. These experiences help students envision themselves thriving, connecting and growing within a community that reflects their values and aspirations.
From the traditional classrooms of Trinity School to the individualized visits at Paideia and the inclusive environments at GRACEPOINT and Galloway, each school’s shadow day reflects its mission. At Pace Academy, the focus remains on authenticity, on ensuring that prospective students feel welcomed by the community and can see themselves there. As McCallum says, “At the end of the day, it’s about how our children made them feel on their way out.”
For families exploring private education options, shadow days offer a meaningful, eye-opening experience—a day of discovery that can make all the difference in choosing the right school. As they say, seeing is believing, and when it comes to schools, sometimes you need to step into the shoes of a student to know if it’s the right fit.
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