Whether you are choosing a school for the first time for your child, or your child is making the transition to a new school, you probably have many questions. What are your options? How much choice do you really have? What's the best option for your child and your family? Where should you begin?

There are a few fundamental differences between public and private schools, but here's the bottom line: There are great private schools and there are great public schools. The trick is finding the school that best fits your child's needs. You may also want to consider public charter schools or home schooling. It's a good idea to research the schools that interest you and, to get a true picture of the school, visit in person.

Below, we have provided links to resources that will better equip your family with knowledge of the United States Public Schools and their ratings by district and county. Additionally, information on available United States Private Schools by location.

Visit the Department of Education web site of your County of interest:

More School Info:

• The Georgia School Council Institute
  Read profiles on schools, see test scores, make comparisons from school to school & district to district.

• Schoolmatters.com
  A service of Standard & Poors that gives you instant access to a wide range of data on schools & school districts from all over the nation.
  

• NATIONWIDE PUBLIC SCHOOL SEARCH & RATING COMPARISION

• NATIONWIDE PRIVATE SCHOOL SEARCH

• Institute of Education Sciences (IES) - National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) This site is a service offered by the NCES. The NCES is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data that are related to education in the United States and other nations. It consists of statistical information gathered on public and private schools, colleges and libraries.
  
  
• GEORGIA HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES:
  Statistics, Low Income Housing Assistance, Congressional Maps, School Data, County Satellite Maps and local real estate resources.
  
  
• Georgia Public Policy Foundation - School/Education Report Cards:
  Intended to provide accountability for all of Georgia's education system from prekindergarten through postsecondary levels. Each school is reviewed annually in a 'report card' that contains test results and other information about school performance.
  
  
• Georgia's Department of Education
  This web site, provided by the Georgia Department Of Education, offers extensive coverage of the State Board of Education plans; curricula in elementary, middle and high schools; and demographic profile and performance data associated with every public school in Georgia.