History

The Heiskell School was founded in 1949 as an answer to prayer.
 
In the fall of 1948 doctors told Miriam and Jim Heiskell the devastating news: Their five-year-old son was in a coma, his once-energetic body and vibrant spirit paralyzed by polio.

Young Andy Heiskell was not expected to live through the night. If he did survive, it was unlikely he would ever walk again. Kneeling in prayer, Andy’s family fervently asked God to use this debilitating illness to His glory. Miraculously, Andy defied medical odds and not only survived, he fully recovered and later thrived as a champion high school and college track star. Indeed, the family’s heartfelt prayer was answered.

In the summer of 1949, as Andy continued his amazing recovery, Miriam Heiskell established a small preschool in her home which provided an opportunity for Andy to learn and play with other children after months of isolation. And so began The Heiskell School, a dynamic Christian school in northwest Atlanta where students are nurtured spiritually while being challenged to excel academically.

Offering an independent, nondenominational preschool education since 1949, the school opened its doors to elementary and junior high students two decades later. Today the school enrolls boys and girls in its preschool (two years through prefirst), elementary school (first through fifth grades) and junior high (sixth grade through eighth grade) programs.

Using an innovative blend of traditional and modern methodologies, the school provides a teacher-directed education that integrates the Word of God into everyday academic studies, instilling leadership qualities and developing the strength of character that provides the foundation for a successful future as followers of Christ and “lights of the world”.

“Our fundamental objective is that every child knows Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior,” states Miriam Heiskell, who now serves as Director Emeritus. “Our teachers model their own faith in Jesus Christ in their daily interactions with the children entrusted to their care.”

Mrs. Heiskell’s daughter, Cyndie, who assumed the role of Director in 2001 adds, “Every child is valued for who he or she is by the faculty and staff of the school. We are all here to pour our lives into the students and to build a strong foundation for academic achievement in a compassionate, family-like atmosphere. As we look to the future, we will continue Heiskell’s tradition of providing an education with the highest academic standards that is lovingly integrated with Biblical principles.”

For more than 50 years countless young lives have been impacted for Jesus Christ through The Heiskell School. “I could have no greater joy,” states Miriam Heiskell. “To have a life-shattering experience become such a blessing to others is truly a gift from God. We are grateful to Him for what He has done.”