Just six months after families of students at Brandon Hall School in Sandy Springs were notified that the school was closing its doors, Atlanta International School announced that it had bought the 25-acre campus on the banks of the Chattahoochee River.
The purchase of the property more than doubles the physical footprint of the Atlanta International School, which has occupied a 17-acre campus in the Garden Hills neighborhood of Buckhead since 1995. AIS will stay in that location while using the new campus to increase its student body and diversify its academic programming.
The Sandy Springs campus includes classrooms, large meeting spaces, laboratories, student dormitories, employee residential units, tennis courts, a gym, and playing field.
“AIS has grown exponentially since it was established nearly 40 years ago, and so we have been looking for additional space to accommodate the needs, ambitions, and passions of our growing student population. This acquisition will allow us to do just that,” said Kevin Glass, head of AIS. “As we begin this wonderful new era for the school and look towards the future, our mission and core values will remain unchanged.”
Glass added that “We now look forward to working closely with the River Gate Housing Association, the communities neighboring our new campus and Sandy Springs, to nurture an equally close relationship to the one we enjoy with our Garden Hills neighbors and Buckhead district.”
Scott Britton, chair of the AIS Board of Trustees, said that the expansion of the school’s physical space and facilities will enable the school to better fulfill its mission on a larger scale.
AIS is renowned for offering world-class language acquisition and immersion in Chinese, French, German, and Spanish. It serves more than 1,300 globally-minded students from pre-school to grade 12, from both the Atlanta area and around the world, representing more than 90 nationalities and 60 languages.
The Sandy Springs facility will fully open for boarding students grades 9-12 as of August 2025. AIS will offer a full international baccalaureate curriculum with middle years, diploma, and career-related programs. According to the school, the boarding program will offer an “enriching residential life, world-class IB academics, unparalleled college preparation, and an intentionally inclusive international community. We put language and culture at the heart of our mission, to ensure all students feel a true sense of belonging.”
With direct access to the Chattahoochee River, the property already hosted a summer camp and unique programs. It has expanded its AISx program for non-traditional education pathways students, such as student-athletes. AISx is the official high school educational provider for Atlanta United Football Club Development Academy players.
According to AIS, AISx is perfect for students who are seeking a flexible academic schedule, with both international baccalaureate and advanced placement courses offered, taught in person, virtually, or via asynchronous classes. With smaller class sizes and low teacher-to-student ratios, AISx students receive a highly personalized approach to academics and college counseling during their high school years. The classes are designed to meet students who are pursuing careers in sports or other specialties, or who require more flexibility.
In addition, AIS has announced a partnership between the Mouratoglou brand and its new facility in Sandy Springs. Patrick Mouratoglou is the legendary tennis coach of Serena Williams and mentor to many rising and leading professionals on tour. The partnership will provide students with both the AIS classroom experience as well as Mouratoglou’s guidance on the tennis court.
This will mark the first Mouratoglou Academy in Georgia, building on the successful centers and academies in Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Italy, China, Bali, Australia, and in the U.S., Florida, Texas, and soon New York.
AIS’ Glass said the new partnership offers “talented young tennis players exceptional and exciting opportunities, both in the classroom and on court, here on the Atlanta International School Sandy Springs Campus. Whether the student athletes are coming from here in Georgia or from anywhere around the world, with our new day and boarding programs, they will get the very best international baccalaureate education and be part of a welcoming international community of friends.”
According to Emily Hands, AIS director of marketing, currently 50 percent of AIS students are American passport holders, with the rest from international families. She mentioned that some families of current students live in Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell, or East Cobb and may find it difficult to travel to the Buckhead location, making the new Sandy Springs campus an appealing option.
Sandy Springs is a vibrant and growing city just north of Atlanta, Georgia. It’s where beautiful residential neighborhoods meet world-class amenities, and all within a short drive from downtown. If you’re looking for high-end shopping, you’re a foodie looking for your next culinary treat, or even an outdoor adventurer looking for a great place to get away in the woods, Sandy Springs has got you covered!
Sandy Springs offers plenty of community activities to go along with its quiet neighborhoods and beautiful homes. The Performing Arts Center and live music on the City Green at City Springs are just the beginning. There is a lot going on for residents and visitors alike.
