History

Chesterton Academy of Atlanta was founded in 2022 by Fr. Neil Dhabliwala, Pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, and Mrs. Charissa Saenz, Development Director for St. Catherine of Siena after several years of research and discernment with the goal of providing a faithful Catholic high school education for the students in our community as well as the surrounding areas.  After discovering the Chesterton Schools Network and their model for providing a first-rate Catholic classical education and formation, the Board of Directors made the decision to pursue a local Chesterton Academy school, taking the name Chesterton Academy of Atlanta.  

With the support of Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer, Archbishop of Atlanta, Chesterton Academy of Atlanta opened as an independent school on the campus of St. Catherine of Siena in the Fall of 2023 under the authority of our Board of Directors and under the direction of our first Headmaster, Mr. Taylor Bettencourt.  Our inaugural freshman class consisted of 10 students, and the following year, the student enrollment grew to 31 students, consisting of freshmen and sophomores.

The growth of our student body saw a need to expand our facilities, which occurred during the summer of 2024 with the addition of multi-stall bathrooms and several classrooms.  Additionally, after a successful completion of our first year, we began the process for accreditation and were able to achieve this distinction through the Georgia Independent Schools Association in December of 2024 and are in the process of obtaining accreditation through Cognia as well.

For more information about the founding of our school, please see the letter here from Fr. Neil Dhabliwala introducing the school to the parish community.