General Information & Schedules
Who runs Marietta Tamil School and what curriculum does it follow?
Marietta Tamil School is a non-profit, completely volunteer-run organization. It operates under the umbrella of the Greater Atlanta Tamil Sangam (GATS) and follows the standardized, multi-level language curriculum set forth by the International Tamil Academy (ITA), formerly known as the California Tamil Academy (CTA).
Where are classes and placement tests held?
Both classes and physical placement tests are held at the school campus facility:
Hightower Trail Middle School
3905 Post Oak Tritt Rd, Marietta, GA 30062.
What days and times do regular classes meet?
Classes meet every Friday evening during the regular academic school year according to this schedule:
● Preschool 1 & 2: 6:45 PM to 8:00 PM
● Kindergarten through 12th Grade: 6:45 PM to 8:45 PM
Registration & Tuition Fees
When does registration open and when do classes begin?
Registration officially opens online after mid-July, and the academic school year typically kicks off in mid-August.
Do returning students need to register every year?
Yes. Even if your child is a returning student, you must register them newly every single year in the ITA portal.
What are the required steps to complete enrollment?
You must complete the following steps sequentially:
Step 1 – Portal Registration: Log into the ITA Portal via the MTS registration page and complete the form.
Step 2 – Waiver Form: Sign the digital Waiver Form available on the school’s website (mandatory to attend classes or receive books).
Step 3 – Payment: Complete the tuition payment.
Do returning students need to register every year?
Yes. Even if your child is a returning student, you must register them newly every single year in the ITA portal.
Does filling out the pre-registration survey in April/May count as official registration?
No. The short survey sent out in April/May is strictly for facility and resource planning and does not count as official registration.
How do I pay the tuition fees? Can I pay by credit card in the portal?
Yes. You can pay your tuition fees directly through the ITA portal using a credit card. During registration, select “Credit Card” as your payment method. Please note that Bank (ACH) payments are not supported. If you select Bank (ACH), you will see the message: “Payment method not supported.”
Grade Levels & Age Requirements
At what age can my child start, and how are the younger tiers structured?
A: Children can start as early as 3.5 to 5 years old. Tiers are grouped based on their age as of September 1st of the academic year:
● Preschool – 1: 3 years old
● Preschool – 2 / Mazhalai: 3.5 to 4 years old
● Kindergarten / Nilai 1: children aged 5 and up
● Grade 1: 6 years old
● Advanced KG to Grade 1: first-time learners aged 7 and 8
Placement & Evaluation Testing
Who is required to take a placement test?
* New Students (Aged 6 and Older): A placement test is mandatory to evaluate their reading, writing, comprehension, and speaking/grammar skills so they are assigned to the correct grade level.
● Younger Students (Aged 5 and Under): No placement test is required. They are automatically placed into foundational tiers based on age.
● First-Time Learners (Aged 7 and Above): No evaluation is required if they have no prior background; they are automatically placed into Grade 1 based on their learning skills.
Do returning students need to take a placement test every year?
No. Returning students naturally advance sequentially to the next grade. However, if a returning student wishes to challenge or skip a grade level (and has scored above 95%), they may request an evaluation. This option is limited to once per academic school year.
Can my child take the placement test before we register?
No. A student must be fully registered in the ITA portal before they are allowed to sign up for or sit for a placement evaluation.
When are placement tests scheduled, and how long do they take?
Placement tests take approximately 45 to 60 minutes. They are held on a designated weekend afternoon in late July or early August before regular classes begin. For families with unavoidable conflicts, a single makeup date is typically scheduled for the following weekend.
Can parents stay in the room with the student during the test?
No. Parents are strictly prohibited from entering the testing area or classrooms to ensure a fair and distraction-free environment. Students must be dropped off with the test proctors.
What materials does my child need to bring to the placement test?
Students do not need to bring notebooks, paper, or pencils. All necessary testing and writing materials are provided by the school.
How long does it take to get placement test results, and can I see the scored paper?
Results are processed internally within 24 hours. However, exact test scores, percentages, and physical exam papers are kept strictly confidential to maintain long-term testing integrity. Parents will receive a direct notification of the finalized grade placement.
Why does the portal show an incorrect grade for my new student?
The portal displays a temporary placeholder grade for new students until the placement test is completed and processed. An administrator will manually update the correct grade once results are ready.
Books & Materials Distribution
When are regular textbooks distributed?
Book distribution is held on a designated weekend shortly before school starts (typically early August).
What is required to pick up my child's books?
You must have completed both your digital waiver form and tuition payment before the designated cutoff night to collect books.
What happens if I miss the book distribution day?
You will have to wait until the first week of school to pick them up, meaning your child may have to attend their very first class without textbooks.
Homework, Assessments, & Report Cards
How can parents access weekly homework and look at model question papers?
Parents can log directly into the ITA portal, navigate to Parent Access ➔ Child Resources info, and look under Other information to view weekly lesson plans, digital worksheets, syllabi, and model question papers.
For more information click here.
How do testing and assessments differ by grade?
* KG & Grade 1: Students complete weekly review worksheets. They have no monthly tests, only a final exam at the end of the year.
● Grade 1 & Grades 2–8: Students have 5 monthly tests (conducted every 4th week, worth 20 marks each, containing written and oral portions) and 2 projects. They also have 1 cumulative final exam.
What happens if a student misses a scheduled monthly test?
If a student is absent on a test week, they can take a makeup test the following week. No further makeups are offered, and students are limited to one makeup test per year.
How is the final grade calculated for Advanced KG and Grade 2?
The final grade report is weighted as follows:
● Attendance: 5%
● Homework: 15%
● Class Participation: 5%
● Conversation: 5%
● Average of Monthly Quizzes/Tests: 50%
● Final Exam: 20%
Note: For More information, please refer to the Student Handbook.
Attendance & Tardy Policies
How are attendance marks distributed each week?
Attendance counts for 5 points/marks maximum each week:
● Full Attendance: 5 Marks
● Tardy: 3.5 Marks (arriving more than 15 minutes late or leaving more than 15 minutes early)
● Absent: 0 Marks (students also receive 0 points for class participation/conversation on days they are absent).
How is the final grade calculated for Advanced KG and Grade 2?
The final grade report is weighted as follows:
● Attendance: 5%
● Homework: 15%
● Class Participation: 5%
● Conversation: 5%
● Average of Monthly Quizzes/Tests: 50%
● Final Exam: 20%
Note: For More information, please refer to the Student Handbook.
What should I do if my child will be absent from a Friday night class?
Parents must submit an online Absence Notification form via the school website prior to Friday evening so the teacher can plan accordingly.
Parent Responsibilities & Facility Rules
What supplies must my child bring to class every Friday?
To minimize material sharing, every student must bring their own dedicated notebook, sharpened pencils, an eraser, and their provided school textbooks.
What are the drop-off and pick-up rules for parents?
* Assembly: Students must be in the cafeteria by 7:00 PM. Parents are not allowed in the building during assembly or class sessions.
● Preschool & KG: These classes do not have an assembly. Parents must drop them off directly in their classrooms, ensuring a teacher is physically present first.
● Pick-up Times: Preschool parents may enter the building at 8:00 PM for pickup. Parents of all other grades may enter at 8:30 PM. You must personally pick them up outside their classroom.
What is the food and beverage policy at the facility?
Food and colored beverages are completely forbidden in the classrooms. Only water is allowed. Please ensure your child finishes snacks, drinks water, and uses the restroom before checking into class.
What behavior policies must students follow to protect the host school's property?
Because MTS leases a public facility, strict property rules apply:
● Running, shouting, or horseplay is strictly prohibited; absolute silence must be maintained in the corridors during class.
● Students must never touch, alter, or write on the host middle school teachers’ whiteboards, desks, or markers, and must not sit at the teacher’s desk.
● Students must never tamper with, disconnect, or adjust any electrical, power, or network data cables connected to classroom computers, projectors, or smartboards.
Who should I contact for help or questions?
General inquiries, suggestions, or facility concerns: contact@mariettatamilschool.org
Enrollment questions, registration, or tracking issues: registration@mariettatamilschool.org
Contact class teacher’s official email for any questions regarding class related inquires.
What are the early pick-up rules for parents?
Preschool & KG: Parents may pick up their child after 7:45 PM. Children picked up at or after 7:45 PM will be marked present for attendance. Children picked up before 7:45 PM will be marked absent.
All Other Classes: Parents may pick up their child after 8:15 PM. Children picked up at or after 8:15 PM will be marked present for attendance. Children picked up before 8:15 PM will be marked absent.
Volunteer Information
How can individuals volunteer at Marietta Tamil School?
If you or your friends are interested in volunteering for teaching, as a teacher-assistant, or in general, send an email to contact@mariettatamilschool.org
How do I submit a volunteer absence?
If you are an existing volunteer and will be absent, please submit your volunteer absence request using the link Volunteer Absence Form
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