The MDE School officially opened an expanded playground on its East Cobb campus, welcoming dozens of family members, faculty, and supporters for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event capped the school’s annual Days of Giving campaign, which helped fund the project.
Designed and built by Playground Creations, the expanded playground features sensory play elements, safe climbing zones, and spaces where students can interact and socialize. Company owner Ken Erdoes said the design encourages curiosity, adventure, and socialization while maintaining strict safety standards.
School founder and CEO Mindy Elkan said the new outdoor space will provide students with opportunities to learn, socialize, and exercise.
“This is a way for our students to learn, socialize, and get some exercise at the same time,” Elkan said. “It has become an important part of their daily routine, and our faculty has done a great job integrating it into their daily lesson plans.”
Parents also welcomed the addition, saying the playground will be a valuable part of their children’s school day.
“She’s already enjoying it,” said Tyler Breaman, an MDE father, as his daughter played on the new equipment. “She’s been running around with her friends, checking out all the new things. I imagine playground time will become the highlight of her day.”
Founded in 2009, the MDE School serves children with learning disabilities and developmental differences through personalized instruction, on-campus therapy, and a supportive community that celebrates neurodiversity. The school now serves more than 125 students through small classes, individualized instruction, and evidence-based teaching strategies.
MDE’s kindergarten-through-eighth-grade program is accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission Inc., reflecting its commitment to educational standards and quality instruction for students with learning differences.NOTE: Image of ribbon cutting features MDE Board Members Ted Kallgren and Art Cohen holding the ribbon while Dr. Estonna Wells-Jarrett assists MDE Founder and CEO Mindy Elkan.The playground is named after Dr. Wells-Jarrett’s daughter Alexis Jarrett, a long time student who died in 2018.
