About Mental Fitness STEAM Academy in Atlanta, GA
Who We Are
Mental Fitness STEAM Academy was founded by educator John Childs with one clear goal: to make high-quality after-school and camp programming accessible, equitable, and transformative.
Our team of trained Innovators are hand-picked for their passion, professionalism, and ability to connect with students. We are proud to be a nonprofit organization that reinvests in our programs, our people, and the families we serve.
Our blended curriculum combines:
Founder-developed educational models
Proven STEAM and project-based learning techniques
Social-emotional growth strategies
Together, we create a powerful environment for learning that prepares students not just for school, but for life.
Our Philosophy
We believe that education doesn’t stop when the school bell rings. Children learn best when they are engaged, supported, and inspired, which is why our programs are built around three key pillars:
STEM and project-based activities that challenge students to think critically and creatively.
Social-emotional education, movement, art, and play support every aspect of your child’s growth.
We create a sense of belonging through inclusive events and parent partnerships.
About Our Atlanta Locations
When you visit us here at Mental Fitness STEAM Academy, you’ll see firsthand what makes us different!
What makes our locations stand out:
STEAM-Focused Learning Spaces
Our facilities are equipped with hands-on activity stations, creative materials, and tech tools that bring science, technology, engineering, arts, and math to life. Students engage in meaningful, project-based experiences every single day.
Social-Emotional Learning is Embedded
Our curriculum isn’t just academic. Every child receives intentional lessons in self-awareness, empathy, and relationship-building, giving them the tools they need to navigate life with confidence and care.
Community Connection
We regularly host family events, community meetups, and student showcases to build strong relationships between school, home, and the neighborhoods we serve.
Healthy Meals and Snacks Included
We provide nutritious meals and snacks each day, ensuring students are fueled and focused for their afternoon adventures.
Secure and Supportive Environment
From our Brightwheel communication system to our highly trained Innovators, everything we do is built around safety, structure, and transparency. Parents stay in the loop with real-time updates, and students feel supported in every step of their learning journey.
Get Our Free Parent Pack
We’d love to send you a FREE parent pack, full of helpful information about Mental Fitness STEAM Academy…
About Our Team
The Mental Fitness STEAM Academy family includes a diverse team of passionate educators who are committed to your child’s success.
What to Expect from Mental Fitness STEAM Academy
When your child joins us, you can expect more than a program—you can expect a transformational experience.
Here’s what families love most about Mental Fitness:
Before School Drop-Off Program at our Union City location, from 6:30 am
Engaging after-school care from 2:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Fun and enriching holiday and summer camps
Weekly STEAM projects, field trips, and themed events
Compassionate Innovators who guide, teach, and inspire
Transparent communication via Brightwheel
Family events, student showcases, and a true sense of community
From academic support to character development, Mental Fitness STEAM Academy helps children discover who they are and who they can become.
Building Future Innovators Through Mental Fitness & the Innovation EngineTM
At Mental Fitness STEAM Academy , we believe the future belongs to children who can think critically, adapt confidently, solve problems creatively, and lead with emotional intelligence.
Founded by educator John Childs, Mental Fitness was created to transform traditional childcare into something far more powerful: an educational enrichment experience that intentionally develops both the mind and the person.
At the center of everything we do is our signature MF21 Innovation EngineTM, a proprietary instructional operating system that integrates STEM education, Mental FitnessTM, and hands-on learning into one structured approach.
This is not a curriculum that children simply participate in.
It is a process they learn to own.
Every lesson, every project, every challenge, and every enrichment experience follows the same proven cycle that teaches children how to think, create, adapt, and communicate with confidence.
The Innovation EngineTM : How We Teach
Unlike traditional programs that focus only on activities, our Innovation EngineTM provides a consistent framework that children learn to use every day.
Through five intentional phases, students become active innovators rather than passive learners.
1. Ignite
Children begin with a real-world challenge that sparks curiousity and imagination.
2. Explore
Students investigate ideas through research, collaboration, vocabulary development, and guided discovery.
3. Build
Children apply their academic skills to create, design, and engineer solutions.
4. Test
Students evaluate outcomes, embrace feedback, strengthen resilience, and learn that mistakes are an important part of growth.
5. Launch
Children present their ideas, communicate their thinking, and celebrate their progress with confidence.
Mental Fitness + STEM =
Future-Ready Learners
Our approach intentionally combines STEM education with Mental Fitness because we believe children need both academic skills and emotional strength to thrive.
As students move through the Innovation EngineTM,
they develop:
Critical thinking and problem-solving
Creativity and innovation
Emotional resilience
Collaboration and teamwork
Communication confidence
Leadership skills
Adaptability and perseverance
These are the skills that prepare children for school, future careers, and life beyond the classroom.
Schedule a Tour at Mental Fitness STEAM Academy
The best way to discover what makes Mental Fitness STEAM Academy special is to see it firsthand. We provide engaging and interactive tours at our Union CIty location daily. We look forward to meeting you soon and getting to know you and your child more!
LOCATIONS
We invite you to explore our after-school programs and see how we can make a difference in your child's educational journey.
Union City Location
5064 Harris Street, Union City, GA
Chatt Hills Location