What You Need to Know

What You Need to Know Before Making Reservations

Programming

• All education programs meet Georgia Performance Standards (GPS).
• All schools must sign up for an education program.
• Instructor-Led Education Experience: $12 per student (includes 4D Theater and self-guided main aquarium)
• Aqua Adventure Self-Guided Experience: $11 per student
• Adults can not substitute for absentee students.  

Chaperone Policy - NEW

• Chaperones includes all adults.
• Chaperones must be at least 18 years of age.
• Grades Pre-K through 2nd: 1 free adult per every 5 students.
• Grades 3rd through 12th: 1 free adult per every 10 students (adults include teachers).
• With advance notice additional adults may include paraprofessionals and school nurses.
• Additional adults beyond a paraprofessional or school nurse must be pre-approved and will be charged a $23.50 admission rate.
• Instructor-Led Education Experience approved additional adults will not be allowed to attend the 45-minute instructional program. All additional adults, not pre-approved, will be charged the regular $27 admission rate.  
• Your educational program will be taught according to the grade level for which you register. Each program is aligned with the grade-appropriate objectives and Georgia Performance Standards. If your students function at a lower or higher grade level than their actual grade, our educators are able to adjust the curriculum to meet the specific needs of your students.

Bus Information - NEW

• Bus parking is $25 per bus.
• Bus drivers will be given a complimentary admission ticket.

Lunch - NEW

• We offer reserved lunch seating for up to125 people. In order to reserve lunch space at the Aquarium,  call 404.581.4000 to reserve your spot.
• Lunch seating is located in the rotunda, above Café Aquaria.
• You are allotted 25 minutes to eat and 5 minutes for clean up. Groups should only arrive 5 minutes early.
• Groups with more than 125 people will not be permitted to reserve multiple lunch times.
• Adults and students are required to bring a sack lunch.
• Georgia Aquarium lunch staff will transport lunches to the rotunda.
• After lunch, you are responsible for transporting coolers to the information desk for holding until you exit the building.
• Catered food delivered to the aquarium is not permitted. 

Reservations and Payments

•  Complete the checklist below before making your reservation. (This checklist is not your reservation.)
• Reservations must be made at least thirty days prior to your visit. 
• Reservations made within 30 days require full payment at time reservation is made. Payment can be made by credit card online or via telephone. 
• $100 non-refundable deposit per date is required at time of reservation with a credit card.
• Reservations made with a school check or money order will be booked upon receipt of check or money order, and dates are subject to availability.
• Deposit checks along with three date options are to be mailed to 225 Baker Street, NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, Attention: Education Department.
• The balance is due thirty days prior to your confirmed visit date.
• Third-party bookings require the contact information for the teacher only.
• Date changes to your reservation must be made no later than three weeks prior to your confirmed visit date.
• If you are applying for admission through the Sponsored Education Admissions program, do not make a reservation. All deposits are non-refundable. And you will forfeit your deposit should you not be awarded sponsorship.
• All payments are non-refundable.
• Balance due for Instructor-Led Education programs is thirty (30) days prior to visit date.
• Balance due for Aqua Adventure programs is two (2) weeks prior to visit date.
• If mailing a school check or money order, it must reach us on or before the balance due date.
• Please reference your order number on the check or money order.
• You must present your reservation confirmation upon arrival. 
  
  The reservation checklist outlines some questions you should be ready to answer prior to making your reservation. Click here to print out a pdf of the checklist.

Instructor-Led Education Experience Details:

• Programs begin Aug. 17, 2009 and end May 21, 2010. 
• Programs operate Monday through Friday only.
• Programs are scheduled at 9:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
• You must present your reservation confirmation number upon request.
• Schools are asked to arrive 15 minutes early. Schools that arrive late will join the programs already in progress. Programs will end at scheduled time.
• Programs are available for students Pre-K through 12th grade.
• There are 6 available groups per time slot.
• Group size: Minimum - 20, Maximum - 30
• Maximum number of students per time slot is 180. (If you are bringing more than 180 students, teachers must book mulitple dates.)
• All chaperones must be at least 18 years of age.
• Adult ratio is 1 adult per 5 students in grades Pre-K - 2, and 1 adult per 10 students in grades 3-10. Adults within the ratio receive free admission.
• Adult ratio includes all teachers.
• Requests for additional adults must be pre-approved.

Click here for Instructor-Led Education Experience Policies and Procedures.

Aqua Adventure Education Experience Details:

• Programs begin Aug. 10, 2009 and end May 21, 2010. 
• Programs operate Monday through Friday only.
• Programs are scheduled on the hour during normal operating hours.
• Programs are available for students Pre-K - 12th grade
• Adult ratio is 1 adult per 5 students in grades Pre-K - 2, and 1 adult per 10 students in grades 3-10. Adults receive free admission.
• Requests for additional adults must be pre-approved.
• Additional adults will be required to pay the discounted rate of $23.50

Click here for Aqua Adventure Experience Policies and Procedures.

Group Size Per Time Slot:

• There is a minimum group size of 20 students.
• Maximum number of students is 180, divided into groups of no more than 30.