Druid Hills Middle School? (Decatur, Lilburn: renting, how much, houses)

[jeoff]

Anyone know anything about Druid Hills Middle School? What I've heard and read, has not been very good, but I would like more information, especially from parents with kids there. Does being in the gifted program make much of a difference?
Thanks

[lastminutemom]

I think being gifted helps, but I am not sure by how much. What elementary school have your children attended?

[jeoff]

Our kids attend Camp Creek Elementary in Lilburn, which is a great school (and, honestly, i have enjoyed renting a home in the area, much more than i expected), but our work and a lot of our activities are intown, so we are considering moving closer in.

[lastminutemom]

I always recommend visiting -- will you still have one in elementary school as well? In that feeder pattern, the elementary schools (with the exception of Fernbank, and I think it is overrated) aren't generally described as great.

I also think DeKalb is not out of the woods and probably won't be, well forever?

Have you considered Inman Middle?

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by lastminutemom

I always recommend visiting -- will you still have one in elementary school as well? In that feeder pattern, the elementary schools (with the exception of Fernbank, and I think it is overrated) aren't generally described as great.

I also think DeKalb is not out of the woods and probably won't be, well forever?

Have you considered Inman Middle?

My thought as well when I read this, lmm.

[jeoff]

We have been mostly looking in the Grady cluster, Decatur, and Lilburn (and a little bit in Lakeside). Just the Druid Hills Cluster is the most convenient for us, and less expensive in some places. Mostly, I just wanted to know if there is more to the story than what I have read on the net, and what I have heard from a couple of teachers, who do not teach at the school. (Last year DHMS was the only school that was unable to schedule me a tour. Guess I wi try again.).

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by lastminutemom

I always recommend visiting -- will you still have one in elementary school as well? In that feeder pattern, the elementary schools (with the exception of Fernbank, and I think it is overrated) aren't generally described as great.

I also think DeKalb is not out of the woods and probably won't be, well forever?

Have you considered Inman Middle?

Isn't Laurel Ridge Elementary decently-regarded in that cluster/area as well?

It's a full feeder to Druid Hills Middle and Druid Hills High.

[lastminutemom]

Originally Posted by jeoff

We have been mostly looking in the Grady cluster, Decatur, and Lilburn (and a little bit in Lakeside). Just the Druid Hills Cluster is the most convenient for us, and less expensive in some places. Mostly, I just wanted to know if there is more to the story than what I have read on the net, and what I have heard from a couple of teachers, who do not teach at the school. (Last year DHMS was the only school that was unable to schedule me a tour. Guess I wi try again.).

I am not sure there is more to it than that. DeKalb really is a mess and schools like DHMS suffer because they don't have a parental population strong enough to make up for the problems in the system -- plus a big part of the most affluent parents pull their kids out before middle school.

Originally Posted by aries4118

Isn't Laurel Ridge Elementary decently-regarded in that cluster/area as well?

It's a full feeder to Druid Hills Middle and Druid Hills High.

A lot depends on what people are looking for.

DeKalb is having a hard time holding on to quality teachers and my sense is that the Druid Hills cluster was hit really hard last year with teachers leaving. (This is part of what motivated the folks that are leading the effort to convert the cluster into a charter cluster.)

Jeoff, You need to visit the school. I think Henderson Middle is probably stronger as it has a (slightly) stronger parent base and more community support.

[jeoff]

Originally Posted by lastminutemom

I am not sure there is more to it than that. DeKalb really is a mess and schools like DHMS suffer because they don't have a parental population strong enough to make up for the problems in the system -- plus a big part of the most affluent parents pull their kids out before middle school.



A lot depends on what people are looking for.

DeKalb is having a hard time holding on to quality teachers and my sense is that the Druid Hills cluster was hit really hard last year with teachers leaving. (This is part of what motivated the folks that are leading the effort to convert the cluster into a charter cluster.)

Jeoff, You need to visit the school. I think Henderson Middle is probably stronger as it has a (slightly) stronger parent base and more community support.

I liked Henderson when I visited, but I am just not seeing enough advantages over Lilburn. The commute is not much better, the houses are more expensive, and the schools are not as good.
I really do appreciate the input.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by jeoff

I liked Henderson when I visited, but I am just not seeing enough advantages over Lilburn. The commute is not much better, the houses are more expensive, and the schools are not as good.
I really do appreciate the input.

You may be making a wise decision to look in the area where you are already living.

I think the Parkview Cluster is a great location. It's relatively "close-in," it has excellent schools, and the area is beautiful with lots of amenities/conveniences.