Newnan High School (Peachtree City: homes, school district, college)

[cool_mommy]

My husband and I have fallen in love with a subdivision in Newnan (as well as a few other homes in the area). The only problem is the high school, which is Newnan High School.

I have checked the state of Georgia's education web site as well as school matters (Standard and Poors service) and greatschools.net. When looking at these web sites Newnan High School looks pretty good on "paper".

Here is my dilemma. During our last visit we spoke with many different people in the areas we were looking at. The general feeling was to stay away from Newnan High and to concentrate on Northgate High School. I was even told stories about parents who pulled their children from Newnan.

This was only a handful of the population. I would really appreciate hearing from residents in the area who can offer more insight into Newnan High School.

Is it safe? Do they have a no tolerance rule when it comes to harrassment? Are the classes overcrowded? (They don't appear to be on paper). Is there any gang activity? On paper the test scores seem pretty good. Does anyone feel that their children are not challenged enough?

And anything else that anyone, student, parent, neighbor, teacher would like to share would be greatly appreciated. I would hate to dismiss homes that we really like just because they are in the Newnan High district if these stories are unfounded. I'm going to call the school itself as well.

[Mandy14]

I am a graduate of Newnan High School and as far as I am concerned it was the best high school around! Of course, my judgement could be slanted! Also that was 7 years ago! I had excellent teachers who cared and there were tons of extra curricular activities! People from all walks of life went to the school, from all backgrounds. I think it was important to have that, so that I didnt grow up as ignorant as others might have. I guess I dont know how things are there now though. Sorry I cant help much!

[pomartini]

I have no experience with the high school but I can tell you that I was told the same thing - from many different people (including a lady who had put all her children thru NHS and experienced its decline first hand) when we moved here 8 months ago. We ended up in the Northgate district.

[cool_mommy]

Well, thank you for the feedback. We did end up in the Newnan High School district. I have met many people with kids who are either in attendance or have attended and I have found that it is a good school. They recently posted the test scores and Northgate and Newnan were only one point apart and in the same range as Peachtree City. IMO that was good news.

[Tdiddy0027]

Northgate is considered the best high school in Coweta but as a current senior at Newnan High I can tell you that it is great! The high school has been around for over 50 years and in well instilled into the community- we frequently use downtown Newnan for our events. The teachers are great, many have been at the school for decades like the infamous Barbara Landreth- she will whip your kids into shape. (trust me, I know) The gifted and AP programs are great with teachers who really know that material and teach the kids at the level they are on. There are also great teachers in the special ed department that help lower level kids truly reach their potential. The school spirit is unbelievable, especially when the football team does well. Diversity is good too.

the cons- the school is very big and has a lot of kids but it is well managed. There are also fights every now and then. gang activity might exist but it has never caused a problem at the school is there is any of that presence here.

[reneecarpenter]

I graduated before you were born probably but I can still diagram a sentence thanks to the tutelage of a fine english instructor, Barbara Landreth! I graduated, went on to college and before "becoming" a stay at home mom, had a great career. Most of my friends returned back "home" after college and have had successful careers in the town as well as raising their kids in the same town they grew up in. That says it all to me
I'm not in GA anymore but we moved a few years back and I wanted that same feeling as I remembered having in Newnan. I'm sure you made the best choice!

[cool_mommy]

Thanks for the positive feedback! I feel comfortable with our decision.