Schools in Powder Springs (Marietta, Austell: transfer, elementary schools, zoned)

[Tina224]

Let's talk about schools in Powder Springs. The school my child is zoned for is well below average. Quite a few of my neighbors and friends in the area are either sending their kids to private schools or have transferred them to public schools.

Does anyone know much about Varner, Kemp, Still or Vaughan Elementary? What about some of the nearby schools in Marietta (Cheatham Hill) and Austell? How are kids who transferred to those schools treated? Which ones are easy to transfer into? How are African American kids treated? I definitely wouldn't want my child to be in a hostile environment and would want the school to be a place where my child could thrive.

[atlantagreg30127]

If you haven't done so already - there is a thread at the top of the forum devoted to school topics. You can most likely use the search feature within that thread to find info on the schools in question: //www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...-one-keep.html

[Tina224]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

If you haven't done so already - there is a thread at the top of the forum devoted to school topics. You can most likely use the search feature within that thread to find info on the schools in question: //www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...-one-keep.html

Thanks. I just typed in some key words and this hasn't been covered there--at least not yet.

[calysa02]

Hi Tina, I have been hearing the same thing. We are very new to the area and my child will be zoned for Powder Springs Elem. Shes not school age just yet, but there is a concern regarding school performance. Help!

[suprascooby22]

Originally Posted by Tina224

Let's talk about schools in Powder Springs. The school my child is zoned for is well below average. Quite a few of my neighbors and friends in the area are either sending their kids to private schools or have transferred them to public schools.

Does anyone know much about Varner, Kemp, Still or Vaughan Elementary? What about some of the nearby schools in Marietta (Cheatham Hill) and Austell? How are kids who transferred to those schools treated? Which ones are easy to transfer into? How are African American kids treated? I definitely wouldn't want my child to be in a hostile environment and would want the school to be a place where my child could thrive.

The elementary schools you mentioned are literally the ONLY white elementary schools in the area except Varner which I am not familar with. If you are concerned there are LOTS of majority black schools in the area. Basically any except the 3 out of 4 you mentioned and who knows maybe Varner is majority white too.

[Tina224]

Originally Posted by suprascooby22

The elementary schools you mentioned are literally the ONLY white elementary schools in the area except Varner which I am not familar with. If you are concerned there are LOTS of majority black schools in the area. Basically any except the 3 out of 4 you mentioned and who knows maybe Varner is majority white too.

Actually, the vast majority of teachers and staff members in Cobb Co. schools are white--about 80%--and that's even at the majority black schools.

[Tina224]

Originally Posted by calysa02

Hi Tina, I have been hearing the same thing. We are very new to the area and my child will be zoned for Powder Springs Elem. Shes not school age just yet, but there is a concern regarding school performance. Help!

Hi Calysa,

I don't get the sense that the underperforming schools in Powder Springs will get better. I think what's happening now is a lot of people are pulling their children, so that leaves behind children with less involved parents who often are disadvantaged economically. I don't really have an answer now other than to say I am looking into charter schools, private schools, or transferring my child to another nearby public school. Have you started looking into any options?

[suprascooby22]

Originally Posted by Tina224

Actually, the vast majority of teachers and staff members in Cobb Co. schools are white--about 80%--and that's even at the majority black schools.

That is very true but we are talking about the student enrollment NOT the race of the teachers at said schools.

[calysa02]

Originally Posted by Tina224

Hi Calysa,

I don't get the sense that the underperforming schools in Powder Springs will get better. I think what's happening now is a lot of people are pulling their children, so that leaves behind children with less involved parents who often are disadvantaged economically. I don't really have an answer now other than to say I am looking into charter schools, private schools, or transferring my child to another nearby public school. Have you started looking into any options?

I am just doing my research and plan to visit next year, praying that theres improvement in her zoned public schools :-(. However, I will continue to research the private and Montessori schools in the area. The couple of charter schools in the area just don't appeal to me, personally. My husband and I really want to be involved in our child's school. I don't want to label or anything, but my daughter is being considered to be "bright" for her age and I only want to encourage her fast pace of learning, not hinder it with a lower performing school. Race does not matter to me, its more so about how students are performing.

[JAS]

My child attends Kemp, which is a very good school.