Smyrna Elementary Schools: Nickajack or King Springs? (Atlanta, Sandy Springs: neighborhoods, pros and cons)

[AtlantaBound18]

Hello,

I've read through the relocation threads and sifted through the school threads. Specifically, I'm looking for the pros and cons of King Springs Elementary vs. Nickajack. I plan to relocate from CA to Smyrna/Vinings, Brookhaven or lastly Sandy Springs. My housing choice is largely based on diverse schools with strong academics hopefully STEAM classes and various enrichment options. By diverse (because this means something different to everyone), I mean diversity in socio-economics and a balanced population with over 20% African American children. I don't want my children going to a school where any one race is the overwhelming majority, even if that race was their own. Smyrna and Brookhaven seem to have some great options. I'm still learning about Sandy Springs. Can anyone please help me compare these two schools? Any other insight is appreciated. I also don't want to be too far from the city. Thanks for all responses!

[whodean]

https://schoolgrades.georgia.gov/nic...mentary-school

Go to the "Compare to Other Schools/Districts:" to see a comparison of measurables directly from the state dept. of Ed.

[AtlantaBound18]

Very helpful website. Thank you!

[caragitana]

I relocated from the South Bay area some years ago.
My daughter attended King Springs over 10yrs ago and it was a great school then and continues to be today.
It meets all of your requirements. Diverse, great scores and a STEM program.

I like the area of Brookhaven & Sandy Springs because of its proximity to the city and shopping but
I do not know anything about the schools.

[JoeP]

Both are good schools and all Smyrna area schools (well the public ones) are diverse.

Brookhaven and Sandy Springs are considerably more expensive BTW.

[AtlantaBound18]

Thanks everyone. I'm somewhat nervous about Sandy Springs being a little "stiff" so I'm leaning toward Smyrna or Brookhaven as I'm from Los Angeles. It's so difficult to learn about these schools outside of statistics and we all know that those aren't everything. I appreciate the responses and any personal experiences from schools in these areas even outside of those listed in my initial question.

[ekman243]

Originally Posted by AtlantaBound18

Thanks everyone. I'm somewhat nervous about Sandy Springs being a little "stiff" so I'm leaning toward Smyrna or Brookhaven as I'm from Los Angeles. It's so difficult to learn about these schools outside of statistics and we all know that those aren't everything. I appreciate the responses and any personal experiences from schools in these areas even outside of those listed in my initial question.

Don't forget Teasley in Smyrna which is an excellent school. Each one of the three Smyrna schools have active facebook sites and also active PTA facebook sites. Just join and befriend actual parents and teachers,all you will get on here is second and third party hearsay.

[wasel]

I don't have kids, but here in Brookhaven people love Montgomery Elementary. It is multiracial too. If you do a search on the site mentioned above be sure to select the Montgomery that's in DeKalb County, not Montgomery County.

[whodean]

Be very wary of The Dekalb County School System, even the better schools are under duress.

[AtlantaBound18]

Thanks everyone. I've been eyeing Teasley for some time but am confused by the somewhat low ratings on sites like Great Schools that conflict with positive parent reviews about strong academics. Can anyone provide history on the school or possible reasons why the disparity exists? I also notice that a lot of the elementary schools in the areas that I'm interested in such as Brookhaven. Smyrna and Sandy Springs are good but then the ratings really start to dip for middle and high school. Where do parents send their children at that time or what's the reason behind this?

Wasel- I love Brookhaven. If I can find anything good there under $625k, that's my first choice but I do really like Smyrna as well. It would be easier on my budget

One more question- Can you all please help me understand the proximity of Sandy Springs vs. Smyrna to the city? I'm still somewhat confused as to where neighborhoods/counties end and begin. I thought they were about the same distance in different directions. No? Thanks!