Public Schools in Buckhead Area (Atlanta, Dunwoody: house, middle school, living in)

[mom2max]

We are planning to move from the 'burbs to the Buckhead area. Can anybody tell us what the schools are like? We do not want to spend the money on private schools if there are good public schools in the area. The schools that are in the area - Garden Hills Elementary, Morris Brandon Elementary School, Warren T. Jackson Elementary and Margaret Mitchell Elementary. Any help would be great.

[lastminutemom]

How old is your child? Are you already in Atlanta?

If so, I might take a day or two and make appointments and go visit each of the schools.

Did you exclude Sarah Smith for any particular reason? I am also not sure there is a Margaret Mitchell elementary school.

What I might value in a school might be very different than you. For example, we wanted a school that was child centered and not overly enthusiastic about their school wide test scores (we know our kids are bright and will test well, we want them to love to learn.) But there are plenty of people who feel differently, that want much structure and rigor even as young as kindergarten. We wanted diversity but others don't.

All this to say, that if you are a parent, it is important to visit and shop for your child's school. Figure out your values and go from there.

[yankeegirl73]

And although I hear more encouraging reports of late, look closely at Sutton Middle and N. Atlanta High if you are planning on staying with public schools. The Grady cluster seems more consistent K-12.

[mom2max]

lasminutemom- We are currently living in Dunwoody and would like to move closer to the city. My son is 5. He will be starting K this year. Where are your children going?

[SoBuKev]

You also left out Eretus Rivers (usually called E. Rivers) Elementary.....it's at the corner of P'tree Battle and P'tree.

All of the schools are fine schools, some just have lower score averages because of their respective demographics.

I am a product of Rivers/Sutton/N.Fulton (N. Fulton no longer exists - merged with the old Northside High to form N. Atlanta)

[cmtiger]

If you want consistently good intown schools... meaning excellent from K all the way through 12th, you need to be looking either in the Grady cluster (Morningside Elementary, Mary Lin Elementary, Inman Middle, Grady High) or in the City of Decatur (Clairemont Elementary, Oakhurst Elementary, Winnona Park Elementary, Glennwood Academy, Renfroe Middle, Decatur High). Buckhead is great for elementary and getting better for middle school. High school up there still has a ways to go though.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by cmtiger

If you want consistently good intown schools... meaning excellent from K all the way through 12th, you need to be looking either in the Grady cluster (Morningside Elementary, Mary Lin Elementary, Inman Middle, Grady High) or in the City of Decatur (Clairemont Elementary, Oakhurst Elementary, Winnona Park Elementary, Glennwood Academy, Renfroe Middle, Decatur High). Buckhead is great for elementary and getting better for middle school. High school up there still has a ways to go though.

Don't forget to include the new reliever elementary that will also feed into Inman and Grady.

[cmtiger]

Yep aries, I thought about that, but I couldn't figure out how to describe it without typing my delicate little fingers to the bone. Yes, there will be a new elementary near Mary Lin and Morningside that will house the kids that sort of live between the two schools. My expectation is that it will be a great elementary school. Do they have a name for it yet?

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by cmtiger

Yep aries, I thought about that, but I couldn't figure out how to describe it without typing my delicate little fingers to the bone. Yes, there will be a new elementary near Mary Lin and Morningside that will house the kids that sort of live between the two schools. My expectation is that it will be a great elementary school. Do they have a name for it yet?

I'm not sure if they do have a name yet...I tried looking after making that post yesterday...but I couldn't find anything.

I understand about "typing...to the bone"...there are many times where I don't respond or expand on here because I just don't have it in me to type anymore or at all! (unlike many on here...)

[SoBuKev]

Have to keep reminding people that a school can be excellent and still have poor numbers.