Which elementary to choose?? (Atlanta, Roswell: fit in, best school, safety)

[HP4Mom]

Hi,

My husband and I are getting closer to our move date to the Atlanta area. After weeks of research, we have narrowed down the list of elementary schools to a few in East Cobb and some in North Fulton. Of anyone can give some good advice, we'd really appreciate it. Here's our situation...our son will be in third grade next year, and he has high-functioning autism. He is currently mainstreamed into a regular class, and then he goes to resource for a small part of the day. We are trying to find the best school for him...one with a great special education department, because his current school in Texas is fantastic!!! He thrives in a structured but loving environment, where peers are tolerant and accepting. We're really excited about moving to Georgia, and we're hopeful that the school situation will be a positive one.

The East Cobb elementary schools that we are interested in are:

Mountain View
Garrison Mill
Addison
Murdock
Tritt

For Fulton County, we're interested in:

Roswell North
River Eves
Statebridge Crossing

If anyone has information, advice or thoughts, we would REALLY appreciate it. We just want to find the best environment for our son. Thank you so much!!

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by HP4Mom

Hi,

My husband and I are getting closer to our move date to the Atlanta area. After weeks of research, we have narrowed down the list of elementary schools to a few in East Cobb and some in North Fulton. Of anyone can give some good advice, we'd really appreciate it. Here's our situation...our son will be in third grade next year, and he has high-functioning autism. He is currently mainstreamed into a regular class, and then he goes to resource for a small part of the day. We are trying to find the best school for him...one with a great special education department, because his current school in Texas is fantastic!!! He thrives in a structured but loving environment, where peers are tolerant and accepting. We're really excited about moving to Georgia, and we're hopeful that the school situation will be a positive one.

The East Cobb elementary schools that we are interested in are:

Mountain View
Garrison Mill
Addison
Murdock
Tritt

For Fulton County, we're interested in:

Roswell North
River Eves
Statebridge Crossing

If anyone has information, advice or thoughts, we would REALLY appreciate it. We just want to find the best environment for our son. Thank you so much!!

Another poster could comment/chime in about special education department/autistic resources at each of the schools...

However, I can say that all of the schools on your list are great in the other areas (curriculum, academic, parental involvement, etc.). All of the schools feed into excellent middle and high schools as well.

All things being equal, if I had to choose among the schools for overall "feel", environment, community, "welcoming", and comfort, I would choose:

1. Addison
2. Mountain View
3. River Eves
4. Roswell North
5. Murdock
6. Statebridge Crossing


I hope this helps a little. Good Luck!

[HP4Mom]

Thank you so much!!! I appreciate your input. Have a good one!!

[rackensack]

We're in the River Eves district, and our borderline-Aspergers son attended River Eves for three years (all mainstream classroom) and is at Holcomb Bridge Middle School now. We also have a daughter in fourth grade there now and a daughter who will start kindergarten there next year. Overall, we've been extremely happy with River Eves. Our son thrived there and is doing fantastic at HBMS now. Most of the staff at REES were understanding and willing to work with him, and he really never had any problems with peers (but he also works very hard to fit in and get along). The special education teacher assigned to work with him was also very helpful and easy to work with. His IEP from our previous district was adopted essentially as-is, with one major exception -- River Eves (and from what I've heard, most other Fulton County elementaries) doesn't offer any sort of small-group socials skills counseling or anything like it. I've heard from other parents who have kids with Aspergers or high-functioning autism that they weren't satisfied that their children's needs could be met at REES, and who moved their kids to private schools as a result.

Our son's IEP focused on classroom and testing accommodations designed to allow him to function in the mainstream classroom, and to provide "safety valves" for situations that threatened to get out of control. This generally worked well for him, but might not be enough for other kids. Also, fifth-graders at River Eves change teachers for each subject -- our son was able to cope with this because we worked extensively with the teachers and our son to prepare him for it, but it might be too much for some.

The current principal at REES is only in his second full year there, and his second full year as a principal (after several years as an assistant principal at Holcomb Bridge Middle), so there are still likely to be some changes as he works to make the school what he wants it to be. As with anyone considering moving into a school district, I'd strongly recommend visiting and meeting with the principal and if possible some of the special education staff to get your own feel for what it's like.

[HP4Mom]

Thanks!! I will definitely check that one out.

[kaday]

I would highly recommend Tritt for any learning difference. They are well known in East Cobb for excellence and acceptance in that regard.

[HP4Mom]

Thanks...I will definitely keep that in mind.

[atlantagreg30127]

You may also wish to browse the special topic thread we created just for schools which is at the top of this room - found here: //www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...-one-keep.html

[HP4Mom]

Thank you...that link is very informative.