Gifted/Special Needs Emory Area Schools (Atlanta, Decatur: how much, school districts, cost)

[abaalltheway]

Can anyone offer any insight as far as comparing the quality of gifted and special education services in the following three schools districts serving the Emory area: City Schools of Decatur, Dekalb Co. Schools, and Atlanta Public Schools (e.g. Mary Lin, Morningside)?

We are moving to Atlanta this summer. I have a very bright child going into second grade who also needs support services (mild Asperger's, NLD). Because of his advanced math and verbal skills, he can easily fall through the cracks and not have his other significant learning challenges addressed (executive function, social) which could ultimately result in academic failure/failure of spirit.

Which school system will likely be the most knowledgeable/supportive....?

I toured the City Schools of Decatur early elementary schools and sensed a commitment to meeting the individual child's needs but you never know how much of that is talk. I wasn't able to speak with staff at the other school districts' schools.

Any insight would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[lastminutemom]

Originally Posted by abaalltheway

Can anyone offer any insight as far as comparing the quality of gifted and special education services in the following three schools districts serving the Emory area: City Schools of Decatur, Dekalb Co. Schools, and Atlanta Public Schools (e.g. Mary Lin, Morningside)?

We are moving to Atlanta this summer. I have a very bright child going into second grade who also needs support services (mild Asperger's, NLD). Because of his advanced math and verbal skills, he can easily fall through the cracks and not have his other significant learning challenges addressed (executive function, social) which could ultimately result in academic failure/failure of spirit.

Which school system will likely be the most knowledgeable/supportive....?

I toured the City Schools of Decatur early elementary schools and sensed a commitment to meeting the individual child's needs but you never know how much of that is talk. I wasn't able to speak with staff at the other school districts' schools.

Any insight would be appreciated!

Thanks!

I would avoid DeKalb. I think I posted to you before. City of Decatur is about 1/50th the size of DCSS. Everything you try to accomplish through the system will be easier. Since your child can be mainstreamed, he will have exposure to all the great things CoD is doing curriculum wise (Exploratory Learning, IB etc).

DeKalb is notorious for not doing something because it will set a precedent -- and spending far more on the lawsuit than it would have cost to provide the service.

In my experience, Dekalb is particularly bad at related services. I once sat in an IEP where the county OT tried to say my child was fine. The teacher (bless her) said are we talking about the same child?

Do you think you will still be in the area for middle and high?

[abaalltheway]

Hi Lastminutemom. Yes, you did reply to my earlier post.

Yes, I imagine we would still be in the same area. I will take your advice and avoid Dekalb.

What do you know about the Atlanta Public Schools? I liked the Core Knowledge curriculum at Mary Lin but I don't yet have any info on their special education or gifted support.

Thanks!