The Donoho School

Some kids work fine in any school. My 2 kids aren't like that. They needed a special school with great teachers, a diverse and challenging curriculum, and with a really involved leadership team. They needed Donoho. I feel fortunate to have been able to send them there. I really appreciate the flexibility that Donoho showed in working with my kids in elementary school. Over the years, my kids took advantage of the great library, a private tutor during school hours, private music lessons during school hours, and wonderful field trips. The kids enjoyed being part of team competitions in science and language arts. They learned confidence in themselves from their experiences. Middle school has been amazing and I can't wait for high school. I do feel obliged to say something about the administration. I have never hesitated to communicate with them - and I have never been disappointed with their involvement. They are responsive to questions and concerns. They balance the fiscal concerns of running a private school with the personal aspects of running a school. I am grateful for their leadership and for the concern they have shown my kids.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with the parent posts about the inconsistencies and poor administration at Donoho. I am a former student of Donoho and am now applying for jobs as a teacher. After spending time in countless other schools, my view of Donoho has changed from the one I had as a student. The teachers, at least at the elementary level, were great, but the administration couldn't be more removed from the needs of students or teachers. Both principals spent very little time with students and employees and were rarely accessible or supportive. After spending time with wonderful, dedicated principals during my internship and field experience, it shocks me that a school like Donoho doesn't put more emphasis on the importance of dedicated, genuine leadership from the administration. I will not be applying to Donoho to teach, and I will never send my children there unless there is a turnover in the administration. There are too many other good schools with hardworking and involved principals. On the flip side, however, the teachers I had in elementary school were wonderful and have shaped me as an educator. I loved them and can honestly say that they were some of the best teachers I have ever known.

My 2 kids have gone here for 8 years now. This is a college prep school that runs about a grade ahead of other area schools on curriculum. Tuition is less than most people pay for daycare. Tuition is less than the taxpayers pay for all of the other schools in the area. Tuition is far less than the cheapest private schools in the Atlanta area. The school is an investment in your child's future and should be looked at as such. To the reviewer that questions student freedom, I am an adult and am responsible for my children to learn to conform to a society that has rules (both stated and perceived) and wish my children to have all the freedoms of personal expression when they are old enough to understand how that will impact others. Until my children become adults, it is refreshing to be able to send them to a school that requires conformity to some simple social standards. It is a Godly school that accepts all religions and teaches tolerance of other's religous beliefs. I have not liked all my children's teachers but as a whole the school is the best value available. My children will continue to attend and I expect them to do quite well in earning scholarships for college.
--Submitted by a parent

The school is way to judgemental and doesnt allow the students any freedom. The education is decent, but for the money you pay i dont believe it should be neccessary to have so many children needed to be tutored. Sure, all schools have kids with tutoring, but for all that money plus needing a tutor, it isnt worth it. Some teachers are burned out and needs to be updated and they don't even completely apply their own rules, punished some but not all for doing the same thing. I believe that if all you care about it college for your child, then go. But of you care about their happiness and enjoying their surroundings, i wouldnt go there. Alot of other schools have programs for smarter children and many kids from Donoho has gone to oxford and learned just as much if not more.
--Submitted by a parent

Not impressed with the quality and professionalism of the administration.There are a few excellent enthusiastic, and creative teachers. However, there are several who are obviously burned out and need to retire. There seems to be a large number of students who require tutoring, especially in math. Tutoring is of course an additional expense. The frequent donation requests are tiresome.
--Submitted by a parent

After completing a school year at Donoho I report, this is a great school. Well managed, organized, and a flourishing enviroment for the students. my children developed will to learn and their desire for better test scores grew. Good student to teacher ratio, Positive enviroment for student self image. Addition of SMARTBOARD shows the school's ideal of staying current with technology. The children actually are encouraged to take home their books to read and study from. I believe this to be the best school in this area !
--Submitted by a parent

New to school. Both elementary students are flourishing in this wonderful enviroment. Have had children in both public & private schools in the past and find this school to be the best so far. Children are enjoying learning and are attempting to earn higher grades. Social atmosphere is average and since I have not needed much involvement with the administration I cannot comment except to say we are very please with this schoool.
--Submitted by a parent

Not impressed with the administration. Overall, the faculty is adequate with a couple of exceptions on either end of the spectrum. I feel my children are receiving a decent education.
--Submitted by a parent

The academics are wonderful. However, the principals are not very good to their employees. The principals allow the parents to have way too much involvement in the day-to-day activities.
--Submitted by a parent

This school dominates all other private schools. You really should try this school out. Recomended!
--Submitted by a student