Smith Elementary School

People in Atlanta, please appreciate this school and all that it offers. Please keep the parent involvement high. We had to leave due to relocating of my job. I have not found a school like Sarah Smith in my entire state. I hope all the changes in APS schools will not affect the great quality in this school. SRS is truly a model school. I don't know who the new principle is, but the old principle was great. The multi-cultural environment was great. It was the best thing that ever happened for my African American son. We love this school and he still speaks well and wishes he was back there to this day. The teachers are very hard working and dedicated. This is one of the best public schools in the nation. Excellent...just excellent!!!
—Submitted by a parent

This is our daughters 3rd year at Sarah Smith Elementary. Me and my wife are both medical doctors, I am a now voluntary retired trauma surgeon and my wife is a working internist n therefore the academic/competitive challenges we put in front of our daughter r almost always on the difficult side considering her age /grade level but thanks to a very dedicated staff n wonderful teachers, our daughter continues to surprise us by answering at times some very difficult questions. As professionals we would highly recommend Sarah Smith Elementary to families who want their children to excel and develop a mind of their own!
—Submitted by a parent

Amazing Elementary School with a wonderful staff, great community of families and a lot of extras beyond the already good curriculum. A language program, good music, art and gym programs, great library at both campuses, international travelers week, reflections art program, etc. These all contribute to each child's overall experience and enrich their learning. We are very pleased.
—Submitted by a parent

As parents of a Kindergartener, we were very nervous about where to send our child to school. We cannot be happier with Sarah Smith. My son's teacher is responsive and he absolutely adores her. He is excited to go to school, much more than he was in preschool. From what I understand, the teaching is accelerated compared to many of the schools in the Atlanta area. Also, with such a strong PTA and funds from the school's foundation, the teachers do not have to worry about needed supplies, etc. as they do in many public schools. I would highly recommend saving your money by having your child go here rather than a private school.
—Submitted by a parent

I've had at least one child at this school for the past 8 years, and it's been a good experience for my family. Yes, the school and the class sizes have grown larger (thanks to the Georgia State legislature), but the quality of the teaching has remained high, and I think my youngest child will be just as well prepared to do well in Middle School as my eldest, now in High School), with the exception of the slightly reduced proficiency in French. But, as my out-of-state relatives tell me, we are beyond fortunate that our children are learning a foreign language in public elementary school! The Challenge (gifted) program is a strength, and the cultural & racial diversity of the school is a big plus. A tip to future parents: get involved in the PTA and volunteer for at least one committee. It's rewarding for you, and it will benefit for your child. There are lots of jobs suitable for whatever schedule you may have. Given the large size of the school, it's important to make an effort to join in the community by volunteering.
—Submitted by a parent

Goodness, the July 30 entry here sounds quite bitter and extremely off track. If this school has gone downhill, how does it continue to grow and families seek it out as the choice for their children's education? There are outstanding teachers who work extremely hard to meet the needs of all students. The national recognition which has come the way of this school is much deserving. I guess there seems to be "one bad apple" in the bunch, and granted, all schools can improve, but really? Glad this parent has gone private....pay the tuition. I'll stay put. As do the other 1300 student's .... thank you to everyone associated with this fine school. Keep up the good work!
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended for one year and we couldn't get him out fast enough and in to one of the excellent, local private schools. Sarah Smith's good days are over! Now you can expect excessively, over crowded classrooms, teacher changes mid-year, your kindergartener being sent home on the bus to an empty home while you sit in the car pool line for him, teachers with poor grammar, children with huge learning differences in the same classrooms so the smart ones do busy work while the teachers have to cater to the slower ones (not to mention the ever increasing large number of those who can't speak English!), abysmal parent participation for class projects and activities, extremely poor communication and return of phone calls from administration because they think everything is wonderful. It's a shame that this neighborhood school has gone downhill and is forcing families to find expensive alternatives.
—Submitted by a parent

This was my daughters first year at Sarah Smith, and if we could do it all over again, we would not hesitate. The staff is incredible and words cannot express the joy and excitement my daughter expressed every single day when she came home from school. He teacher and assistant had to be the best I have seen. The knowledge my daughter was outstanding. I attended Private/Christian schools, but my daughter certainly received the same quality education. Just to mention my daughters teacher around her brought the biggest smile to her face. She could do no wrong in my daughters eyes. As a parent this does a heart well and provides comfort when you can be at work and travel knowing that your little Angel is safe and learning with leaps and bounds. Thank you SAS. Keep up the outstanding work!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

The school had a good reputation. The present staff is composed of teachers that lead alternative lifestyles. Diversity is good, yet I do not like my children being openly exposed to it
—Submitted by a parent

This is my daughter's second year (and sadly, our last) and we couldn't say nothing but wonderful things about this school. Being new to Atlanta, we didn't know what to expect, other than what I heard about Sarah Smith, and everyone was right! For two years we have had the most dedicated and hard working teaching staff, the office staff is helpful and kind, and the principal is always visible, available, and greeting parents. We love this school and wish we weren't leaving the area!
—Submitted by a parent

Sarah Smith is an excellent school. The teachers are excellent. The environment is nurturing. Dr. Baker, the principal, is great. The Challenge program (gifted education) is superb with excellent teachers and lots of academic challenges in the 4th and 5th grade (Future Problem Solving and Odyssey of the Mind). The music/chorus teacher is absolutely wonderful - my children when they eventually moved on cried because they will miss him so much. Parent involvement is excellent, and funds many extras which makes Sarah Smith many notches above a public elementary school. Finally, it is a very happy place for kids to spend their days. We pulled our kids out of private school PreK and K) for them to attend Sarah Smith. It was one of the best educational decisions we have made.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the best Public school ever. I went there from kindergarten-4th grade and loved it, The teachers are just great. It is such a great school, I do not even have the words to explain it. The teachers and students are especially wonderful, the students are nice and mature and the teachers give the students the best learning expirience. It is just great students
—Submitted by a student

This is the best school in Atlanta--public or private. We moved to Atlanta several years ago, and after looking into both private and public schools decided on Sarah Smith. The Principal and teachers at this school are passionate about providing kids with the best elementary-level education possible. Parents fund many of the extras through the school's foundation. My kids love to go to school here, and my husband and I could not be happier with our choice.
—Submitted by a parent

It is amazing how this school continues to get better and better. As a recent recipient of the authorization as an International Baccalaureate World School, my children's education continues to be enhanced. The teachers are fantastic! They truly want to provide the best possible education around for all children. The principal is amazing! The things that have occurred under his leadership have caused this school to stand out among the best. In fact, he was named one of the top principals in Georgia and recently awarded a grant (one of only 5 principals to do so in Atlanta). He's a visionary for sure. And, the parent involvement and support are phenomenal! They obviously love the school and make sure needs are met. With principal leadership, teacher quality, and parent support, there is no wonder it's a top school in Georgia. I'm so glad my children are there!
—Submitted by a parent

The school scores high, is this due to most of the children come from families with a lot of parent involvement? The teachers I encountered were all very good, even great. However, out of my 4 children I had one that was not being challenged.
—Submitted by a parent

Sarah Smith is the best, and so is the principal and all of the teachers we've encountered. It's amazing that this can happen within Atlanta Public Schools, but it does.
—Submitted by a parent

Great parental involvement. PTA raises a great deal of money for extra programs. High teacher turnover...many parents have different views as to why this happens. Many kids leave for private school after fourth or fifth grade. There is a new push to get more kids on to the middle school, which is improving.
—Submitted by a parent

Based on test scores, we bought our home in Sarah Smith so our three children can attend school there. We have been thrilled and amazed at the level of education they are receiving. Yes, the teaching staff has had a seemingly high level of turn over. I attribute that more to the 'young' staff and them having babies, getting married and moving, etc.... The replacements have been top notch! We bought for the high test scores and what we are receiving is so much more. I can not recommend this experience any higher to parents looking for a warm, nuturing, challenging, and fun learning environment for their children. This place is the full package! The end!
—Submitted by a parent

Having come over from Europe Sarah Smith was our first encounter with the U.S. Public School System. This is a outstanding school. The teachers we have met so far all were outstanding. There are a lot of changes in staff, I agree. I can't say if this is because of the principal's way of managing or because he expects the most of his staff. I am pretty sure the latter is the case. One point of remark though: there doesn't seem to be a strict basis to allow someone to move to the next grade or to retain a student for another year in the same grade. Parents can be disappointed by the fact their child has to stay a year behind, but isn't the child's future the first point to take in consideration?
—Submitted by a parent

Both my children have gone to Smith since they were 5 years old. This is a school where the children come first. The teachers are highly skilled and work hard to bring out the best in each child. The principal is kind and knows each child by name. He is a leader with a heart and a vision. Thank you, Smith, for bringing out the best in my children and giving them the encouragement and confidence they need to go out into the world. You are truly one of the best! Congratulations to the administration, faculty, and staff on a job well done! You're hard work pays off!
—Submitted by a parent