High Point Elementary School

TAG is awesome! (I am a 4th grade TAG student and I have only been in TAG 1 year) . 5th grade TAG deserves a field trip! Lots of parents were mad that the school was asking students to pay $1.00 to wear a hat one day to help pay for 5th grade TAG's field trip to Tybee Island if they wanted to. They deserve it because TAG is NOT EASY! Most Tag students have to finish TAG work and do their classwork for that day, and most have been in TAG for 4 years. The 5th graders were also studiyng animals from that regions, so it's not uneducational. I don't care if you don't donate, but don't get so mad, because they deserve it.

First day at this school. Daughter begins first grade. Unbelieveable how organized this school is, and how friendly and helpful everybody is. My daughter's new teacher, Ms. Long is so picture perfect I almost cannot believe she is her teacher. Poised, intellegent...the perfect roll model I would want for my child to spend SO MUCH time with. I know it will be a great year. I am so thankful for this school!
—Submitted by a parent

In response to the posting about TAG students being treated differently than the rest of the population at High Point.... This is ridiculous...the request they are referring to was for children to pay $1 to wear a hat to school to help raise money for the 5th GRADE TAG TRIP TO TYBEE. EVERY child had the OPTION of participating. This type of fundraising is supported throughout all the schools in the cluster whether it be elementary schools, middle school or high school. Pay $1 to wear pink, pay $1 and you can wear jeans, but a bracelet for $1 and help support Heifer International... It is just a fun, OPTIONAL way for kids to raise money. I have been at High Point for over 9 year and I have 2 children in TAG and one that is not in TAG. I have NEVER felt that they are treated differently in any way. Please educate yourself entirely before slamming a school in a public forum.
—Submitted by a parent

Is a great school, with hardworking teachers and staff. This school provides quality education to all students, and students with English as a first language score very high on state tests. Be cautious when comparing schools -english as a first language and english as a second language students test scores are often lumped together in one score. Our family comes from a very highly educated background with great expecations from our school, and this school may not be the most beautiful, or newest, but it is certainly one of the best!
—Submitted by a parent

Here's another example of how the highpoint TAG students are supported and held in higher regard than the other students in the school. This week's school newsletter posted a request for donations from all students to fund a field trip exclusively for the TAG students to Tybee (Island?). Highpoint has a large portion of low income minority families while TAG is disproportionally white and middle class. It seems unconscionable that the school would ask all these families for money to fund this field trip for so few. Once again, TAG students are lavished in attention, resources, and praise while the vast majority of students are left to share the few resources and in some cases untalented teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

High Point meets the needs of all their students. Interesting to read below regarding the "non-TAG" experience. My child is an "on-level" student. I've never felt that his needs weren't being met in the past 3 years. Quite the contrary. When he started to slip out of the "above-average" reading group his teacher worked with him and I to catch him up. She understood that moving him down would affect his confidence and perhaps start a spiral downward. By the way, she's the NORM not the exception when it comes to teachers at HP. Like every school, what you get out of a school is commensurate to what you, as a parent put in. I'm in the school a lot and my children are thriving in Pre-K and Second Grade.
—Submitted by a parent

High Point continues to provide our children with an excellent Elementary School experience! This is our 5th year at the school. The BEST teachers and staff you can ask for! I'm always getting such wonderful feedback from outside family and friends when I tell them what my kids are up to. It's so nice to have such a wonderful community of kind, caring families.
—Submitted by a parent

We love this school! It has exceeded our expectations in transferring from private to public school! The teachers, the principal and the curriculum have provided students a great opportunity to excell! The PTA is extremely supportive and friendly! I feel confident and fortunate that my children are in such a great place!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been attending High Point since Kindergarten and is currently about to finish her 1st grade year. We LOVE the school!! You can not find better, more committed, teachers or administrative staff anywhere. They have always been open and available to discuss any concerns/suggestions that I have had. My daughter has always been taught to her own academic level and has been consistently challenged each year. In fact, the teachers have moved her into more advanced groups as the school year progressed when she showed she was ready. The school is clean, bright, safe and a happy place to visit. My daughter (and our family) could not be more pleased with the education she is receiving. Additionally, the parent involvement is amazing. The parents and community are all committed to making High Point the best school possible! So proud to be part of a wonderful neighborhood school.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended High Point for the Georgia Pre-K last year, and is now finishing up Kindergarten. We could not be happier with our experience with the school. The teachers are fantastic, the parent involvement is AMAZING and the school as a whole is simply wonderful! I would encourage anyone who lives in the area to consider sending their children to High Point for a quality education and fantastic elementary school experience!
—Submitted by a parent

We have the most WONDERFUL experience at High Point. We are going into our 5th year there, and what my kids have gained at the school is unmatched anywhere in the city. The academics there are incredible, and teachers are fully committed to ensuring kids are constantly challenged. Sometimes that means moving them up a grade level to learn a particular subject while keeping their core curriculum and friends in place in the classroom. Their is tremendous effort on behalf of the teachers, the staff, the principal and the parents to ensure the school is safe and focused on excellence. I am convinced that High Point Elementary breeds leaders in a way that is unmatched in the city. These are the children who don't have to deal with social pressures at an early age and who are focused on achievement and involvement, and when these kids move on to middle and high school, their experience at High Point will prove to have been an invaluable stepping stone to their success and self definition. I can't say enough good things about the school!
—Submitted by a parent

I love this little school. My son was so fortunate to be selected in the Pre-K lottery this past year. His teacher Ms. Johnston was awesome. Life sometimes throws a curve ball, and as it turns out he needed extra help. The High Point teachers, staff and support personel were over and above an advocate for my son. I cannot say enough fabulous things about them, their kindness, professionalism and helpfulness. We were transferred to Woodland Charter which had a class more suited to my child's needs. We will be there another year, but will be back to High Point by the first grade. The parent involvement is awesome. Their school fundraiser rivals any private school in town. You feel the sense of caring wehn you walk in the door.
—Submitted by a parent

We are so pleased we switched. Our daughter came to High Point two years ago from a private school that we enjoyed very much. Nonetheless, since coming to High Point our daughter has become a much stronger reader, more active in a variety of school activities and has qualified for TAG. The teachers and staff are amazingly committed to each and every child. The parent group is welcoming and tremendously supportive of the school. It has been such a positive experience.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has had such a wonderful kindergarten year at High Point! We have been so impressed by the dedicated, supportive, and loving teachers and staff. The principal is amazing and the environment of the school is warm and inviting.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter started High Point in Pre-K in 2006 just when the school was on the cusp of a demographic change. We are amazed and the influx of neighborhood children over the past few years. With the redistricting and neighborhood involvement, the school in 2010 is completely different than 2006. We have been thrilled with the teachers, administration and parental involvement of all ethnicities. I am proud to walk into the school and see a variety of cute little faces. These children are learning at a very early age about diversity and cultures. Our daughter is thriving in her advanced math and advanced reading classes and enjoys the TAG program. Our youngest daughter joined her sister this year as a Pre-K student. She is as proud as she can be to be a High Point Hound.
—Submitted by a parent

My 1st grade daughter had the worst experience at High Point! She had two major incidents at HP and both times I had to go and talk to the principle. Shockingly the both times the principal seemed less than concerned, and told me that if i didn't like the school I could take my child out...I refuse my child to emotionally bullied and torn down because of HP's lack of control over the employees and students.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been at HP since Kindergarten and has thrived! He is now entering 3rd grade and he loves school! The quality of the teachers and staff is exceptional - step into the school and you are greeted by name or at least a 'Hi, come in!' Parents actually take their kids out of expensive private schools to come to HP. The school has a large Hispanic population which adds to the rich cultural diversity. ALL students learn at HP - come see the amazing things our kids are doing!
—Submitted by a parent

What makes High Point stand out from other exceptional elementary schools is the fact that they really focus on the individual student.
—Submitted by a parent

We truly could not be happier. I come from a strong education background and have loved High Point from the first day I walked in. My daughter is in the 1st grade now. She is challenged, encouraged, supported, and feels loved there. Her academic needs are met and exceeded. She is reading above her grade level and her teacher has insured that she continues to be challenged on a daily basis (in reading and other subject areas). The staff is amazing!!! They are led by Principal Lisa Nash who is available, committed, and smart. I can't tell you how fortunate we feel to be a part of this wonderful community. You truly feel that the teachers, administration, and parents have a common goal - giving each child the best education and support possible.
—Submitted by a parent

We are a transitional family to Atlanta. The staff welcomed us with open arms, have been very helpful, and I feel safe having my child at this school. You won't find better staff including the principal. HP has a great after school program, and as a single parent I feel lucky to have found this hidden gem. I can't believe that more of the local parents don't enroll their children into this school. I agree that private school can be a great choice and that you get what you pay for, but in terms of public school choices-- this is a very good one.
—Submitted by a parent