Spalding Drive Elementary School

I can not say enough wonderful things about Spalding Drive Charter School. The Charter which focuses on teaching with technology has provided amazing opportunites for SDC students. SDC has Promethian whiteboards, digital cameras, computers, digital projectors and more in every classroom. Students are taught curriculum through daily computer lab use, virtual field trips, special software and learn claymation, web design, digital broadcasting among other skills. A strong music program offers guitar, chorus, band and orchestra. The majority of teachers are warm & caring. The Charter mandates parent involment hours and the parents are very involved with a strong PTA. Spaldings biggest issue has been overcrowding which will be relieved in the 2009-2010 school year with the opening of Ison Springs Elementary. The population is dropping from 700 students to 400. With all of these opptunities in a small school setting why pay for private school?
—Submitted by a parent

My son completed Kindergarten at Spalding Drive and had a wonderful year. His reading and math skills are greater than we could have imagined. If I could have designed the perfect teacher for my son it would have been the teacher carefully selected for him based on his personality and abilities. We are looking forward to another great year at Spalding.
—Submitted by a parent

My experience with Spalding Drive charter school was not great. After being at this school for 2 years both teacher starting from kindergarten and first was not that great. I would say please look each school before putting them into this school. They were focus more on the tag students verse all students. They were not teachers that cared about the students. What has happen to the school system. A young teacher can be good but also bad because they don't have the experience with children. I would not recommend this school at all.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved here from out of state where we loved our children's schools. We were worried about the transition. Our children thrived at Spalding both academically and socially. I have worked at the school for the past several years so I have the dual perspective of parent and employee. Both experiences have been wonderful. Students are challenged and nurtured in a warm and caring environment. I don't know why parents would pay for private school when there is such a strong public school available.

I have been fortunate to teach at Spalding for the last several years. The neighborhood is fantastic and the parents are so supportive. The class sizes are small and the staff is vibrant and caring. The administration makes the students the priority.
—Submitted by a teacher

I love Spalding! I moved to the Sandy Springs area when my son was ready to enter kindergarten. I was a bit nervous considering the reputation of Georgia public schools but I've been very impressed with Spalding. My son is now about to enter the 2nd grad and I'm absolutely amazed at how much he's learned and the level of commitment the teachers display. The school fosters parent involvement and they make you feel like the parent is a part of the school. I feel absolutely moved to volunteer and participate with the school as much as I can. The school truly feels like a community. The faculty, right down to the cafeteria staff are very helpful and truly care about the kids. The curriculum is AWESOME and I think it can stand up against private schools any day. Spalding is definitely a diamond in the ruff!
—Submitted by a parent

We have been a part of the Spalding family for the last 5 years and have been very happy with our experience at this school. Ms. Young has done an outstanding job in recruiting and retaining wonderful teachers and promoting a loving and respectful environment for our children. Technology is a major focus of our charter. This has allowed Ms. Young to integrate the sort of experiences that this generation will use throughout their lives. Not only do they have Promethean white boards and LCD projectors available in every classroom, each grade is offered an enhanced technology skill such as web page design, video production and digital photography. When I consider the art and music programs offered to my kids, I feel my children have received a well rounded educational experience at Spalding Charter. My family is very fortunate to have such a great school right in my own neighborhood.
—Submitted by a parent

My two children have been at Spalding since Pre-k and are now in the second and third grades. We have been very happy with Spalding! Our kids are challenged academically based on their own individual levels. The staff are warm and friendly, and the teachers are well qualified. Spalding has several computer labs, interactive white boards that are used in every classroom to enhance lessons, and a great art and music department. Overall, my children love going to Spalding and we are pleased with the education they are receiving.
—Submitted by a parent

I moved to Spalding Drive Charter in the 2007-08 school year after having attended private school for years. I was very hesitant about my children going from a private to a public school. HOWEVER, I could not have been more impressed with this school and the administration! Spalding Drive Charter is a hidden treasure! I have not looked back since my children have been at SDC and absolutely love all it has to offer! My children are very happy, love their teachers and never want to leave Spalding Drive Charter!
—Submitted by a parent

My two children have attended Spalding since Pre-K & we have had nothing but positive experiences. The staff is always helpful, the teachers top-notch and the gifted program is exceptional. My children have received individualized instruction based on their talents and have always been challenged to achieve higher. One of the most wonderful aspects of the school is the sense of community. Many families from the surrounding neighborhoods support the school & make it feel like a big family. We love it!
—Submitted by a parent

I have had 3 students at Spalding, starting in 2000. The youngest is now in 4th grade. They have all had wonderful experiences there. The environment is warm and nurturing, yet provides challenges for high achieving students. The PTA is excellent. My only complaint is that many of the families in the neighborhoods do not consider it for their children because they have been told 'you can't send your kids to public school in this area.' Recently there seems to be some reversal of this trend, so I am hopeful.I have been very happy with the educational experience my children have had at Spalding. Check it out, I feel certain you'll like what you see.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is excellent. Best in Fulton County by far!!! Teachers are great - they actually teach and the children learn something. Speech techer is great!!!! Ms. Finoli (often in the library) is just wonderful. My daughter loves this school and does quite well. Classrrom sizes are very acceptable. This school reminds me of my school growing up back home in Chicago. Way to Go Spaulding!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

My children transfered here from another school. Based on the reviews I thought this would be a much better school for them. The transition in the middle of the sholl year was not a good one. My children where just thrown into random classes. Not enough emphasis on CORE subjects. Tebhnology seems to be the primary interest.
—Submitted by a parent

Spalding is a wonderful school. Both of our daughters have gone all the way through Spalding from Kindergarten through 5th grade. We have had excellent teachers and a challenging curriculum. The curriculum is as strong as private schools if not stronger. The diverse climate has been wonderful for our children as they are growing up in an ethnically diverse world in which they will be prepared for. I have always felt my children to be safe at Spalding. We are lucky to live in a neighborhood with such a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am continually amazed by this school.We moved here from New York 5 years ago.I had been told by several parents to start looking for private schools because the public school system in Atlanta was awful.Spalding proves the critics wrong. The experienced teachers, the student to teacher ratio,the quality education based on each student individually. The list goes on and on. The parents are involved at Spalding.I know that they are in a warm and educational environment. The teachers are very accessable. The PTA is very supportive and active at Spalding. There is a non-profit foundation that was started last year to fund great programs for the kids. There is also an outstanding music and art program where my Pre-k and 2nd grader know VanGoh,Mozart and can't wait to join the symphony! I love our school and so do my kids.
—Submitted by Jennifer Keeney, a parent

Spalding Drive Charter is an amazing school. Music, Art, Acting, Technology-all at one of the lowest teacher/student ratios around. My 1st grader did a powerpoint presentation for me this month! Respect is taught and expected and the staff truly cares for the children and their academic achievement. As with most programs-what YOU put into the school is 10 times what your child will get out it.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is wonderful! My son is in kindergarten there and I am so amazed at how involved you can be as a parent! It is very encouraged and the teachers are very experienced and constantly communicate with the parents to inform them of the progress their child is making. I definitely made the right decision here.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved from Virginia in March, and my daughters started in 1st and 2nd grade during the last grading quarter of the schoolyear. We were really impressed with this school, the teachers, and the programs. We loved the small classroom sizes, as well as the level of parental involvement. Our daughters felt truly welcomed and adjusted quickly and effectively. My oldest daughter even made the A Honor Roll! The level of communication from the teachers was excellent. Again, this school welcomed my children with open arms and provided the proper supports for them to excel in what could have been a very difficult situation.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had children at Spalding since 2000. We have been very happy with the overall experience they have had. Each child is challenged at their level and allowed/encouraged to excel. It is a safe environment where good behavior is expected and realized. The teachers and staff are friendly and caring. The PTA is strong and getting stronger.
—Submitted by a parent

We are in our second year at Spalding and are so pleased with the school. The teachers are excellent, the classes are small and the school is committed to challenging each child at their individual level. There is a great group of very involved parents and the school really feels like a family. My daughter is so happy there and I am grateful that she can get such a great education in a diverse environment. She has a great peer group of friends. I feel her education will make her well-rounded and prepare her for life in our global society.
—Submitted by a parent