Lin Elementary School

Our family has had a student at Mary lin for the last six years and for the most part have had good experiences. The vast majority of the teachers are excellent, effective, and caring of children. However, administration has declined over the last 24 to 36 months. Administration does not communicate well with parents, lead teachers, or have a vision for the school. The school ranking has dropped with the attentiveness of administration as well. In the last three years we have dropped from the 93rd percentile to the 85th percentile in Georgia. I fear that this will impact our ability to attract quality teachers in the future as well. The current teachers and parents make the school what it is inspite of administration. Its a good school, but it could be so much more with a good leader.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is finishing up his fourth and final year at Mary Lin. We transferred from a South Cobb charter school, and moved here specifically to be in the Lin attendance zone. It was a great decision.The teachers are great at meeting kids at their own level and challenging those who need additional challenges. Dr. Mitchell is far and away the best principal I've known (as a student, parent, or teacher). He supports his faculty, listens to parents (and these are very vocal and involved parents!), AND he gets the kids. There is great communication from the school administration, most of the teachers, and PTA. I wish I could do 4.5 stars instead of 4, but I just can't do five because this year I have really missed the high level of communication that my son's previous teachers at Lin.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in 1st grade and came here from a private school in Cobb county. My son's teacher Ms. Gutherie within 2 weeks contacted us to say that my son was only reading at a Kindergarten level. I was mad and sad. He was immediately put in after school tutoring with tons of his friends once a week. I saw dramatic improvements after just a few sessions. My son now reads at a normal 1st grade level. Ms. Gutherie in my opinion is the best teacher I have ever come across. She is brilliant, creative, professional and her students just love her. Coming from the subburbs this city school is soooo much more welcoming then what I am used to. Everyone that I have come in contact with has been extremely nice. The school IS dated and currently they have some portables, but the school will be expanded and renovated in the coming years. I wish that my elder son would have been able to attend Mary Lin. He would have been much better off then he is now. :(
—Submitted by a parent

Here's a review from a parent who does not belong to the "majority" group. As long as you are part of the strong parent community, I am pretty sure your experiences will be wonderful, but beware if you look different. These parents will not let you become part of their group - they will systematically hound you out. It is a horribly cliquish environment. I would go to the extent of saying that they will even keep your child away from the key school resources, including the Challenge program, the selection for which is a big farce. The school is as good as the teacher you get. We had a fantastic teacher the first year, but the next year it was a disaster where the teacher basically gave in to the demands of the dominating moms.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a daughter in Kindergarten at Mary Lin and am very happy with her teacher, the administration and most of all the parent involvement. The community is strong and supportive. The building needs some updating which will hopefully be addressed when the renovation occurs but the most important aspects are excellent. We couldn't be happier!
—Submitted by a parent

My children came here from a good school and they were behind because the education is strong here. However, the school is so supportive that they provided in school support so that my children were up to level by the end of the year. We had to leave town for a while and when they were enrolled in good schools out of state, they were far ahead of other students: the teacher talked about one of them skipping a grade! It is also a warm loving environment. We feel lucky to have found it!
—Submitted by a parent

Mary Lin Elementary has too been a wonderful learning environment for my daughter since kindergarten. It is a very safe environment and there is a lot of participation for parents.The teachers are very friendly too! Mary Lin is a wonderful school!
—Submitted by a parent

Mary Lin Elementary has been a wonderful learning environment for my daughter since kindergarten. They provide quality education while still maintaining some creativity in the process. It's a true neighborhood school. Over the years it has maintained it's own unique culture and identity. I hope that it continues to do so in the future.
—Submitted by a parent

-great parent involvement with a community feel. It is a public school, so anyone in the area can attend, not just those who can pay the tuition.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school ,The teachers are wounderful .My child has been attending this school since kindergarten,Now she is heading to middle school. There test score are off the chart.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has learned so much since starting kindergarten at Mary Lin this school year. The staff is so friendly and helpful. The classes are small...my daughter's class is comprised of 16 students, a wonderful teacher and an awesome teacher's assistant. We could not be happier with this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Mary Lin is an excellent Elementary School. Parents are extremely involved and care about their children's education, as well as, the administration. It offers music, art and physical education as well as challenge programs that is needed to reinforce as well as enhance the students ability. It is also the most diverse school in the APS system, which speaks volumes, especially if this is important to the upbringing of your children. It offers the opportunity to celebrate the diversity and differences of everyone.
—Submitted by Keli Jones, a parent

I adore this school. My child adores this school. Why can't more schools be like this?
—Submitted by S. Brown, a parent

It is a very diversed school. It has good teacher to student ratio: about 1:15. The PTA is very active. If you are looking for a family friendly atmosphere this is the school. for your child.
—Submitted by Courtney, a former student