North Atlanta High School

I love the fact that north atlanta high school gives children the option ti do what they want as long as they do there class work.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a sophomore, senior (and a graduate who is doing very well in college) at North Atlanta High School. The IB program is fabulous and prepares the students well for college. Five years ago I did not feel comfortable sending my children to this school, but now I feel totally comfortable and it is due to the hard work and dedication of Mark Mygrant and the other team members that were ousted by Errol Davis and his cronies on the APS school board. Yes, we are excited about Dr Taylor coming and I am certain that he will make some positive well needed changes, but the way the transistion was handled was UNPROFESSIONAL and unjustifiable. The facts and figures Errol threw around have proven to be untrue,. His actions were politically motivated and he needs to GO. We must not let his contract be extended.
—Submitted by a parent

I am the parent of a sophomore. I went to the number 1 ranked public high school in the nation. NAHS isn't anywhere close. The teaching is mediocre, at best, and the administrative staff, up to now has proven to be below average. One of the most recent hires, a chemistry teacher, appears to be disinterested in her subject area and students. An honors English teacher was brought on a month after the school year began, despite the fact that the administration had many months foreknowledge that the her predecessor was retiring. There are frequent fights among students - particularly among the girls - it appears. The only light at the end of the tunnel is that the Superintendent of APS is finally cleaning house. But, the jury is still out. The new guys has a challenging job awaiting. He begins next week.
—Submitted by a parent

We decided to try public school after moving from S. Fulton, after reading some reviews about the programs offered. What a mistake, the students are divided totally along racial lines, with inappropriate language and respect issues unchecked. It's a shame ,but students shouldn't have to fend off constant harassment and clicks, let alone elements that are dangerous. Back to private school!
—Submitted by a parent

We are proud to have our child at NAHS. He is getting a good education, good social education, and a good experience that will prepare him not only for college, but for life. It is a neighborhood school (finally) with many talented employees (teachers, counselors, administrators, assistants, and even building maintenance!) . This school had nothing to do with the scandal that has hurt APS in the last 3 years.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is new to this school, and I have heard a lot of great things about their I.B program which I am looking forward to.....
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a Junior at NAHS in the Journalism SLC. I love the school and would recommend it to most people. There is a sense of community and diversity at our school that my private school friends dont have or understand. I think the classes are less challenging than some other schools in the area, but the IB program is very good and prepares you well for collage. Teachers at NAHS are just like at other schools, sometimes they are great, sometimes not so great. The International Studies SLC is the best SLC for a more serious student because most of the students have similar motivation. We have a very diverse set of electives including 4 languages (French, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic), several art classes, dance classes, drama classes, guitar, music tech, newspaper, film, anthropology, and yearbook just to name a few. The best part of this school isnt the academics though, they are good, and students have proven you can get into a good school (last year a friend of mine went to Harvard), but it is the life experience. I met people at NAHS I would never have met at private schools in the area and I feel like because of that I will be able to function better in a normal world.
—Submitted by a student

This is a horrible school where incompetent teachers are protected and communication with parents is greatly discouraged. Get your child in another school if at all possible.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a student at North Atlanta. I can honestly say that this school is not living up to my expectations. It can offer great things, such as the I.B programs. However, as a sophomore, I am not in the I.B program (yet, next year I will be) and the teachers are horrible. Half of my classes are being controlled by the students, not the teachers, and parent complaints to the Principal get you nowhere. I actually came upon this website when looking into other schools, because I plan on switching to a private school for my junior and senior years of high school. The I.B program is not enough to keep me at this school. I'm disappointed! -Sophomore Girl at North Atlanta, International Studies Program
—Submitted by a student

North Atlanta is an excellent High School if you lay the ground work..i.e...PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT. Teachers are teaching...so send your child(ren) prepared to excel academically and socially. Excellent atmosphere in a very nice area of Atlanta...nice campus...sort of like a small college campus. Friendly and VERY visible Principal. Behavior by a few....as in the previous post ...are the exception. GO WARRIORS!
—Submitted by a parent

I attended a girls' basketball game in your gym February 4 and was shocked at the suggestive and inappropriate dancing of the cheerleading team. It was equivalent to something you might see at a men's club. Shouldn't a school be a safe haven for our children against the decaying moral standard that has invaded our society. Shouldn't our schools set the moral standard for our children. In years past, this would have been considered a serious enough transgression to disban the athletic program. Not only was it very disheartening to see this behavior in our schools, but, also to see the tolerance by the staff.

I have a junior and a freshman at NAHS. They attended Sarah Smith and Sutton. We are extremely happy with North Atlanta High School. My sons are getting a quality education from many talented teachers. Mr Mygrant and the entire administration are very competent. There is a warm feeling at the school. I have heard of very little fighting and no bullying at all. I am at the school quite a bit volunteering and I have heard some bad language from the kids but I make it a point to tell them that it is inappropriate, I usually receive a sorry, maam. Actually, I frequently hear yes maam and yes sir around the school which is very refreshing. I think this school is great and I will continue to send my kids here. I have one at Sutton this year who is a straight A student, he will go to NAHS.
—Submitted by a parent

Have had a pretty good public school experience until now. My son attended Sarah Smith, then Sutton Middle School and now he is a 9th grader at North Atlanta. Was excited about Mark Mygrant (former Sutton Middle School principal) taking over North Atlanta. My son is in the Arts School and there are many wonderful and dedicated teachers, however lack of communication and lack of response from administration about fighting, bullying, no bus service for weeks at the begining of the school year, poor maintenance of the school grounds (i.e. parking lot behind the gym is pitch black, the field has a dinky set of tiny alumnimum bleachers and the sign outside our gym continues to say 'GY_NASIUM' after a multi-million dollar renovation is extremely frustrating. Also, fowl language is prevelent among students and they are allowed to wander the campus after-hours w/out supervision. Sorry to say, we're very dissapointed.
—Submitted by a parent

As a student, the best way to describe North Atlanta is by stating that it is governed by paradox and contradiction. For example, the graduating class of 2009 (which had no more than 250 students) earned $16 million in scholarship money, but the composite SAT score for the whole school was 1378. There are more people who live out of zone that aren't in the magnet program than in-zone residents in the whole school. Basically, if you are not in the IB or pre-IB program, then you can kiss all your aspirations of a quality education good-bye. The arts program has atrophied significantly since the closing of the magnet; today, people are in the program so they can chill all day. To any parent reading this: if you can get your child into the International Studies program, then send your child here. There is no guarantee for a quality education otherwise.
—Submitted by a student

Our son graduated from North Atlanta High School in June. He achieved much and soared for the stars with the help of some of the most dedicated, and talented teachers I have ever met. North Atlanta uses the resources its diverse population to help all students achieve. There is no attitude of 'self-entitlement' here, and that is so refreshing. In the 2009 graduating class, $16 million dollars in scholarships were awarded to North Atlanta students. In these tough economic times, why pay tuition for high school when the outcome can be even more positive in a public school? These students actually have a better chance of getting into the college of their dreams, if they work hard and use their talents. My observations is that is not true in the private arena.
—Submitted by Judith, a parent

North Atlanta High School what can I say? For starters I would ignore most of the parent comments because they don't attend the school. Im currently attending North Atlanta and I absoultly disappointed. I heard this great stuff about the school, doesn't live up to it's exspectations. They hassle you to get into the school. And then you don't even get to be on the arts team if thats what your going there for.That team is full. The classes horrid. Some of the teachers care and some are pushovers. Personally I think they all have probably lost some of there pysch while working there. Highly rude staff.I think some of them are just there to eat. No discipline what so ever. My friend got hit in the head with a football at lunch and they still continue to throw that football around today. Im scared I'll fail End of Course Test.
—Submitted by a student

This is a great school. We have many activities to choose from for our electives and the base that is laid during 1st and 2nd year will help each and every student for the rest of their lives.
—Submitted by a student

I currently have a sophmore student who attends North Atlanta. I have no regrets for sending my child here each day. This school is awesome and I have great communication with all the teachers .The IS program has been been very rewarding and challenging. I look forward to my 8th grader coming over next year.
—Submitted by a parent

Currently, I'm a student at North Atlanta, and I love it here. Despite the rumors, North Atlanta's IB program is very hard. I've learned so much from all of my classes and its only our fifth week of school. Not only is North Atlanta a great school academically, but it's very diverse. I've learned about many new cultures. I highly recommend this school! It's the best!
—Submitted by a parent

I am attending North Atlanta High School and I like the experience there. It's really easy to make friends and you can be yourself. The classes can be very challenging but also rewarding in the future. I'm a junior and it seems like a long road before I will be able to graduate but I know that the faculty and staff will provide all the support and I appreciate the hard work through all these years
—Submitted by a student