Charles R. Drew Charter School

I don't think this is a bad school at all but I have to agree, the principal does seem very detach from the students but all in all I want to focus on the positive and to me, it is a great school! My son use to go to another school closer to our home and really didn't like school much but when I transfered him over to Drew his entire perspective changed. This is probably because he was around teachers that cared about him and was very concerned with him. He is now at Tech High Charter but I just want to say thank you to the teacher and staff at Drew. Keep up the good work!!
--Submitted by a parent

I am horrified by what I've seen of Drew so far. My children do not attend; rather, I am often running on the track at the East Lake YMCA while they are in the gym. I have sometimes been so disgusted by what I've seen occur that I've had to leave the track and go work out in another area so I don't have to be witness to it. This afternoon, I watched as about fifteen students, who looked to be between 8 and 10, were sent to the gym. The teacher yelled at them for speaking too loudly and then left the gym for fifteen minutes. While he was gone, another teacher looked at his record book, not once looking up at the kids or engaging with them. During this whole time, the children were expected to remain silent and seated. I don't know what kind of educational philosophy this is based on, but I'd call it cruel and unusual punishment. The teachers I have seen educate the children in a military- school style, berating them for talking and making them sit still and silently for longer periods of time than is developmentally appropriate. . I always feel terrible for the children after seeing these kinds of things.
--Submitted by a parent

THIS IS MY DAUGHTER'S SECOND YEAR AT DREW AND I AM THOROUGHLY SATISFIED WITH IT. THE ACADEMIC STANDARDS ARE AS HIGH, IF NOT HIGHER THAN THE PRIVATE SCHOOL SHE'D ATTENDED. THE TECHNOLOGY SURPASSES HER FORMER SCHOOL BY A LONG SHOT. THE SELECTION OF "SPECIALS" IS UNBELIEVABLE:CHORUS,SWIMMING,GOLF,VIOLIN,ETC...INITIALLY I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING TO ENROLL HER IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL(COMING FROM PRIVATE SCHOOL) BUT AFTER THE INITIAL INTERVIEW AND TOUR OF DREW, I FELT EXTREMELY CONFIDENT AND BLESSED TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR MY CHILD. I AM EVEN IMPRESSED WITH THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT;IT'S PHENOMENAL!!! I HIGHLY RECCOMEND DREW CHARTER TO ANYONE SEEKING A WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. OH YEAH, PLEASE NOT LET ME FORGET THE STAFF, THEY ARE GREAT AS WELL; FROM THE CUSTODIAL, CAFETERIA, TO THE INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF. THEY ALL ARE EXCEPTIONAL!!! and kudos to the after school program too-its the next best thing to your child being cared for by you or a trusted relative: they cover academics as well as life coping classes and other enrichment courses that otherwise cost a fortune.
--Submitted by a parent

The problem with the Drew Charter School is there are too many ignorant people hired to work there . Some of the teachers are loud, nosey and intrusive. It doesn't set a good example for the students, if you yell and scream at them to get your point across. Visit the parking lot in the mornings and you will even see top administrators yelling and screaming at people. One of the people who was hired or acquired to direct traffic in the mornings screamed "shut the f___ up" to one of the parents driving a car and this was right in front of all the students. Not exactly the type of wholesome environment you want to send your kids to every day.
--Submitted by a parent

This is by far one of the best schools in the Atlanta area. We have three chrildren that attend Drew. We've had experiences with our children attending another charter school and a Fulton county school. Drew is innovative in its program offerings, and has resources that only private schools might have. Our children are being challenged in the classroom and are excited about learning. Drew is not perfect. No school is. Most of the staff and administrayion have not settled for merely passing, but push our kids to be their very best..
--Submitted by a parent

I am so impressed with this school. From the moment you walk in the door the ladies at the front are total on top of every situation. They know most of the kids names and where they are supposed to be. All the staff and teachers are very interactive. They are firm with the rules and have expect ions for their students, which I appreciate. I saw some complaints about the principal not being involved in everyday activities. He is the head principal and there are principals of each "academy" that are very involved. His main job seems to be administration and fundraising...which he seems to be incredible at. I'm thrilled to live in neighborhood where there are two good elementary school options and that both are improving through active community involvement.
--Submitted by a parent

The Principal ( Don Doran ) has to be the worse Principal in the world!!!!!! He is only interactive while directing traffic. You should never expect him to resolve any concerns you may have. He is completely oblivious to what goes on in the classrooms at the school and frankly he can careless. He is very similar to a groundskeeper. He only cares about the appearance of the school to it WHITE sponsors. Don Doran is so detached from the daily functions of the school and the students it's ridiculous. This is a terrible SCHOOL. Now that is with all HONESTY!!!!!!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Great School!!! My Nieces take FREE Ballet classes with a lot of these students at The Art of Confidence Performing Arts Alliance in Atlantic Station and they are all GREAT KIDS!
--Submitted by a parent

Drew is AWESOME. My son has came a long way since starting Drew back in August. He has made tremendous progress academically. I would have given Drew a 5, but I don't know the Principal. He doesn't interact with parents much, and if it wasn't for his picture being posted at the entrance of the school, I wouldn't even no of him PERIOD. Other than that, the teachers are family oriented and they really worked with my son. I am forever thankful for their efforts.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in the Gifted Program, but strangely he was the only Gifted child in his class. The poor quality of teachers far out weigh the cirricular. And there's no accountabilty. Im not sure whose interest the people running the school have, but it certainly wasn't my son's. I would stay with my child the entire day to ensure his safety. This teacher broke his spirit which effected his self esteem and absolutely nothing was done. My son had been physically, emotionally, and verbally abused at this educational institution. Complaints and concerns fell on death ears time and time again. My son has a 95% and a100% average in 2 subjects in Sept, by that Oct on his report card he recieved C's in both these subjects. Naturally I was shocked because grades had drastically changed in a matter of weeks without any notice. I was present at the school on a daily basis. At recess my son was playing football along w 2 other boys,doing the exact samething when only my son was picked out. She did this while I wasright there as if I was going to allow her to single him in my presence. She had a lot of nerve. I saught an explaination from administration, they had none execept she didnt know(cont)
--Submitted by a parent