Charles R. Drew Charter School

My daughter started with Drew in Pre-K... I must admit the expectation level academically is above and beyond what I experienced growing up in the City of Decatur School System which was then and now a very good school system. I love the challenge that is placed on the kids to get them to think outside of the box and their own comfort levels. Although this school challenge my child to be her absolute best... at times, I find myself being challenged with science and social studies projects as well. My daughter is now in 3rd grade and I have enjoyed almost all of her teachers with the exception of one up to this point. Overall I think Drew is an excellent school however, I have found it a little perplexing that as the demographics of the area changed so has the schools in this area as all schools educationally should be equal.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughters started Drew six months ago after we relocated from a top performing school in the North. Friends advised that if we were moving to GA, to only consider private or public schools in the suburbs. We're so glad we chose to live in town and most importantly, Drew. So far we have zero regrets. Our experiences have been nothing but positive. Our daughters' teachers are well educated, professional and truly care about their students. The ongoing feedback the parents receive, make it virtually impossible for a student to slip through the cracks. And if a child requires remediation, the resources are there. I'm also impressed that despite the size, the administrators know many students by name. The STEAM curriculum is commended considering that many schools are phasing out art/music enrichment. Moreover, our daughters' friends are much more diverse not only in race, but socioeconomics; something we feel are invaluable. The approved high school is icing on the cake. I used to joke that Drew was the best kept secret, but my husband says the secret is out.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my children are currently at this school. We have been thoroughly impressed. Not only are the teachers and administration thoroughly involved, but the curriculum is truly unique for Atlanta. Furthermore, the after school program is the outstanding.
—Submitted by a parent

About 6 months ago we transferred 2 kids from private school to Drew. Obviously we were nervous about what type of education our kids would receive here. Well, so far its been great, far surpassing our expectations. If things continue to go this well we will be here until high school graduation. I m keeping my fingers crossed.
—Submitted by a parent

My child just completed his first year at Drew Charter School and I have been impressed. My husband and I have been very involved in the school. We believe that parent involvement is what contributes to a great school. My son's teacher was very enthusiastic about teaching and that translated into a child that is very enthusiastic about learning. Drew Charter School offers many opportunities for enrichment that can't be found at other APS schools and even some private schools. Drew Charter School does a great job of nurturing well-rounded children that excel academically. I look forward to my second child joining the school in a few years.
—Submitted by a parent

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

On paper this school is one of the best. But in reality not so much. We moved to Atlanta not knowing any one or anything about the city. We looked at this web site and choose to move to the East Lake area because of the school and what we had read about how great it was. For the first year it was good, His teacher was wonderful 3/4 of the year the school year my son was not looking forward to school and talked about wanting to move to a new school. When a 6 year old is saying things like that its a sign something is not right. I found out he was being bullied. I went to the teachers and principal and was told it was nothing and it had been dealt with. By the end of the school year it was fixed but the damage was done. The start of the new school year was hard as now I had 2 in the school and the eldest really didn't want to go back there. Other issues came up this time with my younger son. I was told that this was not my base school and so they couldn't give my son the help and support he needed. Knowing that I withdrew the boys 3 weeks into the new school year. The lack of understanding and compassion was undeliverable. But I had no choice.
—Submitted by a parent

I visited Drew Charter School with the 2010 GPEE (Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education) and I fell in love with the entire concept. I loved what I saw so much that I took my husband (who is a 5th grade teacher) and my sons (ages 11 and 8) back for a tour. They loved it too! We currently live in a rural community and just to see the opportunities available for these students and their parents via a public school is indeed heartwarming and very encouraging. As an educator, my husband was impressed with the overall environment, the projects on display and our observation of the students and the teachers interacting. My sons were impressed with the projects they saw and the plethora of extra curricular activities to choose from. They were excited to know that foreign language, music AND sports are available. Our prayer is that we can move to the Atlanta area so that our sons can be a part of the Drew Academy and if my husband can teach there, he is ready to sign up! God Bless everyone there for what are doing everyday for every student!

I absolutely love Drew Charter School. My child has attended Drew since she was in 6th grade and she LOVES Drew Charter and the teachers. I have found that the teachers have been consistent since she has been there on every grade level. My child has been in regular public school in Atlanta and Dekalb, and out of all the schools I find Drew the best thus far. The teachers care and show an interest in the students excelling. I also like Drew for the extracurricular activities that they provide which in turn will provide a well rounded child. From the chorus performing at different locations, to the band and dance team, the Jr. BETA Club and the bike club. Every school isn't perfect in every area but at Drew Charter I see that they try to work out any issue that arises. So we as the parents of the students shouldn't expect the teachers and staff to raise our kids, we should only expect them to teach them. Drew Charter keep up the good work.
—Submitted by a parent

I love Drew Charter. My child is in the 1st grade and I have had lots of interactions with the teachers in the school, because I volunteer heavily. The one disappointment has nothing to do with the school, but everything to do with the lack of parental involvement. Granted part of this is because there has not been an active PTA but now that there is, hopefully more parents will step up. The same parents are always there. But overall the principal, and the teachers I find care about the students and want to help.
—Submitted by a parent

I read all the previous reviews and glad other parents have had a great experience @ Drew. The kids' opinion of the school speaks volumes. My son hates both his teachers and school. How sad for a child. Its not only my son, but other kids felt the same after being asked. I for one am very active- PTA, volunteer @ school, and helped my child prepare for the CRCT. My child has attended for a number of years and I'm there enough to see the behind the scenes. Positive re-enforcement, compassion, and a genuine love and respect for kids and being a teacher/role model is ABSOLUTELY LACKING! The school is full because the teachers and staffs' kids who are out of district attend so priority is not giving to those of East Lake Villages. Is sad cause ppl responsible for the quality of teachers our kids encounter rather make excuses.
—Submitted by a parent