Sandtown Middle School

As a parent, I am not satisfied with Sandtown. I feel that the school operates in mediocrity. If your student is self-motivated, then you will be ok. But if your student needs a little push or encouragement, don't look for it. They seem only focused on the "smart" kid and cater to those parents who have the ability to volunteer on a daily basis. Grades are not entered in a timely fashion, which makes it hard to minitor students' progress. The principal lacks adequate leadership skills. She seems distant and out if touch. The assistant principal for 7th grade is rude and unproffesional. The school resource officer is bullyish and unprofessional. The teachers are quick to call if a student talks in class, but won't call to inform you that your student is failing. I am beyond frustrated. I am considering working a second job to pay for private school. Sandtown is in desperate need of a leadership overhaul.
—Submitted by a parent

I've been here at Sandtown for 2 years now and I'm never amazed at the ones we call "administrators" who don't know how to run this school. For the parents who don't come let me clue you in. Get up here and see what's really going on and ask yourself WHY is the parent liaison, Jocelyn Mitchell, who is very, very rude and keeps a lot of friction among us (staff). Who also tells our Principal Geathers what to do. Wake up parents and help us get Mitchell away from Sandtown.
—Submitted by a teacher

My child is in the 6th grade at SMS, all TAG classes, and I am pleased with the rigor of the TAG program and the teachers of those classes. However, the overall school environment feels prison-like and not welcoming. This is most likely because of the large contingency of misbehaving, disrespectful students that populate the school. The environment and rules of a school usually are dictated by the type of students at the school. The principal does not demonstrate leadership in the school. She behaves as a side line spectator. She is reactive, rather than creative and proactive. I do like the 6th grade assistant principal, Dr. Reliford. She has more of a principal "air" than does the actual principal. Overall, on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being not at all satisfied and 5 being exceptionally satisfied, I would give the school a 3. The school is mediocre, but the best middle school we have in South Fulton-which is pretty sad. I would not hesitate to suggest that the schools in North Fulton are better in terms of student behavior, extracurricular activities, parent participation, and a more positive enviroment, that is not as rigid.
—Submitted by a parent

Never have I entered a school and wanted to run out the door. This school lacks Efficient Leadership! The Principal is passive aggressive in her nature and interaction with others. The 6th grade Asst Principal obviously lacks experience and does not know how to interact with people. It's hard to believe anything that either of them say as they are completely dishonest individuals. It is so sad the way some of the teachers and administrators yell, scream and put down the students, even out in the hallways. It is a disgrace that the administrators cater to a handful of parents and show disregard for other parents and the staff. This school has a horrible environment. I feel so bad for the students and few teachers that are there to really help the children.

The board of higher education needs to reevaluate who teaches our children at Sandtown. Teachers and staff at Sandtown are not qualified!!! The principal is clueless and our children are running rampart due to lack of leadership. There is a tremendous lack of communication and accountability. I am glad this is my child last year at Sandtown. Now I understand why parents with disposal income put their kids in private school...it's totally a different experience from learning, leadership and professionalism. Future parents, please don't waste your precious time enrolling your child at Sandtown -- you will be disappointed with the outcome.
—Submitted by a parent

I blame the bored of education. They do nothing to find qualified people to run there schools. Kids get bullyed everyday. Teachers are rude kids fight all the time. There are plenty of ways to avoid all these problems. Please do something about these schools out of control
—Submitted by a parent

I attended Sandtown middle school and I must say the curriculum that was taught was wonderful. The main problem that I found with the school was the bad behaved students. Other than that this is not a bad school.

My son is in the 6th grade. Any time I send an email, ONLY two of his teachers ever respond!! My son was suspended due to a fight that he didnt start per The Assistant Principal. My son and the other kid were both susended for 4 days. The Assistant Principal told me that I can call the school to get all of his homework and classwork. When I called and email the teachers, NO RESPONSE. I then foward the email to the Assistant Principal, still NO RESPONSE!! I called the school and spoke with the front desk; however, she said it was nothing that she can do. When I put my son in Sandtown, I thought that the school was great. WRONG!! I have never had to deal with a school that will never return your phone calls or emails. When I finally got in touch with one of his teachers, he advised me that he didnt reply to the email because he thought the email was a SPAM. How ridiculous is that! The subject line had my son name. My next question was why didnt he ever return my phone calls???? Never go that answer..... BUT of course, The Assistant covered for him. Sandtown is not a good fit for my son, thats why I am transferring him.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are very very rude to the students and are not welcoming at all. On the 1st day you are not allowed to enter the building and can not help your child with their locker. You have to make an appointment to eat lunch with your child, which is ridiculous. I would not advice anyone to send their child here because it is not an exciting place to learn, it is more like a prison for the children. My child really does not enjoy the time spent here. No interesting activities and very little participation.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to sandtown middle school two years ago I am now a current tenth grader at Westlake high-school.my years at sandtowb were great.I had a lot of fun in P.E. and had a lot of fun learning.the teachers are great at explaining things and they even extend the amount of time for the projects to be turned in(which they don't have to do).the rules are strict but I like them.it keoos the students grounded.loved my years there and would recommend parents to send their children here :)
—Submitted by a student

I attended Sandtown Middle School last year my experince was great. If you don`t understand what the material is they provide tutoring and after school tutorials.As a old student there I was the type of student that got in trouble alot but even though when you get suspended they make sure you get your work. At first i hated the school because of the way they had there rules but I got used to it eventually so if your planning on sending your child here. They may hate it but in the end the`ll love considering the fact that they had alot of dances, pep rallies, and basketball games during school hours.
—Submitted by a student

The school is okay. I have made a transition to this school, & have been here for a year. My transition didnt go well. I wasn't liked by most of my peers & often had conflicts with them. Coming from a single parent home, I wasn't able to wear all the name brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, & Aeropostal. So being at that school was hard & I was picked on alot. The teachers are not really kind. I am an african amer. & came from a prodominetly white school and being at a prodominetly black school, the teachers didn't treat me very well. They honestly don't care about the students, & they don't try to make the students understand, when we ask for help they look at us as if we're stupid and say something like "well that's too bad, you're not the only person in class, & everyone else seems to get it." I was not used to these types of comments and took it very seriously. I believe in getting the best education possible and Sandtown is not going to get it. Although the dress code & disciple are somewhat strict. I was a former 8th grade student, & I graduated on the honor roll for 2 semesters. It isn't the worse skool but it sure isnt the best! Im jus glad 2b away frm that skool
—Submitted by a student

Sandtown has a lot of potential, but the administrators and many of the teachers are apathetic. They lack passion for children or education. The first semester awards program was held in a corner in the media center and children were instructed to only invite one guest...ridiculous! There are numerous children from two parent homes. I am looking to move out of the school's district in search of a better setting to educate my children.
—Submitted by a parent

PLEASE NOTE THIS SCHOOL IS HORRIBLE!!!!!!! I am a current seventh grader who is new at this school. No one at this school is welcoming. Everyone is fake and is very, very mean and rude and doesn't care about your feelings. I recently moved to Fulton from Cobb county where I attended a private school. I hate it a lot it may just be a culture shock or whatever but I am not enjoying my time at this school. Hopefully my mom will send me back to my old school. This is just my opinion but your child may like it. People here can be very ghetto and I just do not like it. P.S. Everyone here where's Hollister, Ambercrombie and Fitch, and Aeropostale. If you DO NOT have these clothes the probably will make fun of you. (They are so stupid, excuse my french) :( Ugh school is 2morrow.

I used to attend Sandtown Middle. For all 3 grades. This is an above average school because if you compare it to schools within a 10 mile radius, you won't find one as good. The administrators are very tight on " The Bad Kids". They're always suspending people for stupidious reasons(such as talking during Silent Lunch-when ALL kids must keep quiet during lunch). While attending SMS i felt as if I were in a prison(Tucked in Shirt, Walk on the Green Line, Silent Lunch, Only two locker breaks a day-One during Homeroom and one at the end of the day-carrying six textbooks from class to class within 3 minutes of a 4 way crowded hallway). But other than the discipline, the schools had tons of dances, games, fun fridays, etc. Some teachers will work nerves bt You Will Have Fun as long as long as you stay out of trouble. (:

Iattend Sandtown Middle school and this is a excellent chose. Just bring your own lunch the school lunch is horrible.
—Submitted by a student

I have been pleased with Sandtown. As with any school, I think there are challenges with instruction, teachers entering grades/communicating with parents, discipline, subtle bullying. But for the most part, I think that Sandtown has done a decent job educating its students.
—Submitted by a parent

Sandtown Middle School is a good school and it's a very educated school.
—Submitted by a parent

Sandtown Middle School is an outstanding school.They are very strict when it comes to academics and strive for the students better understanding.The teachers are loving and the students are disciplined and overall have a grasp on achieving more so they can go about their business.Just like me.I came form a terrible school along witha school system.I will cherish Sandtown in my heart forever because its a nice school with a strive for excellence and getting us teens to higher heights.take your student to this school because they will learn so much and have a better understanding of their work and confidence in their goals.
—Submitted by a student

Hi my name is Eboni Perkins and I am a former 7th grader (2008-2009)at Sandtown.Sandtown is a great school.There are many activities there.The teachers are amazing and they know how to have fun,but learning is also important too.So for all you parents who dout Sandtown Middle School,dont because it could change your childs life around.
—Submitted by a student