Atlanta Heights Charter School

The school asked us parents to rate how it is. Well this was my child first and last year there. He was in 2nd grade, and those older kids are awful. They fight, swear, and you can't trust the principal to protect them or their teachers. They have a crazy dismissal where all kids are outside together and van riders wait in the hall and they be always fighting swearing, and just bad. This school does not do good for kids. My kid be going back to Adamsville. He is just a baby and doesn't need to be around kids like this. The teachers quit and leave and our kids keep suffering. That principal never talks to parents if you have a problem, you alway deal with deans who don't know half whats going on, and when you want to talk to her, she hide in her office, if she is even at the school at all that day. I am disappointed by this charter and know that a few parents are leaving. This is a bad school and the kids are not learning cause of all the bad kids in they classes. Next year we will know better than to fall for their trick. They make it look good when you tour, but in real time its a free for all.
—Submitted by a parent

Kindergarten, and 1st grade are this schools saving grace....God please help the rest of this school! The poor teachers are really trying but without vision the people parish. My kids had the same teacher for kindergarten and I am in LOVE with her and the first grade teacher is wonderful. But I'm not sure past this. I have seen fights in the morning and heard big kids cussing in the hallway. Big kids should not be in the same building with my babies. My son is scared of the big kids!
—Submitted by a parent

I can say this, most parents are pulling their kids left and right (well the high smart students really) They see this school for what it is, a breeding ground for future gang members and street rats. I am sad to say that my child is still attending here, UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR, then we are out. We had him in since they opened, and as a 4th grader he hates it. His favorite teachers are gone, (this happens a LOT), and now they over half way through the school year stop rotating students (departmentalizing) and now stay with their homeroom teachers all day. The kids hate Ms. Francis and miss their old teachers, and my son hates going to school. The behavior problems happen because admin is too weak to address concerns with parents, because as you know each child is a dollar sign. Please put you child in any other school. The admin is weak and has problems, and although there are good teachers here, they are fought at everyone turn by admin. They complain about it to us parents often at dismissal and many openly say they are seeking other jobs. This is a sad school with great original hopes, but weakness has failed this place, driven by a worthless leader.
—Submitted by a parent

After reading a lot of the negative posts, it makes me wonder. First, teachers and admin should not have to discipline. If the child is taught this from home, the schools would have a better learning environment. Most of the people who are complaining are probably the ones with disruptive students. I work in a school and most problems come from parents who has no control over their children. Wake up people. If the child is disciplined at home, learning can take place at the school. Stop blaming others, take a look at yourself and your child/children. What are you doing wrong.

My son was enrolled in this school for 3rd grade after doing research and going on a tour I thought this was the be a great school for my son. The tour showed me classes that were not overcrowded, well behaved children that seemed to be happy about learning. I was SADLY mistaken. His teacher left the school and was only replaced with multiple subsitutes that told me to get my son out of this school. Finally the teacher was replaced with a teacher that yelled constantly everyday. How can a student learn if they are yelled at all the time. My sons glasses were smashed by another student the administration was unavailable and uncaring about any of these situations that I brought to there attention. My son became a shell of himself saying this school was the worst and he hated the school. The best descsion I ever made was to withdraw my son from Atlanta Charter Heights. Please do not send your child to this school.
—Submitted by a parent

As a current parent of a 4th grade girl, I will give you the honest truth. My daughter is in the advanced room, and we thought this was the school of our dreams. In her 3rd grade year, the teacher left, now this year, two of her 4th grade teachers are gone (one run out, one quit)and I can promise you, she will NOT be back there next year. The rumors of staff trying to leave, never being able to meet with admin, to even admin having a sext relationship with other male staff is NOT a school. The charter with Atlanta Public was NOT denied but it was pulled because they were GOING to deny it. So the truth is that no they were not denied but they pulled it from the district because it would have been. The students behavior is HORRIBLE. My daughter never learns because of the poor behavior of others and seeing as the staff can't do anything because admin slaps their hands with write ups. Please, as a mom, do not take your child here. They had GREAT teachers, and they are all gone. As a teacher in training, this school is failing their kids, and doesn't need to be getting a charter. No kids get suspended because they "will miss learning" yet they don't learn they,they just distract others
—Submitted by a parent

What a joke of the school. You would waste your time sending your child there. I have seen what comes from this school and I worry. They have NOT had their charter renewed for next year yet, and for good reason. I think the shine is wearing off and the true colors are coming through. The staff quit and get fired all the time, and yes its no contract, but why would a teacher leave if you didn't hate it. Maybe because they feel no admin support... maybe because the middle schoolers fight DAILY. Suspend the bad kids... YES, why would you want your child in class with problem makers who distract their learning again and again... DO Go see them any day, hopefully admin will be there, just don't walk down the hallway. I would personally recommend and based off of my opinion, they are not lying, but also giving just enough info to keep parents there. I think they might leave if they knew all the truths... the kids are leaving left and right, HIGH SMART kids are having their parents pull them for numerous reasons, contact former parents... there is a reason they are leaving, and although I can't stop them from getting a charter, I hear there is a GROUP of people working towards it.
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers, not so great administration. Very high turnover rate. I was very dissappointed by the unprofessionalism of the Principal.

As I read the reviews about Atlanta Heights, I am frightened! I read reviews, I visit schools, and I check schools scores. How does a parent determine what school is the right one? Every school I've read on has had horrible reviews, is it time that parents keep their kids at home to home school them?
—Submitted by a parent

At first, I thought this was going to be a good school. My son had the greatest kindergarten teacher, but boy how things have changed. It now goes up to 8th grade with big kids walking in the same hallways as the 5year olds. Classroom size for 1st grade is almost 30 kids. No wonder the teachers are so flustered. They say they are such a gr8 school, but the staff is rude and uncaring. The ratings are going down as far as test scores. I've already begun looking for a new school for my son. Next August will not catch him here for 2nd grade. No way! There are other schools with much higher ratings. I gave them a chance, but I'm done done, done. The staff is condescending. As intelligent, informed parents, I'm amazed that the staff treat me and my husband like we are lesser than. I gave them 2 stars because they do not dumb our kids down and they have high expectations for them to go to college. You do not find this a lot in black neighborhoods. This school does and they reward accomplishments, but if the class sizes stay this large & teacher turnover rates stay this high, they are destined to score a 1 of 10 very soon. Last year, they were 4, now 3. Wrong direction.
—Submitted by a parent

Well Well, I thought this was a place to come and rate schools, NOT to talk about personnal feelings of people that you use to work with.First of all Atlanta Heights has not been denied its charter, so lets stop listening to gossiping drama QUEENS. Parents Should want to send their children somewhere that makes them feel safe. Some place that the child will get a quality education from hardworking teachers. And that place is Atlanta Heights. Now is the discipline the greatest? No it is not BUT should they continue to suspend every child that acts out in class? What is the outcome of that, the child learns NOTHING. the deans could be more supportive but the principal really does care about her staff and the children in this school. This is a school without contracts so therefore staff come and go. Many go because the wages at AHCS are far below APS but with the same children(which goes to show they are in the profession for all the wrong reasons) Others leave because they are not effective and can not handle the load that NHA requires. But if you require a your children to work hard you should require the same of your staff. Any day you want to Visit AHCS, DO IT!, you'll see youself

Well lets see this year so far... Teachers who quit Rose 2nd, Mims 4th, Patterson math middle, Taylor middle social studies, Shaw ILP, and numerous subs. Fired a 4th grade teacher and middle grades ELA teacher. The staff turn over is terrible and has been like this every year. Not getting better. This is not good for kids and not a place I would want my child to attend. I worry about weak and absent administration as well as rumors of a dean sending inappropriate messages to a male staff member. She is even still working there. Rumors of weak admin are often heard and many teachers are lookin for ways out. I wish this school was different but the tales and facts of AHC are not something any wise parent would think a strong educational setting. Too much fluff and not enough care for teachers. Keep looking and find a school with a strong teacher attrition rate

This school is not safe for students in my opinion. I saw parents pulling each others hair and teachers completely ignoring children's behavior. I have heard they receive little to no support from administration, and know that students don't get kicked out, because with a for profit school, each kid is a dollar sign. The administration is hard to get in touch with at all. The principal often hides in her office when us parents want to speak and address concerns. Unless you are a vocal parent for the school, you are nothing. The administration is one that will turn on you in a minute it seems. I have seen parents treated like royalty, and then the deans won't speak to them at all. They have let some fantastic teachers walk out and also fired some because they don't seem to bow down. I wish this school would do well, but until they clean house of administrators, they aren't going to see that. Teachers are not supported from what they have said, and many leave . The turnover rate is way to high, this is NOT normal for school settings. Many are even now looking for jobs. I would NEVER put my child in this school, as it allows ghetto moms and kids to act however they want.
—Submitted by a parent

I also worked here and agree with other posts. The school is very poorly run and the administration is very hands off. Most behavior issues are handled by teachers and sending problem students to other teachers classrooms. NHA spends hundreds of thousands a year to fly all new employees to Michigan putting us up in gorgeous hotels paying for bags flights food and even a $100 gift card. However the board won't give any more than $1000 for three grade levels for a field trip. This is a for profit organization and it shows. Kids rarely get kicked out. They are a dollar sign. I believe the problem is poor administration that is often late in early out or barely there at all. They like to turn all problems back on teachers and not parents or students. Parents even fight at the school. We have locked down at least one time already this year due to parents fighting so imagine how kids behave. The middle school students are out of control. They have lost some amazing teachers this year as they are not supported. Sending your child to this school will not help. If they are med or high level go to another school. I have seen strong kids fall apart due to other students behaviors
—Submitted by a teacher

This is my first year and I love it! The school sits amongst a lot of other schools that are not doing so well academically. The scholars at Atlanta Heights are showing what they are made of. In its third year, it is academicallyt sound and out performing many of the other APS schools in and outside the area. The scholars are proud of their academic performances and take pride in themselves and their community. The teachers and staff are focused on teaching our children. The growing pains lessen and the mission of the school goes forward.
—Submitted by a parent

This was my child's 1st year @ this school and I shiver @ the thought of my child returning next year. This school is all about collecting money. Nothing promised @ the beginning of the school year was delivered & the lack of discipline is amazing! No extra curricular activities or foreign language are offered. This was the 6th grades first year & it was a NIGHTMARE! There is a lack of organization and a sense of scattered brained thinking operating this school. I gave a 1 star rating because I could not leave all blank.
—Submitted by a parent

"What do you see when you look at me? I am an Atlanta Heights Trailblazer!" This is the beginning of the creed that every scholar (not student :-)) must learn when entering this serious institution of education. Parents complained of the lack of a good school for their children where here it is. The staff is dedicated to the education of each scholar, they get the parents involved, and they teach an old school value that many schools no longer incorporate into their lesson plans; MORALS! So many are concerned with sports when I know there are kids (in my neighborhood) who can't even read but can put the ball in the hoop. Not My Scholars and I say SCHOLARS proudly! Thank You Atlanta Hieghts for caring. I know all of us parents aren't the best, but I thank God and you for coming here to help us and our children become better. TRAILBLAZERS ALL THE WAY!
—Submitted by a parent

I have four scholars that attend Atlanta Heights Charter School grades ranging from Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th, & 5th. This would be my scholars second year and I continuously see educational growth within all of my children. I am very impressed with the teachers genuine concerns with regards to each student s academic understanding and growth which makes me comfortable to send my children to school every day. Homework assignments are given daily and special projects are given periodically to give each scholar additional learning experiences that will build character. I would admit that there are a few services or programs that Atlanta Heights do not offer as a traditional school such as buses for the students to and from school or before or after school care however I believe the lack in one area Atlanta Heights definitely makes up in other areas. I would recommend this school to any parents that want the best education, structure, and future for their children.
—Submitted by a parent

This school lacks the bases of there school which is Moral Focus. There are no extra educational curriculum offered at this school for regular student, only for student who have low scores. There is no tutorial for students who just need a little extra help and are passing. There is a lack of discipline in this school in regards student with behavior issues or special needs and no one on staff to address there needs. This school is counting heads for dollars. Therefore they are willing to put up with students who are disrespectful to the teachers and they disturb the harmony of the class rooms.
—Submitted by a parent