Dekalb Elementary School of the Arts

I love this school. My daughter started in Kindergartin with Mrs. Giles and is now in the 2nd in Mr. Gilbert. The teacher s are wonderful!!!! My daughter loves learning and this school plays a HUGE part in it!!! The principal Mr. Powell shows a lot of care for the students and strives for success. He really has a gift of getting te parents to want to get involved :o)
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in 5th grade this year, and has attended this school since kindergarten. Although all the staff is not perfect, I absolutely love the princial, Mr. Powell! He truly cares about the students & is always available to parents & students. I am happy to see this school's rating.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm going to the school this year but my friend has been attending and she loves it she brags about it all the time she said she's a major at education she has one of the top scores in the school she's in discovery and she said the activities r fun and educational if u have not attended the school don't say that it is bad cause there is a lot 2 learn at the school especially education and what most kids came for the school, performing arts.

I attend this school and while it has its problems that definitely need to be looked at, I am thoroughly shocked at the ugly reviews this school has recieved from PARENTS. No disrespect but honestly this is a very active school. I am a member of Shows to Go, BETA club, Student Council, and Discovery amongst a substantial amount of classes. I think before you post an ugly review of the school you should at least try to find out what's actually going on. You need to have your facts strait first.

This is our first year at DESA and I must admit we are VERY disappointed. Our child is in K and upon meeting his teacher one of the very first statements out of her mouth was "Well, I was going to retire last year but...." After hearing this of course my first thought was, "Is she really going to interested in TEACHING the children." Nevertheless, we're still giving it a try, leaning more toward withdrawing our child after the new year. Yes, we discussed with the principal, and he did as he should have and professionally defended her indicating that he's never had a problem with this specific teacher. We are very active parents and upon observation over the last 4 months, we can honestly say that DESA did not live up to our expectation. It is unfortunate, but we have tried to be patient and wait it out, the proof is in what our child has obtained......nothing. Please please please, do your research on this school AND others, make your decision wisely, and place your child in a school with teachers who display a concern for our children's foundation. The beginning of the educational career dictates the future in many ways.
—Submitted by a parent

Its interesting that no reviews have been posted about DESA in almost three years. Silence speaks volumes about this school.
—Submitted by a parent

My 15 yr old daughter attended DESA from K-7th grade and I was always pleased with this school. Along with my involvement with she received the education & tools needed to be the straight A student that she has always been. I was so pleased that I now have my 3rd grade daughter attending also and I have noticed how much more she enjoys school which is a difference from the last school she attended. Throughout the years I have seen the growth of the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have taught for quite a long time - mostly in the North (NY), and being a teacher at this school is wonderful. The overall education children receive at this educational institution is way above most schools. Parental involvement is seriously lacking however, and while the school is great, it would only improve if more parents get involved in their children's education. The school has made AYP for the last seven (7) years, but even so the faculty and administration are very committed in improving the level of education provided at the school.
—Submitted by a teacher

My daughter was on the honor roll and the the principals list at this school for several years. I thought for a little while that she was receiveing a great education. However I think that she has failed to thrive here She is in third grade and spells olive olif. I have noticed the behavior of other children who attend this school through after school social interactions and compared to other children they are extrememely insecure. It is my opinion that this is because they are not teaching the arts through discovery. I develop an appreciation and affinity for the arts becuase of exposure to Alvin Ailey and Saragh Vaughn but my exposure is my teacher who is consistently deciding whether I have talent or not. We live in a major city. Their exposure to the arts has been woefully inadequate to be considered an arts magnet.
—Submitted by a parent

Dekalb Elementary School at Hooper Alexander is a great school. My daughter has been at this school since Kindergarden and I have been very pleased with her progress and the teachers overall. She gets more at this school than she would get at a private school there is not alot of teacher/student turnover and they really encourage parent involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been apart of DESA @ Hooper going on 4 years now, she will start 4th grade on this August. I am happy and pleased with the school, both the principal/assistant principals are wonderful. With the exception of maybe two teachers out of the entire school the teachers are helpful, nice, friendly and caring. But, what school doesn't have at least 1 bad seed (teacher). The Arts department is great as well, the dance teachers and drama teachers are amazing. Test scores at this school for the last three years have ranked in at least the top 4 out of all dekalb county Elementary schools. I personally think this speaks for it's self about the school, high test scores that excel most of Dekalb County other schools. Parent involvement is lacking a lot, and I think with more parent involvement the school will has the potential to become even better. My child will continue on through 7th grade and go on Dekalb of the Arts High School.
—Submitted by Tomika Thomas, a parent

This is the conclusion of my students' first year at DESA; and it is one of the more impressive programs in DeKalb County. The principal, asst. principal, and counselor are always readily available each morning and afternoon when I walk in to drop off and pick up my children. As I walk down the halls each day, I greet everyone I pass; and receive the same in return. The delivery of the curriculum is outstanding (thanks Mr. DeHart, Mrs. Robinson, and Mr. Hall); and the performance arts program and their teachers help to motivate my children to excel and identify alternatives goals in their lives. The school is wonderful, the test results are great; and with any other school, parental involvement makes the difference.
—Submitted by Tracey Jones, a parent

I am not to fond of this school. I do not get a warm and fuzzy feeling about this school. The teachers do not appear to be as friendly as some other schools in the dekalb county area. I believe much work is needed in the area of Administration, Teacher, and Parent relationships.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel okay but not thrilled with my childs progress at Hooper. The teachers, faculty and staff are pretty snooty acting and rude as a whole. I experienced on more than ten occasions visiting the school, speaking to a staff or office employee and not getting a response. I hope this year can be better because I plan on bringing this issue up at every meeting I can attend.
—Submitted by Oneika Knighton, a parent

Dekalb Elementary Elementary School of the Arts@ Hooper Alexander is an excellent school. The school has received various award recognition for Academic and Artistic achievement. Many of the students are in the Gifted program. A host of students have performed Nationwide. The BETA club has been ranked # 1 and #2 in the last two years. The parental involvement is a true factor in the SUCCESS rate of this school. Communicating with the teachers and administration is rewarding for both the students and the parents. I love the school I have two children that were accepted into the program. My childen love the school. They are Drama and Piano majors. They have performed in various school and community plays.
—Submitted by G Stewart, a parent