Greer Elementary School

Greer is an amazing school. The IB program is great. But what really makes this school is the Amazing Teachers and Staff.

We moved to brunswick when my husband was stationed at FLETC and we decided to try CB Greer before going to a private school. I am SO glad we did!! My daughter attended greer during 4th grade and is now in the last term of 5th grade. The principal changed this year, but from what I can tell the transition has been smooth. I really like the IB program. The teachers, school staff and parent volunteers have all been great. My daughter was in private school in another state from 1-3rd grades, and I feel that the education and support she received here was equal to a private education, and in some areas has exceeded what is possible in a private school. She has enjoyed being part of the choir and being a crew member on the daily news broadcast Shark News . I have recommended this school to lots of people moving into this area, and will continue to do so. We felt welcomed by all of the staff from day one, and that really makes a difference.
--Submitted by a parent

My child is a kindergartener at Greer this year. I could not be more pleased with our experience. He is reading far beyond a kindergarten level and writing paragraphs! His teacher has been in constant communication with us and has given us many opportunities to be involved through the year. The school gained International Baccalaureate status this year, and I think it has been a lot more than a few spoonfed words. The students are encouraged to learn through 'inquiry'. I think Greer is a Great school, and I cannot wait to see how much my children learn over the next few years.
--Submitted by a parent

I feel like we are not encouraged to be involved. The principal plays favorites! It is like pulling teeth to ever get a pass to get into the school for vistation. You can not walk your kids to class and you can not go in to get your kids in the afternoon. If you ever want to ask the teacher questions about your childs performance you must write it in this little box in their agenda and wait for a written response. You have to schedule a conference to ever be able to talk about things face to face. The staff has poor communication with each other. The kids are not aloud to talk at breakfast. I tried to eat breakfast with my child and I asked him a question and was told by a teacher that talking was not allowed. We are not happy with this school. Transferring soon!!!
--Submitted by a parent

My child attended Greer for part of kindergarten. From the beginning, I felt that parents were being alienated from the school. We couldn't walk our child to class or walk to the sidewalk to pick her up. We were discouraged from talking to the teachers before or after class. If we had any concerns we were to write them in a small block in her agenda for the teacher to send a written response. We weren't given the opportunity to ask questions during open house. Now, on to IB. While I feel the IB program is a good thing, it seemed that Greer was trying so hard to get certification that the administration ONLY focused on its principles. I felt my child was being spoon-fed key words and phrases geared to helping the school gain IB status. She wasn't really being taught. The students are well-behaved.
--Submitted by a parent

Greer elementary is one of the best schools here in Glynn County. Walking into Greer is like walking into a breath of fresh air. Dr. Shirah is an awesome principal. The teachers, staff and the students are so pleasant. When you walk into this school, the atmosphere is as it should be. CALM! Your always greeted with a smile from the front office. My kids has attended Greer since Kindergarten. And this year, we were forced to have our children attend another school. What a MAJOR problem that was for our kids. They were coming from a school with structure and respect! To be placed at a school that was a complete opposite. I finally received the chance to return them back to Greer. And I'm so thankful! My kids are so excited for school to start, they can hardly wait.
--Submitted by a parent

Just compare Greer's academic standing to the other schools in the area -- including the more affluent St. Simon's. Greer continues to excel because of a great staff that supports students and families. I have never heard of a parent who had to beg to see grades or homework. And, it's commun to not allow textbooks to leave -- we are in Georgia, money is tight in the education system, and not all parents return their kids books. I don't believe a school is better for sending home 'busy work'...I would like my child to have a life outside of school. Both my kids have excelled at Greer -- the oldest is in the challenge program, and loves going to school. That, to me is a better measure of success. Greer will be heading towards IB status next year, and we're excited about the possibilities.
--Submitted by a parent

I think the change to a new principle is hard. She is trying to innovative things. And of course people are relucatate to any change. But we see silver glimers of hope as the school tends to improve.
--Submitted by a parent

Today we withdrew our child from CB Greer. It was a difficult decision but we were tired of the complete lack of communication between home and school. We even had to beg to see our child's papers and grades. The new principal appears to be in over her head and has no control over teachers who refuse to answer emails/notes in agendas and who refuse to grade and return papers. Our child was not allowed to bring any textbooks home to study--then we found out there were not enough books and students were having to share books in class. Our older child was at Greer K-5 and we never had problems--so I place the blame squarely on the shoulder of the new, inexperienced administration.
--Submitted by a parent

My children attended CB Greer for two years. They thrived and did very well. However as a parent I was very unhappy with the lack of parental support given to us by the current principal. We were so concerned as parents that we went to the school board. So needless to say my children now go to a different school. Good Luck!
--Submitted by a parent