Avery Elementary School

There is something special going on at Avery. Our kids are challenged, excited and motivated to do well and see school as a place to enjoy and contribute. When I have opportunity to visit the school, I am always struck by how positive and giving the entire school community is toward one another. Parents are welcomed. Children care for one another. Teachers are clearly invested and care about their school and their students. The administration participates. I have been to several award ceremonies or other school-related functions outside of Avery (at other venues, county-level events, etc.). I ALWAYS see Avery administration and faculty attending these events well outside of school hours. Our children experience differentiated curricula and are consistently receiving individualized attention. We have experience in the private school environment and though the class sizes were smaller (a clear benefit), the overall experience did not compete...lots of hype and propaganda. Avery is focused simply on educating and doing so for the whole child. Parent-teacher communication is excellent. We love the school and are blessed to be able to send our kids there.
—Submitted by a parent

Avery is like a private school without the huge expense! The teachers, leadership and academic programs are fantastic. Parents are always welcome to volunteer and the school strives to be part of the community through PTA events as well as children being able to use the wonderful outside facilities. Go Cubs!!
—Submitted by a parent

This is our first year at Avery after being at a private school for several years. We are so glad that we made the switch! Avery has exceeded our expectations in so many ways. Their teachers are wonderful, and it is so obvious that they really know our children's personalities and learning styles. The Principal and Assistant Principals are always friendly and smiling and available if you need them. Avery has lots of great parents who love the school and love to be involved. Both of our kids have been challenged academically more than they did in our previous school. Our kids are happy and love their school!
—Submitted by a parent

I have a kindergartener at Avery Elementary. This is my first experience with my child in school, we have had a great experience so far. My child is reading in Kindergarten, and doing advanced math for her age. I am very happy with our teacher and her ability to recognize my child's aptitude and push it to the limit. There are so many volunteer opportunities at Avery, and I am always welcome to eat lunch with my child whenever I want. I feel very welcome here. The staff and administration are also very friendly. Couldn't say enough good things. Thank you for a wonderful experience.
—Submitted by a parent

Our family has been at Avery since it was first created. We have had such a wonderful experience each year. First with my son who is now in 7th grade and now my daughter who is in 3rd. The teachers are very caring and give a warm and loving environment to the students. I feel very welcome each time I help volunteer whether it be in the library or classroom. I love the small town feel of the school even though we are a large school. There is a great sense of community among the teachers, parents, and students.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had very positive experiences at Avery. I am one of many active volunteers at the school. I'm there often and I always feel welcome and appreciated. The Avery volunteers are a friendly, well organized group. It's easy to get involved at any level. My 3 children have had outstanding teachers. All public schools are facing tight budgets and crowded classrooms. Avery teachers put the kids first and handle those challenges in thoughtful and creative ways. They extend themselves beyond what I would expect to make sure that students get what they need. They care about my children and their academic success. The communication has been excellent on all levels. I love that I can email the teachers and get a quick response to any questions or concerns. We were at a private school for 3 years before moving to Avery. Before we switched, we visited. We took a tour and met with the principal and staff. We were very impressed with everything we saw and heard. The school has more than met our high expectations. Putting our kids there has been one of the best decisions we've made.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is Great! My children and I felt welcome from day one. Superb Teachers!!! Very friendly staff! Parents are VERY welcome as volunteers! Can't say enough great things about Avery Elementary!!!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is awful. Was previously at Hickory Flat and got rezoned to Avery when it opened. How bad could a new school be? Boy was I wrong! The administration runs it like a prison for elementary kids with no logic and treat parents as the enemy. They reinforce teachers poor performance and inability to teach and serve their students with more of the same. There is no creativity allowed. Currently searching for a private school or considering moving into the Hickory Flat zone. Avery is staffed with amateurs. What a shame.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has not lived up to its reputation. It has been a horrible school year. The classes are too large, the teachers are overwhelmed and the principal is totally out of touch with her school. The parents are not welcome there and the vice-principal is out right rude to parents. So unfortunate!
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my kids (K and 2nd) have only went to this school. I love this school. Parent involvement is awesome, the staff has always been attentive and friendly, and carpool is organized. We are about to move into another school district and comparing the two schools has made me want to petition to stay here.
—Submitted by a parent

Love Avery Elementary! Parents very involved, school very spirited. Can come and have lunch with my child any day. PTA puts on some great events. Only complaint my kids have is about a 'mean' art teacher (this is from 4 of my kids). My only complaint is the turnover from top administrators, who were all excellent. New principal is not as visible. My kids are getting an above average education in a public school and are benefiting from a unique technique in responsibility in actions through 'love and logic'.
—Submitted by a parent

We have 2 children at Avery and they love the school. We had one bad experience in the 4 years we have had a child there, and it was rectified by the administration promptly. I read some of the other reviews, and I am baffled at those experiences. Most of the teachers at Avery left other schools when it opened, and most came from the better schools in the County, and were reagrded as the "better" teachers from those schools.
—Submitted by a parent

I have found the Teachers my older has had to be grouchy, rude, and downright discouraging -- not just to me -- more importantly, the students! I have had not one positive experience interacting with them. My poor girl must be very unlucky. My younger daughter has had a great teacher in the 1st grade, but this daughter is not the one who needs the extra attention. I have also requested to speak to a member of administration about possible dyslexia testing for my older daughter. None of my requests for contact have been returned. I hate it. I want to take them elsewhere...
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended Avery for three years and currently attends Creekland Middle. All three years we had teachers that were very devoted to their students. My daughter's reading skills improved greatly. The principal was very visible and accessible. I was very involved as a volunteer as were many other parents. My only negative experience involved the front office staff.
—Submitted by a parent

We are EXTREMELY disappointed. Very unwelcoming and unfriendly staff. Principal is not visible. Overcrowded school.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had a wonderful experience at Avery. The teachers have been World Class and the administrators are VERY Professional. It actually feels like a private school. The facility is top notch. I would highly recommend this school to anyone. Please don't listen to the other reviews. I don't think they would be happy at any school.
—Submitted by a parent

TERRIBLE! I went in to this school year full of optimism with my son being in Kindergarten. He was a model student at the Academy where he attended Pre-K and was loved by all of his teachers. He was put into a class with 22+ 5yr olds and 1 teacher with a part time para pro. The teacher was obviously overwhelmed and even said MANY times that she was not able to give the kids personalized attention because she had SO many of them! Due to my son's boredom and the teachers poor ability to manage a large classroom, we met with the teacher and V.Principal and were told that they didn't have any other options to offer. We WITHDREW him from Avery and now he is flourishing in a local Montessori School! PS. The Principal never even contacted me to discuss things after numerous requests on my part!
—Submitted by a parent

Avery needs to do their job at the school and stay out of our homes.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been a student now for two years. We are absolutely delighted at how well coordinated Avery is. Parent involvement is extremely high - which is a sign of a great school. The teachers are very talented and are very caring. My daughter went from not reading but barely a few words at the beginning of K to reading at a beginning 2nd grade level at the end of K. She loves going to school, the activities and her friends. The Love & Logic discipline method is fantastic, I wish I would have known about it earlier.
—Submitted by a parent

My son loves his teachers, the computer technology, recess/physical education program and most of all his friends.
—Submitted by a parent