Oak Hill Elementary School

I love this school! My older two children previously attended another nearby school, which I loved at first but quickly went downhill. My second oldest spent 5th grade at Oak Hill, and my youngest was at Oak Hill for pre-k last year and is there for kindergarten this year. The teachers have had excellent communication, and we receive positive feedback daily in my son's agenda. He's had incredible teachers that you can tell truly love working with the kids. Parent involvement is welcomed, which I greatly appreciate. They do have a lot of focus on test scores, but that is a problem with the entire state and is added on to by the Title 1 status. The principal is very friendly, the office staff is very welcoming, and the schooling environment as a whole has always been pleasant when I've been in the school (which has been fairly often). In regards to a previous posting about the school food - if you check the county website, you'll see that this is the same menu at all the elementary schools in the county, so it isn't a school issue but rather an overall county issue.
--Submitted by a parent

We are very disappointed with this school. The children are not allowed to speak to each other during class, they have silent lunch with the lights turned off even when parents are present, and they only have PE twice a week. The teachers write codes in the agendas each day to communicate only negative feedback. No positive feedback at all. Top priority is the CRCT since this directly affects their funding. The breakfasts and lunches are unhealthy and consist mostly of processed carbohydrates or processed "meat". Our children have suffered academically since transferring to this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I am shocked by many of these reviews! My second grader has been at OHE since PreK. My husband and I have been very happy with the quality of his education, and the nurturing environment that the school offers. I have never been impressed by the front office staff, but they are such a small part of his education that I'm not concerned with them. I think it's ridiculous that people complain about something so trivial, when their children spend the majority of their day elsewhere in the building. As far as where my child spends the majority of his day - I have been impressed! His teachers CARE and that is my main concern. I have always felt welcome in his classrooms, especially this year! I volunteer on a regular basis and always see other parent volunteers when I come to the school. Speaking of what I see at the school, I enjoy walking around and seeing the student work on the bulletin boards (required monthly). I can appreciate this small detail from Dr. Gammans. I see Dr. Gammans at all of the PTO meetings and in the hallways and I have never felt that I couldn't approach her. I have also been approached by her. Welcoming & nurturing- I say that this is an excellent school!
--Submitted by a parent

My oldest son has been there since kindergarten and is now in the fifth grade (last year THANK GOD). My youngest son attended his kindergarten year and is now attending another school. So I think I have enough experience with Oak Hill to give an opinion. Let s start with the office staff; rude, rude, rude not only do they not speak or at least greet you with a smile when you enter the office, they look annoyed that you entered the office. No one asks if they can help you they just kind of ignore you. The principal is very unfriendly and unapproachable, although my son has been attending Oak Hill since 2006 we only formally met Dr. Gammonds fall of 2010. The assistant principal Ms. Lynn is very helpful and friendly. She is the one who will assist you with any issues you may have. And issues you will have. They care more about PTO fundraisers than education. You MUST be an involved parent because the teachers do not care and will allow your child to fail and not once notify you!! As a parent you should not feel like an outsider and that is exactly how the staff at oak hill makes you feel!
--Submitted by a parent

The main focus of the classrooms at Oak Hill is teaching to the CRCT test. The administration only cares about passing AYP. The leaders at the school turn their back to children who bully and are too easy with the discipline when a parent makes them enforce the Zero Tolerance bully policy. My child has been attending Oak Hill for 6 years and I am thankful that she is in 5th grade and will be away from this school next year. The office staff is rude and abrupt and the Principal is unfriendly and unapproachable. The only reason I have not fought to have my child attend a different school is because of the quality of the teachers. The teachers are the only saving grace at this school. Too bad their leader can not see how valuable they are and treat them with the same respect that she demands of them.
--Submitted by a parent

My son transferred to Oak Hill from Hightower Trail Elem. in Rockdale County. I am very disappointed with the quality of this school. I have spoken to Dr.Gammons once. She was very rude and abrupt with me. This makes me wonder how she interacts with the children and staff when the parents are not there. I have experienced huge communication problems with my son's teacher. The first grade curriculum is not challenging enough for my child. The staff at Hightower Trail Elementary set the bar very high last year for students and parents. I love the community where we live. However my only regret, is that my son is zoned to Oak Hill Elementary. Paula White
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended Oak Hill since Kindergarten and is about to move on to 6th grade. Overall we have had good experiences. There have been a couple of instances where we have had to meet with the Vice-Principal, Mrs. Lynn due to miscommunications with the teachers. I believe that the Principal should be involved when a parent is concerned about what is happening within the school, and Dr. Gammans is NOT involved at all at the school. She should just retire. Mrs. Lynn attempts to make everyone happy instead of taking a teacher to task when they are clearly in the wrong about something.
--Submitted by a parent

There have been some much needed changes this year at Oak Hill. We have have had some problems in the past , but have had some really great teachers, except for last year when my oldest son was in 2nd grade. The teacher did not want ANY parental help at all. This disturbed me and when I brought it to the attention of the principal she said she would have to back the teacher for now. Mrs. Lynn is one of the assistant principals. She came last year and is amazing. The kids love her, she is easy to deal with, she has made parents feel much more welcome. After pulling our oldest son from the school last year, we decided to put him back at Oak Hill with the changes that have been put in place. We love our kids teachers and Oak Hill is a great school now!
--Submitted by a parent

My son has attended Oak Hill since his Kindergarten year in 2003. During the duration of time he has attended Oak Hill, he has been blessed with some really amazing teachers (especially Mrs. Rowe in first grade and Mrs. Bird in second)! As a parent, I have felt welcomed and really enjoy spending time at Oak Hill, whether I am volunteering or substitute teaching. My husband and I feel really fortunate to have such an elementary school for our son's education and are thankful for the teachers and staff that work there!!
--Submitted by a parent

I completely disagree with the previous couple of comments. My child has attended Oak Hill for the past 4 yrs and I am completely impressed with the school and the principal, it is a very safe and friendly place to send your child. We unfortunately are moving and I only hope that my childs next school is as wonderful as Oak Hill. I believe that if parents would get more involved with their childs education at the school they would see first hand how wonderful the teachers and administration is. As for the front office personel they are dealing with about 900 students and their parents on a daily basis, please keep that in mind if they seem a little busy at times. In conclusion, I would like to just say we will miss Oak Hill and everyone we have met there, it is a wonderful school!
--Submitted by a parent