Greenforest McCalep Christian Academy

The ELC has been great for years, however I am greatly disappointed over the past 3 years.
—Submitted by a parent

We now have 2 children in the early learning center and 1 in the academy- this is a wonderful place for any family. My children are soaring there.Very high academic standards-my 12 year old is in beta club & cheerleading,my 4 year old is taking piano lessons & blossoming and my 2 year old is completely potty trained and knows all her letters - we are blessed to be at green forest Saffie Muna Jeter
—Submitted by a parent

My husband and I have loved having our children at Greenforest McCalep Early Learning Center. The facility is excellent, and the teachers and staff members are generally very caring and attentive to the students' needs. There is one computer in each classroom, except in the infant classrooms, and an array of extracurricular programming, including spanish, computer, ballet, tae kwon do, chorus, and piano classes. There is an on-site nurse, who is very helpful when needed, and a physical education program to keep the kids in shape. Our children have been challenged academically, and they love the spiritual focus of their education. The school has tremendous parental support, which really makes a difference. There is room for systematic improvement with respect to teacher-parent communication. Overall, however, my husband and I are very glad we enrolled our children at Greenforest.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very happy with Greenforest McCalep Christian Academy. I have two kids who have attended school since the ELC Building. I have been very blessed because I have always landed on teachers who were ceritfied teachers. My kids are both grounded A students, who are advanced for their ages. 6yrs going into 2nd grade and 7yrs going into 3rd grade. If they were to go into Public school, the work would be too easy. As a parent I work in the Public school system and I see how poorly their academics are and how the schools keep failing. Im glad a made the right choice to place my kids in private school where they stay ahead of the game.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an awesome school enroll your child in the ELC and the Academy Today!

My son has attended the ELC since he was 3 and he is now in the Academy. I had the total opposite experience with the ELC. AT times I felt the work was to advanced and aggressive for 3 and 4 year olds; however, it helped my son tremendously. I also enrolled my daughter in middle school and have not had any problems.
—Submitted by a parent

I thought my son was attending a Christian early learning center, but instead it was glorified babysitting. The facilities are bright and pristine, but the quality of care is severely lacking. My son attended the ELC for almost two years (from age 1 to almost 3). During the time he was there, I saw no evidence of curriculum-based learning (although they advertise the A Beka curriculum), untrained and unprofessional staff who did not speak to the children with dignity and respect, non-nutritious snacks (there were several occasions where my son was given candy, bubble gum, and lollipops as snacks), and the overuse of TV. I had to wean my 18 month old son off Elmo after discovering he watched youtube clips all day in the 1-year-old classroom. At 2, he could recall TV characters and movies that he had never been allowed to watch at home. And to make matters worse, the director of the ELC comes across as aloof, disconnected, and unconcerned with what goes on in the school. I chose to remove my child from the ELC and place him elsewhere, and noticed a difference in him within 2 days: he was disinterested in TV and talked about the educational activities he did at his new school.
—Submitted by a parent

Our child has been a student at this school in the ELC for 1 year. We have truly had a great experience. Wonderful staff & great parents. We highly recommend the school. Great instruction, Christian values & at home feeling. Our child loves to go to school Dr.& Mrs. Jeter
—Submitted by a parent

I have had five children to attend Greenforest's ELC, elementary, and middle schools. I have been very pleased overall with the academic foundation that they've each received. That being said, in the 17+ years that my family's been associated with the school, I can count on my hand the number of teacher complaints/concerns that I've had (that's pretty darn good). If you are looking for a school with some great teachers and a great curriculum, and you are looking to play an active role in your child's education, Greenforest may be the place for you. I have read the other reviews and can't speak about the current challenges at the ELC. We haven't been there for six years.
—Submitted by a parent

Greenforest-McCalep is an excellent school for all grade levels. The school offers great academics, self awareness, our to live a christian life as young as 2 years old. The school has a great band and music department, their Black History Program, Grandparents Day Program, etc. are always outstanding. There sport department also excel.
—Submitted by a parent

This school now have the GACAPS implemented and the environment has changed completely over the past year. Parents pants are sagging as they enter and exit the buidling and so is the childs! I totally agree with the Parent who posted on March 3, 2011 and would like to add that I feel that this program was accepted because this is for sure money from the State of Georgia to Greenforest. I can't believe that Greenforest would accept such a program to increase $$$'s and many parents that has supported Greenforest for years are very disappointed. This is not what the late Rev. McCalep had in mind when he built this Early Learning Center!
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended Greenforest since they were one year old and next school year my oldest will be going up to the elementary school. Thank goodness for that because they dont accept public assisstance in the elementary school. Accepting public assisstance was the worst thing Greenforest could have done. The entire atmosphere has changed since this has happened. Parents now bring there kids to school wearing pajamas or clothes you can see through(the parents)and gold teeth. Once one of the parents scared me so that I reported him to tht office as an intruder! Not to sound stereotypical but I dont pay 1200$ a month for my kids to go to school with children who dont care about morals and education.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attends this school and he has made some great friends. His teachers are down to earth and he actually has grown attached to them. I was surprised that just the other night, he knew all the words of our father's prayer and he loves to sing. He was pretty advanced before he got there, so I'm not sure how to rate them academically. The school is okay but unfortunately, he will NOT be returning because the director of the school is just rude.....she lacks any and all personal skills and it is time for her to RETIRE....period!! It's a shame because I would have loved for him to continue to go but I refuse to give any more of my money to a place that allows this type of woman to be in charge!!
—Submitted by a parent

They have an excellent educational curriculum and teach respect for treating people with respect and religious guiding.
—Submitted by a teacher

My daughter has attended Greenforest from the time she was 2 years old, until the present. She is now in 1st grade, and she is more advanced than the higher grade level students I teach in public school. In addition, I love that she is being taught in a Christian environment, as this reinforces our religious beliefs.
—Submitted by a parent

It fosters and develops young children in a Christian environment and provides a safe, nuturing atmosphere for children to be creative and molded into independent thinkers.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is really making great strides. I've been more inpressed with the administrative's level of involvement. Also, the parents who are involved are passionate about the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Where do I begin. Greenforest ELC started out as a great school. But after my daughter's first year, I quickly realized that she lucked up and got some really good 2 year old teachers when she first started. After that, it went downhill. If you don't get the 'good' teachers, then you will not be happy. And now that will be hard because the 'good' teachers are leaving (finding somehwhere better) or getting fired for no reason at all. I cannot understand how you would get rid of one of the best teachers just because of one parent complaint. Needless to say, this is my child's last year and the Academy is not even an option for me. I will not even recommend anyone to this schol again.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attends the ELC and I am truly disappointed. I have the same complaint as others do, which is the Administrative staff...all except about one person has the worse customer service skills I've seen, and to be a Christian Learning Center....you would think that they would have better attitudes. Not, half of them want even speak to you. And the teachers ( I can only speak for the few that my son has to deal with) just say, I'm getting worried about leaving my child with them. I'm seriously thinking of taking him out.
—Submitted by a parent

We recently started Greenforest ELC this academic school year. I have a 2-year old son and a daughter in the infant room. The teachers I have are GREAT!!!! But it is much to be said about the administration staff. The director of the school has not customer-service skills at all. (The leader of the school). I think there needs to be an overhaul with administration and bring bright and vibrant individuals to make you feel comfortable with leaving your children.
—Submitted by a parent