Oakhurst Elementary School

We moved to this school district as we had heard such phenomenal things about Oakhurst. The community is awesome, but we have found the communication within the school to be very poor. And the principal can be a bit difficult to work with. They love it if your child is right down the middle as far as intellect, but if your child has some special needs or is above average intelligence, it seems like they have a hard time dealing with that. Parents really need to ask for what they need. For instance, we were not aware that our child needed to be bringing a library book home nightly to take AR tests weekly. We were only having him read nightly at home and this went on for months. Personally, politics within the school have really caused a lot of stress for us as parents.
—Submitted by a parent

My child was doing 30-minute presentations in first grade. I was skeptical until I saw it in action (twice)! He learned to research, to read his audience, to tell facts, to give an opinion and back it up, to use visual aids, to field questions--all with a supportive teacher. And this experience IS typical. Utterly amazes me what kids can learn in a good school these days.
—Submitted by a parent

Oakhurst is creative and energetic. The teachers are dedicated, enthusiastic, and involved, and there is a wonderfully supportive parent community.
—Submitted by a parent

This school should be a model for all others! The teachers are incredible, the teaching styles incorporated are outstanding, the parental involvement is beyond measure, the principal is enthusiastic and wonderful, even the maintenance and lunch staff are great. My kindergartener daughter came home after school one day and asked me to make her MATH PROBLEMS to solve. *That* is a great school!
—Submitted by a parent

We came from Brookwood Elementary in Gwinnett County Georgia and we are so very impressed by the quality of education that our 2nd grader is receiving. We were initially skeptical about Oakhurst Elementary, but it is such an awesome school. It has a great principal and office staff and it has great teachers...and last but not least...the community involvement is unbelievable.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are fantastic, the curriculum is amazing. This school has managed to keep Spanish, Art, Music and PE as a part of the school day - despite amazing budget cuts.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter went to school here and we loved it! The teachers are the best and the principle is extremely supportive. remember they used to take walking field trips to the Oakhurst Community Garden and the nearby creek. Can't find a better school!
—Submitted by a parent

My son is a rising 2nd grader and we have been thrilled with his experience at Oakhurst!
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are fantastic. My daughter loves Oakhurst. My only complaint is about the poor planning of the Decatur school board, which failed to see that Decatur was quickly filling up with children. Now there are trailers at all the elementary schools, while the school administration is using a perfectly good, renovated school for their offices!
—Submitted by a parent

I love the school and their curriclum system. The tearchers are fabulous. I love the atmospere, the only thing I have had a problem with was the principle. She has not been the easiest person for me to get along with and my kids have been going to this school for well over 4 years and my opinion of this principle haven't changed. Overall the school system is great!!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school! We have been so happy with the teachers, staff & fellow parents.
—Submitted by a parent

We have two gifted children and were very impressed with Decatur schools in general but we were particularly pleased with this school's gifted program. Not only is the pullout teacher outstanding but most of the regular classroom teachers are gifted certified and are very good at making sure that ALL children in the classroom are challenged. The Expeditionary Learning Model also really provides challenge to gifted children.
—Submitted by a parent

We absolutely love Oakhurst School. The staff is first rate, the teaching is engaging and authentic, and the expeditionary learning model is fabulous. There's a strong school culture, and it feels clean and secure.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful community K-3 school in a RAPIDLY gentrifying district. Expeditionary learning is great and is a rare thing to find in a school that tests so well.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school! Highest scores in the district as of 2006 and they still manage to have extensive arts and foreign language programs, and the kids still get recess daily most of the time. Plus they have a wonderful outdoor student garden that the kids care for and are building a $20,000 outdoor classroom. Also, thank goodness they don't send home those hideous standardized test practice worksheets every night like so many schools do these days- ugh! Great teachers, loving principal! Bravo!
—Submitted by a parent

Small class sizes, great small community feel, high energy teachers who are truly devoted to their students, very slick curriculum. They have a TV station that all of the children utilize, and their shows have won national awards. All in all a cream of the crop school!
—Submitted by a parent

This is an outstanding school with terrific teachers and one of the most dedicated principals that I have ever seen. This school has an interesting, fun and challenging gifted program and also has a very extensive and successful Spanish language program. The school was renovated about 2 years ago and is beautiful. The classrooms are huge with lots of big windows and natural light. They are implementing an ELOB program next year that parents and teachers are thrilled about. Can't say enough good things about this school!!
—Submitted by a parent