Rainbow Elementary School

I agree with the previous parent. This school's administration is horrible. The teachers seem to be more interested in what the child has on and what their hair looks like than teaching. With the exception of a few teachers they need to clean house and maybe Rainbow can improve.
--Submitted by a parent

This school truely needs an over haul.The staff in the office are really not friendly .They are not organized and this starts with the management their. They have this attitude when you enter the office of why are you here.I am so happy that i do not have to deal with them anymore. The district needs to take a look there.
--Submitted by a parent

I think that Rainbow elementary is the best schools in it's district. My daughter is in the first grade, and I am very pleased with the way she is challenged. Her teacher is very involved and cares about her students' academic progression. Whenever there is a concern the Principal is willing to sit down and address it. I have made several unannounced visits to the school, and each time I am impressed with what I see. Every one, from the teachers to the library staff encourage the students to strive for excellence. Parents are encouraged to get involved with their child's education. Rainbow has no complaints from me or my daughter. I am looking forward to my other children attending.
--Submitted by Tamika Benton, a parent

My children both attend this school. I must agree with one of the other parents...the atmosphere has changed over the few years my children have been there. It's a very cold environment now. The office has always been cold to me, but at least I felt as if I was at least wanted in the building once leaving the office and my help and volunteering was appreciated. Most schools welcome inveloved and active parents-it seems discouraged here. There are some bright spots among the staff that I look forward to seeing...academically, it's been a challenge, which can be good...looking forward to May, though.
--Submitted by a parent

My child have been at Rainbow for three years. she started in Kindergarten and presently now in the third grade. You have strong and weak teachers in all school systems. I can say the strong out weigh the weak. My child is challenge everday to do her best and to be an all around student. I can say that I am very pleased academic wise with Rainbow Elementary School. There are a few staff members in the front office that could use some attitude adjustments. That's something I know the principal must be aware. It sadden me that parents still have the old state of mind. 'That the teachers job not mind. That's what they get paid for.' So I can say only 20% parent involvment at Rainbow. Plenty of extracurricular activity is offered.
--Submitted by a parent

My children (one still remains) have come through this school, starting when Martha Snelling was principal. Since her retirement/departure, many things have changed. Serious consideration is being given to remove the one child remaining. The personable atmosphere has gone, and the 'business only' approach to education has grown distasteful and unrewarding. Recently, PTA and an awards ceremony were combined, herding students, parents, school officials etc. into the unfurnished gymnasium like cattle. Literally, there was standing room only. While trying to address professional, educational, and state standards, educators seemingly have forgotten the needs of those they truly serve--the students. Too much is at stake. There must be a better approach to address the academic needs of students. The 'object' of education is lost in the business approach and meeting standards modes.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has attended this school for three years. I am very pleased with the acedemics and how well the teachers interact with the students. This is due to having such a great leader, Dr. Roberts, There has not been a time when I have visited this school (I am there at least 3 times a week) and did not see the presence of the principal. She is always visible, in the office, hallway or even in the classrooms. This school is a school of excellence and in my opinion the best school in DeKalb County. I would like to thank Dr. Roberts and her staff for a job well done. Keep up the good work!
--Submitted by Veda Miller, a parent

After switching from a private school to what I thought was a charter school and a wonderful school to where my child could pick up (from where she left off) and excel I was really disappointed. The curriculum is good (they really push the children, a little too much sometimes - which is not bad, because I feel positive results will come behind that), however the student teacher ratio is horrible, the communication is not as it should be. I didn't even know who the principal was until several months after my child started the school. I am used to the principal being very active and involved (I guess I could address myself but unfortunately I don't know who she is and the front office staff is definitely not helpful). The functions are very disorganized (which discourages participation) and the staff are not very friendly (not all the staff - let me correct that; that discourages participation as well). It's not a totally bad school, I've seen and been to worse, but over all, I think they could stand some improvement.
--Submitted by a parent

'I love this school!' The teacher/parent, principal/parent and teacher/student relationship is wonderful, after moving my children to this school from Florida, they gained not only a great relationship with their teachers but also, the teachers have instilled in them the confidence that the sky is the limit and they can be all that they can be if they put forth an effort to try so now, my children now have the desire to want to learn more and more everyday so, keep up the good work Rainbow because you've taught my childern to not only keep their head to the sky but, there's alsos a pot of 'gold' waiting for them over the 'Rainbow!'
--Submitted by La Shawn Hubbard-Carlson, a parent