Gatewood School

Our family transferred quickly into the Greensboro area and we placed our children in Gatewood. After 1 1/2 years, we removed the children prior to the end of the school year. This school may be adequate and suit the need for some families. Do the research and see if it is a fit for your children. Yes, it is the biggest bang for your buck considering your other choices. Gatewood lacks the high academic and ethical standards that we look for in an educational institution. It was very difficult to establish communication with teachers, few teachers utilize email, website grades and homework poorly posted, emphasis higher on athletics, sat scores not available, and the classrooms were cramped and unkempt. On a final note, there is a lack of diversity in curriculum as well as the college choices available to the Gatewood graduate. Unless, of course, staying in-state is ok.
--Submitted by a parent

I currently have two children that attend Gatewood. I am very pleased with the education in which they receive. The teachers are great! They also have wonderful athletic programs. I would recommend this school 100%.
--Submitted by a parent

Personally, I do not understand how they allowed my step-child to continue attending this school after having to attend summer school every year to advance to the next grade. This was no fault of the school in my opinion but I question why they allowed the poor performance. The only reason I can think of is money which they constantly want more of. The website where parents can keep up with the their child's progress is never complete and often takes days to update what little they do update. I still do not even know what the final test grades for this year were.

From my experience with private schools from Atlanta to Eatonton, Gatewood is absolutely the diamond in the rough. I have been very impressed with everyone from the faculty to the school leadership. This school is currently searching for a head of school and from what I hear they are looking as some quality candidates. Without a doubt everyone at this school wants my children prepared for college and they have the programs in place to do just that. The facilities are beautiful and the opportunities for extracurricular activities are plentiful. I am comforted by the feel of a family environment where everyone is welcome and Christian values are expected. As far as I can see that is the best bang for your buck anywhere around this area.
--Submitted by a parent

I stumbled on this website and read the prior remarks and wanted to paint a much nicer picture of a great school. Gatewood is a good school. The school has been going through some very significant changes in the past few years. New administration, new board members, new teachers, and new families have brought a great wave of new ideas and programs to the school. Last year 8 graduating seniors applied to UGA and all 8 were accepted. Big private schools in Atlanta can't boast 100% acceptance to UGA! The SAT scores at Gatewood have risen tremendously and the latest reports show the latest scores above state, national and local averages(Putnam, Morgan, and Greene counties) AP classes are available for students, honors classes and college prep classes are also part of the High School curriculem. The extracurricular programs help to promote a well rounded student. Worth every penny of the tuition.
--Submitted by a parent

I have two kids currently attending school at Gatewood and they are constantly asking for more money! They will nickel and dime you to death. Gatewood is just an average school! However If you are an athlete it s a great place to play. Little focus on academics and even less on integrity. About the only good thing to say about this school is that it s better than the local public school. (And that isn t saying much)
--Submitted by a parent

The administration has failed to remember what this school was based on. Excellence, pride and loyalty. You cannot teach these things if you do not practice them. It starts at the top. The top needs to be changed.
--Submitted by a parent

The lower school has many qualified and nurturing teachers. It is advisable .The down fall of Gatewood is the quality of the academic itprograms in the middle and high schools. Many factors contribute to this unfortunate situation. For one, there is a lack of qualified teachers. Many of the teachers hold degrees in specific subjects, but lack the necessary certification/degree for teaching.I feel that takes alot more than knowledge of a subject to be a quality teacher. Gatewood has applied for SAIS/SACS accreditation but a recent evaluation of the school suggested that a large population of the educators would not meet the requirements! Academic material needs to be updated, there are no AP courses, and many of the teachers lack a 'passion' for teaching. This is unfortunate. The potential for a great school exists, but a lack of proper leadership has kept the school in a state of mediocrity for years!
--Submitted by a parent

The acidemic programs are verey exallent.The teachers can be tempermental and need to be more active.The AR is ok.Lower school is great and fair,althogh the middle school is rushing topics. The high school is perfect.Sports are huge at Gatewood.The football team is huge as is the softball team and there is so much spirit.
--Submitted by a student

As a former student of Gatewood, the pre school and elementary school are great, but the middle school doesn't always seem to prepare students as they should. Basic things that should be learned in middle school are sometimes rushed through, when they should be inculcated. In my opinion the high school has good teachers for the most part, but once kids reach high school, it is their decision whether they want to learn what the teacher is exposing them to or not. I believe that if a Gatewood student gave the ammount of effort expected and learned all basic skills needed in Gatewood they would be very sucessful and could be admitted to great colleges very easily.
--Submitted by a former student