Awtrey Middle School

I wish I'd known about this site before enrolling my son in Awtrey today. I surely hope that the experience will not be that of more than half of the commentators on this site. I'm a very involved parents. Awtrey's job is to educate my child. If they can't handle that, then we will be compensating for the inability or lack of interest in doing their jobs.
—Submitted by a parent

I got my daughter out of that school as soon as the year ended. The school is out of control and i totally agree with what the other parents are saying on here. Its not a safe enviroment for your children. My daughter was a minority at this school.
—Submitted by Tammy G, a parent

I would like to agree more with the latter few comments more than with the first several comments. I have one daughter who is at North Cobb now who attended Awtrey for 3 years and I also have a daughter who is a rising 8th grader. Based on what my 8th grader tells me, there is a basic disrespect and disregard for authority with a good number of students at Awtrey. You should hear the horror stories about the bus! I have to constantly remind her to choose her friends carefully and not to get caught up with the 'cool crowd'. Her teachers communicate beautifully with me. It takes the parents showing that they want to be involved. The middle school years are a difficult time for kids and the teachers should be applauded with what they have to put up with.
—Submitted by a parent

My son was a student at Awtrey, and my daughter is now a student there. Our experience has been very good. My family can personally attest to the deep involvement of the principal and teachers in the success of the students. The music program is wonderful, by the way.
—Submitted by a parent

It should be noted that most respondents to these polls will use this forum as an opportunity to vent. Those with words of praise will seldom speak. I have had great experiences with Awtrey. If any of these parents had ever had to teach middle school, they would understand the need for discipline and control. It isn't elementary school anymore, and people (kids) are not always nice. I have had two children attend Awtrey, and I can say that the attitude you receive from the staff is largely a result of the attitude you and your children express. This is human nature. The principal and faculty of that school have always been there for our children. I will stand behind them.
—Submitted by a parent

I had two sons attend Awtrey. One son had difficulty in school but I never heard a word from one of his teachers. They just let him flunk without an apparent care. The philosophy of this school and North Cobb High is that students should be more 'responsible' while not a word is mentioned about teacher responsibility to inspire, problem-solve, or even meet with parents to nip problems in the bud. Students are graded more on compliance to rules than true mastery of subjects.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree that this school is run like a prison and that obtaining feedback from teachers is next to impossible. This is my 6th grade childs first and last year at Awtrey Middle.

The teachers and administrators have a disease amongst them of bad attitude toward the childern. The faculty diciplines for the littlest things. Kids can't be kids anymore. It gets to be ridiculous.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is run more like a prison than an educational instituation. I sent both of my boys to this school. Both of them were very motivated students when they entered Awtrey, but within months they had no interest at all in school. There is no motivation, no teacher-parent contact, and no individual attention. The only time you get to see the teachers is if you request a conference with the teaching team. I would not advise doing this, because they come prepared to cover their butts. They tell you how they are working to teach your child, but your child is not motivated. They try to put all of the blame on the child or parent. If you try to come to class to see what is going on, they act as if there is something wrong with this, and later take it out on the child. I cannot wait to move my kids out of this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Awtrey is an excellent school with a well-organized and caring principal and staff. Awtrey's dietician does not let anyone go hungry. A free sandwich and milk is provided to a child without lunch money.
—Submitted by a teacher

As a former student and now, this year, past parent of 2 children that attended Awtrey, I can agree with the first comment. Oh, how things have changed! When I went to Awtrey the teachers went out of their way to call a parent that needed to be called, for any reason. I have been told for the past 4 (2 children attending from 1999-2003)years that they (teachers, principals and administrators included)don't have time to call me. Unacceptable!
—Submitted by a parent

The previous parent comment does not truly reflect the quality of this school, Awtrey Middle school is an excellent middle school, with an excellent Principal and staff, also top line teachers,I have two students to graduate from this school, twelve years apart, so I have had more insight than most for this school the only negative comment I would make is the lunch room staff treatment of students and teachers alike.
—Submitted by a parent

I do not feel that my child is getting a very good education at this school. Nor do I feel that my child is safe at this school. It is very unsettling to send your child to a school and constantly worry that she is going to make it home safely. It is just as bad to know that she is not being educated properly and that no one seems to care or do anything about it.