Murphy Candler Elementary School

My son attended this school for two years in a row, 2nd and 3rd grade. I completely agree with the other parent when he/she that the school is over crowded and the teachers are over worked. My son had some problems with comprehension, and the teacher assured me at the beginning of the school year that she could help him with them. Come January, the same problems she said she could help him with, turned out to be problems that she put him out of her class for. My sons class had 26 students in it, in which only 5 were girls. I must say the way that the school handles children who need extra help is a disgrace. If the child does not perform to their expectations, than he/she is deemed as a child with behavioral issues. There is no in between at Murphy Candler.Out of the two years my soon was at that school I met with the school counselor several times to obtain information on outside help, and to get a copy of the curriculum. The counselor was never helpful, and she never followed up with any of the things she said she would do. Pulling my son out of that school was the best thing I've done. If your child needs extra help, for your child's sake, please explore some other options.
—Submitted by a parent

When my child was transferred to this school in 2007, her grades dropped drastically. At first I started to blame the school. After close evaluation, I realized that my daughter was depressed. She was missing her friends. I stayed involved with her education and teachers and proud to say she received a trophy for Academic Honor Roll all year round this year. She is a Girl Scout and a SafetyPatrol at Murphy Candler. While there are areas for improvement, I want to express my satisfaction in my child's education. Parents need to hold their children accountable and responsible for their success and not blame the school system for areas it has no control over.
—Submitted by a parent

I like it, is good, but i think they need sport team activities for kids 'baseball, basketball,volleyball, soccer'
—Submitted by a parent

This school is extremely over crowded. It shows in the attitude of the teachers. They are overworked, and the children are not challenged. There is no organization in anything. Everyone seems to be running around in circles, doing absolutely nothing.
—Submitted by a parent

Love Murphey Candler 110%. I can see an improvement. Keep working hard guys. I love to see team work pay off.
—Submitted by a parent

My son will be starting his third year at Murphey Candler and I have been very satisfied with the school. His teachers have been very knowledgeable and consistent. I am thankful for the extra curricula and social activities that are made available for the students and parents as well. Now, lets work on the after-school program. I don't want to pick my child up at 6:30 and he still has two hours worth of homework to complete.
—Submitted by a parent

Murphey Candler has the great potential to be an awesome school and assess to the community where it stands. The principal is nice but her niceness can also become her down fall. She needs to crack down on her staff. From the front to the back. I am writing this tip because I feel this school can be placed on the map as one of the greatest schools in the 2000 century. Thanks
—Submitted by a teacher

It saddens me to have to write this letter. Dr.Crawford Lewis's blue print for a premier Dekalb is based on 8 important pieces. This school fails miserably at 3 out of 8 of these pieces. Customer service, Unity,and Accountablity. I have been to the school on numerous occasions and found their customer service skills to be terrible. I have gone into the front office and not been addresed,beeen misguided, and spoken to in a rude and incaring manner. The school is in dire need of help in these areas.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel as though the school does not put the children education first I transfer my daughter to this school from a out of state school and the school did not provide me with no information at all as far as the work and expectations that they will like to see from the children at the very last minute I was told about the crct testing and that the need to pass this test to go to the fourth grade and I had to really work with my daughter to get her where she needed to be in a small period of time I'm never aware of test dates or what the test is going to be on until after she receives her test which is a F.
—Submitted by a parent

I am pleased with the overall education my daughter receives. The staff is warm and friendly. As far as instruction, you are able to go to any class on the same grade level and each teacher will be teaching the same thing. Homework is a given and know the students in the lower grades are bringing home books for homework instead of work sheets. The school offers chorus, Step Team, Georgraphy Bowl, Tutiorials in preparation for CRCT, Gifted Classes, Art and a Book Club(Page Turners) for grades 2-5. The After School program is great. The students are offered Cheerleading,variety of sports,and dance instruction as well as Homework assistance. I feel that we need more parent participation throughout the school. PTA meetings are only attended by the parents of the grade level that performs that night.
—Submitted by a parent

'I have two sons at Murphy Candler. I m am for the most part pleased with the education my children are receiving. I do have some issues but no one school is perfect. I think that if we separate out the tares that this would be a great school.'
—Submitted by a parent

My daughters attend the school and my first grader has all B. when tested outside the school she was below her grade level. That has upset me. She having a hard time reading and understading vowels and blends .The after school program has fell off children are coming home with homework not finished and say they ask for help. Is it a money thing or just babysitting the children need help if you cant read you will not understand math word problems.
—Submitted by a parent

I find that this school is not one of the best in Dekalb County. The principal is not cut out for leadership. She is not a people person, and this reflects on her falculty. The school has a lot of young teachers that do not have the maturity or experience to educate our kids. My child has adhd and it seems that he is not learning. I feel that I do my part at home, but I feel that this school is not able to meet the needs of any child. I have came across some good teachers that conduct themselves in a professional manner. There are a few that are qualified and more than capable, but they are few and far between. Today we cannot afford to allow nothing but the best to educate our children, considering the pressures of grade to grade testing.
—Submitted by a parent