Harmony-Leland Elementary School

This is one of the worst school experience I have ever know. We moved from out of state, from a state that is not know for its public schools. Our old school looks fantastic compared to this dump. The school is unclean, they have no funding, and the leadship has a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, we bought a house in this school district, and will have to pay to move our kids to private school next year. We are very disappointed in this school, our kids are learning a year behind. VEry below average school
—Submitted by a parent

Go to the District!! The Principal's Boss Start at the top. Better yet the Super. The school need a cleaning and an unexpected observation from Cobb County Schools staff from Glover Street. They need to come out and see, hear whats going on behind the "smiles". The asst. principal, Mckinney is awesome, only asset of the school.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has thrived in this school. When she started Kindergarten, she only knew a few sight words, now she is an accelarated reader, reading at a first grade level! She has learned so much this year, and I have to give credit to her dedicated and wonderful teacher. The Principal is approachable and easy to talk to. Parental involvement could be better, but we are working on it. We are definitely going back for first grade!
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended Kindergarten this year at this school and he has loved it! He was challenged academically every moment. The teacher we had was amazing - very dedicated, professional, and always sweet to the children. We are excited to go back for first grade!
—Submitted by a parent

the teachers at this school are horrible!!! they bully the kids and speak very bad to them!!!! how can i change my childs school? the principal doesnt do anything!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I am very dis-pleased over all with this school's principal and some of the teachers.I have had a teacher put their hands on my child,i have attended school dance functions that have foul language rap playing.I have seen the Principal put out to the entire school and students her political views.I have had teachers say horrible things to my children so bad that i have been documenting everything.This has been a horrible experience for me and i will not have my children attend this school again.
—Submitted by a parent

In the two years my children have been at HLES, they have thrived! Thanks to the committed and responsive teachers, they are growing both academically and socially. The assistant principal and the principal are more than available for my questions. Plus, with the various clubs--art, chorus, blogging, violin, cheerleading, LM Smart, etc.--there is plenty of opportunity for well rounded experiences. PLUS, classrooms are quiet; kids are focused. There aren't the disciplinary distractions at HLES that there are at other schools. I just wish the PTA had more cash to work with. My kids are challenged and happy. So come on parents! Support your school! Don't waste your money on private school, save that financial burden for college.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attends Harmony Leland. The principal is unapproachable and parents are often redirected to the Assistant Principal. The teachers and staff, with whom I have had dealings, show a genuine concern for the children and their academic achievement. It is my guess that involvement from parents will improve if/when the HLE administration make a conscious effort to continue in the initiative to recruit and solicit for fathers to become more involved, without completely disregarding and/or alienating mothers.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended this school from Kindergarten thru 5th Grade and I was impressed by the continuous strides they made towards excellence during his time there. Through it s partnership with PTA, the school has increased parental involvement and implemented numerous programs that directly support the enrichment of the students learning experience. The teachers and staff are awesome. I continuously see them working longer hours even though their pay has decreased. For ALL the HLES teachers reading this review, allow me to say WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter recently graduated from HLES, I have another daughter in the 3rd grade and a son in the 1st grade... This school has gone through some serious changes and it's AWESOME! They have secured some of the finest quality teachers around and the parent/teacher communication is bar none! Thanks HLES, for a great experience!
—Submitted by a parent

Harmony has been great for my son. The PTA is active and informative. The teachers and staff communicate well with the parents, and this has been a great transition from a Charter School. The extra curricular programs are excellent.
—Submitted by a parent

I see a real change happening at this school (Harmony Leland Elementary). The school (by parents' votes) is enforcing a uniform code. I see more parents getting involved (our PTA jumped over 100 % in 2008-09). The PTA is offering 2 new programs designed to get even more parents involved : three4me (where parents committ 3 volunteer hours per school year) and the All Pro Dads program, designed to get fathers on deck. If you are a parent out there in the 30126 district that is nervous of public schools, specifically Harmony Leland Elementary; feel the need to pour into other local public schools, I encourage you to give this school a chance. Harmony offers a slew of art programs through YAMS. I have 3 kids (twins in kindergarten and a 3rd grader) and am a proud member of the PTA. Thanks for reading :-)
—Submitted by a parent

I am a very proud parent of a kindergartener at Harmony-Leland. My daughter's primary teachers are Mrs.Causey and Mrs.Cox. I've had the opportunity to visit the classroom during instructional time and found their interaction with the students to tremendous. Also, I've had the opportunity to interact with the Principal ( Mrs. Simmons-Deveaux) and her staff on several occasions and they are great! My daughter came from a local private school and truthfully we were a bit skeptical upon entering Harmony-Leland. I am proud to say we are extremely happy with the academic environment and ,more importantly, the level of care for the students from the faculty and staff. As result, my daughter has had a great experience thus far at Harmony-Leland. Thanks Harmony-Leland for a GREAT kindergarten year.....Russell Gibson
—Submitted by a parent

I am A very proud former Student From Harmony~Leland. Harmnoy Lealand had the best 5 years of my life and I will miss this Awesome school very dearly! The principal Mrs.Simmons-Deveaux and Assistent Principal Miss.Maynard (who we will all miss because she was moved to another school) are the best principals in the whole world. The teachers are also really great and will give your child a good education. The best teachers at Harmony~Leland are-Mrs.Grizzle,Mrs.Barnes,Mrs.Kim Williams,Mrs.Raki,Mrs.G and Mrs.Fredrick!!! I love all my teachers like mommys :) Go Cheetahs!!!! ~ *Karla Leiva *~

School is moving in right direction but lack of parental involvement keeps school from reaching full potential. As a mentor I just do not see enough from parents. If we look at some of the higher ranking schools parental involvement is off of the charts.
—Submitted by a parent

Under Mrs. Ervin, the school was a wonderful innovative place for our children's education. The current administration, especially the principal, are destroying the school from the inside out. They spend all of their time covering for each others incompetence rather than focusing on quality education. Most, if not all of the good teachers are leaving. Parental involvement is at an all time low. More than likely because we are seen as the enemy and not as a partner in our kids' education. No one cares about this school anymore. All of the blame lies at the feet of the principal. The administration is obstinate, secretive and very protective of itself. This is a sad and shameful circumstance that has befallen what was once a shining star the community could be proud of. If the administration isn't removed, this once great school will undoubtedly continue on its rapid descent into mediocrity.
—Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately, this school has severely lost its credibility and value over the past year and a half. The new leadership is lackluster at best and the few good teachers left are soon leaving. My child has attended Harmony Leland since Pre-K and our family felt blessed to be a part of this school when Mrs. Ervin was at the helm. Since the change in administration, parental involvement barely exists, teachers are no longer motivated, and the children are no longer excited about learning. Some of us are bound by finances to attend this school. As parents, we are forced to rely on the commitment of a few good teachers to supplement the values and foundation of learning we create at home. It's a sad, sad reality but this school needs to be gutted clean and rebuilt from the ground up.
—Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately, this school has severely lost its credibility and value over the past year and a half. The new leadership is lackluster at best and the few good teachers left are soon leaving. My child has attended Harmony Leland since Pre-K and our family felt blessed to be a part of this school when Mrs. Ervin was at the helm. Since the change in administration, parental involvement barely exists, teachers are no longer motivated, and the children are no longer excited about learning. Some of us are bound by finances to attend this school. As parents, we are forced to rely on the commitment of a few good teachers to supplement the values and foundation of learning we create at home. It's a sad, sad reality but this school needs to be gutted clean and rebuilt from the ground up - starting with the so-called leadership! God help our children...
—Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately, this school suffers from many of the same issues that most of the South Cobb area schools do. The leadership in the school is inadequate. There is no clear vision, the principal seems very disconnected from the students and parents. This had adversely affected parental support and activism. In a very short period of time, this school has really deteriorated.
—Submitted by a parent

HLES at one time had the best interest of the kids at heart. My daughter attended K-5 and was able to achieve high scores throughout. There have been alot of good teachers that have left over time. The few great teachers who are left are facing an administration that discourages alot of positive energy within the faculty. The bureauercracy is taking the light out of our children. The middle schools nor the high schools in this district are very promising. Parents, GET EDUCATED!
—Submitted by a parent