Powers Ferry Elementary School

Sawyer Road Elementary is a fantastic school. The teacher and staff truly care about the progress of every child - including those who are behind and those who are advanced. The IB Primary Years Program is sought after in many school districts and private schools charge a great deal of money for this type of curriculum. The students at Sawyer are getting the curriculum as their public education! My son has flourished at this school the past three years and I would urge everyone in this school district to go take a tour because you will be blown away.
—Submitted by a parent

I am happy with the progress my child has made at Powers Ferry Elementary school. My standards toward education is higher than what I see at the school since I am an ex-private school teacher. However the teachers and staff and their dedication to seeing a child succeed has really left a positive impression on me as a parent and I am happy that my child enjoys going to school each day. The school does an excellent job in having events and encouraging parental involvement. I am looking forward to the upcoming school year with my child in attendance.
—Submitted by a parent

They have good teachers that really care about the students. The staff seems passionate about helping the children move forward.

teachers are bad with kids and call every 5 seconds because they can't handle the kids in the classroom. It's not the major stuff, its always little stuff like someone said a word in a hall and they call home.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my granddaughters have gone to school there. One is currently still enrolled and the teachers are always involved in pushing the kids to do more. There is a lot of concern and caring on the part of the administration there and I think that they do everything they can to help the kids succeed and grow.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended Powers Ferry for 3 years now. I am very pleased with the teaching, the Principals and the staff, my child has learned a lot. My child comes from a Private School in NYC and have always been a straight A student, The teachers here at Powers Ferry make sure the children keep up with there standards and pursue them to keep achieving and do better for themselves. They make learning fun. I am always aware of anything that is going on in the school, since the School sends us a weekly booklet of all the activities and any news we need to be aware of. The school faculty makes sure the Students have a good time and great memories, The PTA/School faculty prepare great and safe activities for both the Parents and students, such as Bingo night, Culture day, etc. Powers Ferry keep up the good work.
—Submitted by a parent

While the intentions of the highly qualified teachers are good, there is not a lot of 'real' teaching going on. The focus is always on meeting the standards and so the above average student is left behind while the below average student is catered to. There is a 'target' program, but it is not top rate. There is almost no Parental involvement at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

What a wonderful school with very devoted teachers. Their dedication to the children is great. We have a wonderful program in place with unbelievable coaches. They exceed the standards.
—Submitted by a teacher

If you are unfortunate enough to live in this neighborhood and must send you child to this elementary school then you need to look at moving to a better area. The staff is unresponsive to students needs as well as parents expectations. I am a wheeler graduate and this used to be a decent school before the neighborhood went downhill. My child is white and a minority at this elementary school. We will be sending him elsewhere. Not a good school.
—Submitted by Derek Stephens, a parent

My son has attended since Kindergarten. Now in 3rd grade with exceeding CRCT scores. It is very obvious that Teachers care for the students; providing out of pocket to pay for things that some of the children's parents aren't able to, such as snacks and supplies. The counselor is a God send (Kristen Moffet) she was awarded Cobb County's Counselor of the year and deservingly so. I base my opinion on the fact that I am more involved with my children's education and I make it a priority to get familiar with as many of the teachers as possible, not just my son's. My two nephews attended last year and their behavior toward learning did a complete 360! This area has lots of transient students (transfer late and/or leave early, lots of rental properties) and about half non-English speaking students. Volunteers/parental involvement are a constant encouragement. Parental involvement along with the teachers' efforts is the most effective.
—Submitted by Gwen Hollis, a parent

Teachers and staff are very disorganized. The plan of actuion to better the testing scores are weak. Not a enough focus on the basci reading, writing, and math.
—Submitted by keisha, a parent