Susan Stripling Elementary School

I attended the school's Open House recently and I was impressed to see the enrichment programs that Stripling provides . Mr. Hochbaum and Mr. Bushman are amazing Gifted teachers, who make me proud to be a parent at this school. I think the leadership at this school continues to be the best in Norcross.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the worst school I have ever seen. My son and I moved here from out of state and the difference in curriculum compared to what he was taught at his previous school is out dated and non-challenging. The school continues to cut students off at the knees who are ahead of others, so as to teach them all at the same level which is wrong on so many levels. The school is not diverse at all, with the majority of the student body being of Hispanic origin and only handful being African American, Caucasian, etc. The bullying that my child has endured for the past few months is only continues to get worse and the staff is not friendly but instead quite hostel when you try to get them to acknowledge the problems with their "system". Everything that is done at this school is disorganized and not geared toward helping the children to grow. My son is so unhappy with this school and doesn't even want to go to school anymore. He will not be attending this school next year, and I encourage other parents to think twice before enrolling their children into this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I completely disagree with your comment. My son loves this school and he has had wonderful teachers! He has attended this school since 2nd grade, now in 5th and our experience with the teachers & the administration has been wonderful. If I've had an issue, it was addressed immediately. Like anything, you get what you give. If you attend curriculum nights, Parent Center workshops and PTA meetings (which are offered in the evening & during school hours to accomodate most parent's schedules-the testing workshop was last night as a matter of fact) you will know that many resources are available after school, before school & weekends. If you communicate with your child's teacher they will make you aware of this. The Parent Center has great FREE resources & a wonderful, helpful staff (Ms. Sanchez). Ms. McHam is great, I've never had a problem with her. She has always been very accomodating and accessable. My only problem with Stripling is the lack of parent involement! If you are angry enough to write a bad review on a website regarding your displeasure with the school then you should also attend a PTA or Parent Center meeting where your imput can really make a difference.
—Submitted by a parent

I must disagree that stripling provides enrichment and accelerated programs. Compared to Marietta city schools this school has nothing to offer, prior schools had before school, after school, during school and Saturday school help. This not he case at all and the principal Ms. Mcham is horrible and involved or intouch with the students at all. I had a meeting with her my son counselor and teacher, she cried to show concern and I saw her a week later and she asked, who's parent are you again. Now that was very insulting, which you meet with a week ago and cried and cant remember who your student was. So unreal just very fake.
—Submitted by a parent

Stripling provides enrichment and accelerated programs to challenge students from K-5. Strong leadership and caring staff make this a unique and warm school. Stripling brings pride to our Norcross community.

I happen to know, from first-hand experience, that the teachers work above and beyond what they are compensated! I have never seen a more committed group of educators willing to do whatever it takes to facilitate the learning of the students as they do in their school. I am very proud to have my children attend Susan Stripling Elementary School! The level of disrespect that many parents display toward the professional educator is overwhelming! It is my belief that until more parents become educated and involved, themselves, only then will a true difference in the level of learning be made, and as a result, test scores increased.
—Submitted by M. Gonzalez, a parent

My daughter went to kindergarten and is now in first grade at Stripling. I am very pleased with the teaching programs they use. The teachers are excellent as well as the staff. Everyone up there has always been willing to help, listen or whatever else was needed. As far as parent involvement it needs alot. However you can't fault the school for that. Parents have to get involved and help out when needed. After all it is not the teachers job to raise the child. The teacher teaches and when you have a parent get involved it makes all the difference in the world. I am just saying don't judge this school unless you have time to go get involved and make a difference yourself.
—Submitted by Pamela Hood, a parent

The standards of this school is low and the schools faculty is not welcoming at all. It is strongly recommended that the schools faculty be thouroughly evaluated on their procedures on communicating with parents. Something should be done concerning the challeging of 'Gifted' students, those that are excelling beyond the basic requirements on the schools curriculum, these students (1st - 3rd) are not allowed to test in order to evolve to higher grade level or classes that will keep the students attention. It is strongly believed that qualified Male teachers should be sought after in order to have masculine teachers/role-models presented before the boy students. In closing when the bar is raised and met than we will produce more children ready for the service to thier community and govenrment. They also need more outside time, not an Institutionalized feel of being in doors all the time, this causes behavoir concerns. Henry JW.
—Submitted by a parent

I was very disapointed with this school, they were not able to accomadate my child from k-2nd grade. I was told on serval times that once he gets to the next grade than they will be able to do something. And here now in the second grade they still was not helpful. My son was the highest in his class but due to the outline they couldn't do anything. However they worked very hard on tring to correct his behavior but they missed the whole point that my child was bored and when a childed is bored they act out. So Stripling needs not to only notice the childrens behavior problem but also their potenials as well. Then will start to see there numbers in math, reading, and language arts increase. Unsatified
—Submitted by Angela, a parent