Sweet Apple Elementary School

One of the best in North Fulton! Great, hands on teachers and principal. My son loves going to school and enjoys the teachers and you can tell the parents are involved in their children's education as well. SO happy with our decision to enter this school district with our move!
—Submitted by a parent

The communication between staff and parents is phenomenal! The parent involvement is the BEST I have ever seen!! LOVE this SCHOOL!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Involved parents, committed teachers, nurturing environment
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are enthusiastic and love our kids!
—Submitted by a parent

Sweet Apple is a wonderful school with dedicated teachers, staff and parents!! Our kids love going to school!!
—Submitted by a parent

this school is amazing and works with the kids on their level!!

My son has been at SAE for 4 years and we have had a great experience, both academically as well as socially. He has excelled on all levels and is happy with his school envrionment. The PTA is very strong, which I honestly believe, has a lot to do with all that the school is able to offer (resource-wise). As with any school, there are caveats. It would be great to be in a school such as this, with a more socio-economically diverse community. Also, while most of the kids do well in school, I wonder if A's are doled out . . . could be a bit more challenging (I think). Overall, however, I find this to be an excellent public school. No real complaints on my part.
—Submitted by a parent

I see below that a teacher is upset by the fact that the parents at Sweet Apple are involved. Isn't that the duty of a parent? Stay involved, communicate with the teacher and administration when needed, and support them when possible. I dare say the schools that do not have the parental involvement also have problems with test scores and discipline. No school is perfect and not all parents make good decisions. Best wishes on finding the perfect environment you are searching for - it does not exist. Perhaps you need to change your attitude and develop your skills to overcome challenges. Sweet Apple is a wonderful school - the staff, administration, and PTA plan to continue to keep it that way.
—Submitted by a parent

Sweet Apple is an excellent school. The teachers are very supportive of the children and they effectively communicate to parents how their children are and what areas they need to look out for. The atmosphere is very positive and I am very happy with my child's progress.
—Submitted by a parent

SAE met and exceeded our expectations in most areas. The quality of the teachers is exceptional. The enrichment programs are wonderful. There is constant and open communication between parents and teachers. Parents are active in the classrooms. Overall, a great place school for our children.
—Submitted by a parent

SAE is without a doubt a 'parent-centered' school. I have never taught in an environment where the teachers are constantly questioned about everything and rarely backed up by the administration. The teachers at SAE are wonderful and dedicated to the students. Never holding children accountable doesn't help them in the long run and I know the children of SAE are not being taught in the way they should to help them to not only pass tests, but be good people as well. If you are a teacher looking for a job, SAE will judge you, hold you to impossible standards (as far as dealing with the parents are concerned) and the same rules do not apply for everyone. If that sounds like what you signed up for, then have a blast!
—Submitted by a teacher

Sweet Apple has a very friendly Principal and Assistant Principal. I am just amazed that they can keep the names of their 900 students straight. They do a great job! It is common for me to see the Assistant Principal outside greeting the students when they arrive. What a nice touch! The school and PTA has been investing heavily in Activboard technology which is great. The only thing I can think of that needs some improvement would be the custodial work. The building is new but would benefit from a deep cleaning and bathroom maintenance. I think this is to be expected from time to time when you are serving the number of students that Sweet Apple has. I have confidence that Administration will proactively work on this.
—Submitted by a parent

We tried Sweet Apple Elem. for 2 years, my son is dyslexic and has Receptive/ Expressive Disorder (a diagnosis that is fairly common these days)The 1st year he had a great resource teacher and we were impressed, unfortunately the 2nd year was a train wreck. His teacher didn't seem to have the training. He did make all A's and 1 B in math, so we thought maybe things would work out but he failed the CRCT testing. I don't understand how that happens. Worst of all I went to the school to set up a meeting with the School Counselor and I can't get her to call me back let alone set up a meeting. We have since moved our son to The Swift School and in a few weeks he has progressed significantly.
—Submitted by a parent

Our girls have completed a total of 10 years at Sweetapple. We've been very pleased. It's a great school. The administration is wonderful and most of our teachers have been superb.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is now in the third grade at SAE, and we are very pleased with the school and the teachers. We moved here from out of state when he was going into 1st, and it was not an easy transition for him. He was not on the same level as the other 1st graders and Sweet Apple took their time with him to make sure he rose up to the level of the class. I have made some wonderful friendships with the teachers. I feel that my son is in the best school for him. You can find everything a child needs, no matter what level they are at, at this great school.
—Submitted by Cynthia Gleich, a parent

My children have attended Sweet Apple for 4 years. We could not be more pleased with the teachers and the administration. My kids have always felt safe, and we feel they are challenged academically. The art and music programs are superior to our old school, and the program for gifted kids is terrific. I do feel they need a little more recess. The research I have seen indicates that recess is connected to academic success in the primary grades. They can only pay attention for so long w/o a break. Discipline has gotten much better since the new Assistant Principal has come on board, as has cleanliness throughout the building. The only complaint I have is that the PTA is very cliquish, and if you do not live in the right neighborhoods, you are pretty much cut off.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been at the school for 3 years. The quality of teacher has varied from year to year. This is due, in part, to the loss of a very good assistant principal, and 2 years of good teachers leaving to follow him. I rate the teacher quality lower than I would have a year ago due to the loss of good teachers, and the replacement by new to teaching teachers, rather than experienced ones. There is significant parental involvement in the classrooms, but as others have said, that too can vary depending on the receptiveness of the teacher to that involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

My two children have been at this school this year. I am continually disappointed in the teacher communication between classroom and home in one class. Some teachers don't communicate easily, seldom send notes home, or return emails. The other teacher I have only been able to volunteer ONCE the entire year (it's April)- I have been practically begging to be involved. Inconsistent is the word I would use. The PTA and parent involvement/volunteer aspect etc is minimal. I am so disappointed in this aspect, we are going to try and move out of this district. I do feel the school is very safe, and it is clean. I find the office and administration fair, and easy to talk with.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is probably the worst school my child has ever attended. Although he has had some good teachers...overall, his expierence here has been poor. The principal is not involved within her school. We were so glad when our child moved on from this school.
—Submitted by a parent

If your child does not conform to their standards, they stereotype the child(ren)as differnet and treat them as such.
—Submitted by a parent