International Academy of Smyrna

Hard working and dedicated staff who works to meet the needs of the child and the family.

Because they have a great staff who work hard to do what is best for their students.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children that attend IIAS; one in middle school and a 5th grader. I am extremely proud of the accomplishments that my children and the school have achieved. IIAS has a staff that works diligently to ensure that the students receive challenging and engaging lessons and provide multiple opportunities for the students to participate in cultural and social activities that are unmatched by other schools/school systems. A testament to the dedication of the staff is the high scores that they receive on accreditations and stellar CRCT scores. The teachers put in long hours and volunteer a lot of time to provide a great school experience for their students. This is not something they have to do but rather choose to do. Way to go IIAS fac. & staff! You are appreciated! Education is a thankless profession! Many do not know the sacrifices educators make daily!!
—Submitted by a parent

The atmosphere at this school is all about learning. Doing your best, trying your hardest. The Prinicipal has an excellent track record. With her leadership and the dedicated teachers our children are thriving. My child loves going to school, feeling safe and acknowledged for her achievements. Reading, has become her favorite subject. I find that the teachers go the extra mile to help and assist our children. Volunteering has given me a new outlook on what can be accomplished with hard work and decdication to the betterment of our children.
—Submitted by a parent

I was referred to this school by a friend. This is my childs second and last year. I was intitially very impressed with the school. Is SEEMED to be a well oiled machine, boy was I WRONG!! I don't know where to start. The Principal has to be the most unprofessional, rude, disrespectful administrator I have ever encountered. The teachers seem to be overwhelmed ( A lot of other teachers have left from last year). The class sizes are quite large. The estetic of the new school is excellent, but that's where it ends; a nice building with little warmth, organization and emotionally seasoned administrators and staff.
—Submitted by a parent

Disappointing in most areas. Disorganized, staff turnover is too high, not enough resources for kids and teachers, morale seems low, neither principal nor regional director are interested in addressing concerns of parents. Poor test scores overall. This school sounds great but actions speak louder than words and the action here is not good.
—Submitted by a parent

I brought my children to this school because they promised small classrooms and increased focus on education. 3rd grade has 20 students and 6th has 32. My children have d averages. They are a/b students. The staff is not really friendly. Nurse is rarely avaiable and when she is there, is pretty useless. Do not bother putting your children in this school, Nothing the principal promises will happen.
—Submitted by a parent

The fabulous faculty and staff now have a fabulous new home! We love IIAS!!
—Submitted by a parent

Imagine Is the worst school my child has ever attended. The problem with the school is no unity. The Principle is very unprofessional,cold and totally disrespectful to parents and staff. The staff is constantly changing. That says alot about how unstable the environment is. I know numerous staff that have left only because of the principal. Please rethink sending your child to this school it is a big mistake!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been at IIAS since it first opened, and in spite of the 'Principal' the first year, he has had great, dedicated teachers. The teachers encouraged parent involvement and really kept me informed! I can't say enough good things about Mrs. Sample, and Mrs. Yanten, and they welcomed my classroom help. If your child isn't succeeding at IIAS I would strongly encourage you the parents to become as involved in the classroom as possible! Another Mom and I helped out 4 days per week last year in the 4th grade classroom, and we saw our kids Math scores go way up! Keep up the great work Mrs. Clarke and all the teachers! We love the school!
—Submitted by a parent

I keep waiting for this school to turn the corner but it just isn't happening. On paper it is fantastic. Mrs. Clarke is trying but things just won't come together in all areas. I believe the biggest problem here is that Imagine Schools is too worried about their dollars and bottom line and not worried enough about doing things right by our kids. If they would only be willing to put the money in to getting everything up to where it should be based on their promises and take a loss for 2-3 years then I think we would be off and running. They won't do that though. Its all about cut cut cut but the money going to them never gets cut cut cut. Just the educational stuff. The priorities are not in the right places.
—Submitted by a parent

Well, this school has a long way to go. Although they have good concepts in theory, it just (I don't even know how to say it) needs improvement. I have heard the elementary school does wonderful, I don't know...I have only dealt with the middle school. Teachers constantly turning over. There is a reason. A majority of the teachers are unprofessional in speech and actions. I just don't think they could get away with what they do in the public school system. The way they talk to the children. There are no supplies, they ask you to donate everything, it's just not together. As far as a new building, I think they need to try and repair themselves from the inside out beginning with the faculty. Ms. Clarke is probably trying but I think she could use an assistant principal. Middle school needs its own administrator.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent that supported the school concept, moved my child to attend from the beginning and have been extremely active on several boards and in-classrooms. Over the last several months, I have grown more and more displeased with the school. Communication has always been concern #1 - lack of communication. Mrs. Clarke is a caring, active, thoughtful Principal, but she is one person. She severely needs a second in command aka Vice Principal to assist the growth of the school. She cannot do everything. The curriculum is good, but there are not enough qualified teachers to assist with the implementation. The new building should never have been secured and is not proper for students. The proposed gym was not included in blueprints shown earlier this year and parent s were told that the park behind would be utilized. Unacceptable. Bad weather, asthmatic childrens and public access are 3 reasons.
—Submitted by a parent

We are thrilled to have our kids at IIAS! We look forward to another great school year in our brand new location!
—Submitted by a parent

In its 2nd year of operation, the school is doing very well under the circumstances of getting the school built, hiring qualified teachers, etc. Having sent our daughter here after initially sending her to private school, i must say we are pleased with the quality and challenge of the curriculum presented. Once the dust settles and the young teachers become more experienced at teaching in this environment, I expect the school to move to the top as one of the premier schools in cobb county and in the state.
—Submitted by a parent

I wrote a very positive review of the school last year. I tried to be understanding of a new school having bumps along the way. I felt as long as there was respect between administration and parents the school could go far. I have since realized the current administration is not interested in retaining involved parents who actually have thoughts and comments about the environment and how their children are taught. Last year we had a fabulous teacher and were shielded from a lot of the schools downfalls. Now it is becoming more evident that discipline/respectful behavior are not priorities in this school. A lot of the children still do not wear the required uniform and parents who ask about it are told that there just isn't enough manpower to deal with it. Now we are going into middle school and after 2 years it is time to try another school.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall, the elementary kids are great, the middle school is awful. The students in middle school never wear the proper uniform, and the behavier is very bad for middle school. I don't like at all. Plus the teachers can be very rude.
—Submitted by a student

Excellent teachers. Focused administration. Goal oriented students. Resourceful and involved parents. IIAS is going to be one of the top schools the Atlanta area. We are proud to be one of it's 'pioneer' families!
—Submitted by a parent

After a rocky first year, this school is really coming into shape this year. Principal Clarke is perfectly suited for this school and has had a tremendously positive impact, including the application of the simple school rules that all students and parents must follow. The teachers our son has had have been well qualified and unbelievably dedicated, and our son has progressed continually beyond our expectations. The IB program brings a style of teaching and learning that may not fit all students or families, but it has proven to be of great value for our son and our family. Every day our son wakes up happy and ready to go to school, and has been performing exceptionally well. We don't consider it a coincidence that it happened at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my second year in Imagine. This school is kind of alright to me. All they are missing are textbooks and a building. This school has faced a lot of problems ,but they faced them all. We had good and bad times here, mostly good!! But it was kind of awkeward because I moved here in the begining of February and I didn't get to meet the principal there. Although I didn't meet the previous prinicpal, I'm glad that I met Mrs, Clarke!!
—Submitted by a student