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GreatSchools Rating

Griffin Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 986 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 2 ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
No new ratings

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21 reviews of this school


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Posted Monday, May 13, 2013

I would also like recent info on this school as I am searching for middle schools for the 2013-2014 school year.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 5, 2013

Does anyone have more recent reviews of this school than 2009? Please provide comments for experiences in 2012 - 2013 school year.


Posted July 23, 2009

Hi Im Zaria Miguez for my 6th grade year i attended Griifin and I belive that Griffin get close to their students to make them feel welcomed which is very good for upcoming 5th grader their teachers are amazing
—Submitted by a student


Posted October 22, 2008

The school has made wonderful improvements over the past 3 years. Parents should take one of the tours offered by the PTSA. It is amazing that frequently parents choose to spend their child's college tuition on private school, without even stepping foot in the building. Don't rely solely on neighborhood rumors. Visit the school, so you...not your neighbor, can determine what is appropriate for your child. Worried about NCLB? Have your heard the rumors that they didn't pass? Probably so. My question to you would be, 'Do you understand why they didn't pass?' Look at the data on the Cobb County website. The school passes in every area, except Special Education Math. Just remember by visiting & researching, you can at least say if you choose private school, that you made an educated decision.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 21, 2008

I went to this school and would have to say that it is pretty ok. Most techers are nice, and i did learn things. You cant blame the school for fights. Every school has them.. I lacked in math but the techers did well.. And they do respond back if your paretns call them. The adminstration is good also.
—Submitted by a student


Posted August 14, 2008

I loved this school! I learned so much, all the teachers are caring and nice! Sure there are a couple of fights here and there but hey what school doesnt have fights! But this school really prepared me for high school i went to Griffin Middle all 3 years and i am very pleased!!


Posted January 18, 2008

It is a great school that is very underestimated. The education is by far above average.


Posted January 17, 2008

I love Griffin. I moved here from New Orleans,La and compared to the schools there, this school is like Harvard,lol. My son is in the gifted classes and the teachers at this school are outstanding!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 27, 2007

The teachers can really get to know the student as an individual and curve to your needs.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 13, 2007

If your child is in the advanced classes it's a very good school. If your child is in the general population it's a very average school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 25, 2007

Thank Godness for Griffin. All my children have gone there and loved it. I will say we have had some good teachers and some bad, but every child has that. The teachers email me if there is a problem, and also send me the progress of my child. They provide something fo everyone. The advanced content and P.A.C.E program is very helpful too. Your child learns alot more on their level and is provied with VERY helpful teachers. The music program is incrediable too. The teachers teach you songs, that amaze every paent. My daughter and son are both in orchstra and chorus, the teachers are great. Overall, I suggest Griffin to all parents. You won't regret it.
—Submitted by Judy, a parent


Posted February 28, 2007

My second child is now a 6th grader at GMS. She is, as her brother was, in all Advanced Content classes offered, as well as Chorus and Orchestra. The AC (Advanced Content) teachers are the best! My kids have learned so much there. My son is now in the IB program at Campbell High School, and I feel that GMS's AC classes prepared him well for the smooth transition. I highly recommend parent take advantage of the iParent system to track grades, etc. Parents could also use the website that a lot of teachers utilize. It is imperitive to be involved at the school; if your child knows you care, perhaps they will too. Try to help out the PTSA by volunteering for an event (school dance, Sally Foster sales, Red Ribbon Week, PTSA School Store, Scholastic BookFair, Membership committee, or consider being an officer.
—Submitted by Deborah, a parent


Posted November 4, 2006

I would not recommend this school for your child. It lacks in every thing. My child is a current 8th grader and has been attending the school for 1 year and I am relieved to say this is her last year.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 23, 2006

Griffin offers 2 levels of advanced classes in all academic subject areas...and even for students that are not identified 'gifted'. Bright kids that might fall between the cracks in an on-level class, but do not have the scores to get in a gifted class, are still being challenged with the PACE level classes. These classes are great! The music, orchestra, and band departments are phenomenal. Annie was a hit! Parent involvement could be better. It seems that 20% of the parents do 80% of the work in PTSA, etc.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted December 2, 2005

Griffin is one the the worst schools my child has attended.Teachers do not give reports to parents.When you call no one responds back.There are so many fights and poor adult supervision.This school is not worried about your childs education.And they wonder why the kids are doing so bad.I am a parent who is involved with my childrens education.With Griffin it doesn't matter wether your involved or not.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 30, 2005

Excellent special education program. Teachers work very hard to improve student test scores. Very caring and dedicated staff. My child received an excellent education. C. Morgan
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 19, 2005

I have been pleased with Griffin - the staff I have met are well educated, interested in my child's education, dedicated to extra curriculars and more than willing to work with my child. They are attempting to get the kids ready for high school by thinking for themselves & being responsible. The chorus, drama, band & orchestra departments are SUPER - my daughter has truely blossomed & is finding her niche - she is happy & striving to do something worthwhile with her time. I can't praise these programs & dedicated staff enough! Also, the many before & after school clubs/activities such as art club, christian fellowship, etc are good. Keeping your child active & involved is the key - active, caring kids tend to hang around together and influence each other for the good! Alisa Caldwell
—Submitted by Alisa Caldwell, a parent


Posted July 26, 2005

This school has a serious discipline problem. It has so many physical fights. It seems a little dangerous. A lot of the students come to school dressed in inappropriate and revealing attires. The advanced program is wonderful, but if you have too many of the classes, you may get stressed very easily.My child had three major projects due in the same class and day. She had not gotten any sleep for about a week.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 7, 2005

My daughter had some good teachers and some bad teachers. The administration is non-responsive when it comes to student discipline. The students are disruptive and their behavior is disrespectful. Go for school choice. This is not an environment for students to learn. The chorus and band are excellent though.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 4, 2005

My son was having problems at school. I got a call one day that they have been sending information about mi sons progress for 2 months and and have have not received them back. It took the teacher 2 months to contact me? I was so concern about the situation that I moved him to another school and he is grades are getting better. From my point of view, the teacher was not concern about my sons getting better in school. 2 months?
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 92% in 2012.

376 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
87%
Math

The state average for Math was 80% in 2012.

370 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
77%

2009

 
 
75%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 96% in 2012.

376 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
97%

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
87%

2009

 
 
87%
Science

The state average for Science was 73% in 2012.

390 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
55%

2010

 
 
56%

2009

 
 
49%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 73% in 2012.

389 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%

2011

 
 
52%

2010

 
 
52%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Georgia administered the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) in reading, social studies, science, English language arts and math in grades 3 through 8. The CRCT is a standards-based assessment, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Georgia. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Georgia's state standards

Source: Georgia Department of Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 93% in 2012.

322 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
86%
Math

The state average for Math was 91% in 2012.

324 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
81%

2009

 
 
75%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 94% in 2012.

324 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
85%

2009

 
 
81%
Science

The state average for Science was 85% in 2012.

328 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
79%

2010

 
 
74%

2009

 
 
65%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 78% in 2012.

327 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
49%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Georgia administered the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) in reading, social studies, science, English language arts and math in grades 3 through 8. The CRCT is a standards-based assessment, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Georgia. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Georgia's state standards

Source: Georgia Department of Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 95% in 2012.

299 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
90%
Math

The state average for Math was 77% in 2012.

302 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
69%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
70%

2009

 
 
67%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 96% in 2012.

302 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
96%

2011

 
 
95%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
91%
Science

The state average for Science was 74% in 2012.

319 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
68%

2011

 
 
54%

2010

 
 
61%

2009

 
 
54%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 77% in 2012.

318 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
74%

2011

 
 
60%

2010

 
 
65%

2009

 
 
51%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Georgia administered the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) in reading, social studies, science, English language arts and math in grades 3 through 8. The CRCT is a standards-based assessment, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Georgia. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Georgia's state standards

Source: Georgia Department of Education

Writing

The state average for Writing was 82% in 2012.

313 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
78%

2010

 
 
75%

2009

 
 
64%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Georgia administered the Middle Grades Writing Assessment (MGWA) to students in grades 5 and 8. The MGWA is a standards-based assessment, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined by the state of Georgia. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Georgia's state standards

Source: Georgia Department of Education

9th Grade Literature

The state average for 9th Grade Literature was 84% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a
Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 63% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a
American Literature

The state average for American Literature was 89% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a
Biology

The state average for Biology was 73% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a
Economics

The state average for Economics was 77% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 74% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a
Integrated Math 1

The state average for Integrated Math 1 was 65% in 2012.

14 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
100%

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
94%
Integrated Math 2

The state average for Integrated Math 2 was 54% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a
Physical Science

The state average for Physical Science was 78% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a
U.S. History

The state average for U.S. History was 68% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Georgia administered End-of-Course Tests (EOCT) in 9th grade math levels 1 and 2, biology, United States history, physical science, American literature and economics. The EOCT is a standards-based assessment, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined by the state of Georgia. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Georgia's state standards

Source: Georgia Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Hispanic 45% 10%
Black 40% 38%
White 13% 46%
Asian/Pacific Islander 2% 3%
American Indian/Alaska Native N/A 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Limited English proficient 19%N/A5%
Economically disadvantaged 73%N/A50%
Students with disabilities 14%N/A12%
Source: GA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 11N/A14
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

4010 King Springs Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30082
Phone: (678) 842-6917

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