Brooks Global Studies School

I am a parent who has one special needs child. Both my kids have had an outstanding education at Brooks. My daughter entered in 4th grade - her learning needs were appreciated and instruction exceeded my expectations. Ms. Mack (reading specialist) and teams of teachers are amazing. They took a reluctant learner who had been frustrated and pulled out at other schools and met her needs. You are expected to work at Brooks - home work is plenty but it is tied to instruction and I can say prepares students well for middle school. My daughter is now an AB student in middle school and I thank Brooks.
—Submitted by a parent

Brooks is an outstanding school. My family loves Brooks! We love how diverse it is and how ALL students achieve. The school prepares kids to move on and be successful in Middle School. Children get extra language instruction in Spanish and develop an understanding of today's world and global perspective. The principal leads with a wonderful perspective on learning and achievement and really cares about Brooks kids and their wellbeing. It is a great school!
—Submitted by a parent

My children LOVE Brooks! They've made so many positive comments to me regarding their school. Some of their comments show that they are learning on a higher cognitive level, "we are taught to think out of the box!" They enjoy the challenge of projects and the sense of satisfaction they get when working collectively with their peers. The teachers are passionate, professional and very approachable. They have confidence in their students and really help to build their self esteem. There is daily homework, but the remark my kids always make is "that's how we learn." I strongly recommend that parents who are looking for a well-rounded elementary education, apply for this magnet school. We were so relieved to be selected, because it is NOT a neighborhood school. It has been a wonderful 4 year experience and the mandated "core curriculum" was not a difficult transition thanks to the strong leadership of the principal, teachers and staff. Brooks offers a very caring environment and the administration does a fabulous job of maintaining an open-door policy. It really is a blessing to have such a great school that provides wonderful education at NO tuition cost!
—Submitted by a parent

My son spent his one year in this school and... we are returning to our home school. I am very disappointed! Agree with all the previous speakers that point out on some of the flaws of the principal/teacher team. I am disappointed in the priorities set by this school, as giving awards for the best school attendance?! Out of all the students in class only one gets this "award" for showing the good attendance. It is like saying to the 95% of all parents that "You failed to be here on time". How about math and science?! I am disappointed in how they treat students, expecting perfect behavior for the cost of daily stress and ruined self-esteem. I must admit that Specialist are doing a good job, they are the highlight of this school but classroom teachers, despite their long term employment, seriously lack professionalism and what it takes to be a GOOD teacher! They often forget that they work with little kids!
—Submitted by a parent

I agree that the teachers and principal lack personality. They expect 4yr old kids to act like high school kids. I feel very bad for these children. At 4&5yrs of age, you need to let these children be children. The principal and those teachers need to learn to communicate with adults. They may know how to control a bunch of little kids but they need to learn to give direct answers to parents(adults).
—Submitted by a parent

In responses to the last posting...All children did not choose this school- they live in the area. However, the parents make the school. The principal treats the children like they are in High School as well as expects the teachers to also.T his has been very stressful for a lot of the children going there emotionally. There have been many complaints to the district about the special need children . Which is good that they children are being moved. The scores statewide are off the charts but it come with a price of low self-esteem and discrimination from little clicks.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school in every respect. All of the parents have selected Brooks (through the magnet process) and what you get is a group of parents, teachers and staff who consistently expect more from their children. The principal and all of the teachers do an amazing job and it shows both in test scores and the love of learning the children come home with. Brooks is a reading school and the children are encouraged at every grade to read and read more. Both teachers and the PTA use creative and encouraging methods to get Brooks students reading. State goals are not good enough for the teachers at Brooks, they want their students all reading above grade level. Even in first grade, my child was encouraged, through in-class enrichment to work above grade level in math. PE and daily recess, Spanish, computer time, music, and art are also part of the weekly rotation. An active PTA and ample opportunity to volunteer in the classroom add to the sense of community and caring at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I put my twin boys here with high hopes. I loved the diversity, the Autism inclusion and the high academic standards....sadly we are in our 4th year and I have to say it has been down hill since Kindergarten. My children though HIGHLY gifted were never identified by the Teachers OR AL Teacher until 3rd grade when they took their Cog-AT's....upon questioning why this was the case I was informed 'unofficially' that their was no place in the public school system for kids like mine because they 'think' differently. If your children are unique keep looking....if they are driven performers who LOVE lots of homework keep looking.
—Submitted by a parent

I moved here from the Atlanta area and was very concerned about the school system in GSO. Brooks Global has been wonderful! Great teachers and admin staff. They are helping my daughter to go beyond her comfort zone in learning. I love it and will be sad after next year...her last one there.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent and have been pleased with Brooks so far. The teachers are great and the parent involvement is like no other I have seen in any other school. The only aspect where I think the school is lacking is the principal. I feel the school has gone downhill since his administration began. He is smart and professional, however I feel that his agenda is for himself and not for the children and staff. But, I think the teachers are amazing and luckily they are the ones that my child has interaction with daily and not him.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had both of my children at this school and they are both very successful. Brooks has been a very enrichful experience for both of them. Almost all of the teachers are great and really care about the children. I recomend it over any other school. P.S.- the A.L. department is great with Mark Moore
—Submitted by a parent

There have been several administrative changes throughout our five years at Brooks. The life line of Brooks Global is the Parental Involvement. The teachers & parents working together provide an effective learning atmosphere for the students.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had two children at Brooks and have been very happy with the teachers and the learning environment.There have been some huge administrative problems.Ms.Batts was wonderful and was making alot of positive changes within the school.Since the new Principal took over the school has gone downhill.I can even tell a differnce in the teachers attitudes.I am sad to say that my daughter will not be returning to Brooks because of all the changes.
—Submitted by a parent

I think Brooks is a very good school. There have been some administrative problems but the learning atmosphere for the children is awesome. I would not have my children anywhere else. The principal is very professional and prompt in reponse times.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in third grade and has been at Brooks since Kindergarten. Her Kindergarten year she was switched around between classes and teachers because of a teacher leaving. We have had 4 principals since she started and this seems very unstable to me. I have a problem with the curriculum jumping around from topic to topic appearing unrelated and I feel like my child was not taught how to write her letters properly. The current teacher and principal are impersonal, responding to specific emails with multiple questions with a single word, such as, 'okay' and 'sure'. This is very unprofessional to me and I am currently looking for another school to send my daughter to next year.
—Submitted by a parent

During the first year my daughter had 3 different kindergarten teachers, 4 different assistants, and 3 different principals. This provided a very instable learning atmosphere for her entire class. Thank goodness she has a first grade teacher that knows what she is doing. Needless to say we will be leaving Brooks following the end of this year. The school has not impressed us at all.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been at Brooks since Kindergarten and has excelled in all subjects. The teachers and staff really help the children to do their best. My child is now in the Accelerated Learner program and has scored in the top 97%++ categories on the EOG tests.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had three children at Brooks. The last one is in fifth grade. I have been very satisfied with the teachers and in particular, parental involvement.
—Submitted by a parent