by Laila Salaam

Created on: October 31, 2008   Last Updated: December 08, 2008

A look at the school districts in the Atlanta area

When taking a look at the school districts in the Atlanta area it, in an attempt to find the "best" schools, I turned to the internet for some advice. What I found was that it doesn't matter where you are in Atlanta, everyone who has voiced their opinions has a different idea about what's good and what's better, what's bad and what's worse. So, I went in search of facts.

My fact finding mission took me to the Governor's Office of Student Achievement, where I was able to review all of the statistical information about all of the schools in Georgia. Anyone who is interested can review the information I reviewed at the following web sites:

http://gaosa.org/FindASchool.aspx?PageReq=106&ScoreBoardId=3&FromSection=score; http://reportcard2007.gaosa.org/(zukojgne0zmr4k45nco qxy55)/k12/Reports.aspx?TestType=qcc&ID=660:ALL;

Additionally, I turned to the Atlanta Journal Consititution's web site where the exceptional journalist there have put together a list of what they believe to be the best schools in the area. The following in formation was extracted from the AJC web site on 10/31/2008 (http://schools.ajchomefinder.com/):

TOP SCHOOLS IN ATLANTA & GEORGIA

Top Elementary Schools in Atlanta Metro & Georgia:

Kittredge Magnet School , Kedron Elementary School, Austin Elementary School, Marietta Center for Advanced Academics, Mount Bethel Elementary School, Mountain Park Elementary School, Britt David Computer Academy, Rocky Branch Elementary School, Ware Magnet School, Livsey Elementary Schools

Top Middle Schools in Atlanta Metro & Georgia:

Davidson Magnet School, KIPP W. Atlanta Young Scholars Academy, Walker Traditional School, Robert A. Cross Middle Magnet, Hightower Trail Middle School, Rising Starr Middle School, Webb Bridge Middle School, Mabry Middle School, DeKalb School of the Arts, Dickerson Middle School

Top High Schools in Atlanta Metro & Georgia:

Davidson Magnet School, Columbus High School, Savannah Arts Academy, Walton High School, McIntosh High School, Pope High School, South Forsyth High School

DeKalb School of the Arts, Lassiter High School, Northview High School

By going to http://schools.ajchomefinder.com/ anyone interested in learning more about these individual schools can click on the links on the ajchomefinder web page and be taken to a page that will reveal a variety of information about that particular school, including: the school's address and phone number, a map to the school, the grade levels, teacher information, and annual test scores, as well as any reviews that parents or students may have written about the school.

However, for a parent who is planning to change schools, or school districts, I would recommend using the http://reportcard2007.gaosa.org/k12/default.aspx web site to do some preliminary research. Follow that up, if possible, with an on-site visit to the top three schools of your choice.

Everyone has their personal opinion and feelings about what type of school would be best for their own child or children. What one person feels is a great school might leave another with a bad taste in their mouth.

Armed with this information and advice, I wish you happy school hunting and hope that your choice is the best one for you and your student(s).

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