Stone Mountain Elementary

Pros of this school: Good neighborhood, safe area, good socialization skills (Positive Energy Bus), involved Principal, good bus system and bus drivers.

Cons: Average to below average teachers. In my experience, I cannot say teachers go above and beyond for students. Not like they do at many other schools! Lack of any racial and economic diversity. This is a very homogenous group of wealthy Caucasian kids. Average standardized test scores (nothing to rave about). Very mediocre academic curriculum. School focuses more on socialization skills versus academics. Ideally, I'd like to see a healthier balance. It is understood in the Backcountry neighborhood that you can't really go to school leadership and give honest feedback. Countless parents have told us that if you go to Mrs. Franci (Principal) to give feedback on one of her staff members, it operates like a "good ole boys club" and she simply backs up her teachers/staff members. This is very short sighted and can lead to an unhappy atmosphere that is resistant to make change.

Specifics: My child attends this school and has Mrs. Gellner. We were told by a staff member that she was one of the better teachers in her grade level with years of experience. When we have politely brought ideas that our student needs to her attention, she gets very defensive, says the child is fine, and gives very condescending responses. She is resistant to change or doing things to make her teaching style better or improving a situation for her students.

At first, I thought maybe she behaved this way only with us. We found out that many other parents in the class felt the same way. One parent in her class brought a reasonable request to the attention of Mrs. Franci. She backed up the teacher and nothing happened or changed.

I like to see teachers and a Principal who are open to the very rare occasion of feedback if there is an issue. I have personally been in the classroom a handful of times and witnessed Mrs. Gellner. She honestly seems burned out, very frustrated, and very tired of teaching. She is not engaged with her students and not interested in being the best teacher that she could be. I have witnessed her roll her eyes at her students more than a few times. After that many years of teaching, I can understand it must be difficult, but then it might be time to move on. It's not fair to the students.

I find this school to be very average. I would give the teachers a solid B grade. They are nothing special and do not go out of their way to help children grow and learn. Many seem like they are a little bit "tired" and burned out to be honest. Many parents do not feel that they can give honest, constructive feedback to teachers and school leadership because things can be very political, and no one wants that to negatively impact their family or child. This school does not have the staffing support or the inclination to really help kids who are either behind or accelerated. Additionally, there is no diversity in any way all the way from leadership to the students. They are rated a C in diversity for good reason.