Atlanta Neighborhood Charter - Elementary

My youngest son recently graduated from ANCS (elementary campus) in 2019. When he was in kindergarten, our current principal was the principal and the assistant principal (who is no longer at ANCS elementary campus) did not and still until this day does not know how to control and take bullying seriously. Bullying now, as it was then, is at an all-time high and is covered up by one excuse after another.

When my youngest son was in kindergarten, his teachers tried their best to confront bullying, however, it was never-ending. I must say, my son was passive because he didn’t know what “bullying” was—needless to say, he was a baby (6 years old).

When my son was promoted to 1st grade, bullying was bad at ANCS. This is when I experienced a rude awakening and a clear understanding that the teachers, faculty, staff and higher authorities did not know how to control the bullying that was traumatizing the students. After bullying repeatedly occurred at ANCS when my son was in 1st grade, I had a parent-teacher conference, which was not successful. A couple of months later, I had a parent, student, teacher and assistant principal conference, and that most definitely was distasteful. As my son and I sat face-to-face in the colorfully decorated classroom, words were being placed in my son’s mouth. We were told that he was basically making up the bullying issues that had occurred. I was taken aback when a teacher who taught at ANCS took her son out of the school because her son too was being bullied by the same boy. I had to gather my thoughts and I asked everyone who was in the meeting, “Are you all saying my son is making up being bullied?” They asked my son if he knew the difference between being bullied and when someone had done something by “mistake”.  One day, when I picked my son up from school, he was holding his tummy, telling me he was in pain. I asked him what was wrong he told me that as he was going to art class and as he bent to tie his shoe, the entire class kicked him. The art teacher (who taught at ANCS since my oldest attended), stated she wasn’t aware of this. The principal called a student and asked her where my son was sitting in art class. They believed a 1st grader over my son. What the principal should have done was ask the art teacher what happened and why didn’t she address the issue. I took him to the emergency room to have him checked out and to have documents for my records. It was an uphill battle trying to have my son’s 1st-grade teachers and assistant principal understand my son’s state of depression. Needless to say, excuses were given and nothing was done.

During 2nd grade, my son’s teachers did not tolerate bullying in their class. However, the bullying took place during recess, lunch, and as my son waited for his number to be called during the car rider line. To read the rest of my story please feel free to visit my blog: https://wordpress.com/post/charlenajackson.wordpress.com/836

Truely one of the best 'smaller' schools out there. Be a part of our school is a huge motto and therefore parents be warned, you will be put to good use on the yard sale, auction, summer festival, winterfest and so forth. My son has had problems with keeping up with math and reading and these outstanding teachers worked with us to get him to where he needed to be. As long as you value your childs education, want to take an active role, are not afraid to volunteer and want to make a difference then this school is for you! Outstanding test scores as a result but that really isn't what its all about as we all try and want to believe (otherwise you wouldn't be checking the scores here right?) :-)

Elementary school was great. I can't enough about it. Teachers are great. But beware of middle school. Our family have experience racism with the middle school campus. Not the students but the teachers. Which is the reason we are taking our child out of the school. For a teacher to tell an African american student you are making it rain should not be used in school. It's stereotyping at it worse.

Best true neighborhood school in all Atlanta.