Parents Share School Success Stories

When it comes to making decisions for their child’s education, parents throughout metro Atlanta are realizing that education is not one-size-fits-all. With so many school options available, parents can choose an educational experience that best suits their children’s personal needs, as well as their family’s values and schedules.

The Best of Both Worlds

According to the Georgia Department of Education, there are 1.7 million students enrolled in public schools throughout the state. Ginger Canale, of Buford, did not think her two kids would ever be a part of that statistic. Growing up, she and her husband both attended small private schools, and they planned on doing the same with their kids. But a little research, and their zip code, changed their mind.

“Knowing the population size of Gwinnett County, I was initially against the public school system,” says Canale, whose daughter is a 7th grader at Buford Middle School. “My fear was that the classrooms would be too large, and the education would not be what we had. Then, I learned that we were living in a gold mine for a school system.”

Buford City Schools has been  continuously named as a top school district in the state. Despite the city’s growth over the years, Buford City Schools remain community centric and operates with the feel of a small-town school. This is exactly what the Canales had hoped their children would experience.

“The teachers are invested in the students, and it shows,” says Canale. “Buford pushes the students to excel and gives them opportunities to advance in their academics and extracurricular activities.”

Sending their kids to public school may not have been their plan, but the Canales feel that their choice has provided them with the best of both worlds.

Education Over Convenience

Cortney Weissglass, of Morningside, wanted a school that could cultivate the individual passions and strengths of each of her three kids, giving them opportunities to excel in their own ways. Ultimately, she decided on Woodward Academy, one of the largest private schools in the metro area, even though it wasn’t the most convenient choice.

“We were looking for a community that offered diversity in both programming and perspectives, along with a wide variety of extracurricular activities and sports. We also wanted a school that holds high expectations for students — both academically and in terms of character,” Weissglass says.

With kids in 5th, 3rd and 2nd grades, Weissglass says it was initially challenging to choose a school outside of their neighborhood and familiar circles. But seeing her kids feel known and valued while growing in confidence made the decision easier and the inconveniences less relevant.

“We have found that while Woodward may not always be the most convenient choice for families, any inconvenience is quickly outweighed by the warm, welcoming community of faculty and staff and fellow Woodward families, the challenging academic curriculum and the intentional development of our children as well-rounded, independent and respectful individuals,” says Weissglass.

Learning Outside the Classroom

Roswell resident Caroline Carr started researching educational options before her oldest child was ready for kindergarten. She knew she wanted a nurturing and collaborative environment, and although Roswell has excellent public schools, she found the traditional school model to be overstimulating for her kids. After learning about High Meadows School, an independent school for children ages 3 through middle school, she says she knew she found the perfect place for her kids to learn and thrive.

“As a mom, I love that they have been so nurtured, and that’s not something you can do in a larger environment,” says Carr of her two kids’ experiences at High Meadows School. “I find that to be priceless.”

Now in 6th and 8th grades, Carr says her kids love going to school where every classroom opens to the outdoors. Located on 42 acres of historic farm property, the school features outdoor classrooms, gardens, nature trails, farm animals and environmental education. Students study academics while also learning to care for horses and other animals, about the environment and planting gardens.

“This allows my kids to connect with nature beyond a school playground,” says Carr. “Coming to this campus every day, my kids feel like they can breathe. The learning is collaborative and interesting, and not just for grades. It is such a relief that this place exists.”

Virtually Perfect

Today’s parents are privileged to have opportunities that many generations didn’t have, thanks to the internet. Online school offers a more independent approach to education and has grown in popularity due to the flexibility it provides. Union City resident Scherica Lockhart chose Georgia Cyber Academy for her two kids, who are in elementary and middle school. The online public school serves approximately 11,000 students in Georgia each year.

“It has fostered greater  independence and responsibility, while also helping to prepare them for future academics in high school and college,” says Lockhart. “Additionally, it has significantly improved their communication skills, particularly through online chat interactions and presentations.”

Regina Howard and daughter

Lockhart’s friend Regina Howard chose Georgia Cyber Academy when her daughter was in 6th grade. She has since graduated Summa Cum Laude from the online school.

“We wanted her to be challenged and our zoned Middle School for her was filled with distractions by the behaviors of others that would be attending the same school,” says Howard, who lives in Union City.

Initially, Howard drove her daughter to Roswell daily for school to ensure she was getting the best education possible. Then she learned about online school and knew it was right for her daughter and their on-the-go family.

“She was in the gifted program, and we wanted her to always have great opportunities presented to her. Georgia Cyber Academy gave her those opportunities. So many doors have opened for her,” she says, noting that her daughter won the middle school Prudential Spirit of Community Award for the state of Georgia and was invited to speak on the Georgia Senate floor.

There’s No Place Like Home

Photo by Rahmaad Photography

With two children in 5th grade, one with autism, Tifini Rahmaad of Tucker never planned on  homeschooling her kids, but had a list of concerns when it came to ensuring her kids received the best education and outcome. “My son has autism, so I was concerned with him being passed over or stigmatized,” Rahmaad says, adding that many teachers are not trained to work with kids like her son.

Rahmaad was also concerned about the stress of standardized tests and her kids being negatively influenced and exposed to things too early. While the decision to homeschool was not an easy one, it is one that has worked well for her family.

“It was a hard decision, and I still struggle with the thought of if we are doing what is best. But our kids are flourishing and the time we spend with our kids is irreplaceable,” she says.

The family has also found the flexibility of homeschooling to be an advantage. “We can take vacation whenever we want without missing school because school can be anywhere,” Rahmaad says. “We also have control over what our kids learn. So, if we want them to learn business or sign language, they can take a class without having to be dependent on what a school offers.”

Charting Their Own Path

Stone Mountain mom Camela Dozier Morejon originally selected private school for her two  daughters, ages 6 and 11. But when her oldest was ready to enter middle school, the small classroom size of their private school led her to a new path.

“She would have been 1 of 12 in the middle school. She needed to be in a bigger environment with more kids,” says Morejon, noting that her daughter had spent the last few years with the same kids.

This DeKalb County mom decided to investigate charter schools after one of her friends suggested The Anchor School, a tuition free charter school serving metro Atlanta kids in grades 6-12. “I did the research, and we checked it out,” Morejon says. “There was some hesitation at first because we didn’t know what to expect. But she is flourishing, and we think we made the right decision.”

She enrolled her middle schooler in The Anchor School, while selecting DeKalb Brilliance Academy, a tuition free charter school for kids in grades K-8, for her younger daughter. Once her youngest reaches 6th grade, she intends to enroll her at The Anchor School, so both of her daughters will be at the same school.

In their first year in charter schools, Morejon has noticed both of her daughters are flourishing, and she is glad she chose to view their educational needs individually and advocate for what is best for each of them.

“There are so many more options for us as parents to advocate for our children. Moving them has been the best decision for them,” she says, noting that she went through a program called GeorgiaCan that trains parents to advocate for their children’s individual educational needs.

Split Decision

Taryn Wren-Evans, of Canton, selected both public and private school for her four kids who are in 3rd, 6th and 11th grades. She and her husband chose Mission Academy, a small private Christian school, for their three younger children because they can have an influence over what their kids are taught.

“We felt a small private school was best,” says Wren-Evans. “One where parents can have some say in what is taught and not taught.”

Being a family of faith, having a Christian-based school was a very important factor in their decision. They wanted their kids to understand God more and have an education that puts a strong emphasis on morals and kindness.

However, Wren-Evans says they decided public school was best for their oldest son, a special needs junior.

“He needed the therapy and self-contained classroom public school offers, even though I cannot be as involved in the classroom experience as with my younger children,” laments Wren-Evans. For the family, it is worth the trade off since he is receiving extra services to ensure he gets the best education possible.

What to look for in choosing a school:

• Qualified teachers and administration.
• Curriculum and learning environment that suits your child.
• School culture and values that your family can embrace.
• Transportation accessibility and travel time.
• Helpful extracurricular options like clubs and after care.
• Safety and security.
• Engaging opportunities for parent involvement.
• Open and informative parent-teacher communication.
• Happy, vibrant students.
• Class sizes and student-teacher ratios.

-Jackie B. Watson