342 E Hedge Rd
Aiken, SC 29801

This school is mediocre. We feel as though the re-naming of the school to "East Aiken School of the Arts" was to appeal to the parents who were choosing to send their children to local charter schools instead of this school. Just because "The Arts" has been enforced does not make it a better school. My son is a natural learner and we do not have many problems with his learning, he has made wonderful grades. We have never had a direct problem with a teacher; however we have felt as though some teachers just simply did not care about their class, as if they just viewed it as a paycheck... again, I know this is a problem everywhere, in every profession and career.The schools car-line pick up and drop off procedure has improved greatly over the past few years and flows rather well.Another worrisome thing about the school is the design- please take a tour if you ever look into the school for your child. It would NOT be safe in certain situations. The "arts" should be less focused on. Several of the teachers who teach the arts classes end up making the children who do not have natural talent or want to participate in that art form feel as though they do not belong or something is wrong with them. Art, dance, music, drama, it's all great and important for children to see and experience... but it is not something that they should have to feel bad about if they are not "good" at it or want to do that. I know I would not enjoy dance class if I could not dance, or felt like I could not dance.

Teachers are not updating Power Point, which is a useful source for parents to determine if their child is completing homework, and how they are doing with their grades. I see PP grading that is over a month old on their site. Teachers needs to communicate better with parents via e-mail or sent letters (not given to the kids to give to their parents.) Also, teachers, please do not share out loud with all students in a classroom setting that you received an email from one student's parent regarding a concern they have with their particular child. A teacher actually did this, and humiliated the student. Common sense and decency. There are some good teachers, but I think they are overwhelmed. But some, not so much.

I couldn't rate it low enough to rate it. Homeschooling is the best way to go. This school only cares about what it looks like on paper not how real issues (bullies) should truly be handled. They don't want their school to look like it has fighting issues so they label it differently or not at all so that their school is rated better in the area. I've spoken to many people about this. It's all about politics to them.

I found this school to be a breath of fresh air. I wish it was more than just a 6th grade school. All the staff was friendly and helpful. The teachers were very involved and enthusiastic about teaching and informing parents of how our students were doing. The school had a number of great events and the school regularly informed students and parents of character traits and other motivational goals the children were working on and learning about to benefit them socially, emotionally and academically. My daughter had one teacher who wasn't very organized and seemed to have too many students, but all the rest of her teachers were great. She loved that school and so did her friends and they didn't want to leave.