Elrod Mill

I honestly do not have any idea how the score on this school is low. We have had a second home in Blue Ridge for a few years. During the pandemic, we elected to live in Blue Ridge instead of our Buckhead home in Morris Brandon elementary school district. My son went to K-2 and has done third grade at Blue Ridge Elementary. My wife and I have been blown away at the level of engagement and superb levels of education from the teachers and the school. While everyone has done zoom school, we had real school. This city has so much going for it! Now, we are considering living here full time and selling the home on West Wesley. My daughter started kindergarten here and LOVES the school as well. All of the kids we have met have been very well mannered and respectful. I think this school is at least equal if not better than Morris Brandon which is a 9/10. The student to teacher ratio is 1:14 I believe as well. The teachers really keep the kids engaged and they love the school. If your relying on website scores, it is worth coming to see this school in person. Some of the pluses for this school, according to our son who had school at Morris Brandon, are the STEAM lab, the ability to advance the learning because class size is smaller, the teaching styles where there are more in-class examples and teachings with less homework, the week scheduling of Specials, the caring and attentive attitudes of the teachers, and the food choices. As a parent, I appreciate the Parent Portal, which gives access to grades and notices, the use of technology in combination with in-person learning (see article in The Observer), the Class DoJo announcements, the very open contact and communications with the teachers, the extra attention given to my children if needed, the quick responses to emails and phone calls, the district announcements and preparations for inclement weather (use of COLD packs to save from make up days), and it generally appears the district cares about our teachers and students, evidenced recently by closing the school for a online day to give all of the teachers the ability to receive covid-19 vaccinations.