Garden Hills Elementary School

This is the beginning of 2025-2026 school year and fourth year our child has attended E. Rivers (3rd grade now). Our child is happy, likes th teachers and has friends. There is a wonderful cultural mix of students, white, black and Asian. It provides a rich environment. Being white and from Europe we really like the diversity. Parent involvement is very high and there are many ways to get involved - one-of volunteer opportunities to more in-depth involvement - all are welcome. The school staff all appear to be well organized and led by the principal and are all on the same page. No gossiping or complaining, but very professional, hard working and always available to meet with parents. The PTA is active and provides a great deal of communication with the home through twice weekly newsletters, school-wide picnics, car wash, international dinner events and many other events.The facility is modern, well maintained with subject specific classrooms to fully engage the students. There is plenty of outdoor space for recess and recreation. Kiddos, the afterschool program on-site is well loved by the students and always full shortly after registration opens each year. We have been very happy with E. Rivers and feel we have a gem for our local elementary school.

they were okay, when i was in 2nd grade in the 2018-2019 school year i was part of the dual language immersion program therefore i had a spanish and english teacher, both were equally as bad, although the spanish teacher pushed me to do better, which i now appreciate, but the english teacher once told me and i quote “you’re gonna end up with a baby your mom is gonna take care of” apart from that all the teachers i had were great

My child has been at this school since kindergarten. I definitely believe your experience can be teacher dependent because like with most things some care and some just don’t. We have yet to be blessed with a teacher that really values her role as a teacher. I understand that teachers DO NOT get paid enough and do not have enough support. My expectation is to collaborate in my child’s learning especially if in the classrooms there is a lack of support for the teacher. However, there is a huge communication in regard to all things but most importantly my child’s education. From what I heard this did use to be a great school. I tried to give grace initially because I heard that things had changed but at this point they have just not gotten better. There are activities for parent engagement but the notice you get maybe about 48hours or less. So far with my child I get no real communication or information on what he is doing in school or how I can reinforce it at home. It’s not for lack of trying I ask questions and typically get no response or some type of deflection. Also this site says ratios are 1:12 which is false, they are typically 1:25 min. no matter the classroom, traditional, traditional inclusion, or Montessori classroom.

We have had 3 children at the school since 2019 and couldn't be happier. Our son is about to graduate and his IB experience and education has put him at a huge advantage with college applications. The language programs add such a valuable additional dimension to their education and the cultural exposure due to the amazing international community has been uniquely enriching. I don't know another school in Atlanta where they try so hard to be inclusive and welcoming to everyone. The teachers are dedicated to the students and the school is very supportive at all points. It is an innovative and highly creative environment where kids learn in ways the develop their whole selves. As a newer private school in Atlanta, 40 years old rather than 100, there is still a lot of building to be done which means parents and the community are needed to lean in and support the school's growth. This makes it an exciting school to be part of rather than just joining the ATL establishment. It's not perfect, no where is, but it's a great school.