Pope High School

It’s a great school but there are incidents that occur such as the recent arrest of Mareno Smith who was a fourth grade teacher.

Went I attended years ago, the teachers were rude and unwilling to hear out students prior to a confrontation turning sour. They wanted to avoid issues until after those small issues became mountains. Example: I remember trying to speak to my teacher about getting bullied into buying another student lunch extras and God awful teacher would say "this needs to wait until after lunch" like no this needs to be handled at the time of reporting and no teacher should be allowed to delay reporting.

The students at this school are not excited about learning and are often discouraged from participating in the science fair if they are not part of a selective group (the principal’s favorite PTA group). The teachers at this school try their best to educate the children within the environment they are given. However, I have observed students taking benchmark assessments while other students were talking and running around the classroom.I have also personally observed—and have been told by students—that they are not allowed to play on the playground and are instead required to play near the dumpster due to the playground limitations (broken swings etc). When the garbage truck arrives, the children have to wait and lose their recess time. While this may not be true for all grade levels, it does happen if your child is placed in certain classrooms.It seems to me that the principal cares more about the school’s appearance—whether it looks stylish or not—than about what truly matters. When she climbs onto the roof of the school in an elf outfit is not only dangerous but also sets a poor example for students. The principal is a self proclaimed drama kid trying to always place the spotlight on herself (climbing on the roof in an elf outfit).We left the school and are very happy we did. Several of our friends made the same decision.

GME is a wonderful school with a great community feel. There is a dedicated STEM lab instructor which allows the students to fully engage in STEM based activities outside their homeroom. There is also a school garden that allows teachers and students a quiet place to connect with nature while providing an outdoor classroom to observe the plant lifecycle, experience different fruits and vegetables and so many other things. Additionally, there is a nature trail on the school property with seating areas that also allow for outdoor learning. The teachers and staff are committed to seeing their students succeed and working with them to ensure they have every opportunity to do so. Communication from the teachers and administration is frequent and thorough. In addition to the county run ASP, the school offers a number of after school clubs covering a variety of interests. There are also many community building events held at the school throughout the year that further engage parents, students and families. Overall it is a fantastic school and community.

My daughter has had the privilege of attending Shallowford Falls Elementary School for the past five years, and it has truly been such a meaningful and wonderful experience for our family. From the very beginning, the teachers and faculty have created a warm, supportive, and encouraging environment where she has been able to grow academically, socially, and emotionally.The dedication, kindness, and genuine care shown by the staff have made a lasting impact on her confidence and love for learning. We are incredibly grateful for the friendships, memories, and strong foundation she has gained during her time there. Shallowford Falls will always hold a special place in our hearts.

This school has exceeded all expectations since we enrolled our 3-year-old. It has a fantastic culture and we see how rapidly our son is advancing. Unprovoked, he's told us many times how much he loves his school, and thanked us for moving him the Wood Acres. What 3-year-old says that?