Mcalear-Sawden Elementary School

This is quite literally the best elementary school I've ever been a part of (whether through my attendance or my children's). My 5th grade daughter was in a bad accident last year and had to have brain surgery. She missed the first two months of fourth grade. The principal, Mrs. Robinson, was with us every step of the way, making sure we had the resources we needed for her return to school and continuing education. Her accident caused learning difficulties and the staff has been nothing but compassionate, helpful, and efficient. I couldn't ask for a better group of educators around my daughters. It's truly made a huge difference.

As of 2023/24 school year: the principal is awful and avoids conflict. If you have an issue be prepared to be ignored and avoided. It's not a bias on my part either. Several parents (well over a dozen) have tried to speak to him on the issue of a bad teacher, bullying, and sexual harassment issues and everyone has nothing to say but bad things. He has literally hid in his office and claimed he wasn't there. He has hid behind bureaucracy as why he can't address multiple parents at the same time over the same issue. He has bullied other staff into keeping quite about an ill fitted teacher instead of working on the actual issue. He has sent other staff to meetings in his place so that he doesn't have to report the event or move you ahead in the beaucratic steps necessary to report an issue and advance it's being addressed. In my experience all teacher but one have been superb examples of caring, with the exception of one who has caused many students to relocate to other schools and still remains while the principal supports her for god only knows why. I would highly recommend the school if not for poor leadership and problems being swept under the rug instead of handled.

My wife went to Holy Trinity School over 20 yrs ago. She has been very successful in her advanced education, degrees and corporate career. She attributes many of her strong ethics and values to her Holy Trinity and pursuant catholic education. Our son now goes there and daughter (next year). My son's scholastic aptitude far exceeds his neighborhood chums who attend local public schools, plus there is a kindness and goodwill the he demonstrates which is fostered and grown within Holy Trinity School. The staff and families of this school have become an extended version of our family now, creating life long friends and memories. I would highly recommend to all. Also there is an excellent source of financial aid within BACS system and Holy Trinity School specific programs, making it affordable for nearly anyone.

The special education question, doesn't apply, as the school doesn't have the qualifications for this type of instruction accommodation.

I put my child in this school because the class sizes were small and I figured more individualized attention. My child has asd and they had no idea what to do and initially kicked us out after 6 months of going there because giving her a somewhat different curriculum was to much work for them and the staff was really rude to us. Most of the children that go here the staff knows because they go to church there and its very clique. If your child had a disability especially don't put yourself threw putting them here.

Small class sizes means more teacher attention, more playing time on sports teams, less chance of getting Covid/other sicknesses, and the Pastor calls you by name and is one of the kindest souls I’ve met. If you don’t believe me listen to his online sermons…you’ll see. Also, the new principal has 30 years of experience. I’m sad to hear of negative experiences at the school, and hope someday forgiveness and grace can be given, but at least changes have been made. There is growth and so many good things too.