Fernbank Elementary School

157 Heaton Park Drive

School District

Dekalb County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Dekalb County School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 10, 2024

Fernbank is a wonderful public school with a small, tightknit community vibe. The teachers, staff and admin are so personable and get to know your student and your family personally. The feeling of community is wonderful, and both of my kids are excited to go to school everyday. There are many ways to get involved as a parent and engage with your kids in the classroom. I highly recommend reaching out for a your if you are considering the school- you'll feel at home as soon as you are in the doors!
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2023

As a parent of two children who are/have attended Fernbank for a combined eight years, I can confidently say that it is the best public elementary school in the area.The teachers and staff are incredibly dedicated to their students. They are passionate about teaching and creating a positive and nurturing learning environment. My children have loved all of their teachers, and they have thrived academically and emotionally under their care. In addition to its academic excellence Fernbank is also a very welcoming and inclusive community. The school celebrates diversity and makes all students feel valued and respected. Like any school, as a parent you can be as involved as you want to be! Post-COVID there are lots of ways to be involved, from being a class book reader to going on field trips. The administration and staff are approachable and get to know each child. They also know how to get things done! The test scores have gone up over the last three years, a rarity in Georgia! Go Fernbank!
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2023

We are a family who has enjoyed Fernbank for seven years and two kids. The academic focus and diversity of this school are key to the success my kids have found. It’s a wonderful public school with a small school neighborhood vibe. The teachers are loving and focus on the development of each child. We have as many meetings as we want with all teachers. The staff is always helpful and communicative with all our questions. PTA and other parent led organizations like the foundation work hard to develop a community around the school and provide support in areas where the county doesn’t fund things or extra items that support learning and development. The school offers tours to see the school for yourself. Just call the front desk and ask! I cannot recommend the school enough!
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2023

We had 2 years at Fernbank before the pandemic hit, so I can honestly say that it wasn't a great school even pre-COVID. Dekalb school district, Fernbank administrators and teachers waste time and energy on nonessential standardized testing (MAP testing), which takes away from time spent actually educating students. Look back at negative reviews from 2013 or 2014, it's the same complaints. If you set the bar against other Dekalb schools then Fernbank is great...but compared to national or international standards then Fernbank students are terribly behind the curve.After a year of virtual learning one of my kids had a problem with handwriting, but our concern was quickly dismissed by the teacher because they were primarily using computers in the classroom. Fine motor skill development, like handwriting, is essential for reading comprehension, math, and other aspects of cognition. Yet, educators at Fernbank are using more computers and apps in the classroom even though many of the tools they are using have been vetted or shown to be proven educational tools. Research on learning loss has shown that more emphasis on fine motor development and phonics are helping kids close those knowledge gaps...but those are not the learning principles that Fernbank and Dekalb schools are implementing.In addition to using too many computers and MAP testing, there is an over emphasis on social and political issues. Kids don't need to be lined up for the bathroom by 'boys, girls, and nonbinary.' Educators shouldn't be dividing kids into special counseling groups based on their skin color or gender. Elementary school kids shouldn't worry about being "activists" at this age...social injustice issues are for adults to worry about. Our kids need to be allowed to experience the innocence of childhood youth and not forced to tackle adult topics at this early age by their school administrators. Our family is leaving Fernbank so that 1) my kids can have a chance at getting a good educational foundation and 2) so that my children can be kids.
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2023

If Fernbank is the crown jewel in the Dekalb County School District, then we are all in big trouble. Although the school is relatively new, the HVAC system has not worked properly in our 3+ years at the school. As for accessibility, the elevator was constantly out of service, which I can't believe isn't more of a priority and/or a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The teachers and administration have been pushing gender identity and racially divisive lessons in the classroom. Diversity, equity and inclusion only applies to far left/liberal ideas, if you are religious with conservative ideas then your thoughts or opinions are unwelcome in this school.
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2022

Fernbank is a fantastic school. Throughout my years there, every teacher and administrator we encountered has been outstanding. They knew my children well, went above and beyond to support them, and demonstrated care and professionalism at every point. I am an educator myself, and am therefore discerning and intentional about the school environment I choose for my children. Fernbank is wonderfully diverse, and the educator talent and parent support is truly something you can't find in most schools. We are so fortunate to be at Fernbank!
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2022

We’ve been at Fernbank for almost a full school year in kindergarten and quite honestly I’m very surprised by the negative reviews here. I have found this beautifully diverse institution to be top quality and the staff has juggled the difficult nuances of the pandemic with grace and expertise. I’ve noted only one fundraiser all year which is less than many other schools. The staff treats all children with respect and I appreciate all my child has learned through the year with her caring teacher who is highly qualified and a compassionate, energetic person. My kid had some issues acclimating to the structure of a classroom at the beginning of the year and her ever-patient teacher worked together with the school counselor on a plan to help her and now she’s happy and well-adjusted. It’s confusing as to why people have such an issue with teaching about Black Lives Matter and gender differences. This is not the racist 1950s and gender education is not sex education; it’s human education. Recognizing that not all young people fit into a tidy box that’s based on antiquated information and ideals will prevent self-harm in gender-diverse children. I’d advise some self-education on the science of human genomes and the evolution of sex chromosomes where there are many exceptions to the rules of male/female identity and biology.Anger toward teaching BLM is white privilege plain and simple, and children should be taught that their voices can make a difference against the atrocities of bigotry. That said: I have not recognized anything resembling radical politician brainwashing from staff. Previous generations of kids were taught to be seen and not heard and I’m happy that Fernbank is progressive about equality for all students and their families.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2022

We moved here from Boston to work at CDC and so glad we listened to friends and chose Fernbank over private schools. We are now in year 8 of having one or more kids at Fernbank and our experience could not have been better. Solid academics, amazing teachers, engaged parents, and a diverse student body have all contributed to each of our children absolutely loving their time at this wonderful school.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2022

Both of our children attended FERNBANK after transitioning from a private school. I can honestly say that our son's 4th grade teacher was world-changing for him. He is now in 9th grade but still talks about her, how she expected excellence and how made him feel! Our daughter had a similar positive experience. The staff and administration are welcoming and caring. Inclusivity is so important, especially at a Title 1 school, and we saw FERNBANK really do it right. The classroom settings are for kids of all skills, learning together, and the faculty differentiates for the kid's needs. The school has a strong PTA and committed parents who work to fund facilities and activities that the district can't or won't. I would wholeheartedly recommend this school to any families with kids in this age group.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2022

Fernbank is an absolutely remarkable oasis, in the middle of the big city. A safe haven for children, regardless of their social status, race, or gender. The teaching staff is young, diverse and made up of people from all different walks of life, ensuring that students will feel welcome, loved and accepted. The true power of Fernbank lies in the leadership, which sets this school apart. In a world dominated by social media and non-stop news headlines, the staff of this school have stepped up to the plate and created a compassionate, open-minded and empathetic outlet for my daughter to openly ask questions and discuss her feelings. She feels completely at home in this school and would not hesitate for a second to walk into the front office and ask to see the principal, or AP, if she had an issue that was bothering her. Also notable, is Fernbank’a attentiveness to students with special needs. I’ve witnessed several families go through the process of establishing a customized program for their special needs student and each time, they were greeted with full cooperation and had their every need met. I will always be grateful for Fernbank’s covid response and their commitment to protecting our children. Despite immense pressure from certain stakeholders, the leadership of Fernbank stood strong and always took the maximum safety precautions. Throughout the pandemic, it was clear that students’ and staff safety took priority over politics. Our 2 children have enjoyed every second of their time spent at Fernbank. The relationships they made - with their teachers and friends - have made them confident, kinder and happier humans, who aren’t afraid to voice their strong opinions and stand up for others. I wish that every child had the opportunity to go to such a uniquely wonderful little school. The world would be better for it.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2022

Fernbank is an inclusive school with very high standards for education and student conduct. My daughter has been at the school since first grade and is finishing 5th this year. The administration is incredible - smart, very responsive to parents yet not not dictated by them - fair and welcoming to all students and I cannot say enough about how well they handled the intense Covid situation over the last 3 years. My daughters teachers have ALL been fair, kind, well-educated, deep supporters of their students. They know my daughter and have given her every advantage based on who she is as an individual. We will miss it tremendously!
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2022

I have had two children that started at Fernbank in pre-K and have gone through to the next levels of education. When we moved to Georgia over a decade ago, we looked at 70 houses before setting on one in the Decatur area. Because of the lack of quality education in the city (that has since changed), we were thrilled to be in the Fernbank district - one of the few schools that had excellent ratings and test scores, AND a low teacher-to-student ratio. Being in academia, these were important factors for us. This school is and always has been incredible. It is an IB school, which means that they don’t just teach individualized subjects, but they teach a concept (which changes throughout the year) that is encapsulated in all of the subjects, and how this concept affects the individual on up through the world. DO YOUR HOMEWORK! If you do not hold beliefs in intercultural understanding and world-view thinking, then this is not the kind of school for you. Principals and schools do not choose their own curriculum. Don’t blame them if you choose the wrong school.The parents and staff are all very involved. I have been involved off and on, but work responsibilities wax and wane. They do a lot of fundraising to be able to afford the “extras” such as art, music, computer literacy, etc. The district doesn’t have enough to cover it for all. Luckily, they have been quite successful regardless of how annoying it can get. While I can’t afford much, I’m grateful to those who can.I have read the bad reviews that have been put on this site - to write a review during a pandemic seems pointless and lacks any compassion for everyone who was doing the best that they could. None of the schools in Georgia were prepared and all of the kids suffered - but my kid did pretty well. I will say that the Dekalb district has some serious work to do with their virtual learning program. I 100% support this school and the staff who my kids have grown to respect, trust, and love.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2022

Fernbank is an excellent school, and we so fortunate to be part of the community. There are two FABULOUS parent-led organizations to support the staff and students, the PTA and the PAC, which are each run by two completely unrelated sets of parent volunteers. I LOVE that teachers support students in being their authentic selves. The students leaving Fernbank are going out into the world with loving and open hearts full of empathy and understanding of peers who are different than they are. The past two years have certainly been a challenge as far as parent engagement since the district had mandates in place not to allow parents into the building. Hopefully now that the district has lifted that mandate more parents will come in to volunteer and will be able to see all of the wonderful things Fernbank has to offer!
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2022

Fernbank is an AMAZING elementary school with incredible teachers and leaders. We transitioned to Fernbank from City Schools of Decatur due to a move, and we couldn't be happier with our experience. The teachers and staff are warm and caring, and the administrators are incredibly responsive and supportive. I've worked in a few local schools, and my daughters previously attended a couple others, and we all agree that Fernbank is our favorite. The school is invested both the social-emotional development of children and their academic development, and it matters to me that our school community cares about raising kind, caring, and empathetic humans. I've also been impressed by the instructional quality provided by Fernbank's incredibly hard-working teachers. Any complaints that I may have are better directed toward district-level management or state policymakers as they are the ones--NOT the Fernbank admin--who make most of the decisions I dislike. No schools are perfect, but Fernbank is pretty dang close. I only wish we had started both of our kids there sooner.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2022

I am the father of two girls; one completed Fernbank and has gone on to Druid Hills Middle School and the other is currently at Fernbank. The Fernbank community took COVID in stride and is emerging stronger than ever. I know many parents are proud of their child's elementary school but Fernbank is truly special and offers so many ways for parents to get (and stay) involved.I love being back in the school building as a volunteer to see the kids smiling faces and the teachers beaming with pride as they do what they love. Whether you'd like to be a Mystery Reader to your child's class, volunteer time to support the PTA or help with our robust Foundation efforts that make this school even better, Fernbank has a way to engage you. This school is a warm, welcoming environment that cares for each and every child equally. Additionally, I continue to hear great things about the opportunities provided by the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Fernbank that our kids can follow through the middle and high schools. Colleges care!
Submitted by parent on March 26, 2022

Our experience with Fernbank with our children has been amazing! This is a wonderful community and a great neighborhood school. My children are thriving and happy! The school keeps their teachers with little to no turnover. Parents are engaged and able to make direct contact with school administration and are encouraged to do so. Sadly, the negative reviews below are a direct reflection of the divisiveness that COVID and politics has created in today's world. The curriculum has not changed and by no means are children being taught based on political agendas. The effect COVID has had on the learning gap is not just unique to Fernbank, schools (private and public) are feeling the impact of this across the country. The school works tirelessly to minimize this gap. Fernbank receives an extensive amount of parental support and volunteers only boost the school, moral amongst the teachers and parents and inevitably the students. If you *talk* (and not just go online) to Fernbank parents and alum, you too will learn it is a special place. Fernbank has meant a lot to our family!
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2022

Wow! Where do I begin? Our daughter attended private school from Kindergarten-2nd grade before making the decision to move to the Fernbank neighborhood. I must say; it was the best decision we ever made!!!! We have had real rock-star teachers who have made a difference in my daughter's everyday life. The teachers, staff and administrators really care about my daughter and it is evident. The sense of community in this neighborhood can't be matched. At Fernbank, the parents are hands on and believe in investing resources in the school to ensure there is a sense of equity across the board. The IB program teachers our students to be true community stewards and to make a difference in the lives of others. The diversity at the school mirrors the real world and I love that my daughter has a hodgepodge of friends that she loves and respects. If you want to attend a truly AMAZING school where your child can thrive, then Fernbank is the place for your family!!!!!
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2022

Excellent education; we truly loved this special place -- until 2020. Then the tide went out, and we saw the dispiriting political acquiescence of both the principal (reading "A is For Activist" to our students, a "children's" book promoting Marxism to 5-year-olds) and several teachers who promote things like separation of 3rd graders by: boys, girls, and "non-binary". Since Dekalb County School District hired a controversial superintendent from the NYC school district, the political drilling and soft discrimination have increased. Dekalb schools are now pushing what feels like brainwashing on our kids -- it’s in the actual curriculum. DCSD allows an outside political organization to set some of it, e.g., the Black Lives Matter Week of Action in Dekalb Schools, taken directly from an organization that openly promotes the “dismantling” of the nuclear family, defunding the police, and Marxism. Incredibly complex and nuanced subjects such as gender (which by law can't be taught in elementary without informed, parental consent) are forced upon our still-developing little ones. When you see the political aggression focus on your kids, and welcomed into their public school, you can’t believe it complies with the Civil Rights Act. Fernbank has a wonderfully diverse student body, and is in a very liberal neighborhood, both of which were so attractive up until 2020. Politics had never formally set the school agenda until then. Now, parents who can afford it are quietly leaving (enrollment is down in a growing county), meaning those of us left have fewer resources (which may not matter much as staff pivots from actual academics to political inculcation). The school day is a zero-sum game – the time you burn enforcing ideology is time you don’t spend learning contextual history and civics. Only some of the staff have a full-on, activist political agenda, but everyone else is silenced, so the result is the same. Both the PTA and PAC are controlled by one couple, who help ram through the political agenda. Our kids had phenomenal teachers the first few years, but, at this point, you wonder what’s more important to your public elementary school: education, or political brainwashing (wrong is wrong, even from our own side of the aisle)?
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2021

We could not be happier with our experience at Fernbank! The teachers and staff make sure that each student that walks through the door is 100% supported and feels at home! Their teachers and staff are incredible! They are all gifted certified, trained in OG and work together to cultivate the best environment for the Fernbank community! You will not find a better place for your child to soar!
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2021

FERNBANK IS THE MOST AMAZING SCHOOL IN ALL OF DEKALB COUNTY!!!! The teachers and administrators make you feel as if your children are at the center of everything they do! Our school's parent leadership forum (PAC) ensures that all voices are heard and the entire community has input. We transferred my daughter here from private school and she had the most phenomenal experience. As an IB school, she was able to interact with students from all over the world. This school is very diverse and embraces students of all cultures and backgrounds, which is important to us. Their only agenda is to ensure all students receive a high quality and diverse education so they can be successful in the world of work. FERNBANK ROCKS!!!!!!