Lin Elementary School

586 Candler Park Drive Northeast

School District

Atlanta Public Schools
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

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 September 04, 2024

Mary Lin is what exactly you want in an elementary school. The teachers are great, the parents are involved, and the community supports the school. We love it.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2024

I am familar with this schol since 2000 exceedingly fast due to and influx of families moving into a very desirable area within the the city and the historic neighborhoods of Candler Park and Lake Claire. In the niflux, the school has lost alot of it's charm, diversity and personel attention. I"t now has too large of student body and class sizes without enough teacher aids possibly teachers having too many responsibilties. I would not recommend the school to the degree I once did unfortunatley.
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2021

Mary Lin is a strong school with talented and compassionate teachers and a solid administration. Ms Briscoe has been a very visible and engaged principal and the community at Mary Lin (Inman Park, Candler Park and Lake Claire) are friendly and open minded. Very communicative teachers which is something lacking from our previous elementary school. Strongly recommend.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2016

Our experience has been extremely positive for our son who has been there for 3 years. The latest facility upgrade and new head have added more. A great community school with good diversity and a commitment educational team.
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2015

We love Mary Lin. The communication from the teachers to the parents is outstanding. There is very strong parental involvement at the school and an excellent PTA. The new principal is part of the community and is helping bring Lin to the highest level. We are so happy we chose to send our children to Mary Lin.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2014

Administration seems to distance themselves from parents and teachers. Teachers are still good and excellent. Its just sad that they dont have the leadership to take it to the next level
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2013

We have a kindergartner at Mary Lin and are very happy with how our first few months have been. We were nervous about our 5 year old entering the big school system, worried that she'd be 'lost' or managed to the average. We were wrong. Her class has 19 kids, guided by a teacher and assistant teacher. We had our P-T conference last week and it was clear that our child was getting individual attention, with specific focus on areas where she struggles and those where she excels. Her teacher gave us direct examples of how she was addressing our child's unique traits. The parent body is very involved and there is ample opportunity to volunteer and observe. Parents have been very welcoming and the entire community is proud of the school. Most importantly, our daughter is happy. She comes home with lots of stories about what she did with her friends. Her teachers create an environment of mutual respect and accountability. Our daughter is also non-stop about continuing her education outside of the classroom (reading, math word games, discussing geography, etc). My only struggle is that the day is long. 8-2:30 is a long time for a 5 year old to stay focused. I see that as a temporary issue.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2013

My son is finishing up his fourth and final year at Mary Lin. We transferred from a South Cobb charter school, and moved here specifically to be in the Lin attendance zone. It was a great decision.The teachers are great at meeting kids at their own level and challenging those who need additional challenges. Dr. Mitchell is far and away the best principal I've known (as a student, parent, or teacher). He supports his faculty, listens to parents (and these are very vocal and involved parents!), AND he gets the kids. There is great communication from the school administration, most of the teachers, and PTA. I wish I could do 4.5 stars instead of 4, but I just can't do five because this year I have really missed the high level of communication that my son's previous teachers at Lin.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2013

My son is in 1st grade and came here from a private school in Cobb county. My son's teacher Ms. Gutherie within 2 weeks contacted us to say that my son was only reading at a Kindergarten level. I was mad and sad. He was immediately put in after school tutoring with tons of his friends once a week. I saw dramatic improvements after just a few sessions. My son now reads at a normal 1st grade level. Ms. Gutherie in my opinion is the best teacher I have ever come across. She is brilliant, creative, professional and her students just love her. Coming from the subburbs this city school is soooo much more welcoming then what I am used to. Everyone that I have come in contact with has been extremely nice. The school IS dated and currently they have some portables, but the school will be expanded and renovated in the coming years. I wish that my elder son would have been able to attend Mary Lin. He would have been much better off then he is now. :(
Submitted by parent on December 23, 2012

Here's a review from a parent who does not belong to the "majority" group. As long as you are part of the strong parent community, I am pretty sure your experiences will be wonderful, but beware if you look different. These parents will not let you become part of their group - they will systematically hound you out. It is a horribly cliquish environment. I would go to the extent of saying that they will even keep your child away from the key school resources, including the Challenge program, the selection for which is a big farce. The school is as good as the teacher you get. We had a fantastic teacher the first year, but the next year it was a disaster where the teacher basically gave in to the demands of the dominating moms.
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2012

I have a daughter in Kindergarten at Mary Lin and am very happy with her teacher, the administration and most of all the parent involvement. The community is strong and supportive. The building needs some updating which will hopefully be addressed when the renovation occurs but the most important aspects are excellent. We couldn't be happier!