Avondale Elementary School

8 Lakeshore 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 August 22, 2024

My daughter has been studying in this school since first grade and I don't regret it a bit. All the teachers are very warm and friendly. They maintain a perfect balance between studies and fun. The school lunch and the system can improve a bit, but that is it. The teachers look out for all the children, and encourage them to improve. The teachers including the principal maintain regular communication with the parents. The previous Principal Dr. Andrews, who recently retired was a wonderful person and managed the school in a great way. The present principal is also doing a good job.
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2024

No transportation, no lunch provided, substandard education, no special education programs and/or services. All three of my children were unenrolled due to a complaint made about their fire alarms, fire extinguishers, etc not working, and all teachers having open flames in every classroom. #PowerUp
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2023

My daughter is still in this school....it has been three years now.....she is in third grade. I am overwhelmed by the friendly and caring attitude of the teachers towards each student. The way they take care of each child and communicate with the patent is very appreciable.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2022

My son just finished Pre-K at Avondale Elementary and it was wonderful. The teachers were loving and supportive, while having appropriate high expectations of the children; the administration was friendly, knowledgeable and responsive My son learned a lot, made friends, and got on a path of academic success. Plus he learned some really great songs and dance moves. I can not say enough great things about this school or the fabulous Ms. Coffee, Pre-K teacher extraordinaire!
Submitted by parent on December 14, 2021

My two sons have had a great experience here. The teachers are wonderful. Added benefits, like International Baccalaureate, STEM certification, technology program, music, art, Spanish make a well rounded education.
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2021

The teachers and staff care about the students and it shows. The children actually look happy to go to school everyday. Teachers involve parents through different activities and forms of communication. I was skeptical because of reviews and test scores but ignore those because I hear great things when I tell people I have a child at Avondale Elementary.
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2021

Avondale Elementary School is more than the "village" for our son, they are family! Our son has attended the school since kindergarten and is thriving. He tested very high (and tested gifted) in standardized testing and we were not sure whether the school was going to be able to challenge him and keep him at that level. They have indeed! He has consistently grown and most importantly, loves waking up and going to school every day. The teachers and administrators have individualized his curriculum to make sure he is challenged and engaged. IB and STEM is not just a label, the school curriculum is designed around these programs. They also did an amazing job during virtual learning. I can't say enough great things about this school.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2021

My Pre-K child had a great first year at AES and is very much looking forward to Kindergarten. Her teacher (and the whole school) did an amazing job navigating virtual learning during the pandemic and even made the transition back to in-person learning fairly easy. We really feel like we are part of a special community with supportive parents and passionate teachers. I'm very happy and confident with our decision to attend AES.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2021

We have been at Avondale Elementary School for 3 years now, and it has been a wonderful experience. My kids love their teachers.
Submitted by parent on January 08, 2020

Exceptional! We were concerned about scores at first but after 2 years we can say scores only tell part of the story, a very small part. AES has a true sense of community. Attend a school tour, attend different festivals, see for yourself. Every teacher knows my son’s name. I appreciate how every adult is capable of seeing the ‘whole child’ and supporting his/her holistic development. Very happy with our decision to enroll our child in AES.
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2019

Great! My son loves his preK teacher! I was hesitant but so glad he's there.
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2019

Great principal, vice principle and staff. A rising star. The rating system on this website don't reflect a full picture. The schools emphasis on technology and STEM curriculum is paying off; AES teams have won county awards at least two years in a row. This is a neighborhood school that is slowly building on the support of a caring staff and invested community.
Submitted by parent on November 26, 2018

Excellent school environment with caring teachers and competent and visionary leadership
Submitted by other on April 12, 2018

Culture of the school is changing and positively going up. Teachers care and so does the rest of the staff. Great for students as they move on to Druid Hills Middle they see the diversity that is the world. Great school.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2016

School has a wonderful staff and one of the most innovative Principal's I' ve ever met. It'seems apparent the school is going through a transformation in demographics. Test scores are good. After checking 79% of students are honor students. Not that pretty on outside, but good stuff happening inside. My husband and are pleased.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2015

This is my first year at Avondale Elementary and from the moment I came here the staff has been wonderful, open, supportive and helpful. My daughter is in kindergarten and not only is her teacher wonderful but when my child was having difficulty she tutored her so give her extra help after school. The only thing that I am disheartened about is the fact the parental involvement is not as strong as it should be. The PTA though has worked very hard this year to change that and I DO see some changes. I am hoping that next year more parents will take an interest, as the school is working to get parents involved. We are our children's strongest advocate. I am so very happy that I am apart of the Avondale Elementary family.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2014

My previous report about my son's experience at Avondale changed to be unfruitful. My son was unable to focus in the class setting. The class size was 34 students. Student withdrawals occurred every other week. No phonics was being taught. The list was always given at the end of the day. He received challenged words and work but it was considered busy work and a level above third. There was no consistency in foundation of the material taught and reviewed. My son told me they were tested on something every other week or day. I also volunteered once a week and noticed the same kids in the office because teachers could not manage them. The office secretary became the disciplinary person. The kids sent out of the classes were mostly boys. To me, this is disturbing. We have predominately women teachers and lacking male teachers who are effective. What does that say to our boys' future? There need to be interactive and challenging curriculums that involve everyday experience. Change is needed. After careful observation, I withdrew my son from the second grade school year in December and we are playing catch up on what he lost and did not learn.
Submitted by parent on December 24, 2013

My children have attended Avondale for two years now. It seems to be ok. My daughter is learning to work hard and the understanding that grades are not going to be given to you. You have to work hard which she does. My son on the other hand is very smart and intelligent but the immediate staff over him doesn't have the patience to help him be all he can be. I've asked for a change but was told the teacher he have is great. Well I'm not convinced of that considering my son is there in her presence everyday and I am in constant communication with the teacher. She has such a negative perception of him I know the quality of his education is being affected. Still pushing to have him removed out the class before he lags behind in the curriculum. So I'm half and half on this school. I would like to see more hands on projects/field trips to help build the IB portion of the school. My children and me agree they haven't developed this program enough and that was the main reason we changed to this school.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2013

My child has completed the 5th grade at this school, we kept him here because of work schedules, I won't the best for my child and this was not it. There is not enough space for me to write all the negatives about this school, however it starts with administration. Ms. Malone would have been great as my teacher/principal, however times have changed and our children are not getting a real educational experience. Not CCRT! 3/4 of school year. CHANGE is the ANSWER.
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2012

As a parent of a kindergartner, I was amazed at the lack of education provided in the first few weeks of school. She was given class work and homework that she learned in preschool, let alone Pre-K. I understand teachers have to teach the class and not just one student. However, if thats an introduction to the elementary program, it tells me the bar is being lowered for all the remaining classes as well. Test scores don't lie. I spoke with her teacher and principal regarding the curriculum, I was referred to a website which gave me the basics on the school board's website. Her teacher seemed to be bothered by my interest in my child's work. The principal sensed my frustration and said she would ensure my child will do well. She had her tested the next day and placed her in the gifted program. I immediately withdrew her to a neighboring charter school. The curriculum is like night and day. She went from learning how to 'trace the letters of her name'..again, to writing assignments that involve answering questions of reading comprehension.