Sawnee Elementary School

1616 Canton Highway

School District

Forsyth County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for Forsyth 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 December 09, 2023

Excellent school ! the rating doesnt truly say how good this school is !
Submitted by parent on February 15, 2021

Sawnee is a welcoming and warm environment. My daughters have both had a positive experience both socially and academically. I feel school and classroom communication has been consistent. Leadership is always visible. In fact, rain or shine they are out at carpool EVERY morning. I have never seen that.
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2018

This is our first year, and we have experienced everything from bullying to bad language use by students. This school is totally racist. This is a white washed school. Diversity is not welcomed. If you are a person of color, get ready to have a rough time.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2017

If your children are above average academically, they will obviously be able to succeed no matter where they go. I have 4 children and one struggles academically and is receiving no additional assistance whatsoever because she falls just at the top of the group that qualifies for assistance according to this schools leadership. We are told there is no deviation from a national scale on whether or not they can assist your child. If your child fallsbelow the 25th percemtile on a standardized reading test, they will receive help. If they fall at the 25th percemtile or above - no assistance provided. However, I know students are being helped that fall on the line in certain situations and others are not! This is a problem. We are searching for an alternative.
Submitted by parent on August 08, 2017

We are starting our 4th year at Sawnee after moving from out of state. I have had 3 children attend this school, and one remaining there. The experiences my older two had were mostly positive. We had no interaction with the administration with the older two, just a few teachers lacking empathy, but some great ones too! They would both say they had a mostly positive experience there. However, my youngest has been plagued by a chronic bully problem since we arrived. We didn't bring it to the administration's attention until our second year. My child's teacher handled it very well, and offered a supportive environment. The administration did nothing. Last year, the problem escalated. Again, the administration ignored it. All three of my kids feel that the anti-bullying posters in the halls are a joke. My child's teacher last year was probably the worst possible fit for a bullied child, as she was quite the bully herself - not just to my child, to almost all of them. It seems, from info gathered from my child, as well as other parents, that she likes to embarrass children for the weaknesses. Not the best quality for a 3rd grade teacher. She violated my child's privacy as well as refused to allow other children to get breakfast at school. Both against the law. And she's still teaching 3rd grade. I am less than impressed with the administration's passive approach.
Submitted by parent on July 31, 2017

We came to sawnee from another metro Atlanta school system and it is without any regrets. As parents, often times we allow the school system to determine how well our children are progressing although we may not necessarily agree. That was evident with our oldest child within two weeks of arriving at sawnee. We were previously told "oh she's only 6, she'll grow out it" The staff at sawnee identified her weaknesses and addressed them immediately, offering both before and after school tutoring sessions. The attention to detail that the teachers at sawnee have is impeccable and nothing like we've had before. We truly couldn't be happier
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2016

This school has been AWFUL! We were at another school for three years before moving over to Sawnee. It has been so disappointing. Nobody that works there seems to smile or want to be there (other than the librarian). They are stale and uncreative in their approach to education and are archaic in their procedures and programming. We have another year and a half there, and my son's enjoyment of school and learning has plummeted. It's really a shame.
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2016

My Children both attend Sawnee and as others have said, we need new leadership. The school needs someone that can inspire and get the teachers motivated. In our four years there we have seen more teachers leave and always the same reason, stale leadership. There's nothing to get excited about here and enrichment programs, what are those?!? Our admin. doesn't support them.
Submitted by other on May 09, 2016

My child has attended Sawnee k-4. She has completely loved each teacher and every year. We think her learning experience has been great in many areas. However, I agree with other comments here- the arts program is non existent, aside from what is needed to achieve good test scores, very little is done that adds creativity to learning. The enrichment programs are below enriching, they exist in small portions but aren't what I would call an inspiring enrichment program.I don't think the current leadership at Sawnee is inspiring, creative, imaginative or interested in anyway.The best thing the school board could do to enhance the learning process at Sawnee would be to shake up the current admin, replace anyone that has been in position for longer than 10 years with new blood. It's a very antiquated mentality at the top.
Submitted by other on March 16, 2016

As a parent, this school has been very good. My children have excelled in class and the teachers have given them specialized attention in area when necessary. They are constantly keeping in touch with parents via emails and notes home regarding activities happening in class and at the school. When we first moved here from out of state, the principal was happy to speak with us about our children. Overall this school has been great. The only reason why I did not give it five stars is because of the front desk secretary in the lower school. She's never been even remotely cordial to me or my husband when going to the school for various reasons. At first I chalked it up to her having a bad day, but then it became every time. So, if you can get past the displeasure at the front door, then you'll have a great experience.
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2015

Both my children have grown up at Sawnee and we couldn't be happier. Loving teachers, excellent academics and wonderful family activities. Great special education services.
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2015

The teachers are wonderful, dedicated, and caring. My oldest child has been there kdg-5th and our youngest is in Kdg. The instruction has been individualized, creative, yet structured. The teachers are wonderful! My kids have learned a lot. However, beyond the classroom, mediocrity is acceptable. There is very little enrichment opportunity for the students. The art program is very weak. The school is the largest school in the county, but offers less to the students and community than any school I have ever seen. Being an educator and a tax payer, I believe that the school should be a "hub" to the community. Instead, the bell rings at 3pm and the doors close shortly thereafter. They have 2 cafeterias and 2 free-standing gymnasiums which could be utilized for scout groups, enrichment programs, and sport teams. We have requested use and rapidly told a flat no. Other schools in the district are not this way. The administration controls this and it is time for a change.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2015

This is my child's 1st year at Sawnee, as we have been at a local Montessori school for years. Sawnee has excellent teachers, and my child's two teachers (she's in 5th grade) are two of the best teachers I have ever seen. I had actually requested that she be placed in her homeroom teacher's room, and we were thrilled when we found out that he would be her teacher this year! He teaches her Math and Science, and because of him, her grades have been excellent. And her teacher for ELA and Social studies is exceptional. Brilliant teacher, very creative and engaging who is close to being finished with her PhD. Plus both of them have excellent control of their classrooms (not an easy task, I know). But everyone, and I mean everyone, we work with from the school nurse, office support staff, Assistant Principal and the building maintenance staff ALL want the absolute best for my child. I wish we had moved to Forsyth County years ago just so we could have come to Sawnee Elementary sooner!
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2012

This was the best school ever I loved my daughter's Math teacher Mr.Pagan he helped her get a 92 and she used to not be all that good in Math Thanks Mr.Pagan!!!!
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2010

This is our first year at Sawnee. We love it! I have 3 children at the school and all have excellent teachers. We are so fortunate to attend such a great school in such a large county. We have tried private schools in the past and are so pleased to have made the decision to move to Sawnee Elementary!
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2010

Closed minded management/school leadership. It seems that the hiring of migrating teachers from big cities are the ones holding this still rural school together. We need more competent professionals in the school system here in Forsyth county.