Laurel Ridge Elementary School

1215 Balsam Drive

School District

Dekalb County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
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 February 14, 2025

LRES has a sweet and warm environment. We are so grateful to have found this community!
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2022

This school has leadership issues which lead to teachers quitting en mass. There’s hardly any support for gifted students , currently no stem. Missing a lot of teachers and staff so larger class numbers and frazzled overworked teachers. The building has a lead paint problem that has not been addressed for years, no fire sprinklers , and no working HVAC. Teachers seem nice but are teaching to the test. 15 minutes of recess which is not enough and they watch tv every day. Dekalb county in general is the largest issue here - but they have little interest in helping this school or the feeder schools. The only good thing about this school is that the PTA is actively involved.
Submitted by parent on September 16, 2020

Fantastic Teachers and staff. Pleasure to have my daughter attend
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2020

Excellent school with wonderful teachers and staff.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2020

All of the staff is very nice at this school. The teachers are caring and keep parents "in the know" by using Class Dojo to help parents keep track of what the students are learning in class everyday and weekly.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2018

Excellent experience my daughter just finished Pre K learned great skills and leadership is well organized.
Submitted by other on April 12, 2018

This school is on the way up! the school is already good but the great things they have going on make it even better. The supportive staff and teachers make the students so happy to go to school. As they move on to Druid Hills Middle they are well prepared. The diversity in this school is great for students as they will experience this in life outside of school.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2018

Great school with a lot of progress whitin the past couple of years.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2015

Teachers are caring, parents are involved - this is a great school! The student body is diverse and while the buildings are old & could stand being replaced, the learning that is going on inside these walls is great!!
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2015

The faculty, staff, and community at Laurel Ridge are all very supportive and welcoming. The traditional, special needs, and honor students can simultaneously interact with one another and be challenged in the classroom. The art, music, and club opportunities at the School are pluses, too. Furthermore, the faculty-run aftercare program also sponsors an optional summer camp program for the kids enrolled at the School, which is fun, safe, and educational. The PTA, along with the school administration, are all doing things to make Laurel Ridge the best possible learning environment for the students.Overall, Laurel Ridge is a 'good' school because there are ways the vast majority of schools can improve, and Laurel ridge is not an exception. Although Laurel Ridge has a diverse student body and academic culture, they still have yet to incorporate technology (i.e. regular use of computers to complement learning) or a foreign language as part of the curriculum. The 'shortcoming' I mentioned could very well be more about Dekalb County's school system than specifically about Laurel Ridge, but whoever can make such a decision, I hope they consider the benefits of including technology and foreign language to the 21st century learning environment.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2015

Worst public school experience ever. My 7 yo cries everyday and she has loved school up until this point. Will homeschool next year if we are still in this zone. Do not send your babies here unless 50% is good enough for you. It's not for me. Laurel ridge and dekalb as a whole needs to get it together.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2015

The school and teachers do a great job teaching the core curriculum. The computer access has significantly improved the last couple of years, and Dr. Lyman does a great job teaching the kids music. If the school were given a certain amount of support, I would like to see them be able to introduce a foreign language or two as either a specialty or an afterschool club. All in all, this is a great neighborhood school in the shadows of the Tuckers, Oak Groves, City Schools of Decaturs, and Fernbanks of the world. Too bad DeKalb County has to make decisions regarding its future.
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2013

Laurel Ridge is a great school... The principle Ms Kyle is very involved in trying to make this a GREAT school. The teachers are all very approachable and responsive. I personally LOVE the small size of our school and the love and caring that my child receives...
Submitted by other on September 17, 2011

I left Laurel Ridge E.S. in 1965, yes....1965!!! Grades 1-7th. 8th grade was at Druid Hills H.S. Harold O'Quinn was the principal of Laurel Ridge when I went there. Shetland Drive was all woods and we would walk home. I don't expect kids walk like we did. Everyone from Willivee around to the homes off of Lawrenceville Hwy. would all gather on the weekend and play ball. There were two ball fields at the time, both sand lots, but we had fun, our teachers cared about us and it was a good experience. I wish my kids had the opportunity to go to as good a school as Laurel Ridge!