Narvie Harris Elementary School

3981 McGill Drive

School District

Dekalb County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
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 December 04, 2024

This is my students' first year attending Narvie J. Harris Traditional Theme School, and I am beyond impressed! As a parent of both a Pre-K and 1st grader, I was initially nervous about starting at a new school, but the staff has made the transition so smooth for my children. The Pre-K program is outstanding—it strikes a perfect balance between play-based learning and building strong academic foundations. My child has grown tremendously in confidence and skills in just a few months. In 1st grade, the teacher has been exceptional. She challenges students to grow academically while ensuring the lessons are engaging and enjoyable. Communication with parents has been clear and consistent, which I truly appreciate. Narvie Harris provides a nurturing and enriching environment where my children feel supported and excited to learn. I am so grateful for the caring staff and strong educational foundation this school offers. I highly recommend it to other parents!
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2024

This was my child’s first year at Narvie J Harris and I am so pleased with his growth since the first day. He was very nervous coming in and leaving me for the first time to start pre-k, but his teachers and staff members showed so much love and made his first experience in school awesome! There is a lot of parent involvement at this school and far less behavior issues. The school is not perfect, but they do care about each student and principal Scott is wonderful! We will definitely be returning for years to come.
Submitted by other on January 31, 2020

Meeting the challenges in a variety of ways
Submitted by parent on July 16, 2018

I have three children attending. I love this school.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2018

My experience has been really bad. They are constantly asking for money which pays for exclusive field trips for a select group of kids.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2018

Our experience has been terrible. Leadership does not communicate well and makes parents feel unwelcome.
Submitted by other on May 30, 2017

Lots of work to be done. Parents are.not always welcomed.
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2017

Narvie J. Harris Elementary School is a great school, my daughter loves it and the staff members are awesome. They always let you know what going on at the school and your kids. And the parents are involved in the numerous activities that are held at the school. If your thinking about taking you kids to this school then enroll them now. You won't regret it. I highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on August 03, 2015

My son attended Narvie J. Harris for the first time this past school year. He was in the KG ans d is now going to the 1st grade. I'm about to give this school another try this year, bit if I leave feeling the way I felt at the end of this year I definitely will not return.If you are a working parent that plans to have a good relationship with the teachers and staff then you have picked the school to make that very hard. Also, if you expect to have a principal that is personable that to is a negative. He will look at you everyday in your face the entire school year, and never say a word. He may or may not even speak to your child. (Maybe if you are the parents of one of the kids that are part of the already formed clique that the parents/teachers have at Narvie)The education is OK.....not over the top like it use to be. Your child could probably get the same education with less stress by attending the neighborhood school. The school plays and programs are awesome the guy who coordinates them is very talented, but again its not like back in the day where all kids participate. You have to be one of the chosen ones. I've heard that you can attend this school from Pre-K to 5th grade, and never participate in a program.The uniform policy is fine, but they will call you if your child has on no show ankle socks are no belt, but wont call you if they have fallen on the playground or having an issues with another student. Which to me means you are focused more on appearance than anything.Now Mrs. Creamer has to be one of the best school secretaries I have ever seen!! She acknowledges everybody and she will give you 100% of her time and energy when you need help. Also, Mrs. Camp is Great!! She too recognizes that you are a parent of a student, and treats you as such. I'm not sure if Dr. Tart has children or if has ever worked in the actual classroom with kids......if he has not then this will explain a lot of his actions.All I know is I love my son to death, and education is on the top of my list for him. We will walk into Narvie on Aug 10th putting our best foot forward, and I hope that his teacher and staff at the school do the same.- Just a review from a parent of a 6yr old
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2015

Definitely unsatisfactory, although some would disagree. However if you like a Principal that does not discipline his teachers (he didn't in my situation), sweeps issues under the rug, looks you in the eyes and not speak, maintains a childish clique, and is more about how things "look" rather than a comradery among the community then this is your school. I decided on Narvie because I wanted to form my own opinion -although a few past parents have expressed the same feelings that I now have. My experience has been less than favorable inside the classroom, bottom line the teacher needs to look at other jobs because she does not deserve the title educator. The positive aspects are Mrs. Creamer and the front office staff, Mrs. Camp, and a few others that hold the school together. I do not recommend Narvie because a great educational environment begins with the leadership and here it needs to be evaluated. Most great parents stay on top of their kids education, if you do go here take some extra, extra time to stay on top of things. You will be glad you did
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2014

Narvie J Harris is a wonderful school. My daughter is learning so much that will prepare her for the future. The staff is just amazing. My husband and I love the uniform policy and I am glad Narvie sticks with their policy. Overall, it is a wonderful learning environment and the parents are fully engaged in their child's education. There is so much support and I truly appreciate the principal, staff, and the parents for being so involved with their child and students.
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2013

Narvie, wow, wow, wow...I was so excited for my son to attend this school. I invested in this school on the front end ensuring my son had a great opportunity to be successful and the teachers had what they needed for the school year. We were off to a great start until my son ran into some behavioral issues. The school decided "we don't have to deal with this because we are a school of choice. So send him to his home school for services etc." No commitment or effort was put into the success of improving my son's behavior and or ensure we work together so he could be successful at Narvie. If they don't want to deal with you or your child believe me he/they will find some way to get you out. Our experience if you don't walk in the door with a 504 or IEP (they have to accommodate this by law) you best believe they will do no work to assist with the needs of your child. Then I was told when my pre-k student becomes more mature I can enter the lottery and he can be selected to come back. Their is no way I would ever put him back in this environment mature or not. So disappointed!!!!
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2013

Awesome school. My daughter received her elementary education at this school beginning in her 2nd grade year. The curriculum was very challenging. I LOVED the mandatory uniforms as my daughter had been bullied at her 1st grade public school but was not again after wearing uniforms. The mandatory parent volunteer time was a blessing in disguise and jumpstarted my growing to love volunteering in school and showing that my children that I support their education 100%. The Georgia Policy Foundation website put it's most recent school rank report in 2010 that ranks GA schools based on CRCT scores. Out of 1219 schools, Narvie ranked at #360 for 3rd grade CRCT scores and # 391 for 5th gradeCRCT scores. It's definitely an awesome school to me. According to the Georgia Policy Foundation data, Narvie Ranks in the top 3rd of schools in the State of Georgia.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2013

My daughter has been attending this school since Kindergarten she is now in 2nd grade. She has learned so much! The school has a great curriculum and it is very challenging which is a good thing. I didnt have a relationship with her K teacher i had more of a relationship with the paraprofessional. However the 1st and 2nd grade teacher were phenomenal. The only thing i dont like is the students at the school seem to pick on my child and sometimes the staff address it and sometimes they dont. In this day and age we need a bully free school zone and i sometimes dont feel comfortable sending her to school in fear of someone may pick on her. Listen, kids will be kids so If your child is able to defend themselves this would be a great choice if you have the chance to go there you will be very happy with their learning. But for my daughters personality this school is not the best fit.
Submitted by other on October 08, 2012

My two daughters and two sons went to Narvie J. Harris since kindergarten and it seemed like they enjoyed going there so I just let them finsh out school there.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2012

My daughter and nephew attend Narvie and they love it. Although my daughter has always been an eagar learner they motivate her to do more My nephew who is not so thrilled about school is thriving. I've had an instance where I felt my daughters teacher wasn't teaching enough and needless to say I find out he's no longer there (without any complaint from me). I just feel it's good to identify those who have lost their passion. They encourage and require parental involvement and offer several programs include after school.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2012

I absolutely love this school! My daughter attends this school and has learned so much in this past year. The school has many events throughout the year and it is very close knit and family oriented. If you stay active at the school and "show your face" up there on a regular basis you should have no problem. This school is for people who are actively involved in their children's education. The teachers are excellent and you can tell they really care. The staff members are excellent especially Ms. Rutledge. The principal, Dr. Tartt, is very dedicated and active during the school day as well as the events. The only people I'm not too fond of are the PTA staff , they are horrible and don't have a clue as to what they are doing. But then again they are replaceable! Anyway, great school, great teachers, great staff!
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2011

I have been a Narvie parent for 6 years, but after enrolling my 4th grader in Wadsworth Magnet for High Achievers, I decided enough was enough and to withdraw my younger child. When my child started at Narvie, Mrs. Creighton was the principal, and what a principal she was. Caring, understanding, a real beacon of light for the school and the community! However, for the past few years the parents of Narvie have been less than happy to endure the leadership of a newer younger, not so smoothed out administrator. This new principal, Dr. Tartt is obviously there as a merit to the nepotism we face in Dekalb (he is the son of the woman who started theme schools). He runs the school with arrogance, pessimism and gives a real cold shoulder to those who aren't part of the affluent cliques of Dekalb. I have seen him cut corners for some individuals and seen him try and belittle his own staff and parents! Very recently, he withheld a child from their parent because they didn't have a school hallpass; he instructed staff not to let the child go home with their mother. When the parent became emotional, he banned her from the campus. Great teachers; bad administration. Go Bouie theme if you can!
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2011

If you want your son or daughter to receive a rigorous education that will allow he or she to be prepared for challenges, then Narvie J is the place. In addition, the school is committed to keeping parents involved in the school life of the kids which I love. I have to say that I do not have any positive to say about the front office staff but the teachers are caring, committed, and understanding. When a Principal replies to your email within 5 minutes and the reply is from his Blackberry, it says a lot about the school.