Greenbrier Elementary School

5116 Riverwood Parkway

School District

Columbia County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Columbia 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 July 25, 2017

My son transitioned to this school in March and our experience was excellent. The first day the Principal even helped walk him to his new class. It is nice to see a Principal take time out of their busy day to help new students feel welcome. My son's teacher also went above and beyond to help catch my son up to speed with Greenbrier's expectations. We cannot say enough about our experience and are looking forward to the next five years at Greenbrier!
Submitted by parent on July 22, 2017

My son's first year here was terrible. After moving to this district, it was apparent that he was significantly advanced compared to the level of teaching he received. He learned absolutely nothing this year, at all. I attempted to have him placed in a higher grade and the school pushed back and did nothing, feeling that despite his advanced skills, he was too immature to be with older kids. AND this school has absolutely no gifted program for first graders. My son spent the entire year reading alone at his desk or playing math games on the computer which were way below his level. AN ENTIRE YEAR WASTED! This school will fail your child if your child is advanced.
Submitted by other on August 22, 2016

wonderful school...teachers and administration very caring. Updated educational instruction practiced, preparing students for college. Parents and families are even invited to have lunch with their child without prier notices.
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2016

So far I am not impressed with this school at all. The administration here has given me the run around twice and then flat out lied to me. When I brought this to the principal's attention the response I got was verbatim, "I don't know how that slipped through" and she was unwilling to do anything to accommodate my child after the school's multiple screw ups. As a military family, we have been to many school districts, and my older child had the pleasure of attending two wonderful elementary schools. Sadly, it looks like my middle son may be going to an inferior school for awhile. Here's hoping we move soon.
Submitted by parent on March 29, 2016

Great teachers and staff I liked the way they teach our children. They always give them special attention.
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2014

Horrible, uncaring teachers who should retire or refocus on the reasons they even became teachers. They tout a "no bully zone" and are themselves the WORST offenders. If your child doesn't learn via traditional methods and has a hard time focusing, beware. This is NOT the school for you! If your child is a robot and can regurgitate information for the almighty CRCT, they will be rewarded with candy and praise. GBE teachers offer feedback in the form of belittling, demeaning comments in front of the entire class (aka: bullying), notes home in the same negative tone and LOOK OUT if you choose not to participate in the fundraisers. Seriously, if you're military just be glad you won't be stuck in this abysmal school system forever. If you're not military- buy your house over in North Augusta and save yourself the heartache of finding out the hard/ expensive way that Columbia County schools are NOT all they're cracked up to be...especially THIS one!
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2014

excellent teachers that really care. Students really learn from the teachers going the extra mile. couldn't be happier.
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2014

Love Greenbrier!! My son loves school and I have been impressed, since day one!! Dr. Holton is outstanding and so are all of the teachers my son has!! I had always heard about the excellence of Greenbrier and moved into the district, so my son could attend. Best decision made!!:)
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2014

love this school my g-son is in 1st grade n when i come down to visit him, i love having lunch w/him..the teachers and staff are first rate, remembers me when i visit, i feel very welcomed when i visit jd, and the kids come up to me to say hi..Great Job Greenbrier, keep up the great jod that you do....
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2013

It is the best school and best communication. My son is enjoing every moment of his school days.
Submitted by other on August 23, 2013

I work with many families that have moved to the district and have always had favorable responses, when asking how this school compares to the expectations of the parents and children. The school staff has always been very willing to share school information and policies with parents. I have noticed there is lots of parental volunteers in the school.
Submitted by other on August 20, 2013

My second grandson is at this school and we were pleased with the school when the older one attended.
Submitted by parent on July 03, 2013

We moved here from another state and chose the area because of the Greenbrier Schools. My son had a WONDERFUL year at Greenbrier elementary. He previously attended a small private school and we were concerned that being in a large public school would be a tough transition for him. He ended up having a great year. Any issues are handled immediately and all the teachers make themselves available for you.The Principal is just wonderful and the office staff are always full of smiles and eager to assist. The school is large, so you have to schedule time with teachers. Once you do, they are more than helpful. I had the opposite experience regarding communication issues as some of the past reviewers had. the teachers give you their email addresses to communicate with them. You can contact them as little or as much as YOU find helpful. they ALWAYS respond. My son graduated with honors and we are looking forward to our twins starting a great year in Kindergarten this coming fall.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2012

When we moved to the area all we heard about was how great this school is. I haven't been impressed. My son was made to feel like he was stupid because he could not keep up with the other kids when it came to the monotonous way they teach math. They time the kids EVERY day for a minute in addition and subtraction and if they don't get the appropriate number they are labelled the stupid kid. I would not want to learn this way and I can't believe so many parents applaud this kind of teaching. This is a very affluent area and many mothers do not work and have time to volunteer a lot. I respect that but I heard teachers mention to those moms that they are raising the kids for those of us that work. I was appalled by that statement. Many of the school activities, PTO, volunteer opportunities are only during the day or immediately after school. It doesn't allow for the working parents to be involved. Much of the information that is given out is only given to the parents that volunteer. Sometimes I feel like I'm in a black hole when receiving information.
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2012

BOOOOOO! We received zero communication from this school despite trying to be involved and volunteering! It seemed as though everything was last minute! The curriculum is focused solely on testing and not learning in my opinion! Our class had a few behavior challenged children who disrupted their classes daily... nothing was done with them. My child was sick everyday from NOT wanting to go to school! The parents and teachers do not speak in the hallways or carpool and it is as if they have smelled something foul or just plain hate life. VERY SAD. We have since moved to a private school and I now have a child who is challenged and loves going to school every single day!
Submitted by parent on July 10, 2012

Nothing is exceptional about this school. This school performs well but is located in an affluent community with high parent involvement.This school makes little effort to provide enrichment programs. Research the other Columbia county elementary schools prior to moving to this district. You will find that the teacher expectations are much higher. Columbia county provides accelerated math and reading programs, extra curricular dance, bricks for the mind, foreign language and many other creative opportunities for learning, but not at Greenbrier Elementary. This school puts all efforts towards "meeting expectations" in standardized state tests. If you have a child that struggles to learn than this school offers a slower pace and increased opportunities for repetition.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2011

We love, love, love Greenbrier! There are so many ways for parents to be involved and we are ALWAYS welcomed! The principal, Dr. Holton, is very involved with the students in a positive way. Teachers are very approachable. Great school!
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2011

Based on my 3 years of exprience:Very little communication from teachrs, even when children are seriously underperforming (an i volunteered in class one day each week every year). Emphisis on testing overshadows the children's need for instruction. Poor performers do not recieve enough attention (only more tests to see if they are improving). Over achievers (gifted) are not challanged and bored. Any contact with the teacher must be initiated by you unless it is related to behavior. Also I see parents who want to be involved, but are unable to find a way to be useful.
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2011

I have to say this school is exceptional. We have moved often, and this school made not only but my son, but my family feel like we had been here forever. The best part though was that within days of my son transferring in the new school year of 2009-2010, we were contacted my his speech teacher, the nurse, etc. for information. I couldnt get over how organized the patrols and the car loop drop off was. Mrs. Bush-Miller was exceptional and the principal had great leadership but was ALWAYS in the school. She didnt lead from the office, she lead by her actions and was involved and seen EVERYWHERE! This was pleasing because the kids interacted with her not just on bad situations. On normal everyday stuff. As a parent, This school is exceptional. Art, PE and Music were such delights to the kids. My son LOVED it and so did we as parents. Great PTA and parents too. Where parents just want their kids to do well and have fun at the same time. If you want your child to be challenged, be in a safe and fun environment, with great opportunity, Greenbrier is the place!