Dowell Elementary School

2121 West Sandtown Road Southwest

School District

Cobb County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for Cobb 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 02, 2023

Dowell is very family oriented and has such positive environment. I would highly recommended this school to other families looking for a place to call home.
Submitted by other on September 16, 2022

Dowell provides a fun and exciting environment for the students to be successful in their learning. Teachers, staff, and administration are committed to each student being successful in their learning. From the moment the students enter the door, until the time that their day of learning ends, the teachers and staff motivate students to do their personal best and experience success in learning.
Submitted by parent on August 08, 2021

This is my child's first year. My student is in the DLI program so far the DLI teachers are awesome. My student is enjoying the school. I will trust the DLI process
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2021

Teachers have been great. Very involved during Covid. Truly a great school.
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2020

Like many others with kids, when we considered buying our house we had concerns about Dowell's rating. We decided to move into the area regardless, knowing we could possibly participate in school choice. We since discovered by neighbors of their love for Dowell and how happy they have been. Based off the glowing reviews from our neighbors we decided to send our son and we could not be more thrilled with our choice. Honestly, we feel like we hit the teacher, administration, and bus driver lottery. The teachers have been phenomenal and not only helped fuel my sons brain but gave him so much love. In addition, we were surprised to discover how many teachers throughout the school (that we didn’t know) knew our son and greeted him when we visited for Veteran's Day. The administration team is quite dedicated, always available for questions, and was so welcoming and friendly from day one. Our son is entering into First Grade and soon after our daughter will become a member of the Dowell family and we wouldn’t have it any other way. In closing, the rating for Dowell is not an accurate depiction of the school as a whole, I promise you that.
Submitted by parent on July 01, 2020

Dowell is fantastic and we’ve had a wonderful experience so far! My daughter’s teachers have been amazing and done a wonderful job. The leadership staff is very involved and knew us very quickly - I was impressed to see the principal call my daughter by name at carpool her first year. We love Dowell and are ready to send our second daughter as well. The scores don’t tell the whole story.
Submitted by parent on July 01, 2020

We have been at Dowell for 4 years now, I have had 2 kids at the school and my 3rd will be there this fall. Please look beyond the numbers, my kids have thrived here and have nothing but positive experiences with teachers and administrators.
Submitted by parent on July 01, 2020

We have been at Dowell for 2 years and we could not be happier! I am a teacher in the county so I have the option to send my children to another school (highly considered after moving here and seeing the low scores), but we love Dowell! The teachers, administration, parent involvement, and students are incredible. I know several speak on the excellent SPED program and I can attest to the amazing Target program. Please don't let the scores deter you from coming to this amazing school! Listen to the incredibly satisfied parents and how happy we all are!
Submitted by parent on July 29, 2019

My daughter is heading into her second year at Dowell, and we have nothing but wonderful things to say about this school, the teachers, staff and leadership. Dowell is led by a wonderful, effective, proud and caring principal. The teachers are smart, caring and genuinely invested in each child's education. The rating does not tell the full story and certainly doesn't match what our experience has been. My daughter has excelled and loves going to school. Dowell is excellent and has far exceeded my expectations. Looking forward to 1st grade!
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2018

We moved to a new home specifically to move to this school. At the time the rating on great schools was higher and I am baffled as to why it has dropped. From the principal to the teachers this school cares for all of the children and gets them the services they need to thrive and succeed. We couldn't be happier that we moved to this school. My son loves Dowell and I love Dowell and all of the staff here. Don't take just look at a schools rating, go to the school and read the parent comments!
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2017

Most of the bad ratings for this school are old. Dowell is a beautiful community of like-minded parents, teachers, and administrators. Children truly are the focus--the all around child's needs are taken into consideration very seriously. I love having my daughter at Dowell from 1st to 5th. We're nervous about middle school, but the teachers assure us the transition will be seamless. I trust them.
Submitted by parent on July 28, 2016

The only reason I didn't give the school 5 stars is because I do agree that the homework is not explained well and I've had to google things looking for answers to my sons homework and the printing quality of the homework is poor but that's the only negative. The teachers on the other hand have been amazing, my son is going into 3rd grade and has been here since kindergarten, he also has an IEP and takes speech, OT, and goes part day to small groups. They have done a fantastic job working with my son who has ADHD, he has come so far and improved so much with their assistance and I am so grateful for that. All his teachers have been hands on and very sweet and we are happy to start a new year at dowell!
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2014

Dowell Elementary is a wonderful school with caring teachers and efficient Administrators. My son graduated from Dowell in 2011 and he is now a Freshman a one of the Magnet High School. My daughter now attends the 2nd grade and she is reading on the 4th grade level and she participates in the gifted program -Target.
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2014

We have two children at Dowell. One going into 3rd grade and the other going into 1st grade. They have both had wonderful, caring teachers. All the teachers at Dowell seem very committed to the kids. After reading some of the other reviews I want to comment that yes, there is a lot of homework, but this is no different than at other schools. As parents, we know that we have to be involved... Whether it is helping our children with their homework or volunteering at school. This way, I am aware of what my children are doing and learning at school. Dowell is a very diverse school for the demographics of the children, but this has not been a problem with the learning environment in the classroom. I highly recommend Dowell Elementary.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2013

I have a 4 grader attending Dowell Elementary. My child teacher last year, 2012 - 2013, was terrible.
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2013

I agree this school gives homework so the parents can teach the kids for them. The kids have no clue how to do it and they give you nothing to go on. Worst school ever!My child is going to forth grade and has had 1 yes 1 good teacher. Very low quality teachers! They are very rude, unhelpful, and childlike!
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2012

Very little thought is given when assigned homework. It's printed out from the internet, copied, and send home, apparently without reviewing it. I've found several mistakes. In addition, very little communication is given as to what is being covered in the classroom.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2012

I have 3 kids. One has now moved to middle school and the other 2 are still going to Dowell. This school has been great for all three of them. The principal is very good. She is always able to speak directly to me if needed. The PTA is very involved and devoted. I also have had wonderful teachers. One of my kids has ADHD and they are very supportive. He has done great. I have had a total of 6 years with this school. I would say things were good before the new principal but, are wonderful now. I feel as a paret she brought more order and the kids still get the fun feel however.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2011

My son has attended this school pre-k and all 5 years and I find this school to be outstanding the teachers and staff speech teachers ect... are off the chart! Counselors who care and treat the children with respect. We will miss this school and to me it is the best school in the area...So Thanks so much for all you do... AT a parent
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2010

My son's kindergarten year was wonderful, both for him and myself. I was very concerned about how he would handle his first year, but I needn't have worried. His teachers were great, their care for my son was genuine and he grew tremendously both socially and emotionally in this nurturing environment. For those who say they never saw the principal, it is very hard to believe. at least three time a week she greeted students as they entered the building, she was always available if I had a concern. The teachers I met on a daily basis were always welcoming, approachable and professional. I am very proud of Dowell Elementary and hope the hard work the teachers and staff have put forth will reflect in their students. Well done and keep up the good work.