Decent Schools (pre-K and Up) in Dekalb County

Hi S. I am a mother of a 4 year old girl and I understand your situation way to well. My name is C. Brown and my daughter goes to school in Decatur. It is a private school and the name of it is Hoke McNeal Academy of Higher Learning and the owner is Cynthia McNeal it is in her home and she only has about 13 kids at the most. This is the best school and she teaches so well and they go on great field trips. My daughter is 4 and she can read, add and subtract. She knows inventors and her history. If interested please give them a call at ###-###-####. It is located off Panthersville Rd in decatur. Any more qeustions for me just shoot me an email: ____@____.com

Hello S.:

I too, encountered this issue when my son was 3, however, I did opt for the private school for 2 years. Just to give him the foundation of the Abeka learning program. Maybe you can try that or the Montessori schooling. Sometimes, private schools offer scholarships. Just ask. Nevertheless, you have to also be weary of private schools too, because they don't always employ the best teachers. Now my son, has converted to a "Theme School". Its a public school however their parent participation, school uniforms and enhanced curriculum are vital points that really allow for his academic learning to be fully achieved. I hope this information helps you.

I know this probably might not be the solution to your concerns, but this is what we have done. We also live in an area where the schools are not the environment where we want our kids to be. Last year we started home schooling. I have been working at home for over 3 years now and my husband started also working at home in Nov 2005. At first I didn't know how things would turn out, but we have found we are making more money at home than we did when he had a job. I don't know for sure what the solution is for you, but just wanted to share that there are other alternatives than what the rest of the world is doing and it is working for us. The entire family is at home all day every day of the week, this is something I never imagined would happen in my life, but it is really cool.

Hi
My husband and I are facing the same problem! I now have my own in home day-care and I am terrified what will happen when my daughter turns 5! Within the next year I will be opening my own childcare center. We just recently moved out here from Douglasville, but I am considereing home schooling her and my son, since I stay at home anyway! I think Dekalb County schools are unacceptable, but at the same time we are by no means low-income I would say middle class. My husband has a GREAT job but private school is not in our budget! If you and your husband come up with any ideas let me know, but I am considering home school for my two kids!

I have a 5 year old and I am trying to find a school also. I think most of the Christian schools are accredited, and I particularly checked with one called Greener Pastures on Flat Shoals near Snapfinger. I just moved 2 months ago here from a suburb in Chicago, and we had access to much better public schools in the suburbs. I had no idea Georgia ranked so low until I got here.

Kennesaw has good public schools...just for the record.

My friend Sonya told me about "theme" schools. They are like magnet schools. You will be placed in a lottery and if selected, there are school buses that come and pick up your child from your address.

I think I'm going to have to work overtime to afford the tuition for Greener Pastures, but that is my best bet. It's running about 3600.00 a year. Check into it.

Hi S.,
I live in Dekalb county and understand the pain of the government school system in Dekalb. The church I attend, St. Martin in the Fields, offers an outreach program for families who need financial assistance with these types of things. St. Martin's could possibly offer you some help or another church closer to you may have a similar program. There are also people involved in various churches and other outreach organizations who sponsor children to attend a private school. You may want to check with the school, Dekalb Junior Service League, or possibly a corporation (my brother and i were personally sent to a private school via means of a private donor because my family could not afford the tuition, and my older sister was sponsored by our church to attend the same private school) I am sorry I don't have a direct connection for you, but I will check out the program at my church in more detail for you. With every problem being an opportunity, I hope that this turns out to be a real positive for you and your family!!

Dear S.,

Have a look at the Catholic schools in your neighborhood. St. Thomas More in Decatur costs about $7,000 for non-Catholic students and is an excellent school. Your child would not be the only non-Catholic, believe me.

A little more expensive, but not much, is the Waldorf School. This is also an excellent school, but has a very unusual philosophy, based on the thought of Rudolf Steiner. Investigate and see if either of these would meet your needs.

Good luck,
S. Forrest

Mothering the Mother
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