Chocachatti Elementary School

Academic programs are superior and really challenge the students to perform at their best. Teachers are nurturing, supportive and pleasant. Teachers offer a balance of in-class structure that is meshed with the drama and arts programs that the school offers. It is truly a school that focuses on stimulating both the right-brains and left-brains of children. Music (strings, guitar, etc.) are offered and encouraged - though they are based on availability. Tae Kwon Do is offered to 3rd graders and higher (again on availability). Dance is one of the many "specials" that children rotate through every 6-8 days. No outside sporting teams (baseball, basketball, cross-country, football etc.) More recently, the school added golf electives. Facililities are clean, fairly new and secure. Beautiful atrium in the middle of school allows children to have fresh air and sunshine between classes. Lots of windows face atrium. Close to a farm, so occasionally not so aromatic, but children adjust. Previous Principal founded the concept and ideas behind the right-brained, left-brained creative learning environment and looseness of the school. Basic concepts are still in place. Second Principal is new, not similar and mandating many changes (read that as unnecessarily tightening some policies). Interaction with parents is seemingly cold and closes on belittling. Quality Teachers and excellent learning environment hold this school together and always keep families coming back. Parents are eagerly involved and obtain volunteer hours easily. Office staff is very courteous and helpful in the process. One is always greeted with a smile and "Hello." School functions are usually packed with the biggest complaint being the lack of accomodation for parking. Parents commute from all over the county (this is a Magnet school - not zoned) so it understandably has a high rate of car traffic. Some improvements over wait time from last year, but a decrease in overall safety of children and parents. Lines are longer with bus traffic and High School traffic makes it more precarious to maneuver. Drop off window is too tight. Traffic lights and turning lanes should have been added prior to school year. Also, there are no safety barrier between children waiting and moving cars. Children wait outside, parallel to traffic and breathe the exhaust fumes as they wait. Some parents avoid this by opting for Pedestrian pick-up. I was outright refused this option. Am told that this might not be an option next year, so perhaps adding breathing masks to childrens school supply list might be necessary for commuting parents? Children really should be moved indoors and released accordingly. My biggest gripe is that their safety should come first instead of personal agendas. Overall, school would get 95 out of 100 with the only downside being the traffic and constantly changing policies over it. Worth the frustration for a Grade A education.