East Lake Elementary School

We have had a child in this school since August, 2007. We have seen many, many changes but have always been very pleased with the staff, the administration, the parent participation.. You name it. We currently have two children attending East Lake in different grade levels. One of these children has special needs. She can be quite difficult at times. The staff and administration ( specifically Dr. Bailey) meets her at the door with a smile on her face every morning. In her classroom she is met with respect and love despite her difficulties. Many meetings are held, much consideration is taken. They always have her best interests at heart. They bend over backward to accommodate her needs. Our other child has a phenomenal teacher as well. She goes out of her way to make sure my child feels confident, loved and motivated.East Lake is a fantastic school. We love it and to be Frank, we moved to this school district because of it.

It is 2015 and their is not enough diversity in the school. The teaching staff doesn't reflect diversity either, they are like a cult, and God forbid that you have a complaint about one of the teachers, Dr. Bailey seems to take it personal. The school is ran like a monarchy where some parents are not supposed to question decisions made by the teacher. I have had a teacher call me in to ask how to handle my child, and tell me that she is the most hateful child she has ever seen (really after over 18 years of teaching), this occurred in the 2nd grade from day one when we met that teacher, she did not seem to make eye contact with us(this was during open house) she was distracted from talking with us when previous students or their parents came in the door. This hurried/really don't have time attitude continued with her throughout the year. Not to mention the notes or emails I received on how my child was just hopeless to teach. So we were advised that my child's reading gap was not closing and her behavior was a problem, so they tested her (after all must be the child, can't be the teacher), she was not classified as special education. One day I was in the front office waiting for a conference and one of the front office staff was actually carrying on a conversation about a young boy that used to go there, he was going into middle school and she was talking about how dark his skin was and not sure what he has in him. Isn't that bold!?, here you have a parent sitting in the office who happens to be a person of color and you choose to talk about this. They have no worries about things like this! In 3rd grade, oh boy, we had a teacher and EIP teacher that basically stated they did not know how to motivate my child to our faces. I know their are behavior problems with my child at school which she doesn't exhibit at home or anywhere else, and the school has gone through the motions to appear as if they want to help, but I feel my child is missing something, Her 1st grade Teacher at East Lake was excellent! but since then our lives have been a living hell of nothing but negativity! Their right she is not motivated like she was in 1st grade! but the blame is not all on my child, that is teaching and not knowing how to deal with diversity. Other teachers I have talked with advised me that it was really unprofessional of them to advise us do not know how to motivate my child. I have talked with some other minority parents in the area and they all say the same thing as well as local teachers of color, that they have heard they lack the patients to deal with some minority students of color. The numbers prove it. Why is the percentage of black students lower than the State average for Georgia!? Not because not a lot of blacks or people of color do not live in the area! Just this week we were told by a African American Teacher that need to move her from the school and told us the more tolerant elementary schools in Henry County when it comes to African American Children. It is ashamed that it's 2015 and we are still having these issues.

My son, attended a few years ago and I did not like his teacher. They held a tribute for Elvis during what should be have been something to view the schools acceptance of diversity. My newphew will attend in a year and I hope his parents place him in private school.