Simpson Elementary v Peachtree Elementary - Norcross (houses, middle school)

[NotSoCityGirl]

Hi Everyone,

We're still house hunting, but I think we've narrowed down our search to the Peachtree corners area. So far it seems to fit our needs well. But I have one outstanding question that I can't seem to get a grip on. I've read that Norcross is one of the most diverse areas of the city and we are happy with that. I like the fact that both Pickneyville Middle and Norcross High are split about 1/3rd each caucasian, african american, hispanic. The one thing I can't seem to figure out is the elementary schools.

From what I see Simpson is 77% white. Peachtree Elementary is 11% white. Is the city that segregated that all of the african american/hispanic kids live in the Peachtree Elementary district and all of the white kids live in the Simpson district?

We're looking at houses in both and I've found some I love in the Peachtree Elementary district, but I'm not sure how I feel about out kids being that much of a minority - but on the other hand, 77% white seems not exactly diverse.

Does anyone know if these stats are really correct (I assume they are as they are listed on the school websites)? Any insight onto why these schools are so different? Should I only be considering one over the other?

Thanks!

[lastminutemom]

yes. They are correct. Simpson has no (or virtually no) multi-family housing so most of the multi-family housing is zoned for Peachtree Elementary. Looking at Peachtree Elementary's scores, they do exceedingly well with their population.

I know families (white) that have attended both, and both were happy. Their children did well at the next levels.

Since you are local, I suggest you make appointments and visit both schools. Simpson used to be a real test prep factory and had a very different feel than P'tree Elementary. My information isn't so current.

Visit them both.

[Born 2 Roll]

lastminutemom hit the nail right on the head with her comments.

Simpson Elementary has virtually no multi-family housing while Peachtree Elementary has an overabundance of multi-family housing, which explains the difference in demographic stats between the two schools.

Simpson Elementary is one of the highest-rated and most highly-regarded elementary schools in the entire state of Georgia while lastminutemom makes an excellent point that Peachtree Elementary does exceedingly well as a school given that much of their population comes from multi-family housing.

Either way, you cannot really go wrong being in the feeder zone for Pinckneyville Middle School (which both Simpson and Peachtree Elementary schools feed into), which is a good middle school, and you cannot go wrong being in the feeder zone for Norcross High School which gets a very-strong amount of community support for both its academic and athletic programs.

lastminutemom makes an excellent recommendation that you should visit both Peachtree and Simpson Elementary schools to see which school your family will be the most comfortable with.

[aries4118]

A helpful map:

http://publish.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gc...0-8fd2417865f7

[NotSoCityGirl]

Thanks everyone! I guess I'll just have to make an appointment and tour the schools.

It's amazing how different those demographics are in such a small area!

And thanks for the map - also very helpful!