Dickerson vs. Dodgen Middle Schools (Sandy Springs, Kennesaw: transplants, loans, buy) - Atlanta - Georgia (GA) - Page 3 - City-Data Forum

jym626 · 10-02-2009, 05:07 PM

^^^ Sorry to hear that. There are a lot of great reading disorder specialists, resources and programs in the Atlanta area for kids with dyslexia and other reading disorders (phonological processing disorders, expressive/receptive language disorders, orthographic difficulties, ect). Hope you have found the services you need.

CToGA · 10-02-2009, 06:28 PM

Thanks kaday for the elementary school info! I've read very good things about all the elementary schools in the area so I'll take your comments into mind when I visit next month. I didn't realize that elementary schools could feed into different middle schools and middle schools into different high schools so I'll have to research this more. I was originally thinking that if I decided on East Cobb and liked all the elementary schools equally (not certain if this will be the case), I'd go with Sope Creek since it's best for commute (closer to the bridge over the river).

Jym626, can you elaborate on what your friends had to say about Wheeler Magnet? I will try to visit that school as well if I determine that it is a viable possibility for our son.

jym626 · 10-02-2009, 06:38 PM

This is second hand, so bear with me. Some of the classes they take outside of the math/science magnet are general classes, which they haven't been to happy with. I'd also heard that the program, which has been sorta known to be a feeder to Ga Tech, wasn't as successful with it's placement this past year. Also heard that that average SAT scores of all of Walton (students of all levels) was better than that of just the math/science program at Wheeler.

jym626 · 10-02-2009, 06:39 PM

Forgot to mention-- if your kids are band/orchestra kids, Lassiter is known for its band.

pulmcc · 10-02-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jym626

pulm-
My recommendation is Dickerson/Walton. I am also a NY transplant now living in E Cobb, also in healthcare (welcome!!). The elementary schools that feed Dickerson may send kids to Dickerson that are more like-minded to you/your family than the ones that feed Dodgen. Apologies if that sounds politically incorrect, and I want to be sensitive while sharing demographics, but if religion/sociocultural issues are a factor for you, there is probably a higher population of jewish and asian kids at Dickerson/Walton. Also, if I recall correctly (I may be wrong), some of the Dodgen kids go to Walton and some to Pope. Pope does block scheduling, which many people do not like (fewer classes per semseter, longer hours per class, complete a course in 1 semester).

While Dickerson is probably the weakest of the Mt. Bethel/Dickerson/Walton school trio, it is still a good school, and this trio makes for a good resale value for your home down the road.

I have friends whose kids chose to attend the Wheeler magnet program rather than Walton and have had mixed feelings about that decision.

We moved from a weaker school district to this school district, but our kids were already in private school so we left them there. Hope this helps!! Where in NY are you relocating from?

I actually haven't been in NY for quite some time. We are currently in Augusta and can't wait to get back to a big city. I grew up in Queens, attended the regular public elementary school 3 blocks away from my house, and started taking the subway in 7th grade to attend Hunter. I don't know if you're from NYC but the student profile at Hunter was probably similar to Walton's (as far as importance of student diversity, it would not be a critical deciding factor). The mission then was like now, to provide a rigorous college prepratory curriculum that would enable all graduates to succeed at any university. Even though academics were vigorous, I don't feel like it was so extreme that I was unable to develop as a person. It may be worse now, and the only reason I say that is I recently looked at the school profile and the average SAT score in 2007 was 2156!

It makes me wonder if today's kids do anything but study. Anyway, I have lived in way too many cities during the course of my schooling and subsequent training and I am ready to settle down and not move ever again. That includes moving from one school district to another within east Cobb!

kaday · 10-02-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pulmcc

I actually haven't been in NY for quite some time. I grew up in Queens, attended the regular public elementary school 3 blocks away from my house, and started taking the subway in 7th grade to attend Hunter. I don't know if you're from NYC but the student profile at Hunter was probably similar to Walton's (as far as importance of student diversity, it would not be a critical deciding factor). The mission then was like now, to provide a rigorous college prepratory curriculum that would enable all graduates to succeed at any university. Even though academics were vigorous, I don't feel like it was so extreme that I was unable to develop as a person. It may be worse now, and the only reason I say that is I recently looked at the school profile and the average SAT score in 2007 was 2156!

It makes me wonder if today's kids do anything but study. Anyway, I have lived in way too many cities during the course of my schooling and subsequent training and I am ready to settle down and not move ever again. That includes moving from one school district to another within east Cobb!

Hey I understand where you are coming from. I grew up in an NYC suburb (Essex Fells, NJ) and spent many years as a NYC resident . I have really done my research regarding schools. (I think rainy has too) I think if your child attends Walton, Pope or Lassiter in terms of college really there will be no difference. In fact in terms of class rank.......Pope and Lassiter may be better. My neighbors Pope kids have gone on to UVA, Brown, GA TECH, Yale, Cornell.............etc, Any choice in these three high schools will work. Find the neighborhood or place here that works best for you and your family. We like it here. Honestly I don't find it that much different than Northern NJ in terms of schooling, access to culture and shopping etc.......the one difference is the people are very very friendly and helpful (oh yeah and the houses are newer). Best of luck to you.

kaday · 10-02-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CToGA

Thanks kaday for the elementary school info! I've read very good things about all the elementary schools in the area so I'll take your comments into mind when I visit next month. I didn't realize that elementary schools could feed into different middle schools and middle schools into different high schools so I'll have to research this more. I was originally thinking that if I decided on East Cobb and liked all the elementary schools equally (not certain if this will be the case), I'd go with Sope Creek since it's best for commute (closer to the bridge over the river).

Jym626, can you elaborate on what your friends had to say about Wheeler Magnet? I will try to visit that school as well if I determine that it is a viable possibility for our son.

I have to give you the feedback I have heard on Wheeler. Not so great. Moving here with one child gifted in math this looked very promising to us. I've asked a lot of questions and made a few visits. I am thinking if we are still here by high school my child will stick with Pope. I am hoping it will improve over time. And you know it may just be time. But if I had a child headed in the direction of high school in maybe 2 or 3 years I might look elsewhere. Just my opinion.

jym626 · 10-02-2009, 08:58 PM

Sounds like we are all from the same neck of the woods! I grew up in Westchester. My late mother went to Hunter High and Hunter college (WW II days!!).

Agreed that you will probably find what feels best for you and your family when you come visit. Getting to Kennestone will be perfectly doable from any of these locations. To the poster, however, who plans to commute to Piedmont Hospital, I would suggest you not live up near Lassiter or Pope. That would be a bit of a commute to have to deal with, especially if you are on call.

kaday · 10-02-2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jym626

Sounds like we are all from the same neck of the woods! I grew up in Westchester. My late mother went to Hunter High and Hunter college (WW II days!!).

Agreed that you will probably find what feels best for you and your family when you come visit. Getting to Kennestone will be perfectly doable from any of these locations. To the poster, however, who plans to commute to Piedmont Hospital, I would suggest you not live up near Lassiter or Pope. That would be a bit of a commute to have to deal with, especially if you are on call.

I don't think the commute to Northside hospital is al that bad.

I am just kind of wondering why you make all these comments on East Cobb schools and you don't even have kids in the system??? It seems rather strange to me.

jym626 · 10-02-2009, 09:06 PM

You are just going to have to trust me on this one, kaday. I will try not to take offense at your unnecessary comment. I would rather not disclose personal information, but I am quite familiar with the schools and the schools system (and the commute from Cobb to Fulton county), and I have been here for almost 30 years. I have a lot of knowledge and experience that someone who is a comparatively recent transplant would not.

As for commuting to Northside, there is still a fair amount of traffic to deal with if one is having to come down Shallowford or Sandy Plains or Hwy 92 to get through Cobb to Pill Hill. Even with the widening of Johnsons Ferry Rd and Abernathy, it can still be a challenge.