Nickajack Elementary School in Smyrna, Georgia

“WOW, this is a hidden gem in the West Cobb school district. I am really impressed with what this school has to offer students!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“They take the time to make sure the children are learning and the teachers are great communicators”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Nickajack is a terrific environment for our child. The teachers are extremely dedicated to making sure each child has what they need to be successful. Principal Parks is always available. The PTA is involved in so many aspects of the school's success. It is like one big family.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school has been great for our child. The teachers are caring and take great pride in what they do. Mrs. Parks in incredible! She takes pride in Nickajack and is dedicated to making Nickajack a great school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We recently relocated to California where my son is now in 1st Grade ... all I can say is ... I miss Nickajack! I miss the school and how well organized everything is (even lunchtime), the principal, the teachers, the standard of education and the parents (who are so involved). The staff are caring and compassionate. My son was taught at his advanced level and was challenged. I have truely left a gem behind. I too, had considered private schooling, but could not have been happier with my son at Nickajack. Nickajack is an awesome school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This past school year was my daughters first year at Nickajack, I must say that I was not that impresssed. Principal was awesome. Fundraisers it seemed like every other week. Her previous school was in urban Atlanta, and was much more nurturing, staffand parents just really seemed to care, I felt that the vibe at Nickajack was sorta phony..........meantime, my child had a great experience at Nickajack.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We were extremely pleased with the Kindergarten program at Nickajack this year.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We transferred from Gwinnett County schools this year and I can honestly say that Nickajack has restored my faith in Georgia Public Schools. Everyone from the principals to the lunchroom staff to the teachers to the ASP workers are truly committed to not only the education of their students but also the development of strong character. I love this school!!!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is a great school that works hard to get parents involved and is very much interested in the community. My son will be returning next year for first grade!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have been very impressed so far - my son is in kindergarten at NES and just loves it. He is actually very advanced in his reading and math skills so I was curious as to how NES would respond to his abilities. Within the first few weeks they had placed him in advanced programs and an accelerated reading program. I visited several private schools prior to sending him to NES and am very happy about my decision. He is thriving.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“we recently transferred to this school this year from another school in the area. and words cannot describe how AWESOME Nick A Jack is... I bought a Townhouse in the area because the school is do great..”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Mys son has been going to Nick-a-jack since kindergarden and he is now in the 4th grade. He loves this school as well as I do. The teachers and principal Mrs. Parks truly care about and only want the best for all of the students. His teachers has always gone over and beyond and truly challenges their brains. I could've been blessed for a better way to start his education!!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Our daughter started at Nickajack Elementary this year and we absolutely love it. We considered private school and a charter school, but after visiting several times, knew that Nickajack was the place for us. The teachers are excellent and the principal is very impressive. It is so organized and cheerful. As a kindergartener, she is receiving the right amount of challenge and her reading is at a whole new level within the first month of school. She has a little bit of homework Monday through Thursday nights and she really enjoys it; she gets recognized for reading books, so she now asks to read every night, when before school started she lacked confidence and it was a fight to get her to read. Our daughter really looks forward to going to school every day. The PTA is extremely active, and there are countless waysto get involved. We highly recommend it.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Unfortunately, I disagree with the above opinion. My son's teacher is a nice person but very bad teacher. She is very young and inexpert teacher. Everything was wrong for her and she was using only punishment rules. I would like to remember any long or good conversation but is impossible. I think the Principal is doing a good job. I hope this year will be different for my son, I will continue work with him, and as your child, he deserve the best school and the best teacher.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have been pleasantly pleased with NES. We moved back to Smyrna from VA last year and I have to admit, I was somewhat hesitant about NES. Some parents I spoke with claimed it wasn't that great. Well come to find out none had even visited the school or talked with the staff or parents of kids attending. They rely solely on websites and gossip. I think websites are great but they don't give you the whole picture. My son's teacher Drew was terrific and enthusiastic. He isn't necessarily academically inclined but after a year at NES, he is motivated to learn beyond my expectations or hopes. No school is perfect and I'm sure I'll encounter difficulties at NES over the years to come. The important thing for now is that he is learning (his reading and math skills are impressive) and he likes his school. Good parental involvement also.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter came from another school district out of state and struggled her first year at NES. When she began first grade in Ms. Tennent's class, she was struggling with reading. Ms Tennent identified the areas that needed improvement and began working in concert with another teacher, Mrs. Thomas to improve. She has improved dramatically! I absolutely L-O-V-E this school. Whether you kid is an Einstein or if they need a little extra care, this is the school for him/her. I would gladly recommend this school to anyone”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I just thank God I was blessed enough to find a school as good as NES. I have 3 kids in NES (5th Mosely, 4th Patterson, 1st Newman) and their teachers are truly amazing, involved and caring. These are not teachers who are just doing it for the summer vacations. My oldest came to NES with reading problems from her previous school with continuous encouragement from her teacher Mr. Mosely and school sponsored tutoring is finally excelling. I am so proud to be able to recommend this school to anyone. From the top (Ms. Parks) down... this school is top notch!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter has been attending NES since Kindergarten. She has had some wonderful teachers (Mrs. Tilt, Mrs. Newman, and Mrs. Butler). The Principal's have been phenominal as well (Peggy Pepper & Mrs. Parks). The staff truely cares about their students education and well being, and there is a lot of parent participation. I have noticed that as the years go by they are also adding more extra-cirricular activities. I would recommend this school to other parents.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My children attended NES 1st - 5th grades & we were pretty well satisfied with the school. The former principal an the current principal were/are great leaders. The office staff is wonderful.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter has attended Nickajack for 2 years. I have been very satisfied with both teachers, Ms. Drew in Kindergarten and now with Ms. Butler in the Multi age classroom.. The best from both is that they are so positive and have shown a genuine interest in all the kids”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have 3 kids at NES and i have been very please with all of my kids teachers, Ms Patterson(4th) Ms Lauterbach(1st) and Ms Bulter(2nd) and Ms Tilt(k). The office staff are very friendly. My only disappointment is that i wanted to put money on a few kids account for lunch and i was told that i couldn't. School is stressful not only for the teachers, but for the kids as well. All the kids should have the chance to have the same lunch. Overall, NES is a wonderful school. Thanks to all the teachers, you are all excellent role models.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have 2 children at Nickajack and we started going to this wonderful school in 2000. The teachers we've had are second to none. Everyone seems to know and love my kids and they are eager to hop on the bus every morning and go to school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have three children that attend Nickajack (Grade levels - 5, 4 and K5) and I have been extremely pleased with quality of teachers and staff at the school. In my 5 years (11 teachers), I have had great experiences with the faculty and staff and my children have made great friends with positive attitudes. I would recommend Nickajack as a great school to attend for academic, social and personal development. While Nickajack does require good character from all of its students, I have found that they also put great emphasis on the quality of education that each student receives.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am most impressed with the scientific, methodical approach the principal and teaching staff take to ensure academic success and quality of instruction. They also add a common sense approach and genuine care to their instruction and student interaction. Principal Pepper is adamant about good behavior, quality instruction and constant refinement of the curriculum and resources. The Target and Soar programs really challenge our son beyond the traditional class work. I am happy about the focus on character. Character-based education has profoundly affected my son (4th grade). He applies them in all areas of his life. They undergird his spiritual development. Music and art instruction are important components of learning at Nickajack. I'd love for Nickajack to pursue organized sports with character-based instruction...golf, basketball, soccer, swim. The PTA is strong and inclusive. Parent involvement is improving. A core group of parents make an incredible difference...more would really help the school excell. Thank You.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child exceeds academically compared to child in other schools in the area. ASP program offers many extras such as French or Spanish. The PTA is very active in the school”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is my daughter's last year at nes. She started in kindergarten, and i am just thrilled with the their staff. The new pe teacher is awesome, as is the new 'young' music teacher. The pta is very involved and approachable, as are the office staff. There still are some disciplinary problems but that has a lot to do with a child's homelife, and the counselors are doing their best. I have seen some kids 'come around' and improve since they began. A child's attitude starts at home; how they are treated, how they see their parents treat each other, what they hear their parents say about other people (that's why character building is stressed). The silver comet trail is at the end of the road that the school is on, which is nice for having 'outdoor classroom' time. The afterschool program could improve.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter entered her second year at Nickajack and I am very happy with the teachers and curriculum. Teachers are very involved and classwork, homework, and extracurriculum activities are all challenging. Parent involvement, safety and discipline, and principal leadership is excellent.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I wasn't impressed with this school at all but my daughter seemed to enjoy it. She was only at this school for her second grade year and won't be returning. I don't think it challenged her enough. There wasn't very much involvment with the parents either and I think that makes all the difference in a way a school is run.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I thought it was just me. Being from another state and all. I am not impressed with this school at all. In fact, I am quite disappointed. I can count on two hands (and that is a stretch) how many times my child has had homework (entering 3rd grade). It seems the emphasis is more on character. What good is that if my kid can't read anything and or count. How can the expect him to exhibit good character fully without an education. Needless to say I am on a huntfor a new school before it is too late and my children slip through the cracks and get 'Left Behind'.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I think the teachers are being hendered by the current administrative staff. The focus is not on educating the students (and that may be mostly from the NCLB)but containing them until the end of the day. I definately think a new principal is needed. She does not have the best interest of the students in mind. She is only concerned with how the numbers look.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is my child's last year at this year. This school has not impressed me for the last three years, even with the change of leadership. I don't find her to be very friendly to all parents. The school is very cliquish. These are the people who she caters to. The school is predomiently African-American and the staff is predomiently Caucasian. Therefore, there is a need, I feel, for more African-American teachers.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I really dislike this school and took my child out. It has no authority figure I have never been so dissatisfied.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am so happy to see that we now have wonderful leadership. My children are very happy, and Nickajack is back to the high quality school it once was!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son has been here since PreK and now he is in 3rd grade. I have yet to be really impressed. This will be my last year here”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am excited about this year. I agree last year was hard, but I have a good feeling about the new prinicpal and think things are going to be looking up!!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school has definitely gone downhill this year & I believe the main reason is there is no leadership. Violence & discipline problems abound.”
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