One option we explored was Charter Schools. After attending a meeting at T.E.A.C.H. Charter High School (TEACH) school, we were immediately impressed and excited about the opportunities the school had to offer. There were many reasons for our decision including, but not limited to the
1. school's Accountability for student performance/outcomes.
1. small class sizes,
2. availability of tutoring,
3. commitment level of the teachers,
4. school's focus on College preparation,
5. smart board learning system,
6. small class sizes and flexibility of teaching methodologies (e.g. teaching to the style of the student and to learn, rather than to pass a test),
7. school's community involvement both on a learning and contributory level,
8. School's focus on learning of life skills through technology and projects,
9. lack of distractions, and
10. support for parental involvement in the educational process.
Jenna wanted the high school experience, but was concerned about her ability to succeed in the high school environment, especially with the implementation of the new math curriculum. It was a tough decision, but ultimately she liked the small class sizes, the smart learning system, and the genuine interest portrayed by the teachers. This is my daughter's second year. Jenna is doing very well, is much more confident, and once again enjoys going to school and learning. She monitors her progress daily and seeks out tutoring/help as needed. Having the tools to succeed makes a big difference. We believe TEACH has the right formula to ensure student success/achievement.
Ms. Allenson
Jenna's Mother
We chose T.E.A.C.H. for our son Sam because of the great experiences his older brother Alex had there.
There was a strong emphasis on each individual student and Alex was able to pursue his interests in science. He also had a great opportunity to participate in student government, and develop his leadership skills.
Because of his academic success and accomplishments in Science Fairs, etc., Alex is off to a great start at UGA, and already has a student job in his chosen field of Biology.
Ms. Losh
Alex and Sam's Mother
We have news that we would like to share. Alex was offered two jobs before the first day of classes at UGA in the Biology Department. One job is with a government entity working in bio research involving Zebra fish, the other is in the cellular biology lab working in cloning. One employer indicated they would be interested in employing him throughout his college career, including summer and possible internships. He is so excited to have these jobs to choose from as a Freshman in college. He is getting to do things he thought he wouldn't be able to do until after graduation and making contacts in the field of his choice.
We would like to pass this information on to Mr. Kul and Ms. Bebe but we do not have contact info for either of them, if you have contact with them please let them know. His science background at TEACH and Roswell, as well as his other accomplishments and involvement at TEACH were largely responsible for these great job opportunities.
Please share with your staff and students the importance and potential long-term benefit of any science project, learning endeavor, and leadership opportunities available at TEACH because they may not only get you into a college, but give you the opportunity to work with leaders of your chosen major.
Sincerely,
Mrs. & Mr. Losh
I am more than happy to respond to your request.
When looking for a high school my son Reid and I visited different schools, both public and private. We attended the zoned high school information session and were appalled by the principal asking the parents not to contact the school to discuss their childs needs. The incoming freshman class was so big, they were doing all they could to keep up with the kids that were "true problems" and simply wouldn't have time for "good kids". Having come from Fulton Science Academy, we both knew there was something wrong with this concept.
Next, we visited a private high school. We didn't like that most of the kids were from financially well off families and the diversity of the student body was lacking. We also didn't like that they focused on liberal arts and had very few "technology" opportunities.
Initially, I wanted my son to go to a high school that had traditional offerings i.e, art classes, football games, music classes etc. However, my son shadowed another student and knew TEACH was for him. The technology program/ concept really benefited his learning style and we made the decision that TEACH was where he would attend high school. We haven't looked back since. I can't believe we considered other schools since this is a perfect fit for Reid.
There are a host of things I love about this school. Staff: They are always willing to assist a child and they do the best they can to make the child realize he or she can succeed in anything. They are very supportive of students.
Size: The small size benefits my child. He has some learning difficulties in large classrooms and the small class size is a much better learning environment for him.
Afterschool activities. My son is involved in school through the afterschool programs. He participates in TECH Fair, Media Festival, Robotics and National History day. These clubs at times have offered him a chance to fulfill community service too. Just being involved on the robotics team, my son learned enough about technology and engineering that he won two first place awards in the TECH Fair. What I love most about these awards is that my son could have easily given up when he ran into construction or technology problems but with the teachers enthusiam and prodding, he perservered and learned valuable life lessons.
I believe this school has been instrumental to making my son ready for life after high school.
Regards,
Mrs. Kersey
Reid's Mother
The reasons our son attends TEACH is as complex as his individual needs.
The classroom size and the relationship of the student to his/her instructors is one of the most important factors in our choice of a school. Both my husband and I believe that our child needs a personal relationship with his teachers. As his parents, we need to feel that we have a working partnership with them as well.
The interest of the teaching staff in our child's educational success is crucial. You do not find this level of participation and interest at the mega high schools that dot our landscape. Larger schools with larger classrooms place burdens on the teaching staff that preclude them from having a vested interest in a student's success by the very nature of their workload.
Larger, traditional schools have access to financial resources that a charter schools do not. It's that simple. Many of the things that parents want cannot be delivered when the financial resources arenʼt available. For charter schools, this means that they must allocate what resources they have to the basic essentials. TEACH has chosen to make one of those essentials a laptop for each student.
The second reason that we chose TEACH for our student was the ability to have and use a computer for his written work. Writing by hand has always been a tedious and daunting task for our son. As the world he will walk into (when out of high school and college) is heavily dependent on personal electronic devices and portable computers in the workplace; we believe that students should utilize these technologies in the course of their studies.
I will honestly say that the path has not always been smooth, nor are some of the things in place that we feel would be good to have in a high school the size of TEACH. However, as I have told other parents many times. In life there are trade offs. Every educational institution has its benefits and shortcomings. What parents must decide is " Will this school provide the education and the path to college that my child needs? Will my child thrive in this environment?"
We have found at TEACH, from the majority of the teachers, not only a willingness to tutor the students who are struggling, but a dedication to helping students with the organizational skills that they will need to succeed in college. The teachers participate on evenings and weekends to support the students in their competitions and in preparation for their exams.
Schools and their staff take time to mature and grow. Finding the teachers best suited for their jobs is not an easy task. This is our son's third year at TEACH. For the most part, he has had very good teachers but for first time since we arrived, we feel as if he has the best teachers that he could have anywhere in the county school system. We have found that the AP and Honors teachers are top notch and would challenge anyone to find a better AP teacher elsewhere in the Fulton County School system. Even more, we are very pleased that TEACH has offered the yearlong SAT prep class.
Over the last 12 months, I have seen many good things developing at the school, from the competitive educational teams to college counseling. The other difference that I am witnessing at TEACH is a growing parent participation; something I belive is essential to the success of a small school.
In conclusion, I would like to add, that we are not forcing our child to attend TEACH as a school of last resort. He is attending TEACH because it is his decision. From our viewpoint,
(we both hold college degrees and are professionals in our respective fields), his educational success is not an option. If he weren't receiving the quality of education and preparation we believe he needs to be able to enter a first rate university, he would not be attending TEACH.
Sincerely
Ms. Davis
I heard about T.E.A.C.H. from a flyer, that I received in the mail. I was not impressed with the surrounding schools for Marlon. We looked at Westlake High School, but I can see Marlon getting lost and not comfortable there. So I looked into T.E.A.C.H. The one thing, which I was impressed with, was the diversity amongst the teachers and students. Being from Cincinnati OH and my children going to a school with diversity, it felt like home for both of us. Also, Marlon loved computers and was really good with them. Keeping him interested in technology was important to both of us. But most importantly, Marlon and I feel like a family and he feels accepted. For a long time, Marlon felt out of place in schools here in Atlanta. But he feels like he is part of a bigger family and his corkiness is accepted. Marlon was very shut off, when he first got down here. I have seen him grow into a wonderful, intelligent, and caring young man. I as a mother can do so much, but of course me telling him to be himself and show his talents. I was just mom and I was supposed to tell him that according to Marlon. The teachers there let Marlon also know how special he is and how much he has to offer. This is what I love about T.E.A.C.H. They TEACH you to be the best you can be and it is ok to show off your intelligence. You will not be made fun of by the teachers and/or the students.
I am ever so grateful to everyone at T.E.A.C.H. I can't wait till my youngest son Michael, who is in 7th grade at Hapeville Middle School to graduate. I will start him at T.E.A.C.H. his 9th grade year. They said it takes an army to raise a child. I am just glad that T.E.A.C.H. was part of my army for Marlon.
Mrs. & Mr. Baill
I just want to tell you what a difference TEACH has made in my son, Marc Bail's, grades and total educational outlook.
Since first grade it was evident that Marc was not meeting his potential in school. He was tested for the "TAG" talented and gifted program early on and scored very high. However; throughout his years at public school, we have seen his grades and behavior "wax and wane" due to his lack of motivation and large classrooms. Due to all this past; I was fearful of Marc adapting to even a larger institution of Public High School.
In February of 2007; we received a postcard inviting us to a local charter high school's open house. Marc was attracted to this invite due to his love of computers and technology. We attended the open house and found the teachers and staff to have a genuine concern for the students as well as their use of modern technology using computers and "Smart Boards." Marc did have to make a choice due to his other passion of being on the football team. We met with a counselor at the public school, prior to his final decision to attend TEACH and she did stress to him that it would be great to continue football, however; academics is the priority.
Marc is now starting his second year at TEACH and we are thrilled with his "love of school", as well as his improved grades. He has matured at TEACH due to the teachers concern, small classes, and great trend of technology to prepare him for the future. In all my years of education, I have never seen teachers so helpful to stay after school, weekends, or whatever it takes for the students to succeed.
I'm so glad that we found TEACH Charter High. We feel that it's the best "hidden secret!"
Sincerely,
Mr. Baill
I want to support and encourage the renewal based on Casey's experiences at TEACH.
We originally decided on TEACH high school when Casey started the 8th grade at Crabapple Middle School. Casey can get overwhelmed easily in large crowds so she needed a much smaller student population. Casey also needed smaller classrooms to focus on the subject and ask questions when she didn't understand. Casey was a gymnast at Roswell Recreation and Parks so there was no need for after school sports. She has been able to instead concentrate on her studies and get help from her teachers after school. This year Casey is a junior and has 2 AP classes, wants to take the SAT in October, and wants to go to Harvard and Harvard Law School. This enthusiasm has grown from her teachers' enthusiasm and support for her success and life choices. The small classes and dedication of teachers and staff (from the administrative assistants to the Principal) of this Charter school has groomed Casey to succeed in whatever she chooses to pursue. I am eternally grateful that we can choose an alternate scholastic path based on a child's needs. We enthusiastically support this Charter school and would be lost without it.
Sincerely,
Ms. Redmond
I would be more than happy to respond to your request.
I would like to begin by saying that our home residence is directly across the street from our district High school ( Centennial ). The convenience of walking to school is an obvious one, however, we have decided that TEACH Charter High School far exceeded our expectations. When we interviewed to register our son, we were met with true professional administrators. They sat us down, gave us their full attention as we worked out Will's schedule, answered all our questions in an unhurried manner, and offered wonderful advice for his senior year.
From our own observation, this school year enrollment at our district school Centennial HS, is way over-crowded. The increase in student population does not make it conducive to a healthy learning environment. Living directly across from the district HS campus, we have also observed and witnessed illegal student behavior.
As a parent, it is my upmost responsibility, to make choices, and to research the most suitable, healthy and safe learning environment for my children.
I believe TEACH has a superior learning environment. The teachers are caring, and willing, they make themselves available to the needs of their students. I am so very thankful that we as taxpayers have choices in deciding where we want our children educated, I value public school education. If TEACH Charter HS was not available, I would have know recourse but to send my children to Private School.
In closing my letter, I want to Thank You Mr. Cokavci for your excellent leadership skills, developing your faculty to understand the needs of each individual student, by treating them with dignity and respect, and most importantly, the structure and discipline that you maintain your school allowing the students to perform at their highest potential, I am forever grateful.
Sincerely
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Flanagan
We are delighted with the learning experience we have received at TEACH.
We chose TEACH for our son Andrew because of its strong focus on academic success, personal administrative attention to every individual, culture of learning, and safe environment.
TEACH's focus on learning creates a culture that demonstrates to the student body the importance of academic success. The smaller student body assures that no child is lost in the crowd. The teachers daily demonstrate a genuine interest in the success of each student and have been given an environment where there interest does not get overwhelmed by a crowd.
Our experience with traditional public schools was very disappointing for all of the reasons reported daily in the press. We undertook the financial and personal burden to homeschool Andrew rather than continue to subject him to that environment. If TEACH were not available we would not return Andrew to public school, we would feel forced to continue his education through alternate means.
Mr. Powell
In my opinion, Avinash could not have been in a better school. He is so much enjoying the school and his teachers. I truly feel this will be a great stepping stone to collage, I have been involved with TEACH and was a VP of schools PVO. The school has come a long way and the children are the benefactors of such hard work and dedications of the teachers. They are all highly experienced, friendly and teaches in the manor in which the students are able to understand.
Thank you TEACH for all you are doing.
Mr. Parmar
Me and my son's experiences at TEACH for the past two years has been nothing less than great. He has learned quite a bit while attending TEACH. The classes and course descriptions have been at a level where I feel all schools should be. The teachers and faculty have been very instrumental in his learning process. You know you have great teachers when they take time out during the year to come to your home in order to meet you. Although our children are very important to us, sometimes you just cannot make it to the school due to other obligations. It is very hard for me to get away from work due to my job (I work in healthcare).
So to have the teacher come out to me or to stay in contact with me via emails is something truly unheard of within the school system. I understand that all teachers at all of the schools in the district should be doing this but lets be honest - they don't. I truly appreciate TEACH and all it has to offer to my son. He has always talked about being a Gamer and this school will give him the basics in which to make that a reality for him.
I have nothing but great things to say about the school. I look forward to two more years of excelling. Thank you for all you do.
Mrs. Blount
I am very impressed with both Fulton teach and your sister school. As a single sole custodial parent I have always been in charge of my children's education. We have only been living her a little over a year and you cant help but compare schools. Of all the schools private and public Jessica has attended, the way you run your school .rules but inviting challenges .I am impressed. You are better then the private schools I have had experience with,of course financially there's no competition.
1. The teachers and staff made you feel like they were really concerned about your child, not just another number, Jessica gets lost in public schools so she becomes invisible,. I feel you want the kids to succeed but don't stress them out and make that what your school is all about. The teachers are more approachable and easier to communicate with then any private school we've encountered, you expect in private schools specialized attention, whether academically or socially. Our experience with your high school so far has been far more then I expected. If there was a perfect school size, academically and up-to date on every aspect, even school nutrition and wellness. You are the winner by far!
2. The teachers and after school activities, your publications PPV ,access to what's happening, new technology..
So far my whole family is pleased with both your school and Fulton Science. We feel honored to be a part of this winning team. The fact that you look for feedback is another wonderful thing. Ater having a terrible experience at Jessica's last private school, I knew I couldn't make any more mistakes, socially and academically I finally can rest my head at night because of T.E.A.C.H. I hope each day gets better for Jessica, she's needs a little help socially but Miss Davidson and I have been in touch!
Thank you for giving Jessica the opportunity to have this wonderful education for her two last years of high school.
Sincerely,
Ms. Berkowitz (Lowenstein)
There were several reasons we chose TEACH for Alec.
1. The technology emphasis
2. Small class size
3. Small school size
4. Robotics team
5. The students impressed us as respectful and happy with the school
6. The office staff was very personable
7. Alec liked the physical setting of the school
8. We met some parents and students over the summer through the robotics program who spoke very highly of the school
9. Alec has always been in private school, and TEACH is more like a private school setting
10. During the school tour, it appeared that TEACH values personal learning styles of children
11. It appears that learning is valued by the students
12. It seems that bullying is easier to handle and less tolerated at TEACH
13. I feel my child will be noticed at TEACH
Ms. Kennedy Booth, M.S.
Adoption Consultant
Thank you so much for the update regarding the Charter School. As you are aware Bryana Smith has been in attendance since the 6th grade. I am so grateful for the opportunity in having my child in a Charter School. There is a significant difference from public school environment than Charter School. The smaller classroom size is so much better for learning. The uniforms has made a big difference in Bryana values in regards to social acceptance. Also teacher, staff and overall standards has been a plus. Thank you Fulton Science and Teach for a wonderful teaching experience Bryana has loved learned and is eager to further her education.
Sincerely,
Ms. Smith-Anderson
Our family decided to try TEACH as an alternative to the over crowding of the public schools. Here in Alpharetta, It's not uncommon for schools to be bursting at the seams with portables as a solution. Our daughter, Chelsea had the good fortune of attending a private school, (6+7) where the student belonged to a, "family" rather than an institution. My husband and I decided, after Chelsea attended her 8th grade year at River trail Middle School that a smaller school could provide more of that one-on-one attention Chelsea had grown used to.
TEACH is particularly beneficial due to it's focus on computer interfacing. The Smart Board technology allows us easy access to what's been covered during each days lessons.
The uniforms are another aspect of TEACH that add a special, organized theme to the school and it's focus. I like that each child comes to school with an expectation of standards and learning. It joins each student to that expection setting the tone.
TEACH is a wonderful school that provides opportunities for all the students due to the nature of the school. Chelsea is able to be a big fish in a small pond, rather than a small fish in a very very big pond.
I feel sure that Chelsea's academic success in high school will be because of TEACH and the wonderful faculty supporting the students.
Sincerely,
Mrs. & Mr. Uhrich
What makes TEACH a good school to me is Derricka gets a chance to meet all cultures of life and have a lot of one on one with her peers and teachers, her education is highly important to me and her father. TEACH is a mother dream come true smaller class room and dedicated teacher to each and every student in making them know they can achieve any dream their mind is set on doing.
Ms. Johnson
Dear Avni:
We decided to put Delbert at TEACH based on the following critical factors:
(1) Delbert likes small school environment and performs better;
(2) TEACH's faculty are quire responsive and work with individual students;
(3) Delbert likes technology and we like TEACH integrating technology in all classes.
Thanks
Ms. Chan
I chose to send my daughter to TEACH because I have heard that it is a good school. I moved into the school district to be able to send her here. She is learning a lot and the environment is close knit and safe. The faculty is kind and caring; I feel that she is not just a number but a student. Relying so heavily on the computer for their work I believe gives them more opportunities for advancement because it requires them to be more responsible and to hone the computer skills necessary in today's society. I like her having the smaller class sizes and being in a smaller school. I believe that it is this caring attitude that encourages kids to do better in school and that is the reason that TEACH has higher test scores. Thank you for being there for my daughter.
Sincerely,
Ms. Madhlom
Our family is looking forward to enjoying our third year at TEACH. There are many wonderful things at your school but the most rewarding things for us are the computers, the school size and the class size. I love the computer system because we are able to quickly assess the status of our children at TEACH. Most of your teachers keep their lessons assignments and marks updated which has not been our experience at other Fulton County schools. This has been very helpful to us as we have been able to use this to train our children to be proactive on completing work and studying for tests. The school size has helped them not feel lost or like just another number and the class size and teachers have made them feel that they are important. The other thing that I love about the size is that in the larger schools they would never be able to be in any of the clubs but at TEACH you don't have to be a superstar to be involved.
I have one other child that is in a regular high school and he has not been able to find a club that has room for him to contribute but Michael has been able to join several organizations at TEACH.
Thank you,
Mrs. & Mr. Kandler
Dear Mr. Cokavci,
Our choice of TEACH for our children, James (10th) and Jennifer (11th), stems from our desire for a customized high school . . .a responsive, personable, and relevant education experience.
In our short time with your school, you and your staff have been very responsive to the unique needs of our family. In fact, Your staff is also extremely personable . . . even you and Mr. Sercan address each student by name.
The course selection at TEACH is definitely relevant in today's society. . .Jennifer and James have the benefit of excellent computer training, foreign languages at advanced levels, and a wide selection of electives to choose from.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with feedback regarding our positive experience with TEACH. Please keep up the good work. These kids are the future!
Warm regards,
Ms. Char
The 2009-2010 school year has recently begun. I have the honor, and I am very proud to say that my child Jahlier Banks attends T.E.A.C.H. Charter High School this year! Jahlier is currently a new student transferring from Centennial High School. He is currently a sophmore. I was very interested in my child attending this school based on the student teacher ratio's, the academic programs, and the achievements of the school thus far, as well as the teacher backgrounds in specific curriculums. In my reserach over the past couple of months, the involvement that the staff has given with sending out communication via email to returning students and new students have allowed me to be involved in all of their past and current achievements. I believe that the school academically is challenging and rewarding! The staff is very helpful, enthusiastic, friendly and pleasant. They embrace all the students and parents with open arms, with their warm personalities.
Furthermore, they are very engaged in the responsibility of achieving a succesful academic school year. I believe that in order for a child to have a successful education you have to have a teachers that have a "strong" involvement in a childs learning. All children learn different. But T.E.A.C.H Charter High School gives a warm welcome that no matter what challenges you may have or face academically you can get the MOST out of education with their awesome academic programs that they offer. The teachers ensure that the students will receive the most out of their teaching experiences. This has been achieved and acknowledged within the past 4 years with being the "Best Class Charter High School in Fulton County"!!! If any parent is looking for a school that interacts with their child T.E.A.C.H is the school for your child to attend! My family is sharing a pleasant experience thus far. I would like to see many more years of T.E.A.C.H Charter High.
Thank you!
Ms. Banks
I am very pleased to give you some feedback of our experiences at TEACH over the last 2-years.
We have had a positive academic experience with Ian. He seems to be doing better than what he might have done in public school with larger teacher-student ratio. He is more confident in his himself and although he is not yet fully maximizing his potential he has the confidence to do so if that challenge is put on him.
His graded show he is grasping content well with ONLY in-class instruction as there is very little if any homework so far. I think this plays against Ian somewhat physiologically. He feels (as is the common thought around the school) that the students are not given homework and classes are easier so that the kids can pass.. basically further stimulating the perception that the school has attracted trouble/failing kids that no one else will have.. so this was a school for dummy's or losers.! As a parent, who has seen his kid flourish in this environment, it is a weekly reminder to Ian that his perception is wrong, he and other kids are doing better here than they would elsewhere.
Much of this success is due to a) class size b) teacher passion and commitment towards the kids b) personal rapport between students and teachers c) teacher-parent rapport.
Ian was interested due to the focus on science and technology. And YES, we have seen so much focus from teachers and school administration on competitions at local, regional and state level. I am so grateful to the school and especially the teachers for this as I did not see that from the public school my older on went to 4-years ago.
The focus to start creating a strong school resume/achievements is a good thing in the long term although the students may not always see that.
Better communications around the plan for the year, the deadlines, commitment and effort required would be a good thing to ensure more kids take advantage of these opportunities.
I also feel that the Robotics program is one of the main reasons why Ian continues to come here. Not just because I am actively helping to coach the team, but because he has learned so much through the program and competitions.
Due to the cultural mix there appears to be a split in the student body from a social perspective. I don't know how to fix this, but I think the school may consider more social gatherings planned by students to bridge this gap. They need more freedoms to express themselves and get to know each other.
Student council is not working well... they have been many rifts and agendas that keep them from being effective and cohesive.
Discipline and control of the students has been a little over board in not just the opinion of the students, but also me as a parent. Some of this was caused by the fact that it was needed in the first couple of years to address problems with the problem kids... However there is also the factor of the individuals in that position how they tool their job too far and used intimidation and control, versus trying to positively challenge the kits to step up and earn the respect of the administration and vice versa.
Food needs to get better... Kids don't like what they get. Ian has stopped eating in. he brings his lunch as a result.
Sports curriculum is hampered by facilities limitations.
I can't say enough about the teachers and their personal energy and time commitment to the students. I really appreciate that as a parent.
I am very appreciative of the change in style that you as a leader of this school brought in the last year. I know the PVO responded to the collaborative, open communications with you and your staff. I know it can only get better as we can build on this trust and respect in 2009-2010...
I hope these ramblings of a parent are helpful as you look forward to the continuance of the charter.
Mr. Fraser
I wish I had known about TEACH 2 years ago! I heard about TEACH through a friend at the end of the school year 08-09. I began to research the school and its accomplishments and I was very impressed by the many high achievements and awards with which the school had been honored. I believe the curriculum using the laptop program is awesome and a great fit for my son's particular needs. My son said he liked the idea of the technology enriched program and agree with the schools philosophy that technology is key. After visiting and touring TEACH I was blown away by the friendliness of everyone I met and I had no doubt that the Administration, Faculty and Staff are dedicated to the success of the school and the success of each individual student as well.
Thanks so much!
Ms. Adams
Our daughter, Jennifer, is enjoying her experience at TEACH. As a new resident of the US (fifteen months ago), she loves the diversity of the student population.
She has made several friends that speak Russian so she feels better able to express herself and share her personality.
Additionally, she has spoken highly of all her teachers and the helpfulness of the office staff. She is also very excited to receivie the laptop next week!
As her parents, my husband and I are especially glad that she feels accepted and validated by her peers. We appreciate the fact that the classroom size is smaller than the traditional public schools too. We know she has a wonderful opportunity to receive a superior education. As in our daughter's case, we knew the large public high school was not a good fit, so we are thankful that an alternative option like TEACH is available.
Sincerely,
Ms. Sims
So far I have enjoyed the care and concern shown by faculty and staff. This school has a high leve of priority for learning, and that's what parents want for their children. Justin, is still facing some challenges with transportation time; however, I feel that with time to adjust to a new schedule he will feel better about being there. My son is a bright student and the small classrooms should work well for him, but with all kids they have to adjust leaving a school where they were more comfortable with friends and associates. I look forward to working with the school as much as possible.
Sincerely,
Ms. Jackson
My husband and I are very pleased at TEACH. We are so thankful that this opportunity exists. My son, Kaelin Jones, has continued his education from Fulton Science Academy to TEACH because of their excellent educational program....TEACH has proved to be equally as impressive. The staff and teachers are eager for the students to be successful. TEACH makes the best educational opportunity available to students of Fulton County.
Sincerely,
Ms. Jones
It quite privilege to be with you at TEACH Charter High especially as the school come to prove it's organization as one of strong school in the county in many subjects.
You have reflected a solid leadership and staff and continue to progress in spite of the many obstacles like any other new organization.
It is my feeling that , as you continue your hard work and devotion , TEACH will be one of the leading institution in the State.
No doubt , there are still a lot to be done ,but the institution on it's way for more success to be in the for front among the academic organizations.
We salute you and the staff at the school and will do the most we can to support you.
Wish you the best of luck,
Mr. Hamki
This is our second year at TEACH. Our son chose TEACH because of the small class size and the technology aspect of the school. He enjoys the interactive boards in each classroom and the idea of completing homework and tests on the laptop. We have been pleased with TEACH. The administration and teachers have been wonderful to work with. We sincerely hope that the charter term is renewed. TEACH is very unique and gives parents and students another option for their educational learning.
Sincerely,
Ms. Lutz
Anne and I appreciate your assistance this past Saturday. The process went more quickly than we expected and we are happy to report that Nick received a nomination from Congressman Tom Price to the US Merchant Marine Academy. He awaits news of a second a possible second nomination from Senator Saxby Chambliss. We also found out today that he passed the medical examination. His application has been submitted and we want to thank all the staff at TEACH in helping him to prepare it, and their recommendations. Final word of acceptance or denial will not come until the Spring, but we are most thankful to TEACH for everything regardless of the outcome.
Warm Regards,
Mrs. & Mr. Batson
We just found out and have informed Nick that he received an appointment to the US Merchant Marine Academy. Many thanks to everyone at TEACH for making this day happen.
Warm regards,
Mr. Batson
Vice President - Operations
Leprechaun Promotions
The reason I decided to send Nick to TEACH is that my son is one of those children that keep to themselves. He is able to branch out more in a smaller class size and thus able to make friends. Another reason we sent him to TEACH is I feel they better serve my son in academics then a traditional high school would. The teachers there always put the children before anything else and their goals for Nick and mine are the same, we all want to see him succeed. I feel the entire staff at TEACH has my sons best interests at heart, they all know him, and they all have expectations for him to make a difference in this world as an adult. I'm so thankful for TEACH that I don't think I can put it into words.
Ms. Alfred
Michael is new this year as a Junior transfering from Milton High School. We decided on teach for three reasons:
1. Smaller class sizes
2. The focus on Technology
3. The opportunity to more easily take college classes as a senior.
Mr. Stott
Mr. Cokavci,
Please find information about our TEACH experience below:
A. Overall, I believe Zane's time at TEACH has been a positive one. As with any transition from middle school to high school, there are a few bumps in the road. We choose TEACH due to the smaller class sizes, technology focus, and proximity to where we live.
B. One of the biggest selling points of TEACH was the emphasis on a more personalized teaching experience; due to the smaller class sizes each teacher can better monitor their students and keep track of their progress.
C. Another is the communication between teacher and student. Most teachers and staff go out of their way to advise parents of when the student is not achieving and providing after school counseling to help the student succeed.
D. Some the negatives of this type of high school is the lack of sports and other extra-curricular activity. Another disadvantage is the limited school bus schedule and not going to the same school as some of his neighbors and friends.
Best regards,
Mr. Howard
Zane's dad
My daughter Norie James is a first year scholar (freshman) at TEACH Charter High School. She has thoroughly enjoyed her first two weeks of school every conversation that we have had thus far has been positive.
During Norie's seventh and eighth grade years I began researching high schools Norie and I had visited about six that we were interested in. Because we live in South County I had not considered TEACH Charter because I was skeptical about the whole commute issue. Throughout Norie's eighth grade year I spoke to several KIPP alumni who were students at TEACH and they were happy.
I attended a High School at KIPP WAYS and heard the presentation for TEACH and my interest was peaked. At that point I went to the TEACH website and I really began to consider TEACH as a choice. Once I attended an open house for prospective students I was impressed with the class sizes, with the access that the students have to the teachers which was similar to KIPP, in fact TEACH had many systems that were similar to KIPP's.
Towards the end of the 09 school term Norie had an opportunity to visit TEACH during the school day, when we discussed her day the decision was made. Since I made my decision to send my child to TEACH the staff has been accommodating and very cooperative, my questions and concerns have been addressed with ease. I look forward to a good team relationship with the school and my daughter receiving a "Top Notch Education"
Thank you,
Ms. Babino
5th Grade Social Studies Teacher
We are really happy to send our daughter to TEACH.To be frank we never knew that there was a charter school by this name but one day we received a letter about this school.We came to the school premises and spoke to the teachers and we decided to send our daughter and when we found out how well the teachers as well as the students were comitted we decided to continue her schooling in TEACH.We like the dedication of the teachers and the small school claassroom size so that each child gets individual attention .We really are greatful to the Teachers and appreciate their hard work.Hope their experience in Teaching to our kids will give the same benefit for the children who will be a part of TEACH in the future.
Ms. Saraswathi
Padmini's mom
Thank you for your email and I hope that you are enjoying the new school year! Jessica Owens is very happy to be in your class.
I want to thank you for being a great role model for Jessica and other students at TEACH in encouraging the learning of math. Our society needs to encourage students, especially girls, to pursue the mathematical studies at the advanced levels. Your teaching style and your passion for the subject has made a positive impression with my daughter. Thank you and very best wishes for a successful school year!
Ms. Owens
Well where do I begin? I actually started with my son he was going to be a freshman and I preferred him to go to a smaller environment especially coming from FSA I just didn't think a big school could offer him the smaller class ratio and more one on one like FSA did and TEACH . That's why I chose my kids to go to charter school. My kids have gone to public school elementary and I had no problems but for middle school and High school I preferred the way to go would be charter and knock on wood I have not had no any problems so far.
Mr. Hussain
Hello Mr. Cokavci,
First of all, I have nothing but great and positive things to say about TEACH. My daughter Tabitha Green is currently in 11th grade and has attended TEACH since the 9th grade. She has gained invaluable experience and is truly flourishing at TEACH due to the fact that each staff members truly show evidence of commitment and time to ensure each student will succeed in the future. The level of communications between the student, teacher, and the parent keeps everyone informed of the progress and if there are any signs of issues or needs improvement, those will be met immediately and resolved.
I sincerely want to thank everyone at TEACH for my child's success.
thanks,
Mr. Song
My son is a freshman at TEACH this year. The process to choose his high school was long and hard. We went to open houses, interviewed teachers and administrators, spoke to other parents and searched the internet for any and all kinds of feedback. We are fortunate to be in a school district where we had three very good public school choices not to mention many private school options.
Trying to stay within our economic means, we narrowed our choices to the three public school options: Chattahoochee HS, North Springs HS and TEACH. We chose TEACH for three reasons: Technology, size and location.
Technology is our son's main interest. Although the other schools had some kind of computer technology classes, we felt TEACH was more advanced and focused on computer science. Although TEACH is still young, we really felt the school would work with any group of students that wanted to increase the school educational experience. We feel TEACH will help these students find a way to enhance the education that already exists which in turn will strengthen the school itself.
Although we did have some concerns that TEACH was too small we were willing to help grow the school by being part of its growth. The larger schools can offer more choices but the overcrowding lessens any of those benefits. We do have concerns regarding limited number of AP classes but we are betting that more will be added as our freshman continues through his high school career. The administration has repeatedly voiced their willingness to help every student succeed to his potential.
For us the location on Old Milton Parkway is very convenient. Being able to participate in after school activities is important. With less drive time we are able to do more.
So far this school year has started very well. We are very pleased with our decision and look forward to our four years of high school. Our 8th grader will be attending TEACH next year. TEACH is a perfect fit for our "techie" sons and we are thankful to be a part of its growth.
Sincerely,
Mrs. & Mr. Morgan
My son, Stetson was introduced to TEACH Charter High from his high school placement counselor, Ms. Willis from KIPP South Fulton Academy. Since Stetson wants to become a Computer Programmer, we were very interested in what TEACH Charter High has to offer. Stetson started out as a Freshman and this is his Sophomore year. We are both looking forward to his graduation day from TEACH. Stetson likes this school because it has technology based classes and all the students get their own laptops for the school year. It has an enhanced learning environment via laptops and Smart Boards. It also prepares Stetson for the future on becoming a Computer Programmer.
Some of the things I like about TEACH Charter High are, I can view Stetson's grades on T-Connect and correspond with his teachers any time. I like that the school's dress code is wearing uniforms. The school offers reduced rate Marta Cards for the students. The teachers, principal and staff are dedicated to the students and are available to the parents. The teachers make home visits a priority to better understand the students and their environment at home. I would recommend TEACH Charter High to my family and friends because it is a school that I believe will be beneficial to our children in the future.
Sincerely,
Ms. Mitchell
