Atlanta Elementary Schools - In Crisis Mode

Posted on February 4, 2011 by atlantadecaturhomes

Many DeKalb County School are currently being evaluated for closure.  The DeKalb County School Board is considering a Re-districting Proposal which could close 12 elementary schools in DeKalb County.  Public input workshops are ongoing and approval of the re-districting and school consolidation recommendations should be accomplished by March 7, 2011.

 

Home Values are affected by the quality of neighborhood schools

When Homebuyers are looking for a home, most Buyers put the quality of the local schools high on their “must have” list.  Even Buyers who don’t have children demand good schools as a primary consideration for the home they purchase.  Consequently, in neighborhoods where schools are well-run and provide exemplary education, property values tend to remain stronger, even in depressed market. 

 

Emory Area elementary schools

The neighborhood elementary schools located near Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are considered to be some of the best in the County, with consistently high test scores and awards for excellence in education.

However, the recent decision by the DeKalb County School Board to close 12 elementary schools in the County has stirred neighborhood groups to unite in anger and opened a hornet’s nest of controversy.  With overcrowing in some schools and decreased attendance in others, the ultimate decision on which schools to close will be difficult, as no decision will please all parents.

Fernbank Elementary is one of the highest ranked elementary schools in DeKalb County, founded in 1959 by a group of Emory University families and serving as a neighborhood school for children in the proximity of Emory University and CDC.  Fernbank Elementary is located in the heart of historic Druid Hills and sits across the street from the Fernbank Science Museum and Planetarium.  Fernbank is well known  for its excellent academic record.

Medlock Elementary is also located within the Emory Area and has served as a leader in educating children from the County’s diverse population and the surrounding community of over 900 homes.  Medlock also maintains a successful Special Needs Program for 3 and 4-year olds.  Medlock has been named by DeKalb County as one of the possible 12 schools slated to close in a the difficult re-districting decision.

Oak Grove Elementary is another high-performing elementary school with numerous awards for outstanding achievement in education, located on Oak Grove Road within the Emory Area.

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Emory Grove - Historic Atlanta Neighborhood

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Emory Grove is a historic neighborhood of bungalow-style homes, built in the latter part of 1939 and early 1940's by L. Neal Smith, a prominent builder of the time.  Mr. Smith's original advertisement read, "Emory Grove, a community of durable and artistic homes owned by conservative cultured Americans".  Emory Grove consists of 3 streets, Princeton Way, Westminster Way, and Edinburgh Terrace, as well as a few homes along North Decatur Road.  Three Parks with baseball fields, walking areas, playgrounds, tennis courts and picnic areas are located within the neighborhood itself.

Mr. Smith then  emphasized the convenience to schools from kindergarten through University without crossing a thoroughfare, the location of Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist Churches within 4 blocks, paved streets and Park areas in each block, "where the investment of a reasonable sum of money plus well made plans will insure to those fortunate and wise enough to investigate, both a comfortable home and an opportunity to grow with one of the most ideally located communities in or around Atlanta".  By the end of the second year, the area was 96% developed and owner occupied, although there were only a few homes on North Decatur Road at the time.

As the subdivision was built during the Depression/World War II years, most families had litle money and very few owned automobiles.  The women on the street liked to go to into Atlanta shopping and would ride the trolley, which ended at Emory Village.  During inclement weather, it was necessary to get a taxi to reach the Village.  Claude Jones had a Ford Sedan that belonged to his father and he ran the taxi service, charging 5 cents.

The original owners of this new subdivision were young couples who moved here to raise their families.  Arthur Hutchins was one of the early homeowners and was the first GBI agent in Georgia - the only one for some time.  The famous Presbyterian Minister, Peter Marshall, and his wife, Catherine, who wroter, "A Man Called Peter", lived in the Honeymoon Cottage, until they moved to Washington, D.C.

Except for the traffic, the area remains much the same today. It's  a vibrant, busy community with close neighbors and family-friendly Park events. Many of the homes have been renovated and updated, and new homeowners are enjoying the convenience to schools, shopping, and close-by restaurants.

In 2000, Emory Grove was listed on the Historic National Register, which protects the neighborhood from encroachment and maintains the integrity and scale of the homes.  Although surrounded by retail ventures and less than a mile from Emory University, Emory Grove is a charming oasis in the bustling City of Atlanta.