Morningside Elementary School in Atlanta

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	10/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Georgia Milestones End-of-Course (EOC) Assessment data from Georgia Governor's Office of Student Achievement, and using 2025 Georgia Milestones End-of-Grade (EOG) Assessment data from Georgia Governor's Office of Student Achievement.
Student Growth	7/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from Georgia Governor's Office of Student Achievement.

Posted: March 25, 2026

We have had an amazing experience under the principal Baron and vice principal Dr Sinclair Both whom have demonstrated great leadership under a very parent involved setting. A Great teacher in 3rd instructor Mrs. Holly Action .Yes. We have faced different challenges. Most schools are faced with behavioral changes that are not just challenges for school and administrators. Its a different time students entitlement and behavioral development should start at home. Morningside staff have done an amazing job dealing with modern day parental involvement and student diversity . High academic performance.stands out as one of the top educational elementary schools in Atlanta and the state of Georgia. Highly recommended

Posted: October 17, 2025

We are so fortunate to have our new principal, Mr. Baron, at the helm of the school. He is kind and compassionate but also fair and equitable.

This school is why we moved to this area of Atlanta and we are thrilled we did. Our kids love attending school here and constantly talk about their teachers, friends, and even the administrators (Mr. Baron and Dr. Sinclair) at least once a week.

The academic programming is solid and supportive. The entire experience at Morningside is what elementary should be.

Posted: April 25, 2025

MES is one of those places you either love or hate. Unfortunately, our family's experience has not been positive.

Bullying: Our child experienced severe bullying that was never appropriately addressed. The incidents were serious enough that, had they occurred in a private school setting, the student responsible likely would have been expelled. However, at MES, the administration was slow to respond. During this delay, the bullying continued daily. When the school finally acknowledged that our child was being bullied, the consequences for the bully were minimal. That student continues to intimidate others till this day, yet neither the school nor the district has taken meaningful action. Weve also heard disturbing stories about children with autism being bullied with little to no intervention.

Quality of Instruction: Our experience with the teaching staff has been inconsistent. Weve had some truly excellent teachers but also some very disappointing ones. That kind of variability might not be unique to MES, but its concerning nonetheless. Academically, MES lacks rigor. If your child is advanced or highly motivated, they may feel under-challenged and bored. The school leans heavily on digital learning, with much of the instruction taking place on Chromebooks and through various apps. Learning materials are scattered across different platforms, making it difficult for parents to stay informed or support their children effectively at home. For students who excel in math, differentiation is often handled through a low-quality, self-paced program called IXL. Its not engaging and offers minimal enrichment for higher-performing students.

Social Environment: Weve met some truly wonderful families through MES, and were grateful for them. However, weve also encountered a cliquish atmosphere among some parents. There are also social dynamics that concern us. We've observed some parents allowing their children to grow up too fastfull makeup, super short crop tops at school, and adult-like behavior among very young kids. It feels out of place for an elementary school environment.

When our child was starting kindergarten, we toured both Mary Lin and MES. In hindsight, I regret not choosing Lin. The environment at Lin felt warmer, more inclusive, and more grounded. Their educational approach emphasizes traditional pen-and-paper learning over excessive reliance on digital tools.

Posted: April 25, 2025

Posted: February 7, 2025

Im glad I came here to check reviews. Obviously its not just me who has a problem with Dr. Sinclair. She may be the worst administrator I have ever encountered. Reactive, ill-equipped, and biased! I cant believe she is allowed to continue with her responsibilities. She gives Morningside a huge downgrade!

Posted: February 7, 2025

Posted: April 17, 2024

The principal at this school is terrible. Its all about appearances. Everything is shiny and new except the same old lack of empathy and genuine care and concern. Time to get some new leadership! The assistant principal seems to have been moved out of discipline which is good. I heard she didnt do anything.

Posted: April 17, 2024

Posted: November 14, 2023

It is time for someone to ask why Morningside elementary only has 1 counselor for 900+ students. Part of the reason is because they have a lot of students who qualify for gifted. The gifted teachers all somehow qualify as support staff which means the students who are not gifted and have no contact with the gifted teachers, all have to rely on one counselor.

It is easy to see why there have been 4 different counselors at Morningside in the last 4 years. If it's not working for the adults, how do you think it's working for the kids?

The students at Morningside are generally performing above grade level. It's mostly because they come from well educated homes. This seems great at first glance. However, the students are pushed to continue making "progress" so that the school has good data. What this looks like in a classroom setting is a never ending push for more "growth" Students in a 3rd grade classroom made to use a computer program to teach themselves 6th grade level math. Students in a 5th grade classroom so far above grade level in reading that they use a computer program to learn about symbolism and figurative language on an 8th grade level.

What these students need is real connection, not computer programs and MAP tests to give them anxiety.

Pretty soon these kids will need more than a counselor who already has 900 kids to look after.

Tell the administrators it's not right. Stand up for your children. Let them enjoy school instead of being pressured to perform for the State of Georgia and its precious data. Better yet, skip Morningside all together and enroll your children somewhere that you won't have to fight for them to be treated like the children they still are.

Posted: November 14, 2023

Posted: October 18, 2023

We have two students at MES and couldnt be happier with the support and development that our kids receive from the teachers and staff.

Posted: October 18, 2023

Posted: September 4, 2023

My child was bullied at Morningside. I reported it to administration and the teacher using their own bullying report form after it was offered from the classroom teacher.

Without any contact with parents, the school held a bullying committee meeting. It was decided that my child was not bullied during this meeting. Neither myself or my spouse was notified or asked to give any input for the meeting. We received an email after the fact letting us know my child was not bullied. I contacted a teacher on the committee and she stated I mostly just went along with it when I explained the situation to her.

My child was also being evaluated for special education services during this time period but they felt comfortable interviewing my child alone and without my permission anyway. The school principal was the one is charge of all of this.

I strongly believe they did this to keep their bullying numbers down without any regard for student welfare. We moved away to get out of this district and I encourage you to do the same.

There are many tactics used to inflate data without any real concern for student welfare. This school is only good because the parents are all doctors/lawyers and the students have a lot of support and means at home.

Its not good because of the leadership, that is for sure.

Posted: September 4, 2023

Posted: November 9, 2021

We have witnessed Morningside slip from what we would rate 4 stars to 2. The scores are high mostly b/c you have a base of mostly privileged students who enter the school with a very strong learning base, and very well-educated and driven parents. Also, there is little issue with language barriers due to the fact that the student base lacks some diversity. Our experience with Special Ed has been very disappointing- they are more concerned with legalities than actually helping the children become life-long learners. It used to be you could schedule a conference when needed. Now, not likely. For the taxes paid, the school should have more to offer, more inclusion, more focus on social-emotional, and it feels very transient to us. Of course, all of that has been magnified by COVID. At this point it feels like they are using COVID as an excuse for providing a sub-optimal experience. Don't get me wrong, some of the teachers are stand-out, but you never know who you are going to get. It seems like the grade level teachers are either above-and-beyond, or just going through the motions. I don't know if this is across the board, but they weigh heavily on youtube and free programs to teach many of the lessons, so It seems disorganized. And too many platforms to communicate assignments. It seems like it would be easy to turn this back into a wonderful school, but maybe politics seem to get in the way. They also are suffering from teacher shortages and heavy turnover. This also might be across the board, resulting from COVID- I have not discussed with friends with children at other schools in town. I wish could have moved our kids into private during COVID, even for remote learning We will probably have to move out of the city.

Posted: November 9, 2021

Posted: May 6, 2015

LOOOOVE this school. Our son has learned so much. We were debating private but why would we leave? The school does more than most private schools as far as I can tell from my friend AND my child is far nicer and polite than some of the private school kids.

Posted: February 4, 2014

I have a daughter in 1st grade at MES. Good school, mixed reviews on the teachers, some are outstanding.. but competitive parents help to drive their children to exceed expectations. That competitiveness also affects internal politics but that is at every school so you have to work with it or around it. Overall if you are a vigilant parent they will do well at MES and volunteer to learn how everything works, your child will benefit from your knowledge.

Posted: January 12, 2014

Our experience at MES has been great. Our daughter has been there for 3 years. One year proved especially challenging because of a new teacher, the school and principal were very helpful. We worked through it together. As for class sizes - sure they're a little bigger than we'd like but that's a byproduct of the school's success: families move to Morningside because the school is so good. I find the vast majority of teachers motivated, caring and professional - let me know if you find a public school where all the teachers are amazing, I'll move there now. Becky the principal is incredibly hard working, down to earth and sure sometimes she can be tough to pin down, but that's because she work's incredibly hard for our kids. I have never had a problem just talking directly to her before or after school, or grabbing a quick conversation in the hall way. The parental involvement makes MES special too. Each kid is different, every school has its good points and bad. . on the whole MES has so many more positives than negatives. Our daughter and her friends are all varying levels of academic ability, but they are all polite, confident and happy.

Posted: August 29, 2013

This is the second year my girls have been at Morningside and the second year that school was not organized or ready for the start of the school year. Events and meetings for parents have been poorly organized and communicated or cancelled without notification. The principal lacks professionalism and sincerity. She encourages parents to reach out to her but doesn't respond to email or voicemail messages. Overall a frustrating and disappointing experience.

Posted: February 26, 2013

Atlanta public schools are not intrested in helping kids who have minor learning disabilities who are diganosed with ADHD and or Dyslexia.

Posted: November 28, 2011

I attended Morningside throughout elementary school, and I could not have been better prepared for the private middle school (Westminster) I attended. Morningside is, to put it fantastically, an almost magical place for a child to attend. The teachers are kind, helpful, and knowledgeable, and I had never experienced problems of bullying or popularity until middle school. Teachers and students are well connected with one another, and students form long-lasting friendships with equally kind and eager classmates. The best program at M'side is the Challenge program, in my opinion. I'm running out of characters, so basically if you get anything out of this review, understand that, when I moved onto middle school, I had an equal or better education than some of my friends who attended private elementary school, so never doubt a public school elementary education. I'll remember M'side fondly for the rest of my life, and hope I can send my kids to a school similar to it in the future. Go dolphins and MES!

#	Name	Type	City	State	Overall Rating	Distance
1	Garden Hills	Condominium/Townhouse	Atlanta	GA		3 mi
2	Heritage Farms	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Marietta	GA		19 mi

Base	Distance
Fort Gillem	12.1 mi.
Dobbins ARB	12.4 mi.

Morningside Elementary School

Atlanta, GA 30305

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