International Academy of Smyrna in Smyrna

Posted: April 22, 2024

The staff does not do a good job at communicating. Things regarding events are constantly changed at the last minute. I once got a notification about an event that occurred the same day. My child is biracial and a teacher made an inappropriate comment about hyhwir hair (That was the first time I had to speak to the staff there). But my final straw was when my scholar was put on silent lunch for defending himself against a bully and I wasnt notified until a source from the school contacted me off the record to confirm whether I had been notified because she was suprised to see him on silent lunch, because hes never in trouble. Long story short, the incident happened a week prior to me finding out and when I spoke to the principal she confirmed it wasnt documented and the counselor forgot to notify me. Theyre just unorganized, careless, and unprofessional. I do not recommend. Most of the teachers are okay but they do have a high turn over rate so expect to see new teachers every year. During my scholars 1st year, the teacher randomly quit out of the blue.

Posted: October 16, 2023

My daughter attended the school for two years, 1st and 2nd grade. I knew something wasnt right when I attended her teacher parent conference in 2nd grade and her teacher showed me work that was turned in, and not graded. I asked how was she suppose to know if its correct or not, and her response was I think its right. I brought my concern to the principle and my concerns were left unheard. My child didnt complete any homework, or project they tried to make mandatory through out the year but some how passed with honors?? I placed her in a different school and after testing in August, I was informed by her teacher that my child wasnt performing on grade level. Not only that but they offer STEM classes twice a week, and her teacher volunteer helping her once a week one on one. Thats the support I needed at IAS and never received. Dont get me started on safety!! Overall this isnt a school you would want your scholars to go to. The staff arent as friendly as they seem, and sometimes I even question why they were GIVEN the position they are in. Their turn over rate for employees are extremely high, my niece had about 3 different teacher while she was in 1st grade. If youre desperate.go there but if youre looking for an actual education then go somewhere else.

Posted: August 13, 2023

We tried this school out because we didn't want to send our child to the public school zoned for our area. We also liked the location and that they seemed more structured and enforced uniforms. The school seemed to be a great fit for our child who had to make a quick adjustment at the time. Unfortunately there was limited communication with the teachers and the school since they were transitioning from virtual learning due to the pandemic. We didn't like that most work was being done on the computer which meant less engagement with their teachers. We didn't feel like we had the support we needed from the school to help our child to be successful. The second teacher assigned to the class seemed more like a babysitter rather than teachers support. The teacher couldn't tell us anything that was beneficial to our child's education. The main teacher seemed stressed in her conversations with us. We had many questions and always felt rushed. Children, there are given too much freedom to talk out and disrupt others without proper discipline. There were very few opportunities to see any of the work that was being done by our child. We prefer to see graded assignment and test that way we know what areas may be challenging and where they can improve. There were no opportunities to get further help in the areas needed. They completely dropped the ball in supporting their students outside the school. Our child had the privilege of attending a special event and there was no support or representation from the school. We knew that our child would not be returning. Many teachers including the principal left the school since then and continue to do so each year.

Posted: May 15, 2019

We have had such a positive experience being a part of the IAS family. My daughter struggled at the school we are districted for & since moving to IAS she has thrived & is one of the highest students in her class. We love it here!

Posted: May 15, 2019

Posted: March 31, 2019

My overall experience has been positive and the community involvement, student support and atmosphere have increased considerably.

Posted: August 28, 2017

1st year at AID and we are very glad our daughters were accepted and looking forward to their learning experience and growth.

Posted: August 28, 2017

They allow the students to feel comfortable about learning without the added stress of failing by giving them practice work to continue to develop their skills in each subject.

Posted: July 31, 2017

Leadership at the school is a joke and they are totally unfit to perform their duties. Anything from suggestions to ideas either spoken or face-to-face or via email I completely ignored. The administrators barely even know the students by name and no idea how to control them. Without the ability to cast a vision how can you possibly lead a team of teachers and families?

Posted: July 31, 2017

This school does not adequately support students who either have extreme deficits or are extremely gifted due to lack of resources and knowledge.

Posted: July 31, 2017

Bullying here is a true problem and goes completely ignored. Avoidance does not create change.

Posted: July 31, 2017

Many are straight out of college or have no idea how to teach IB. Not to mention the annual turnover rate is extremely high. Would you want a dissatisfied teacher teaching your children?

Posted: July 31, 2017

There is no written code of conduct so there are no consequences when children misbehave. This type of learning should be a part of the IB program but isn't

Posted: July 31, 2017

This school is an absolute joke and should've been closed. There are so many more issues aside from just having failing test scores. The leadership is terrible and does not care about its student's, staff or families. Some of the great teachers they have been able to hire they have not been able to keep. They dont fully embrace the diversity that is IAS. Every flyer that is sent home is one that is begging for money or resources that the school should be supplying. Why doesn't the school have better community partnerships? Grants? Donations? There is truly a lot that is left unsaid and underdressed in this environment and a school cannot positively grow without those questions being answered. There needs to be a full sweep of leadership with someone who has years of experience and could come in and totally revamp that environment otherwise the state will see what every parent, staff member, and community member has been posting for the past few years on this site. This school needs help and is not adequately serving it's purpose. Please find your children a better learning environment.

Posted: July 31, 2017

No homework policy is supposedly how this school is innovative. This doesn't give children an opportunity for additional practice and is basically a cop out for the teachers making copies.

Posted: May 28, 2017

I have children who have been at IAS for 3 years and they were great. I loved it at first. I am so sad to leave but they are not an effective school academically for my children anymore. They have some great teachers but Teachers that are inexperienced can do what they want with your children. My last year was horrible and I could see my childs education declining. I would not recommend this school from this point and I hope the experienced Teachers find jobs in a more Organized and Academically advanced setting. I wish everyone who stays the best. I have better standards for my children.

Posted: May 28, 2017

Posted: April 15, 2017

Please don't let the school brainwash you just because they are about to close. I go to ias and I can count how many kids like the school on one hand. The teachers don't care about your education and lack professionalism. Teachers quit everyday and the teacher hate kids. The principal and assistant principals do no real work to better the school. The spend all of their time gossiping about students and parents with other teachers. Teacher do not teach and do not know nor want to teach. The school goes by a different grading system than the county which they manipulate. They lower how much work you need to do or how good you have to do on something to get a good grade. I could write my name on blank sheets of paper and turn them in all year and I would still get A honor roll. That is why so many parents talk about their kids getting good grades when in actuality you don't have to even try. A 4 is still a passing grade at ias. The school has 2 flat screen TVs in the cafeteria and they show the lunch menu everyday yet when it rain the roof leaks and makes the school smell like mold. I have seen cockroaches so much that I don't even like bending down to tie my shoes. The school is more concerned with how the outside and the lobby look because they like to trick parents and visitors into thinking it's a nice classy school. Do not let the name fool you. The school has 2 clubs to offer and one is detention. Teachers give away detention for anything and never know what really happened because they were on their phones taking pictures for Instagram. The school has us all trapped here because it's too late to enroll somewhere else. I REALLY NEED THE SCHOOL TO CLOSE SO THAT I CAN GO BACK TO PUBLIC. The school admin love love love to lie and they do it more than they do their real job. They make up excuses and treat kids like we live in third world countries. Student can literally get in trouble just for complaining about the school as if we live in communist North Korea. There are kids who have been at ias for 7 years and up who I know would literally do anything to leave. Please give me peace of mind and hope and let ias get closed down. If you think your zone school is worse than ias then you honestly don't even know. The elementary kids have an ok education because teachers are paid big bucks to care. Middle School however is a hot mess and no one cares about us. We could basically wander the school all day and nobody would say anything.

Posted: April 15, 2017

You could get cussed out and stomped in an empty hallway and no one would care.

Posted: April 15, 2017

Nobody at this school does anything. The admin spends most of their time setting up parties for teacher in the cafeteria with school money.

Posted: April 15, 2017

Student are the complete opposite and the admin doesn't care. Kids steal and cuss each other out and fight. Student have no respect for teachers nor admin because teachers and admin lack respect for them.

Posted: April 15, 2017

Teachers don't care about students. They only care about money so they are constantly quitting and the school will just replace them with anyone they find on the street.

Posted: April 15, 2017

Posted: April 12, 2017

I have a child that's been at IAS for two years now (1st grader this year). His two teachers have been great. We get near daily updates (Pictures, videos, etc.) from the teacher through class dojo (education app). The school texts, emails, and calls regularly to keep the communication flowing. I would strongly disagree with the reviews about lack of communication. If a parent choses any or all of these avenues of communication, it's VERY easy to be in the know about the happenings at IAS. If a person chooses not to take advantage of these avenues, they shouldn't blame the school because of it. This school has had issues with teacher turnover and test scores. Much of that has come from state funding errors (accidental, not intentional) that have had a cascade effect on the teachers' salaries and in turn the students' test scores. I'm giving a four star, not five only because I know the potential of this school. It's on the cusp of reaching that potential. And, when it happens, I'll be the first one to come back and give it the 5+ stars it deserves.

Posted: March 30, 2017

This school is terrible and the administration is poor and unable to handle parent concerns. The teacher turnover is high and teachers have poor classroom management and no support from administration. My child attended here one semester for Kindergarten and had terrible experience. Since leaving the school my child is doing great and entered into the gifted program. This school received a grade "F" on the state school report card for 2016 which is no surprise with the poor administration and teacher turnover. I would not recommend sending a child to this school. There are other schools in the Cobb School District that are much better.

Posted: March 6, 2017

Kari Schrock should be fired. She is unprofessional, rude, and I do not believe she cares about the education of the children. If she is responsible for the culture that has been developed at this school (which I would suspect as she is the Principal) it is no wonder that teachers are condescending and unresponsive.

Posted: March 6, 2017

This school does not utilize it's after school program in a way to encourage kids to learn anything but instead lets them sit in a room and charges parents $8/day.

Posted: March 6, 2017

Teachers are very petty. It is a tit for tat environment where they try to punish parents instead of working with them to better a child's education. Communication is sporadic and classroom management skills are sometimes non-existent. Should receive more communication about homework and upcoming projects and less about sending in money for school shops and dress down days.

Posted: March 6, 2017

My child has had a teacher change mid year every year she attended. Sometimes the teacher may be good at communication but that typically does not last. The school Principal Kari Schrock is unresponsive in emails and typically emails that are received from her are addressed to all parents in the school and are either solicit money or are about not bringing items (last year it was blue beads, this year it is slime) to school. She does not seem to have a concern for the education and well-being of the children in the school and it is very difficult to reach her unless you find her in person and corner her. Have had several experiences with Ms. Schrock being abrasive or demeaning. Overall, the education is okay but there is a lack of personal responsibility being taken by staff, lack of professionalism, and poor communication which starts at the top and trickles down to staff.

Posted: February 2, 2017

The Administration is very poor and was unable to meet my concerns with my child. Instead of trying to develop and work with the students, they kicked my son out.

Posted: February 2, 2017

They would send home and bad report on my son daily and when I ask about the issues they could not explain or show me what he did on the cameras. Then they basically kicked him out of school.

Posted: February 2, 2017

My son was in the two year old class when he attended and he did not have any homework.

Posted: February 2, 2017

This preschool is biased and dishonest. They only want to accept a certain types of students. They lied about my daughter being on the waiting list and did not want her at there because of so called issues with my son. My son and daughter are now at Vinings Academy and they are they are awesome. We have not had any issues.

Posted: February 1, 2017

Posted: September 28, 2016

My daughter was here for 6 months. I withdrew her after countless of emails from the teacher saying that the class was behind because they would not stop talking. I was under the impression that she could not handle her class. Needless to say my daughter went to another school and the level that those 1st graders were on was way beyond what IAS was teaching. Spent so much money on uniforms that I now can't get rid of. This school is pointless the front desk and office staff are very rude. I would not recommend this school.

Posted: September 13, 2016

My child just went into Kindergarten so I am a new parent at this school.
The communication is not good, it's impossible to know which web site you go to for what (a 1 pager with the links and for what would have been helpful), and it just seems like a never ending cycle of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.
Additionally, I've had several emails not responded to.
I'm currently contemplating removing my child and moving them to the school he/she was zoned for. The school ratings don't show it being any worse than this one.

Posted: September 13, 2016

Since my child is in Kindergarten, I feel the occasional homework assignments are adequate. I don't think at this age a multitude of homework is necessary.

Posted: September 13, 2016

Posted: April 15, 2016

the teachers are amazing- if we could keep them at our school for more than 1 or 2 years- it would be wonderful!!!! i think we lost 30+ last year, maybe 25+ the year before???? i don't know, but it's not right!!

Posted: April 15, 2016

most kids- yes, however there is a bullying issue.. i don't think kids are being help accountable for their actions... so are- some are not.... not a fair system with the kiddos..

Posted: December 8, 2015

No I do not feel that this school develops honesty, integrity and fairness in its students. Character building does not seem to be an integral part of the "rigorous" curriculum. All discussions with the children about behavior and how they should treat one another is reactionary or based on a situation that recently occurred. They are graded on character traits but character building is not on the agenda.

Posted: December 8, 2015

I am a new parent at IAS and have two children enrolled. While my children are being challenged academically, I am very unhappy with the way the administration handles bullying and other behavioral issues. The principal is hands off, will ignore your email communications and will promptly tell you (if you approach her in person) that she does not handle bullying situations. "There is a protocol and you must contact your class dean." Meanwhile, there is no written bullying policy to refer to and teachers handle the situations on an ad-hoc basis. Children are not consistently corrected for teasing each other and calling each other names. Detention is a joke. My children's self-esteem and morale have suffered significantly in the past few months and I am already looking for a new school.

Posted: December 3, 2015

Love this school my child loves it, nice environment, parents are involve with school activities!

Posted: November 12, 2015

IAS is not only a great school, but a great community. The International Baccalaureate curriculum is excellent. Some have mentioned the high turnover of teachers here and that is an issue. However, I think it reflects the high turnover of teachers in all schools recently and to the lower pay at IAS than at regular public schools. However, my kids have benefited from young energetic teachers who are not yet burned out or jaded by the realities of teaching in America today. We only had a problem with one teacher and she has been terminated. Great school!

Posted: July 9, 2015

My overall experience at IAS has been pleasant. My child had a teacher who cared about his learning and she found ways to help the class understand the subject in creative ways. The faculty and staff takes care of the students even if they are not in their classrooms. Yes, there are things that need to change but at the end of the day, I have the CHOICE to send my student to IAS.

On another note, I have read the negative reviews that I have been written about this school. Just like any school, IAS has its challenges. One being the high turnover of teachers because the school does not have the resources to pay the teachers like the county. Secondly, ALL of the administration could be more consistent, not just the Principal and the Male Asst. Principal that someone mentioned in a previous comment. In addition, parents need to be more involved in schools, which is the reason for the mandatory volunteer hours. When students know that there parents are on campus or can come to help, then they tend to act better. I have also seen that if parents will follow directions concerning uniforms, then that teaches our children that there are rules and they must be followed even if you don't agree with them (as long as they are not harming your life or the safety of the students). It takes everyone to work together in order to make a school successful... administration, staff, teachers, parents and students.

Once again, IAS is a great school and it has great potential! I look forward to many more years to come because I believe if we all work together and support one another instead of spreading negative comments, then we can be successful.

Posted: May 9, 2015

ive been there for 5 years and I don't like it I don't etherize that u take your child here just because its a charter school don't make it different from a public school

Posted: March 24, 2015

I have been at IAS for over 5 years. I have watch a school full of growth and potential be flushed away. The teacher turnover is horrible. There are more teachers in and out of the school it's like a rotating door out front. The current administration is a joke. It's sad when a parent doesn't even know who the principle is, and even worse when a student doesn't. I too have seen the "classy" picture of the leader of our school, and it saddens me that this would be put up by someone who is suppose to be a role model for our students. This is the first year I have seen any repercussions of student actions be addressed. Things need to change, the new parents coming in do not know what they are in for. I know ALOT of parents that are ready to pull their kids if things don't change soon.

Posted: March 8, 2015

We have been at IAS for five years and am very pleased. I feel like its an extension of my village. I am active in the school which makes a difference in knowing teachers and administration. Additionally, they have a strong PTA which really helps support he programs. The current principal that is there now, has passion and doing a fine job leading her administration.

Posted: January 12, 2015

i rated average only because i am hopeful that things will change at this school, otherwise it would have been 2 stars. many parents are lost with their new grading system and new no homework policy. lack of communication between parents and teachers, wrong information many times is given to parents about their children's grade, assignments, etc. too many parents are looking for other options for schooling instead of trying to stay at ias because the administration is going down hill. i hope they are not trying to set our kids up for failure. they want parents to be involved with their kid's education through volunteering and fundraising, but what about with their school work? i think ias needs to worry about their kids more- not just on how much money they are bringing in.

Posted: October 27, 2014

I currently have 3 children at IAS, and this is our 2nd year. I have nothing but great things to say about IAS it's administrative staff, and the teachers. My children are excelling and every teacher they have had challenges them to reach higher achievement. For instance. my kindergartner could barely write his name, but he came out of kindergarten writing, reading and a honor roll student. He is now in 1st grade an a straight A student. Our 5th grader is reading on a high school level, a straight A student, CRCT scores were from the 890's to the 900's, and flourishes in the gifted program headed by Mrs. C. Bush. Our 3rd grader struggled in school and was in EIP (Early Intervention Program) and when the school was preparing for the CRCT the school offered free after school tutoring and Saturday tutoring. We took advantage of this and our 3rd grader passed the CRCT without difficulty. In my opinion the a lot of the problems come from the lack of parental support.

Posted: September 9, 2014

This school has so much potential but it has become a mess. Administration is not trustworthy and I believe their act will be exposed soon. The turn over rate of teachers is high, which exposes faults from the top. They need to revamp the whole formula and get people who truly care, that's what charter schools are all about. Get people in there who do it for the KIDS.

Posted: September 4, 2014

There's a TON of new teachers every year, the current principal (beginning 2013 school year) is seemingly clueless. IAS is on a slippery slope; this year they extended enrollment and asked the parents to refer IAS to families -JOKE! My family is disappointed in everything about IAS.We followed all rules:dress code, car pool, and volunteer hours. In return we got new teachers who can't catch up and provide educational instruction expected from an IB charter school and a principal who won't return calls/emails pertaining to concerns you have about your child's educational growth. It's almost comical how she dances around or ignores questions-except for it's real life. If you are looking to send your child to a place where the principal is clearly there to get a check and not qualified to run a school (qualifications is more than a picture frame with a degree), a higher teacher turn over rate that I've ever seen (less than 45% of the staff returns) and when you get more communication of what the SCHOOL needs (volunteers and MONEY) than educational needs of the children then this is the place for your family!

Posted: September 1, 2014

The review below from the former IAS board member is probably the most honest yet. I am a former IAS consultant, volunteer and parent. Yes, the elementary division has good educators and some good parents, but 200 families didn't post ANY volunteer hours last year as required- in writing. Parents and teachers do not attend Board meetings either. And, yes, the current principal and male VP are not qualified to do their jobs, struggle with basic tasks, are never seen in a classroom, and just aren't good people, period. Yes, IAS is under-funded, the teachers often lack basic instructional materials and the school is a financial crisis or two away from shutting down. Yes, the middle school is a hot ghetto mess with the worst test scores in the district and too many bad acting and even violent students (who are never expelled) and incompetent educators, which are allowed to return year after year. And, yes, you are literally taking your life and that of your child in your hands, if you have to walk thru the carpool/ parking lot in the morning. To be honest; IAS is the struggling, poorer sister of Kennesaw Charter and should be a lot further along after 8 years. God help this school!

Posted: August 28, 2014

This is our 2nd year at IAS and we were very happy with our experience last year. I recently asked our child what she thought of the 1rst grade. Her response was "it's fun, the teachers are nice and the kids are nice". I am not on the board nor do I work behind the scenes, but I do volunteer a lot and can tell you that Principle Schrock and her staff are very hands on. There is constant activity for the students and tons of volunteer and networking opportunities for parents. While the school is not perfect, I see them making an effort. I love their IB approach, I love the fact our 6 year old talks to us about being "principled" and "reflective". Our child is learning Spanish, goes to P.E., music, art and seems to be excelling in her class. There are many changes we would like to see with the school but I believe that will come in time. I cannot speak for the middle school since we are not involved with the program, but we can tell you the elementary school staff is great. The parents I have volunteered with are very committed- it's my hope more parents will step up and bring about positive change to this school.

Posted: August 27, 2014

I am a former IAS Board member & parent. The building is nice & bright and there are some good educators. Aside from that, IAS is a very dysfunctional, grossly underfunded, underachieving school where almost 50% of the nearly all Black student body is low income. The Middle School has had the lowest Math & Science scores in Cobb for three years, fighting is rampant and my child was bullied so badly, he resorted to hiding in the restroom at lunch. Although I was on the Board, the current principal, VP and middle school teachers would not respond to my requests for meetings or help. The efforts of the Governing Board to carry out its duties were compromised by the current management company, operations manager (a founding board member) and the current principal and male vice principal. The management company and operations manager conspired to offer the current principal and male vice principal contracts for the 2014-15 school year before the Board had an opportunity to discuss their status and possibly vote to terminate them. In almost 20 years in the charter school movement, I have never seen two people more unfit to lead a school. Real talk; IAS is a charter school in name only.

Posted: August 4, 2014

I am a seventh grade student there and they have yet to make improvement the dress code is extremely strict so don't waste any money trying to buy any shoes with color they don't let you be yourself and the test scores are low we don't have a gym or any sports team and the dance team is unorganized I highly don't suggest this school there is no diversity and there is a lack of new students

Posted: July 30, 2014

The staff has a lot to learn when it comes to ownership. They make to many mistakes not to rectify the problem and good luck speaking with the principal about it. If you're dealing with Mr. Rigsby make sure you follow up because he doesn't.

Posted: July 7, 2014

Great school, amazing teachers and many opportunities for Parent involvement! Every parent should join the PTA!

Posted: April 15, 2014

IAS has worked really hard to improve the level of education our children receive. Teachers are dedicated, available, and communicative.

Posted: April 13, 2014

Both my daughter (2nd grade) and son (Kindergarten) attend this school. They love going to school each day. My husband and I love the educational environment our children are experiencing. The international and IB component is very important to us.

Posted: April 10, 2014

My child has been going to IAS since kindergarten. It is a wonderful school. I think they have some of the greatest teachers, administrators and staff. My child has learned a great deal and can think "outside of the box". Love this place!

Posted: April 9, 2014

IAS is a school where each student is taught to be independent leaners as well as encourage parents involvement with both academic and social behavior that can impact our kids future.I like the fact that the school has respect for different culture and encourage each student to embrace their culture as well as accept other peoples way of living.

Posted: April 9, 2014

IAS is the best choice that I have made for my kids, from the minute that you walk in their doors, their friendly staff is ready to assist you in anything you need, the pirincipal and the teachers are often looking for ways to improve your child performance to make them great students as well as involve citizens. I love the comunication with the teachers in basically inmeadiately I amuse of how fast you get answers from any of them, and this year with the use of sycamore we have access ti pretty much everything that your child is working on as well as events, grades, assignments,calendars,etc. The healthy choices of food is the cherry on top for me. One of the things I also love is the oportunity for us the parents to be involved in our kids education and be part of their future preparation. I love being a part of the IAS family, the place where your kids are treated and care for with respect and love.

Posted: April 8, 2014

IAS is a great school! My daughter has been there 2 years and is already reading on a 4th grade level. The teachers, staff and principal are very accessible should you ever have a problem or concern especially good for a large school. There is always constant communication about school updates and more specifically regarding my child's progress. I do think there are room for improvements for middle school, but the principal is great at communicating what the upcoming goals are for the year and how as parents we can help achieve those goals. I do wish there was a bus service but can' t have it all!

Posted: April 8, 2014

This school provides a great learining environment for the students. The teachers and administration go above and beyond in their methods. My kids are really blossoming here.

Posted: April 8, 2014

Awesome Charter School..... Great Teachers, My daughter is learning more & more daily. I will let my daughter stay at IAS until 8th grade... I Love Love Love this school

Posted: April 7, 2014

We have been at this school since opening day. It improves each and every year. My favorite thing about this school is that it's public and free, but independent of the Cobb County School Board. That means we pick our own curriculum, calendar, field trips, and everything else. When something doesn't work, we change it. Parents are stakeholders with a voice. Unlike the regular school system, we do not have to teach the same thing at the same time the same way year after year after year. This flexibility breeds creativity and enthusiasm. It also makes for more work for students, families, and teachers, so if you are a "put your child on the bus and forget it" kind of parent, this school is not for you. The elementary school is outstanding - the only International Baccalaureate elementary school in Cobb County. The middle school needs reorganizing and that is underway for next year. The current principal is top notch - thoughtfully assessing and making all necessary changes to move the school forward. It's amazing what this school accomplishes with a fraction of the money other Cobb schools get. If you want more without paying for private school, this is it.

Posted: April 7, 2014

IAS is definitely a better choice than the public schools in my area. Every school has some organizational problems now and then, but for the most part we think our daughter is getting a better education than at a public school. I love the fact that they have to adhere to a certain dress code that includes uniforms.I do believe most of the teachers and faculty care about the students.

Posted: April 7, 2014

I have two children that attend IAS, one in kindergarten and one in second grade. IAS has made huge strides at becoming a top rated school. The teachers are fabulous and administration as well! I would recommend this school to any parents looking to put their children in a school that focuses on children excelling!

Posted: April 7, 2014

The school has a diverse curriculum and a great atmosphere for learning. I do believe the school needs e-readers for textbooks. It is hard to teach a child, and support the learning process at home, without some written material to refer back to.

Posted: April 7, 2014

I think our school needs better organization. We have been sending our child for four years. Each year we say, "It's a newer school, they are going to get it figured out." We love some of the administrators and teacher but there is a lot of miscommunication on every level. Whether it is volunteering or signing up for parent teacher conferences, there is often confusion in the process. I do feel like it is a better option than the public schools in our area, which is why we tolerate the disorganization. We appreciate the International Baccalaureate curriculum, the focus on values and world awareness and that they have been studying Spanish since kindergarten.

Posted: April 7, 2014

International Academy of Smyrna is one school I can say I am so happy I made the decision to enroll my son in. Everything about IAS is amazing. The best thing about IAS is the interaction of the teachers with the students; and their genuine concerns of the students success. I love this school.

Posted: April 7, 2014

Great school with well rounded Faculty and Staff. International Academy of Smyrna provides excellent and quality education to the Students.

Posted: April 7, 2014

I really like IAS. My child has been attending IAS for 2 years and loves it. My child has had wonderful teachers who have kept communication lines open with us the parents. On the academic front, each grade follows a standard but also customizes the program to fit the needs of each student. The IB curriculum gives the children a well-rounded educational foundation. I really appreciate this. Academically, my child has felt successful and challenged at the same time. IAS has had small problems with organization within the administraion like late communication, uniform changes, etc. However, the current administration is doing a much better job. They have made good changes like incorporating online communication tools, etc. to address the issues. All in all, IAS is a wonderful school. I am happy about my choice to have my child at IAS.

Posted: April 7, 2014

I think this school is great. The teaching and non teaching staffs are helpful. From the reception you get a feeling of a working support unit ready to help you child learn and excel. The parents also volunteer as much as they can. I believe they all work to together to support and help the children grow through effective instructions, home work accountability, recognition and leadership building. Student growth percentiles are high using my child who is in First grade as a yardstick. However i wish they can have bus ride to school occasionally as my daughter loves to ride on the bus to school. Aside that I would give this school a 4.5 star rating and have been recommending this school to everyone I know.

Posted: April 7, 2014

IAS puts kids first! Test scores improve year over year and class sizes remain small. My son has been a student for the past 5 yrs and i am please with the progree I see every year.

Posted: April 7, 2014

My kids have attended IAS for 4 years and the first couple of years were tough but with the change in administration and the adaption of the IB curriculum, I have noticed significant changes. All of the teachers my kids have had so far have been positive and passionate about teaching. We had one instance where we recieved a new teacher fresh out of college and that presented a challenge because she was not used working in a classroom setting. However, half way through the year things changed. The PTA is very engaged and they do a lot for the school. The population is diverse and I value that considering we live in a diverse world. Overall, I think IAS is a great school to send your children to. Like any school, you have ups and downs but if you stick with IAS you won't be disappointed.

Posted: April 7, 2014

Iputting it lightly. I have been a part of several of private, charter, college-preparatory independent schools. But, I have never ever seen a school so organized, so focus where the performance of Excellence is a day to day effort and routine for the Principle, Teachers and volunteer Parents at (IAS). I was sure this kind of service would only be displayed during Open House, P.T.A. or other times we guest here at the school. This is a continual day to day thing that I envision and come in contact with every day that I show up at (IAS). My granddaughter has been so impressed with every teacher she has learned under from Kindergarten up unto now 1st grade. I often assist her with homework she reads on a regular bases (4) books a week this is an assignment that started in Kindergarten and now in 1st Grade she already reads on a 2nd Grade level. This year all her grades have been 92 and above!!! She has really exceled; she speaks some Spanish as a second language. Which she achieved at (ISA) with the assistance of her Teacher.. This school has dedicated teachers exude contagious intellectual energy. It s all contagious!

Posted: April 7, 2014

IAS is awesome!! We've been here since day 1 and have seen the improvements. I like the small classes, the fact that it's K-8 and the use of uniforms. Our teachers are dedicated to our students. Mandatory parent volunteer hours helps increase patent involvement and awareness.

Posted: April 7, 2014

wonderful school, kids all doing great, homework very challenging, but worth the time. Students and family centred

Posted: April 6, 2014

I have a son in kindergarten who reads at a 3rd grade level and has a very kind and patient teacher. I also have a 6th grader who has gone there for 7 years. Huge improvements, dedicated and accessible principal and asst principal, and modern / clean facility. They are aware of certain areas for growth with specific strategies to achieve their goals. Great choice for Smyrna and surrounding families.

Posted: April 6, 2014

OIAS is one of the best charter school, the best thing about this school is how involved the parents to support the students and staff to ensure the continued excellence. I am very proud of the process I see every day in my children due to the curriculum. IAS gets an A in my book.

Posted: April 6, 2014

IAS has been the best school for my son. The teachers my son has had during his 2 years there have been great, and my son is doing so much better since he started going there. The teacher dedication is evident. I really appreciate the new changes with the new administration and look forward to the 2014-2015 school year. I know there are challenges but I have seen improvement this year and hope it continues. One change I would like to see is a more open door policy concerning parents participating in the classroom.

Posted: April 6, 2014

We have been with IAS since it's inception, in fact, our child began Kindergarten with the inaugural class as the school. While it is not a secret that the lower grades (elementary school grades K-5) have progressed well throughout the school's existence, it is also clear to most of us that the middle school needs some help in best shaping students (and in some cases parents). I am encouraged by the fact that the school administrators have recognized that the middle school needs to be "pushed" harder towards excellence and in identifying (read as: Being humble enough to admit that there are issues that need to be addressed) this need. That said, while the school may have it's growing pains, I am encouraged by their efforts and progress and can say that I am quite satisfied with the IB education that my children are receiving. Can things be better - YES. Most schools can say the same thing. Are they working on being better and initiating a higher standard - YES. All schools CANNOT say this, and thus, I believe that this school has a higher purpose and strong components that will allow it to get there.

Posted: April 6, 2014

I love IAS. My son is in Kindergarten and has a wonderful teacher. If I email her she responds quickly . The curriculum in place for kindergarten is amazing. I work with children in Atlanta and I see the difference education wise. The only complaint I had was in the beginning of the year when they didn't want them wearing tennis shoes but about 2 weeks later they changed the policy to allow them. Which was wonderful because my son is hard on shoes. I love that volunteer hours are mandatory because it shows that the parents really value the education IAS has to offer. Overall IAS IS A GREAT SCHOOL AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE YEARS TO COME!!! :)

Posted: April 6, 2014

IAS is a school of choice for parents who choose to have children destined to succeed. My son is in the 1st grade and I couldn't have dreamt of a more caring, stern and challenging teacher, class and staff. I truly feel that I have a community of professionals dedicated to his success. He was recently accepted into the gifted program which is extremely challenging. To see what this school is able to accomplish with the limited resources its provided with is amazing. Unlike King Springs headed by the mayors sister with unlimited resources, IAS manages to provide kids with learning experiences through creativity. No school is perfect but it's perfect for my son!

Posted: April 6, 2014

My school is International Academy of Smyrna - IAS and I love this school. My kids are in 1st and 3rd grade. Their teachers are very engaged and keep us informed of any updates. If any issues arise the are quick to take action and resolve the problem. The academics are on point and challenge the kids. The homework is appropriate and also challenging for growth.

Posted: April 6, 2014

I am a teacher at the International Academy of Smyrna. I feel it an honor to be part of such a great school. The staff and administration work very hard around the clock. We also have wonderful parents. Everyone is involved and works together to ensure the success of the students.

Posted: April 6, 2014

I am writing this review as a parent. My daughters (I have 2) have attended this school for 5 years. Each one has looked forward to the first day of school every year. We have been blessed with caring and concerned teachers. One will be graduating from high school this year while the other will be graduating from elementary school. My 8th grader has been accepted to the IB Program at Campbell High School. Each child has always exceeded 4 out of 5 standards on the CRCT. While the school is not perfect (as are none of them), I wouldn't want them anywhere else. What I try to remember is that I am their parent. I have EVERYTHING to do with their educational success. I familiarize myself with the standards during the summer and make certain to stay actively involved in their scholastic careers. I am happy my kids are here. Again, if we ALL do our parts our children will be successful wherever they go.

Posted: April 6, 2014

Great school with great innovations with the changing and challenging world. Love the high challenges that kids are given from kindergarten. I have 2 kids in this school love it.

Posted: March 12, 2014

I see many complaints about the school and while there are things that need to change and things that I do not like over all the education that my daughter is receiving is fantastic. The teachers that she has had are engaged and love the students. The topics covered are relevant to the world today and push her to investigate more on her own time. She is driven to be a citizen of our community and is developing an understanding of how important sharing your time and energy with others is. We had an issue with bullying last year which was resolved quickly and effectively and allowed my daughter and the other student to become friends which is the best possible outcome. She loves the afterschool programs that are offered and as a parent that has to use aftercare every day, so do I. She is excited to go to school and learn and that is all I can ask for. Parent volunteers are important to the school and the student, support from parents is just as important. I do with the administration was more visible and available to parents. Only having office hours during school hours makes it very difficult to develop a rapport with parents. Overall though they are doing a good job.

Posted: October 3, 2013

This school is ridiculous. These teachers have no care in the world do they? My child is sick and tired of having to be bullied by the students. Why these students have not been expelled, I do not know. We have to conference with these lousy teachers that have my child crying everyday. They play as if this is a game. Yes there are a few teachers that were very nice but only one stood out for not having an attitude with the students. If you want to work this job you need to act like it. Thank GOD they have a new principal because the current ones are very unruly

Posted: September 11, 2013

If you have a child that may not "fit into mold" I would not suggest sending your child here. My son's teacher was fresh out of school with none to very little training/experience. She was given a classroom full of 20+ rowdy kindergartners without assistance. My son had some behavior/learning issues at school. They all seemed baffled by his behavior and instead of trying to help me & my child they disenrolled him 3 months into the school year. No sympathy, no compassion, no real care for my child. I understand funding and charter school issues. It was really just a waste of my time and a true disservice to my child. That situation forced me to move to a much better school district. I also agree that the lack of professionalism and enthusiasm is ever so present at IAS! So glad they disenrolled my son! He's doing much much better and thriving at another school. He's actually been diagnosed as gifted... Something I would not have learned had he remained at IAS. The only reason I give 2 stars is b/c the facility is nice

Posted: August 24, 2013

I recently removed my child from IAS after attending K-3. We consisting loved the friendly after school staff. We had a good K was good but his teacher left because of the low pay. His 1st grade teacher was competent but cold and probably better suited for older children. His second grade teacher was slightly unprofessional but competent. The wheels fell off third grade. My son's reading teacher would rarely return emails & he consistently earned low grades in this subject even though he only missed one question in this section on the CRCT. His main teacher gave him great grades but he really wasn't learning. He always earned As in her class but barely passed that subject on the CRCT. The homework load also doesn't equate to better learning & I was forced to teach a lot of things at home. We also dealt with a bullying situation that took months to resolve & I had to put my son in counseling to help him through. Leadership is lacking & I believe this filtered down to the children which led to bullying. If you have a public school rated < 5 of great schools this place may be better but if you can afford a private school or your public school is rated higher I would skip IAS.

Posted: August 14, 2013

The administration, staff, and teachers of IAS have no business of being around any children. My daughter completed K and 1st grade at this school. It got worse and worse. I had no idea that this level of incompetence was even possible in the elementary school setting! First, my daughter had a ridiculous amount of homework which was not related to the material she was tested on at all. Her teacher yelled at kids all day long instead of teaching. I had to email the teacher on regular bases to find out what they covered in class and teach it to my kid (on top of all the homework) at home in order to get a good grade on a test. And that is EVERY subject! (But the Spanish teacher was awesome!) Second, while volunteering at the school, all I heard was staff yelling at the children to be quiet. They went as far as forcing even elementary school kids, including K, to stand facing the wall with hands on the wall for talking during lunch! To conclude, we moved to a better school district. Honestly, IAS is just as bad as the other "bad" schools in the area. Not sure why they get funding... And I am even more amazed they got IB certified. Makes me doubt the whole education system.

Posted: August 6, 2013

This is a horrible school. All they seem to care about is how much money you can donate and how volunteer hours you did. My child went in 2012 for kindergarten. The front desk and administration people are the most unfriendliness people there-extremely rude. You can stand there for 5 minutes before they acknowledge you. The only great teachers are gym teachers and speech therapists. My Childs kindergarten teacher was unfriendly and rude as well. She was almost never there as she didn't feel well as she was pregnant. I never knew what class my child was in, they separated the children into separate classes. My child always complained how mean this teacher was. They actually ordered the substitute teacher over the original. My child was hurt at the school and no one called me, they said oh I didn't realize it. When I complained and wanted to talk to the principal the office personnel would not let me and said there were levels of personnel I had to go to and the principal would than decide to talk to me. Nerveless, we moved to canton area to a better school for our child so they would never go to this horrible school again. PARENTS BEWARE! NOT A GREAT SCHOOL!!

Posted: April 25, 2013

Wouldn't it be great if the students in grades 5 through 8 got an optional homework assignment to write an anonymous review of IAS, and to share their views, both positive and negative. This would probably provide a very helpful insight into the school, its culture, the staff, programs that are successful, as well as areas for improvement. Parents tend to fall into two categories: They are either 'cheerleaders' for the school, or they are highly critical. Students, on the other hand, have a range of experiences at school, and sharing this information could be beneficial to prospective parents and students.

Posted: April 24, 2013

The Learning and Safety of the School,also the way the Dressed in school.Other things are,the staff and teachers that work here,the way they communicate with parents and students.

Posted: April 22, 2013

IAS is a school of choice, and parents make the decision to have their children attend IAS for individual reasons. The school started with a lot of potential, but sadly, there have been many disappointments lately. Whether or not the school receives IB certification is unclear, but one thing that is clear is that the overall quality of education is not acceptable. The school seems to cater to students in EIP (Early Intervention Program), while the needs of students capable of learning at a higher level are essentially ignored. Combine that with the "No Child Left Behind" directive, and you have a situation where essentially every child is left behind. Don't get me wrong, EIP is very important and essential, but so is having appropriate programs for students at the other end of the curve. IAS worked for a while. Now it is not working, which is very unfortunate. Some changes must be made at this school.

Posted: April 21, 2013

IAS is the most dysfunctional organization I have ever encountered. There is absolutely no communication from the administration or the teachers. No organization, no, no professionalism, no standards in place. No check and balance system in place to see what your child is learning in class, what the assignments are or what their grades are. Progress reports and report cards come home weeks late. No focus on the student s well-being. The administrative team is a complete joke. They are only worried about image. They ignore parent s concerns and allow issues to go unresolved because they don t want to deal with them or make the time. They allow rude, immature, incompetent teachers to bully students. There are some great teachers at the school and I praise them for trying to do the best they can . How much a parent volunteers at the school is not going to make it a great experience for their children; it s having nurturing teachers that they feel comfortable asking help from, it s knowing that they matter and not just a number, that there is support from counselors or administrators when they are needed.

Posted: January 28, 2013

I have an 8 year old daughter who has attended IAS since kindergarten. She absolutely loves her school! I love it too. I am an educator and understand that no school is perfect. (which reflects my 4 star rating). Parents are required to volunteer and I have done above and beyond my required hours since my child started. I've read some recent reviews and believe that everyone has a right to their own opinion. Teachers and administrators at IAS are professional and intelligent. Working at a charter school, which is still very new, is challenging. IAS is still establishing itself and working on making a great footprint here in Smyrna. The IB Curriculum is a highlight and the recent renovations are fabulous. Every school has it's positives and negatives. Don't believe every angry review and if you truly want to know more about the school get several opinions.Contact a PTA representative. Active parents who participate in creating a wonderful school experience for their children will give you their honest opinion. Don't complain, get involved wherever your child attends I am grateful to save 20k per year...private school would be my next option if IAS wasn't available.

Posted: December 18, 2012

This is my first year at the school and I have seen a change in my daughter. She did not have many friends at her last school but she excelled in academics. This year she seems to have evolved into a social butterfly but her grades have suffered and her teacher continues to tell me that she will be ok but her grades have not improved. We have discussed tutoring and it has not started and my child is failing with no solutions from the school. I am thinking about going back to public school. I know its important to have fun and friends but academics should come first

Posted: November 15, 2012

My child is in grade k. I read reviews about this school and really wished I had listened. The rudeness of the staff, lack ot respect for Parents and the unprofessionalism is just ridiculous. They only care about one thing MONEY. They never miss a beat when it comes to fundraising. I am done. I am pulling my child out as soon as he is done with this year. If you are considering this school for your child, DO NOT BOTHER. LOOK SOME WHERE ELSE. May be when they start losing students, they will wake up and smell the coffee. BUNCH OF RUDE, MONEY HUNGRY PEOPLE.

Posted: November 12, 2012

My child has attended this school for the past 5 years and it continues to get worse. The reviews were padded. I was there that day when it was done. A lot of the teachers are immature, rude and do not know how to teach. Parents often pay for tutors or come home and reteach. I should have taken my chances with a traditional public school. It is a beautiful building with barely anything of value inside. Hoping to transfer.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Overall Rating	Distance
1	Heritage Farms	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Marietta	GA		10.1 mi
2	Garden Hills	Condominium/Townhouse	Atlanta	GA		10.3 mi

Base	Distance
Dobbins ARB	1.8 mi.
Fort Gillem	22.9 mi.

International Academy of Smyrna

Smyrna, GA 30082

Refine Search

National Ad

International Academy of Smyrna

Smyrna, GA 30082

Refine Search

National Ad

Email Address *

*We take your personal information very seriously and will never give it to a 3rd party. If you don't enjoy the email series, you can always unsubscribe at anytime.*

We take your personal information very seriously and will never give it to a 3rd party. If you don't enjoy the email series, you can always unsubscribe at anytime.