East Side Elementary School

Posted: April 21, 2026

This is an absolutely terrible school. We went out of our way to move here from elsewhere in the state specifically because of its good reputation, but my child has been subjected to bullying and faces racial discrimination from the teachers themselves. They refuse to listen to a single word my child says—not to mention that they completely ignore emails I send as a parent, even regarding simple questions about field trips.
No matter how many times I pleaded with the homeroom teacher, explaining that my child was suffering because other kids were making fun of them for not being able to speak English, the teacher did absolutely nothing. On the contrary, they went so far as to deliberately assign my child a seat right next to the very bully who was tormenting them. This is truly a despicable school. Everyone, please be careful.

Posted: April 21, 2026

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Posted: January 4, 2024

We moved from Alpharetta to Marietta. By comparing both school, East side is awesome. I really appreciate warmth and care extended by staff... Even shine or rain, I see the way student are greeted in school from cars is incredible. Lot of engagement with teacher, I get reply from my son's class teacher even at 10:00 pm .. if I have urgent questions.

Posted: January 4, 2024

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Posted: May 12, 2023

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Posted: May 12, 2023

I feel both of my children are getting excellent education and they are excited to attend school every day.

Posted: January 29, 2018

10 out of 10 - Excellent! Our kids are thriving at Eastside. They are excited to learn and are progressing well, even in areas where they were formerly not as strong. Compare to two other elementary schools we have been at in the Atlanta area, Eastside has easily been the best, and our kids are the happiest here. I would highly recommend this school to other parents.

Posted: January 29, 2018

Homework for my first and third graders has been balanced for the couple of years hey have been at the school. They regularly have meaningful math, science, reading, and other homework that is chcallenging but not frustrating. Furthermore, the time to complete the work is reasonable - not so quick that they don’t learn anything, but not so long that it interferes with normal childhood activities.

Posted: January 29, 2018

My kids love their teachers, and they are excited to learn, which is not an easy task for young kids who would rather play. All of the teachers our kids have had from K through 3rd grade have provided very specific attention to areas that needed development, and we have seen marked improvements in each child’s progress because of this attention.

Posted: January 29, 2018

This school does not tolerate bullying or exclusion. One of my children in particular has been much more socially aware and able to more effectively interact with other kids because one of his teachers focused on his communications with other students.

Posted: January 29, 2018

They elicit parent involvement and focus on the environment that families should build to support student learning. I like that they get that education takes a village and does not end when kids leave the classroom.

Posted: January 29, 2018

Many programs are in place to prevent students from falling behind. Furthermore, students from lower income families do well at this school - they are pulled up and not pushed aside.

Posted: January 29, 2018

One of my affable, well intentioned children liked to make jokes and tease lightheartedly but was inadvertently offending some kids. His teacher brought this to our attention, and the problem has been solved (he is now known by his teachers for being a great friend to his classmates). I’m sure there are many other examples, but we were grateful for a school environment that helps kids to recognize and prevent bullying.

Posted: January 29, 2018

Excellent and dedicated teachers. My kid has progress very well here.

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Posted: January 18, 2018

The principal has a Special Ed background and really cares about students with learning differences. My children have always gotten the help they need.

Posted: January 18, 2018

Posted: January 18, 2018

East Side is very diverse which is wonderful to find in a suburban school. I feel both of my children have received an excellent education. There is lots of parent involvement and the teachers and staff are appreciated and supported.

Posted: January 18, 2018

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Posted: November 3, 2015

I believe East Side has a strong focus on developing programs that explain to children on their level what it means to be honest and fair and instills these virtues in their children with the outcome of having a high level of integrity.

Posted: November 3, 2015

My daughter and granddaughter have both attended this school so I have quite a lot of experience and years of being involved with this school. Not only is the education top notch, but there is such a loving spirit at this school. I love that there is diversity and a shared respect of celebrating different cultures at this school. The parents are very involved and work with the administration closely with a common goal of creating a loving, safe environment where children can flourish is a learning environment.

Posted: September 28, 2015

The parents who ARE involved are very involved; you will always have parents that are involved minimally (for whatever reason). Parents also volunteer their time to be of use as a front desk person or assistance in the classroom. Very involved PTA and Foundation that the school is even more successful due to the involvement of these 2 "services". They are awesome! I am so thankful that the school has a Foundation. We love it at East Side Elementary! PS - Glad I have not had to do any selling of gift wrap or chocolate bars!!!!! I much rather just write the check and donate my time!!! The 2 teachers we have had - we have loved and our student has loved! All I can say is - parent involvement is key!!

Posted: September 28, 2015

This is only our 2nd yr; to date, the 2 teachers have been very effective.

Posted: September 28, 2015

My child is only in 1st grade - to date, the homework has been fair but there is still lots of school and years left!

Posted: September 28, 2015

Posted: April 6, 2014

East side is an okay school. 5 points for the regular curriculum. Zero for their so called "Target" program for the gifted. We moved from Seattle where their "Target" class room was a separate section of students though out the week. The work and assignments in Target program need far less work and skills than the regular program at east side. After a few weeks I have asked my kid to ignore target assignments on a case by case basis.

Posted: April 6, 2014

Absolutely great! Teachers administration, students and kids all stellar. Had a fabulous experience with my son who is about to graduate

Posted: December 18, 2013

This school should get 5 stars for the quality of the teachers and facilities. It gets 3 stars and should probably get fewer because of principal Mavity. She is a sorry excuse for a principal. She makes judgments on the kids based on her dislike of the children's parents not fitting her ideal. She does not like being bothered with kids problems. And she makes up excuses to punish children for the least of transgressions. On top of this, she is inconsistent in how she applies her form of justice. Ask any number of parents at random and you will find that she is disliked and considered a poor excuse for a principal. Sadly it seems that the school and students are stuck with her and will suffer while she "reigns".

Posted: December 13, 2013

My son was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome and severe ADHD after 15 months of Cobb County schooling in other schools. He was moved to East Side because they are best equipped for special needs children with Behavior Challenges. Now he LOVES school, loves his teachers, loves After School because the teachers are amazing. They have turned our lives around with teaching him how to be successful, getting A+ everyday, and learning how to be responsible with consequences. I cannot say enough about East Side, the kids there are all smart and learning at the top of their ability, and test scores seem the least important thing at this school. The parents seem to all show up to school events and are very welcoming to new parents. Rarely do they ask for special donations like other schools. Do not hesitate to move into this school district, to me it is heads above all the others nearby due to the caring teachers and staff. It also received a recent renovation and it feels like an intimate college campus. Having a special needs child is very difficult but this school shows parents each child is unique.

Posted: October 23, 2013

Before coming to East Side, we our son was struggling big time educationally and socially. We moved from the Atlanta Public School system and purposely moved to this area after some research about this school. I must say it was hands down the BEST decision we ever made! The admins and teachers worked closely with my son to find ways to help him succeed. We were able to pinpoint what was going in and now he's thriving and has LOTS of friends. The parents are also great with volunteering and giving back to the school. Do I feel that they are given a bit of an over-rating at times? Yes and no. Yes because people are given the impression that this is the best ele, school in Cobb. I don't believe that. No because this school is EXCELLENT at what it does and has met our expectations 10 times over.

Posted: July 24, 2013

East Side Elementary School is second to none in East Cobb. The additional educational resources provided to the school (including the Math Lab, Science Lab, Outdoor Classroom, School Garden, additional technology resources like iPads and SmartBoards, teacher training for grade-level coordinated reading and writing curriculums by top trainers in the Columbia Univ. Teacher's College, upgraded PE equipment, playground facilities....I could go on and on) are all possible thanks to the Foundation's and the PTA's efforts in working with the fantastic administration. East Side is truly like a private school with the largest after-school enrichment offerings in East Cobb (including Chess - East Side is GA state chess champion for almost every year of the last 6 years--Art, Robotics, Brainy Builders, Spanish, Guitar, Drama, Etiquette, FIT Club). The school is warm and inviting and teachers are truly engaged in make sure that all students learn to their full potential. I have 3 children that attend/have attended East Side and we love it. The school has tremendous parent involvement and the fundraising efforts are minimal when compared to other East Cobb schools' fundraising efforts.

Posted: April 29, 2013

We moved here from Montgomery County, MD, the school system 2 years running. We hand-selected our neighborhood based on the outstanding reputation of East Side (along side Mt. Bethel, Triit, etc). We have not been disappointed. I myself am a former Kindergarten teacher in an elite private school. I can tell you that the education my son has received this year in Kindergarten rivals the same experience my formers students had, sans the $25,000 price tag. His teacher is outstanding, both in her experience, command of knowledge and classroom management, as well as cutting-edge professional development from Columbia Teachers College Reading/Writing Institute. Kindergarten has full-time assistant teachers, so his ratio was an incredible 1:11. The Foundation, PTA, and active parent involvement insures that my children will continue to get art, science, pe, technology, as well as an array of enriching experiences like field trips, after-school options, etc. No school is perfect, and I'm sure we will have bumps in the road, but for now I am a VERY happy East Side parents and we intend to stick with this school. Also VERY pleased with the cultural diversity for a suburban GA school!

Posted: February 19, 2013

We love East Side! The quality of education rivals the expensive private schools, and the staff is very caring and friendly. The gifted program is outstanding, as is the after-school enrichment program. The student body, while not economically diverse (pretty much 100% upper middle class), is racially diverse for East Cobb. Parents are achievement-oriented and very involved. I only have minor gripes: traffic flow around the school is a mess; class sizes are huge, with no paraprofessionals (but I guess that's just public school these days). Because resources are so stretched, parents are expected to volunteer A LOT. But this does enable East Side to offer lots of enriching extras. Overall, we have had a great experience there and wouldn't go anywhere else.

Posted: February 17, 2012

I have 3 children at East Side. The new facilities are just beautiful and state of the art, with Smartboards in every classroom. The feeling when I walk into ES is very warm and welcoming. Because of having 3 children at this school, I have had a lot of interaction with various teachers and find them to have an overall positive attitude towards teaching and the children in general. The curriculum is fast paced but my kids enjoy the challenge and their interests seem to be held. The administration has been very approachable and open to talking to parents. We have met so many nice families through this school. My kids love their "home away from home" and are proud to be part of the East Side family!

Posted: February 16, 2012

We have had so many positive experiences at this school. The teachers are great (I have two sons, one in KG and one in 1st grade). They are learning at a phenomenal pace. The standards are very high and they are challenged to always to more & better. I really like the way the teachers speak to the kids - the little ways they have of telling them to be quiet, to sit down etc - no yelling, no impatience - very gentle and playful. There are a lot of parent volunteer work to be done. If you're like me and you like to know what is going on in the classroom - well that is just great! My kids are English second language learners, and they both get FREE extra classes and attention - one hour a day with the English teacher during school time, and two hours after school extra reading. If I had to pay for this out of my pocket the cost would have been astronomical! Also, I don't find it snobbish. The parents who wait with me in the cold by the bus stop every morning are all very down-to-earth, friendly and welcoming. I guess there are some over-active room moms out there - but you find that everywhere, don't you? Personally, I've never had problems with that. We are very happy here!

Posted: May 15, 2011

My child had very unhappy experiences at this school. The need for realistic responses to incidents that happen when other children interact in a negative way to others needs to be addressed better. This is a truly snobbish place and a lot of fundraising. We pulled our child and we now homeschool.

Posted: March 3, 2011

I moved to East Cobb mainly for the school system. I have not been overly impressed. My daughter attended Pre-K in Jackson County, GA and I received a great deal of feedback from her teachers/school director. Kindergarten was a NIGHTMARE. We had a dull teacher who had no ability to communicate tangible information. It was frustrating for the whole family. Now that my daughter is in 1st grade things are looking up. I get a weekly folder home with real feedback. The parents at this school certainly volunteer, but it is overall a snobby place to be. They are all so catty and materialistic. I am praying the housing market turns around so we can get back to reality. I don't want my child to think that this "East Cobb Snobbiness" is the real world. I agree with other reviews that this school could focus more on education and less on all the $ to send in and who donates the most etc. The major redeeming quality of this school is that I feel like my daughter is in a safe place. The neighborhood is pretty calm and very family friendly. Yep...I think that is the only thing I would RAVE about. Looking forward to getting out of here before my son starts.

Posted: February 24, 2011

East Side is a great school. Competition, leadership, and great education. The teachers are very excellent and challenging. If you have any questions there is always someone to ask. It also has challenging academic programs. If you are looking for and elementary school to go to East Side is the one!

Posted: November 17, 2010

Our daughter transfered to East Side from another Cobb County elementary school, and the difference in curriculum is evident, even within the same school system. Rather than being given busy work or reinforcing skills she'd mastered two years ago, she is now being challenged. Independent thought, creativity, and interaction are encouraged. The environment at East Side Elementary is that of a community. The fundraising may seem a bit over the top to some, but it is exactly why we moved to this school district. The money raised directly impacts the students' educational experience, providing far more opportunities than one would be afforded at many other public schools. The staff and parents are friendly and involved.

Posted: September 26, 2009

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