Question for Marietta, GA residents

[disneyterri]

My family may be relocating to Marietta within the next year (6-9 months in all probability). My question is, how do the schools there feel about taking kids out of school for a trip (to Disney, of course). We were planning on going at the end of April 2005. The schools on Long Island are off that week. My whole family is going. If we wind up moving before that, I was just wondering if the school would give me a hard time even if I explained the situation. My DS will be in second grade.

Any information or advise is greatly appreciated.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

I'm actually about 10 minutes north of Marietta but still in the same county so same school system. My kids are preschool aged but a friend from my son's playgroup has a 3rd grader and preschoolers. They took their oldest out for 3 days this past year and didn't have a problem. They informed the school ahead of time and made sure that he had all of his assignments before they left. If no one else knows I can ask her if she happens to know the school system policy (but I'm sure each school has their own "statement" to make on it too).

 

[disneyterri]

Thanks for the response. Any other info would be greatly appreciated.

I'm really looking forward to the move. I've heard great things about that area.

 

[sconnell]

If you come, welcome to Georgia! Our best friends live there and we hear the schools are pretty good.

 

[kweaver]

Hi! I lived in Marietta for 9 years. We moved to Kennesaw 3 years ago (just north of Marietta...we actually live close to the point where Marietta, Powder Springs and Kennesaw come together).

You should know that there are two different school districts in Marietta. Marietta City (within the city limits) and Cobb County (outside of the city limits). My kids have always gone to Cobb County schools...and they are excellent (we prefer them). However, you will find folks that are diehard fans of either system.

I don't think you will run into any huge problems taking your 2nd grader out of school for a week. We've only done it once when DD was in kindergarten...but no problems at all. From what I've heard, taking them out of school once they hit middle school age (6th grade here) gets very tough - mostly due to the difficulty of making up the work.

If this helps, you can visit the Cobb County or Marietta City school websites:
http://www.cobb.k12.ga.us/
http://www.marietta-city.k12.ga.us/

I grew up in the Chicago burbs, and just love it here. If I can answer any other questions for you, just let me know.

 

[sha_lyn]

We live in Cherokee co which borders Cobb co. on the north. unless the policy has changed Cherokee Co schools have a pretty strict unexcused absences policy, but a week should be OK.


the area that kweaver lives in has (or had in the past) a pretty good reputation as far as schools. In the past that areas schools have scored well over the state average on test.

 

[obsession]

We live in Marietta and our son attends a Cobb County school (he will be in second grade next year) and we have taken him out for a week for our annual Disney trip in kindergarten and in first grade without any problems. We just let the teacher know in advance and took some homework with us!

 

[Lollipop Mom]

Totally off topic but I just wanted to give a to a neighbor! Katie, we're in Kennesaw too.

 

[disneyterri]

Thanks everyone for the responses. It makes me feel so much better. I'd hate to have to cancel next April.

Thanks for the web sites Kweaver. I've already been looking at them extensively. I think we're settled on trying to get into either the Pope High School or Walton High School district. They seem excellent. Although, they all seem pretty good. Looks like an excellent school system down there. I've been doing some pretty heavy research of the area and I have a friend who lives in Marietta. So I should be OK by the time we get there.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[Belle1962]

Hi--here's an early "welcome to the neighborhood". I'm just north of Marietta and Kennesaw--Acworth.

 

[jillofspeed]

I live in Marietta and my kids attend Cobb County schools. I don't like to take my kids out of school for vacations --- middleschoolers tend to get a lot of work to do, and my highschoolers are rather serious about their studies --- you should know that with the Hope Scholarship in Georgia, the state colleges are very competitive and the older kids really need to keep up their grades if they want to get in!

HOWEVER, I do have a great tip for you for future trips --- Cobb County schools tend to let out early for the year. This year, the last day of school is tomorrow, the 21st of May. So we're packing up the kids and heading to dw on the 23rd, beating the big crowds by at least a week! This will be the second time we've done that --- the first time was great, and I think it will be even better this year since it's even earlier, before Memorial Day.

So, welcome to the Atlanta Area! And watch for the Big Chicken!

 

[lenshanem]

Also in Marietta. If you read Cobb County school's info you would think they discourage it. But, I think if you talk to them prior to your trip it should be fine. I know several people that have taken their kids out.
I always thought I would take my kids out so we could go at less busier and hotter times, but now that my oldest daughter is in school I have changed my mind on that. She is going into first grade and reading, etc. hasn't come very easy to her.
I think it is more the individual child that should determine people's decisions on pulling them out. I think my daughter missing a week of school would be hard for her.
Marietta is great. Plenty to do, close enough to Atlanta for games, shows, etc. We love it here.
Good luck with the move.

FYI- http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=559620
There is a DIS meet in Marietta tomorrow, Ryan's on Canton. Depending on what time they decide, I probably won't get to go to this one. Looks like there is enough Marietta area DISers though for us to have a meet this summer?

 

[sha_lyn]

we uaually have DIS meets at least 2X a yr. Usually in the north cobb area or Alpharetta/Roswell.

 

[disneyterri]

The only reason I'm thinking of taking him out of school for a week is because most of my family up here is planning on going the last week of April next year, due to the schools on Long Island being closed that week. I wouldn't normally consider it, because my son is not doing too well in school up here. I'm actually going to have him tested for ADHD. BIG focusing problem. I did actually look at the school calendar for Marietta and figured in the future we would go as soon as school gets out. Seems like a good time.

Dis meets in the Marietta area? Another great reason to relocate there

 

[lenshanem]

disneyterri,
If you are thinking your son might be ADHD request the school to test him once you enroll him here. You will be put on a waitlist (We are, now we are looking into next school year since school got out today.) but, you will save thousands. I understand the focus problem for sure.

We're heading out to WDW in a couple weeks. We would have gone sooner, but I have to wait until dance recitals are over. Regardless, I still hope we get a jump on some of the northern schools.

Best of luck!

 

[kweaver]

Just checking in after being out of town to say HI to all of my neighbors! (Kind of makes me wonder if I know any of you IRL).

disneyterri - Walton and Pope are excellent schools. You can't go wrong with them. DH and I just like the less busy West Cobb area, so this is where we ended up. He actually works in Roswell...and we looked at homes all over Cobb, North Fulton and South Forsyth counties before building our current house.