5717 Flat Rock Rd
Columbus, GA 31907

This school is one of best school within the MCSD schools. It very diverse in population and all the kids seem to get along well. The school is home to over 100 military families and they house the school of America's students. They offer over 25 AP courses, dual enrollment, and work base learning program. There CTAE program is by far one of the best in the state of Georgia. The ROTC is top tier and also one ofnthe best in the state of Georgia.The CTAE program has partnerships with leading industries such as Kia, Pratt Whittney, and Amazon just to name a few. The Administration is always open for parents and students express there concerns. This school is a hidden gem of MCSD there are so many great things going on. They are leading the way with no cell phones policies and using the Yondr bag system for all students to keep distraction out the classroom with learning as the prior. I hear my kids coming home talking about learning intentions and success criteria for each class.

Waddell checks every single box and then some. The new administration is incredible & I truly could go on & on, but I'm going to give some examples. My child struggled with attending school because of leaving his comfort place - home. He struggled with this terribly since Kindergarten, and truly it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to navigate in my parenting journey. He attended Waddell since Kindergarten & the old administration truly didn't know how to handle this / what to do about it. Every single day was a physical, mental & emotional fight with him; from K-1st grade. In second grade (starting in 2023), there was a new administration put into place in the school & when I tell you the results were in the pudding, I mean it. 2nd grade started out the same as it was the past years for him, but quickly the principal, his teacher, and the guidance counselor learned my child and his needs. QUICKLY. They learned what would help and how to make him more comfortable. The year went on & they literally set a ROUTINE in place for him, coining a spot in the main corridor "[my child's name]'s bench" for the mornings that were a little more rough - and let me tell you, there were a LOT. They learned how to communicate with him effectively, how to get through to him when he'd shut down. They learned how to push him to be better & when to hold back a little. They really became my village & I couldn't have asked for better. Third grade was an absolute breeze & he not only excelled, but was honored with an incredibly prestigious award because of the hard work he put into changing & truly we couldn't have gotten this far without this school. I would move mountains to have my child attend this school, and I hope the reader of this review finds themselves choosing Waddell for their kids as well. A better elementary school doesn't exist; Waddell will take the cake everytime.