Bethune Elementary School

My son attended this school for Pre-K and is now in Kindergarten. He reads, writes sentences, completes addition and subtraction. He does some science and social studies work. I am very pleased with his academic achievements and development. I am in partnership with the teachers and school to insure that he is on track to first grade. So much so that he has already been identified as a gifted student. I volunteered in the class room yesterday and must say that parents should be required to spend some time helping out in the classroom because it makes a difference. I think teachers should be paid top CEO pay.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in Pre-K at Bethune and I must admit I am very pleased with the school and their efforts. I can tell the school staff are all committed to the kids and their learning. It is refreshing and as my first point of reference for a public school I look forward to my son attending Kindergarten. I think he is well prepared by the curriculum given to in in Pre-K and the work we did at home. Yes parents, I also had to contribute to my son's learning and will continue to do so! Respectfully, Mom "Each one teach one..."
--Submitted by a parent

The staff really cares about the students and their families. The principal knows me and my children by name and that is not an easy task in a school with more than 700 students. Bethune really cares about my children learning and they support parents in teaching their children.
--Submitted by Carmela, a parent

Bethune Elementary was a good for my son. He had wonderful 3rd grade teachers, who were especially helpful. I talked with them regularly. The principal is very dedicated. My son will attend again!!
--Submitted by a parent

I was completely unsatisfied with Bethune overall. The teachers were not well spoken nor did they have the passion I believe is needed for our students to truely excel. My daughter was not taught adequately. I have seen on numerous occasions teachers and other faculty members act less than becoming in front of children at the school. We as blacks are already lacking curriculum challenges on top of that the teachers there seem to be more focused on a paycheck than actually making a difference in our community. If the teachers dont use proper etiquette how can we expect the children to? Ms. Gwendolyn Miller (principal) should have a sit down with the teachers and evaluate if they are fit for this demanding job. Elementary is one if not the most crucial stage in a childs life what they learn her sticks. My child won't be attending again! Good principal.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is going to the 2nd grade this yr and he has had a very positive school experience during both prior yrs. He has had great teachers that really push him to excel. He has been on the principal honor roll since he started, he was the only 1st grader at Bethune to be a finalist at the Mathfest for 2007 and he has been student of the month both yrs at Bethune. In 1st grade, he was doing 2nd and 3rd grade math and he loves to learn. If your child goes to the school with a discipline to learn, they can benefit greatly fronm the school. The teachers that he's had always makes me feel that they have his interest at heart and meets with me whenever I need for them to. They also have scheduled visits for parents to review the children's progress. I'm very pleased!!
--Submitted by Jackie Jones, a parent

My daughter started this school in the second grade. She just recently graduated from the fifth grade at this school. While my daughter was attending this school I had several eye operations. Dr. Miller was very sympathic towards my daughter's feelings. When my daughter had surgery during her fourth grade year, Dr. Miller brought flowers to our house and a card from my daughter fourth grade class. This made my daughter feel special and appreciated. This school was the best school for my daughter and her self-esteem level went up when she started going to this school. I am so thankful for the considerate teachers my daughter had because they helped form a positive structure in her that I could not have formed on my own.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with 2nd post. Apathetic attitudes. Not parent freindly at all. See some teachers scatter when parents walk down the hall. Daughter barely brings home math homework inpite of upcoming CRCT. I had to buy materials myself and prepare her. Never get an email response even when you inform them of a problem. Student came home with my daughter one day, and the principal was very indifferent when she came to pick the student up. I didn't lose the student. Rude when you call and speak to some of the teachers. Terrible website. In ofice one day and could hear a teacher all the way down the hall scolding a student. When talking to teacher, she is rushing to get me out of the room.
--Submitted by a parent

My little boy and I recently relocated to this area from Philadelphia. My son is in the third grade. The principal of this school is extremely dedicated and shows a strong commitment to the success of the children. My son's teacher is one of the best teachers (if not the best) that I have encountered since he started school which includes pre-K. She goes beyond a parent's expectations to ensure that the children learn. The principal and the teachers are doing more than what is necessary so that the students will pass the CRCT test in the Spring.
--Submitted by a parent

I am the uncle of a student that recently started at Bethune and I must admit that I am not impressed. The school currently does not show a great interest in making the parents/guardians feel comfortable about their school. Recently, we attended the sneak-a-peak program that seems to be held each new school year. There were no signs about the program, no information given to the parents, no signs on the classrooms, no introduction from the principal, etc. After reading the test scores from the 2001 school year, it appears that they are behind academically as well. I hope that this same attitude does not continue throughout the school year or we will have to address these issues with the Board of Education.