Phelps Luck Elementary School

CHECK MSA TEST SCORES BEFORE CONSIDER THIS SCHOOL!!! I am sending my 3 kids to PLES and not really satisfied with academic programs and some teachers. Compared to other schools in Howard county, the students are not academically challenged, not enough homeworks are given and no adequate feedbacks from some teachers. I have to supplement extra workbooks at home to be challenged and to prepare for the middle school. Check out their MSA test scores for science 45% vs 67% state avg for 5th grade in 2011!!! EVEN BELOW STATE AVERAGE!!!
—Submitted by a parent

School curriculum is horrible! School started since the end of August. It is now October and my child just started receiving homework. I feel as if students are not learning much. This is my youngest second year in this school and, hopefully the last. The test scores explain a lot. I would not recommend this school. You're better off teaching your child yourself.
—Submitted by a parent

Phelps Luck is a very nice school. The teachers and staff are welcoming and friendly. They encourage parent participation. The front office administration is organized and helpful if you call with questions. I find it truly significant and noteworthy that the school leaders make regular rounds visiting the classrooms and talking with students throughout the day at all grade levels. The PTA is active. The school hosts a variety of different actcivities for students and their families throughout the school year. Currently, the school is under construction, which means lots of portables and absolutely no parking. In the long term, the construction will pay off as this area in Howard County continues to grow. Not sure if anything can be done about the parking, but it certainly should be reviewed by county leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

The Great school rating is wrong. My child is thriving in this school and every teacher she has had has gone above and beyond for her and her classmates. The new principal has done a great job. His staff and students come first. I am proud to say that my child attends PLES.
—Submitted by a parent

Someteachers are great. Principal has hidden behind an awesome asst principal, but now that AP is gone and I have dealt with the principal and seen what she is about. She dismisses parental concerns with the stating staff "are the experts" on my child. If you are unfortunate to have a teacher who follows the principals lead, your child may be in a bad situation. It is luck of the draw on what teacher you get and you do not have an administrator interested in ensuring the safety or wellbeing of the children. Because I had previously dealt only with the asst principal, and had minimal needs, in the past years I would have said this school was good. This principal seems to have no compassion or concern for the children. A couple examples- no contact to the family of childen in her school when their baby passed away or concern when a child is so upset that they don't want to go to school. I strongly recommend parents observe and ask for examples of what staff is doing for your child, rather than simply accept what is stated due to integrity issues. If I knew what I know now, with the current adminstration, I would not buy a house in this district.
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers and administrators are great and we have been very pleased with our son's progress at Phelps Luck.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are wonderful and the school has programs for the slow learners, average learners and the gifted learners.
—Submitted by a parent

hello,teachers,parents and students iam a parent of three boys that attend phelps luck i have a 10 year old a 7 and a 6 year old very good kids who love there new school me being a over the top parent for excellence for my children i actually fell in love with this school the school counselor ms graham is excellent the assistant principal ms leader is excellent never really had direct contact with the principal the entire staff is good exspecially ms seldom ms smith and ms stout so keep it up phelps luck.
—Submitted by a parent

Administration is on board with the kids'. I've seen extra effort given to the kids that need it. I feel the test scores don't accurately show the 'real' school. There is a population of 'transient' kids, so they don't test well. They either leave before testing or start school in the middle of the year, so they don't learn everything they need for the test. Very happy with my kids' education-3rd is about to start.
—Submitted by a parent

My son went to Swansfield from kindergarten to the 2nd grade. It did take him awhile to adjust to Phelps luck, Ms McCoy made it so easy for my baby. Now hes in the 4th grade and loves the school, he thinks his teacher Ms Emond is great and fun, he loves music because of Miss Rose.Phelps Luck is a great school, sure its had its bumps but what school has'nt. He is getting more involved in things at school , hes in the recycling bunch and i think that's a great start. The staff from what I have seen really do care and you should have seen the attendance on back to school night, it was great.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a student at Phelps Luck since Pre Kindergarden and the teachers are so kind and caring to you.
—Submitted by a student

I was shocked to read the bad reviews of this school. My son is in Mrs. Koza's first grade class, and I have been extremely thrilled with the quality of time the teachers spend with each student. My son was behind in reading and was invited to participate in a new program that has increased his reading and his trust in his teachers. It is true that the schools with predominantly white students score better than those with varied races in the DC/Baltimore area. I can only speculate that those areas are the most expensive and therefore pay more in taxes to provide better equipment and higher pay for their teachers. This is a great school that continues to improve. Rich snobs shouldn't give it a bad rap because it isn't a private school. The teachers and faculty care, and you can't buy that.
—Submitted by Fonda Smith, a parent

My daughter started at PL after a long-distance move. I worried about the adjustment and the comments on this sight. After reading the negative comments I looked at private schools but decided to give this one a chance. After putting her into a summer program that turned out awful I was even more hesitant, the kids were terrible and the there was no supervision. I'm glad I gave Phelps Luck a chance. Adjusting to the area was harder for her then adjusting to her new school. My daughter was terrified to start a new school and I kept a very close eye on her and the school . The kindergarten staff is exceptional. My daughter loves going school now and is learning so quickly it's hard for me to keep up.
—Submitted by Kris, a parent

There are better schools in Baltimore City! I am not happy with this school and my child will not attend this school next year. I may have to pay for a private school next year, but it will not be done without a protest. This is an expensive area, but my children are getting a low budget education.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent, I am extremely dissapointed and dissatisfied with this schools' curriculum or lack thereof, as well as the lack of a clear vision for the students. The test scores are horrible when compared to other schools in the howard county school system. We moved here thinkin this school system was superior to any other county in Maryland. We were shocked and dissapointed to learn that unless your children attend schools like Centennial, Ilchester or Northfield to name a few, then your child is not getting the same education. Howard County is an expensive area to live and its a crying shame that unless you live in the most expensive, mostly white areas and so called elite sections of Howard county; you have to settle for inferior schools.
—Submitted by a parent