Pershing Hill Elementary at Meade Heights

The special education department of Pershing Hill was over worked and under staffed. The administration was not willing to be proactive to resolve issues and instead tried to pass blame for shortcomings on to the teachers. The principal was not the least bit understanding of the needs of the special needs child and had zero interest in helping achieve the goals of the student. The principal actually sat in the IEP meeting and worked on her computer instead of being an active participant. The staff is over worked and try the best the can for their students but sadly administration is more concerned with meetings than the actual military child.
—Submitted by a parent

This school needs lots of Special Education training. Military children endure lots of unexpected stress, the most we can give them is a solid, positive education environment in order for them to succeed. The administration needs to be more informed on military life and the changes that military children have to experience especially special needs children and families.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our 3rd year at PHES. The past 2 years were fabulous. This year, however is a different story. The school was merged with another one on post and enrollment went from 200 kids to over 600. Classrooms have an average of 27-29 students. Teacher morale is extremely low due to the administration, namely the principal. She is completely unapproachable and does what ever the county wants not taking into consideration the military community at all. Younger siblings are not allowed in the building, not even for lunch. So, I can't go have lunch with my daughter b/c my son is 2 and he is not allowed in. We are happy to be leaving this summer.
—Submitted by a parent

Pershing Hill is an excellent school. The entire school staff is professional. They care about children. They value collaboration, diversity, high expectations, and they ensure that all students are moving toward success. The motto at Pershing Hill is, "Together we can achieve greatness!" I am committed to working with Pershing Hill along the journey to greatness.
—Submitted by a parent

Amazing school that strives to meet high state academic requirements. As a military spouse I expect state academic levels to fluctuate. Pershing Hill teachers strive to meet those requirements in fun and innovative ways. They are friendly and genuinly interested but understaffed in higher grades. I recommend getting involved in the volunteer and PTA programs offered to spouses, active duty and community, during and after school hours. The children enjoy many military volunteers to include the whole family. The administration could handle the military transition with more compassion by being aware of children whose parents are deployed and offering them some form of a support group. Administration poorly addresses the different grade requirements of each state which seem to be much higher in the northern states. I was happy that the school made aware, the variety of community resources, often run by military volunteers, that addressed children who required individual assistance. Overall I found Pershing Hill to be a small, community friendly school with open arms.
—Submitted by a parent

We transferred to PHES from a Mid-Western State. My daughters - 2nd and 3rd grade - were considered ahead of their classes academically in the previous school, but they were average and below average when we arrived here. The teachers were wonderful about evaluating their strengths and weaknesses and helping the girls to pull up and even excell academically here. The art, music and PE programs are wonderful! I don't feel there is good communication between the teachers and working parents and would like to see a better special needs program. Overall, it is an excellent school and I thank the staff for doing such a wonderful job.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at PHES, one in 2nd grade and one in 5th. I have found Pershing Hill to be an excellent school. The teachers are strict, yet effective. The class sizes are small (my 5th grader only has 15 students in his class), and the children get a lot of individual attention. My 2nd grader has trouble reading, and I do wish that he could get more help in the school, but there are many outside facilities in this area which offer help to children with special needs. Overall, I am very happy with the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have only positive things to say about Pershing Hill. The Staff and Teachers are focused on the children, and yes they are strict but I think that with today's pressure that the kids have to deal with, it's at least controlled at P.H.E. I had both kids at the school and both loved it and made lots of friends from the first day they got there. The staff and Principal are there to help you with the transition and the teachers understand the military life eventhough it's a public school. Keep up the Great Work P.H.E!
—Submitted by Evelyn Lurhuma, a parent

I felt this school's special education staff needs training. The principal is well-intentioned and the teachers of strings, music, and P.E. are exceptional. However, the school stresses rote memorization and seemed to lack, in my opinion, up to date teaching practices.
—Submitted by a parent

This has been a good school for my 3rd grader. Teachers are somewhat strict but seem genuinely interested in children succeeding. It's a small school, but my daughter has enjoyed the activities offered, such as learning to play the violin.
—Submitted by a parent

This has been a very positive experience so far. The teachers seem genuinely interested in teaching and the staff is very friendly. My 3rd grader's teacher has been very positive and I have been pleased with my daughter's progess so far this year.
—Submitted by a parent

this is one of the most positive experiences that my children have had. The teachers creative and concerned dealing well with the challeges that come with teaching on a military post as well a taking advantage of diversity and unique experiences that go with it. The art, music, and physical education programs are among the best that we have seen yet. I have to agree that the special education classes are not good, but I believe that improvements are being made. The only other negative thing is that the county uses this school as a stepping-stone to train new principals. All the princpals that I have known have been very good, but the administration at the school changes almost yearly which can cause some friction as the staff are almost constantly having to adjust to a diferent outlook. This is a small and very friendly school.
—Submitted by a parent

It's an excellent school. When we moved to a new home I even got an out of area waiver so I could keep my children in this school. My children have lived in many school districts, and this is the only one I've done that for. The teaching staff, especially for grades 3-5 (the ones I have had personal experience with), are excellent. There is a great deal of community and parental involvement, and the art, pe, media, and various music teachers are very dedicated, as is the rest of the staff. In addition to covering the 'basics', the staff uses many very creative and innovative teaching methods. They are also very understanding and sympathetic to the unique problems that face military families, and are willing to help you help your children through them.
—Submitted by a parent

The worst special education program I have ever seen.
—Submitted by a parent