Penny Road Elementary School

This school is great. The staff, teachers and priniples are all wonderful. This was my son's first year of school and we could not have asked for a better school. If you are fortunate enough to be able to attend Penny Road you should over any other school. We were going to do the year round thing but after visiting Penny Road's open house last year we were impressed so much that we choose to go the Penny Road. Its the BEST!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I am extremely happy with Penny Road Elementary again this year. Our teachers are outstanding- always going above and beyond. Our Principal Mary Bohr has introduced a new program called BOOST which is a wonderful addition - additional focus classes at the end of the day- sports & health/ languages/ technology/ cooking- it is AMAZING! Mrs. Bohr dedication to education is impressive and in keeping with the mission of the school - "changing the world - one child at a time"
—Submitted by a parent

I feel compelled to write a glowing review for Penny Road. This is our second year at PRE and I continue to be highly impressed by the proactive academic differentiation my child has experienced. Before choosing PRE for kindergarten we looked at nearly every school in Wake County from charters to magnets to private schools. Never would I have imagined that the ideal school was in our neighborhood! I knew we would require an above average amount of differentiation and possible subject advancement and honestly had low expectations for what PRE could do (prior to AG placement in 4th grade). With the full support of my child's teachers (both K and 1st), the AG specialist and Principal Bohr, we have made special accommodations for my child to be taught at the correct instructional level. From pullout enrichment groups to separate leveled reading material to subject acceleration, PRE is seriously on top of it. I would highly recommend sending your AG child to PRE and feeling free to open up a dialog with Mrs. Bohr about how to best meet your child's needs. The best part is they are all just SO NICE! Never did I have to "make a case" for support, they have always been proactive! :)
—Submitted by a parent

I am very satisfied with Penny Road. I have two kids at the school, one with learning disabilities. They are both thriving and have had great teachers every year. I looked at a lot of schools before buying my house and got that warm fuzzy feeling from Penny Road right away. My instincts weren't wrong, my whole family has been very happy there.
—Submitted by a parent

Having two children in Penny Road has been a fantastic experience for me. One of my children has always needed special accommodations for success and has never been treated as an outsider by the teachers or staff. In fact, they have gone above and beyond in trying to help my child succeed. And, they are just as good at providing challenges to children who have mastered objectives. I am thankful every day for being able to send my children to a school as caring and warm as Penny Road.
—Submitted by a parent

If your child has any kind of learning difference, this school is not equipped nor does it tolerate children who are not part of the pack. I am looking to transfer my child to a school where patience and trying different ways to reach children are all part of everyday teaching practices. Penny Road is not a good school to send your child in 2012 especially since there are so many great choices available.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school! Our son started kindergarten one week after we moved to NC. We opted out of the year round school and went to Penny. Every day the teachers in the drop off/pick up lane are smiling and friendly. When I have to go into school, everyone is very nice and helpful. The principal is always there and very involved and friendly. My son's teachers are wonderful and he is doing very well. We may have to switch schools next year due to wake county reassignment mess which makes me terribly sad and frustrated.
—Submitted by a parent

We have a kindergarten student who just started school at Penny Road. We are very impressed with his teacher, Mrs. Foster and her staff as well as the principal, Mr. Barber. Parent involvement is very high and highly engagning.
—Submitted by a parent

The staff is wonderful and caring. Everyone from the principal, admin staff, and teachers care about the children. My children have received an excellent education, offering additional challenges when needed, and continue to be nurturing. I would not change schools unless forced to do so. My kids love it and always want to go to school. I have enjoyed becoming friends with the parents.
—Submitted by a parent

My two girls attended Penny Road from Kindergarten through 5th grade so we spent 8 years at Penny Road. My husband, my self and my girls were never disappointed. The PTA and parental involvement is high The principal, assistant principal, office staff and all of the teachers were wonderful, top notch teachers, many having been there for many years. The principal deals with issues in a very timely manner, always smiles and is genuinely interested in you and the children. With both girls in middle school now I have come more appreciate the close knit feeling that we always had at Penny Road, something we no longer have. It was a bitter-sweet last year at Penny Road and we will all miss it and hold all other institutions at a standard comparable to Penny Road.
—Submitted by a parent

My two daughters attended Penny Road very briefly (alas) but absolutely loved the experience and the school. The teachers were excellent and all the students welcomed the 'new kids' with kindness and respect. The principal, Mr. Barbar was amazing and always had a smile - even when loading the kids in the carpool lane after school. Penny Road is exceptional.
—Submitted by a parent

My son loves Penny Road, The principal Mr. Barba is oustandindg! He is always there giving his support to students and parents. The Staff is friendly,kind, & professional.We love Penny Road.
—Submitted by a parent

Wow! We love, love, love Penny Road! The staff is phenomenal, the office staff and principal are top notch! The academic arena is different this year as all schools are doing 'curriculum mapping' so all the teachers teach 'the same thing'. It appears to be working well. Music, art, health and PE are all taught by fabulous teachers and my children love them all. Parental involvement seems above average compared to the other school we were at. We made the switch this year and could not be happier! They are dealing with some crowding due to those opting out of year round, but I think have adapted well.
—Submitted by a parent

Because of growth the school is slipping a bit. Needs to focus on getting better qualified and experienced teachers to handle the load. Reading appears to be okay in testing, however math quality is slipping, more focus on math related programs needed.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughters both love going to school at Penny Road. There has not been a day that they don't want to go to school. The teachers and staff are so welcoming and care so much about the children. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity for my children to attend Penny Road. I feel it would be extremely difficult to find a better principal, he is caring, while keeping each child's educational needs as his focus. He cares for all types of kids, those who are struggling as well as those who excel. His discipline style is excellent and is very effective for those who need it. If you are considering sending your child to our school, you won't be disappointed, you'll be thrilled. We have a wonderful and dedicated PTA too!
—Submitted by a parent

Penny is improving dramatically under the new principal's leadership. Barbar had done wonders butit still has a long way to go. I would rather my child went to oak grove a few hundred feet away.
—Submitted by a parent

Penny Road Elementary is the kind of school I had hoped my children would be able to attend. The teachers are outstanding. They know and appreciate the children for who they are. They set high standards for all of them, and they give them the tools and support necessary to achieve those learning goals. The principal, Mr. Barbar, has the overall welfare of all the students as his first priority. The kids' academic, social, physical and emotional well-being are all important to him. He is a hands-on leader who supports the teachers. Our kids love Penny Road Elementary, and we're thankful for the wonderful experience they are having there.
—Submitted by a parent

We love Penny Road Elementary. The last two years my son has flourished there. His principal, Mr. Barbar, is a dynamic leader who is always there to help. He knows the students names and is passionate about helping our children learn and reach their highest potential. In both kindergarten and 1st grade, my son s teachers were incredibly energetic and creative. They impressed me with their wisdom and years of teaching experience. They knew my child they knew his strengths and helped him with his weaknesses. We have an active PTA. It has been fun meeting other parents while working together to enhance our children s education. Penny s overall End of Grade test score rose to 95.2% in 2004 making Penny Road what we parents already knew - A School of Excellence. I asked my son if he liked school and he told me, I don t like it I Love it!
—Submitted by a parent