Benjamin Rush Elementary School

I'm incredibly disappointed with this school so far. My daughter is in 1st grade and this is her first year at Rush and in the Bensalem district. The level of curriculum is completely unacceptable. She is doing preschool work. Her previous classmates have spelling tests every Friday and a separate list of vocabulary words. She brings home two, yes 2, sight words PER WEEK! And don't get me started on the horrible Everyday Mathematics curriculum. I called the guidance counselor who seemed completely disinterested in anything I had to say and was completely detached from the conversation. I wouldn't be surprised if she was doing something else at the time. Next step is the principal. We'll see where we get with her...the woman who insisted at back to school night that they meet each student on their individual level. They have yet to prove that with my child. Might be time to pull her out of public school so she can get the education she deserves!
--Submitted by a parent

To be honest this school has a long way to go before being a "great" school. They say that they have a no bullying policy but yet when it happened to my daughter nothing was done and this went on for 2 years. I couldn't be happier and either could she that this will be her last year there and we will be moving to a better rated school and school district up in Perkasie. My daughter barely ever has homework, which i am unsure how they can get this work into these kids heads if they do not give them the homework to do to review it. Their after school programs is the crappiest program i have ever in my life come across. Work schedules vary and they should be able to work around that, but they could care less. BASE says its because they need to make sure they have the staff their that they are unable to do week by week schedules, but yet everyday that i go into that school to get my daughter there are the same 2 (it never changes)!!!!! The teachers never call me back or return emails. This is really just a school that needs some work.
--Submitted by a parent

I believe rush should have uniforms!!!! provide more after school programs for the kids, also extra curricular activities. In short I agree with the post on 8-4-09
--Submitted by a parent

UNIFORMS UNIFORMS UNIFORMS. ALL school should have uniforms. rush needs to give mor homework, have b4 and after school program, get parent more involved, have extra curricular activity, post school supplu list online by grades, again most imp is give more homework and have uniforms
--Submitted by a parent

I have 2 kids that go to Rush. The teachers are wonderful. Great teachers. Never had a problem
--Submitted by a parent

Rush is the best school I've ever been to even though I had some rough times I love the school with all of my heart, Mr Staats is the best gym teacher ever and I was so happy to have him all of the teachers are great. Keep up the good work.
--Submitted by a student

I felt that Rush was trying to improve its ratings in previous years but has not yielded much results. I personally feel some of the ways the school can improve its ranking are 1. Cut down on the no of holidays and no school days. There is too many no school days given for Rush children. 2. Set higher standards. Currently the standard is set at the lowest/weakest student level. Inform the students and the parents clearly of the expectation. And be strict on enforcing it. 3. Give more homework and do more on the classwork. Giving one page of homework is not going to help.
--Submitted by RS, a parent

Rush Elementary School is the best school I've attended all of my life. I now attend the Milton Hershey School. I attended Rush Elementary from 1995-1999. The sports, interaction, and childhood life will always be in my memory as positive and life impacting. I will never forget my life-long friends I've made there that I still keep in contact with. Lastly, I'd like to thank this school for teaching me so many things I though impossible. You've made my childhood grand. Thank you.
--Submitted by Denise Rutherford, a student