William Penn Elementary School

Our school has the happiest atmosphere. The principle never walks past the kids without a smile, or a word of acknowledgement. My grand daughter attends there and I am always impressed when I visit the school or pick her up at school. the education is great and the kids want to learn when they feel accepted and loved!
--Submitted by a parent

Our school is small AND great! So thrilled to be in Bethel and be at William Penn! The teachers as a whole consistently strive to improve the future at the school and help children. They show up at extra events and CARE SO MUCH for the children! For that reason I have told my husband that we will NOT move before 4th grade. I have heard such terrific things about 4th grade, especially, and I refuse to rob my child of that. Thank you William Penn for your care, concern, and teacher involvement!
--Submitted by a parent

This school is such a hidden gem! Mr. Spalaris, the principal, is phenomenal as the leader of this school! He is so positive and fabulous! The teachers are all spectacular, as well! The fourth grade teachers have especially gone out of their way to make my sons final year at Wm. Penn very memorable! I am blessed to be in a wonderful district and have such a terrific elementary school experience for my children!
--Submitted by a parent

My children have had great experiences at William Penn! It is a small school with great parent involvement. There are many fun and educational activities taking place all the time! The teachers my children have had have been wonderful. Any time I ever had a concern, my child's teacher addressed it quickly and helped to solve any problems. We feel lucky to send our children to such a great school!
--Submitted by a parent

I don't think people take the time to say enough about the great things that they experience in life! It is, all to often, assumed that things are as they should be and left to not be applauded! With that, I would like to tell you that my experiences at William Penn have been superior. Bethel Park is a great community and William Penn Elementary school is the smallest elementary school in the district. I feel blessed that I have had an opportunity to send my children to a school that takes such care to help parents raise children with the skills they will need most to succeed in this ever-changing world. Thank you to all of the teachers and staff for being such a special part in our life's story!
--Submitted by a parent

I feel that with such small class sizes, the teachers of William Penn could offer so much more than what they currently do offer. With each district contract negotiation, the teachers of this school have quietly eliminated several beneficial extra classroom projects. The majority of the teachers are out of there as soon as the last kid leaves the building around 4pm. I believe these teachers could put a little more effort into their careers and kids than they currently do. With several children winding their ways through this school, I have met and worked with every classroom teacher, the former principal, and the current principal, George Spalaris. In my opinion, William Penn is a wonderfully small school and the teachers are efficient, qualified, and the children seem to love them, but it could definitely use a little more variety in the classroom and commitment from its teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

The principal,Dorothy Stark is very controlling. The IEP's that are developed in this school do not seem Individual at all. The teachers seem to care, but some of them are way to authoritarian in their methods of dealing with elementary age children.
--Submitted by a parent

William Penn is a decent school that could be a great school with better parent involvement and improved communication. Teachers should be using the internte to communicate with parents and provide information on homework. The school also needs to find a way to get more parents involved. More than one parent teacher conference is also needed for students this young. On the plus side, the school has the most wonderful instructional support staff.
--Submitted by a parent