East Pennsboro Elementary School

Overall, its an "okay" school. I have had one child go through elementary and is now in middle and another child still in elementary. It is true if your child is above grade level, you will not get additional support. They think the other children "will catch up" to your child instead of making sure you're child continues to learn at the pace they are at. I have spoken with 7 different teachers to help provide worksheets or more advanced items for my child to do when they are done with their current work and none of my ideas have been received well. Many teachers are self righteous and act like they know best. If your child is at grade level and gets a bad grade, don't expect any help either. Graded papers RARELY come home, teachers don't utilize the online grading system, and you have to guess what their report card will show. EVERYTHING revolves around the PSSA tests, enough stress to leave my kids crying. They are also cutting programs left and right to meet budgets because teachers won't take a pay freeze. Most teachers expect you not to be involved and to just "trust" their judgment. Both my kids also loathe the art teacher and art class, odd for elementary students.
--Submitted by a parent

First the number of students in each class is more like 20 per class than 15. I also agree witht he comment below that they teach to get the test scores and forget anything else. Also, if your child is just making it or above average do not expect them to get any help. I have a child who just missed being in the gifted program and he is not being challenged in class at all. I have another child that is just making it for her grade and can not get any help because she is 'at grade level'. Also, the principal is not interested in solving problems she tells you what you want to hear.
--Submitted by a parent

my grandchildren go to East penn. and my daughter graduated in 1990. I am highly disappointed at their concern for one of my grandchilden. he is having a behavorial problem and the teacher does not seem to want to deal with it because he is not violent. We have to go outside of the school to get any help . This concerns me greatly because I thought they were there to help and give advice ........ but we can get no satisfactory answers to our needs.

While I think East Pennsboro Elementary is a very good school when it comes to grades, they are not quick to accomodate. My son is gifted and they offer no programs until 3rd grade. They also do not like controversy and are quick to sweep issues under the rug or ignore them. I do believe there is some amount of 'favoritism' for children who have relatives working there. I feel that perhaps the school district is too preoccupied with having high test scores at any means and do not focus enough on the joy of learning that school can provide. I could be wrong though, my child is only in 1st grade and hopefully I have gotten the bottom of the barrel teachers thus far and will have better luck next year.
--Submitted by a parent

Great teachers and programs however the school board looks more at appearances.
--Submitted by Lori Burris, a parent