Pease Elementary School

I went to school here in the 70s and it was a great school then. Years later when I visited, the principal still remembered me. I didn't even have to say remember me. She looked at me for a few moments, and said my name. It was a great school then and I'm glad to hear that is still a great school!

I love Pease. This school is community oriented, close knit, and everyone knows each other. The principal knows each child by first name. She stands outside and greets all her students in the morning. My child graduated from there two years ago and I now have my second child there. My kids love it and the learning environment is great!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a good school for students that do not have special needs. For students with special needs, the special education program is not acceptable. IEP's and 504 plans are met about, but not implemented well with some teachers. Staff seem to say the right words, but not provide action to help accomodate students that do not fit into the mainstream. Some of the teachers are great, others are unacceptable.
—Submitted by a parent

i recently graduated from pease (go class of 2010!!!) and i have to say my experience was amazing!!! i went there since kindergarden and i had alot of fun!!! UPs:computer lab food is getting better most teachers are nice very small school everyone knows everyone the wonderful 6th grade band and orchestra Downs:i didnt like the way the music and art teacher taught(there getting a new music teacher) they change out teachers alot i cant think of any other downs... if you are looking for a great school i would advize you consider this school btw(by the way) i got staight A's for the last 9 weeks of school...my teachers really taught me responsibility!!! i well ready for middle school...Good Luck!!!

This is my son's second year at Pease. He asks me on the weekends if he can go back to school. He's reading at a 3-4 grade level and he just started first grade. He knows all the kids at the school already (since it's relatively small) and we love to feel the community support we get from Pease. This is definitely one of Austin's hidden treasures. I'm sad to see only three stars on extracurricular activities, because I know all the staff and parents at Pease really work harder than the average person to give our kids the best experience and education they can. They have a volunteer who teaches chess club and gardening every single week. They have Spanish teachers that are paid by the small PTA and Pease parents. There is a gifted and talented program as well a music, art and various camps and get-togethers.
—Submitted by a parent

Pease is a transfer only school - which means that parents have taken active steps to transfer their child there. The classes are small, with only 2 classes per grade level. The events offered really rally around the school community, and opportunities to get involved. There has been no pressure on me to be involved or not to be involved in the activities, which I appreciate.The kids love Pease - with the layout with the younger kids on the bottom floor and the oldest kids on the 3rd floor, they really incorporate the pride in growing up. The curriculum is strong, and the teachers are patient, dedicated and above all - happy to be there!
—Submitted by a parent

Pease was the best school i've ever attended and I learned so much there. i'm currently a freshman at William T. Dwyer Highschool in Palm Beach, Florida and am in all honors classes- I feel that the teachers at Pease helped me achive that. I still remember all the strategys that they taught and use them every day in class. The classes at Pease are small, the teachers are amazing and everyone knows each other. <3
—Submitted by a student

Pease is a very special place. Rich in history, pride, and tradition. The school is unusually small, (only 2 representing classes per grade)! This type of setting allows for a more communal feeling within the school. If you're able to commute downtown I'd reccommend this one of a kind atmosphere to anyone!
—Submitted by a parent

My son will be starting at Pease in the Fall. I have to say that the Principal Ms. Ellis has been wonderful at helping to orient me and my son, as we made the decision to transfer to Pease. She met with me and my son a few times and answered all of our questions patiently. The staff has been very friendly and helpful. We are looking forward to coming to Pease.
—Submitted by a parent

The academic programs seem to be average. Not many extracurricular activities. The parents are very involved, although sometimes it seems they are creating problems for the students and teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Pease is a dream learning environment for students and parents alike. Situated in the picturesque heart of downtown Austin,a richly diverse student body enjoys the benefits of small class sizes, talented and dedicated teachers, parents who care, and an indescribably comfortable, welcoming feel feel when you enter the campus grounds. Teachers, parents, and students partner together to encourage high academic achievement each year--- in a similar fashion to the way schools 'used to be when we were growing up.' In addition to the academic curriculum, students also have the opportunity to participate in an extensive menu of enrichment activities including, spanish as a second language, sports, art exhibits, school festivals and cultural events reflecting Pease's unique level of diversity, guest speakers and performances, technology-integrated curriculum, ROBOLAB, and more... and additionally, Pease is an elementary school that has a 6th grade! Stop by anytime for a visit and see Pease for yourself!
—Submitted by Craig H, a parent

As a parent, I cannot imagine a school setting anywhere that is more nurturing, academically enriching, and family-centered than Pease Elementary School. It is quite evident by the previous parent letters that I am not alone in the assertion that Pease is the best school in Austin. Come see the beauty at Pease for yourself.
—Submitted by a parent

I think Pease elementary is a great school. The staff and teachers are friendly. I do think that the availability of music, art and extra activties are not that good though.
—Submitted by a parent

Superb principal and enthusiatic teachers. The identification and recognition of talented and gifted children by the individual teachers is a bit lacking. Each year we had to inform our child's teacher that our child was tested and idientified as gifted and talented. I would have thought they should have known that.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is entering her third year at Pease Elementary and she loves it here. The classes are small, so the students get the attention they need. She has lots of friends and the parents are really involved in the education and the teachers seem to really care.
—Submitted by a teacher

This school is great for the lower grades. I have no experience for the older grades. The principal is active and knows all of the children. All the teachers have GT training and there are only two classes per grade. All families who attend had to request a transfer, so there is a much higher level of parental involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at Pease 3 years. We are very happy with the school. My daughter is in 2nd grade and is reading at the 5th grade level. I think in large part due to her excellent Kindergarten foundation. We were not too impressed with her 1st grade teacher, but we took responsibility and worked more at home. After all, kids only spend about 27% of their waking time in school in a year. Parents are still the main teachers. Her 2nd grade teacher is great! In first grade we were concerned about some of the culture and behavior at the school, but this year the school has done a great job in building a more positive and respectful environment. Every school has areas for growth and I really feel Pease is open to trying to do the best. Parents need to be more accountable for their part in it all.
—Submitted by a parent

Pease is a great school. The classes are small, the teachers are the best! The principal is awesome,he is very involved. Parents are always involved. I love the diversity at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Pease is an all-transfer school, which means the parents of every single student chose Pease over their neighborhood school. The result is a high degree of parental involvement and sense of community. The principal, Craig Hampton, is an outstanding administrator. He gets along well with parents, staff and students. His discipline is firm yet fair. Hearing that some parents wanted more input into the school's administration, Craig started several initiatives including regular coffee and doughnut meetings with parents and a Campus Advisory Council to which all parents are invited. Long-standing, well-attended and well-beloved school events include the winter Holiday Musical and the traditional May Fete, where each grade performs dance routines and the graduating sixth graders wrap a May pole. At the alumni reunion dinner, former students from as far back as the '30s return to meet old friends and share their love of this historic school with a new generation.
—Submitted by a parent

Today, Oct. 1, 2004, the TEA accountability ratings were released for all Texas schools, and Pease performed as a recognized school. Please go to the following link http://www.tea.state.tx.us/cgi/sas/broker to compare Pease's performance to that of other schools in AISD. If you look closely at all the elementary schools rated either as exemplary or recognized, Pease stands out as the highest rated school in AISD with its particular blend of ethnicity. When you read the review posted in July 2004, please take the time to research for yourself the validity of this review. Its complaint was not well-founded in July of 2004, and it is even less so now.
—Submitted by a parent