John J Pershing Elementary School

Pershing has a new principal. She is starting her third year. She has made an amazing improvement in the school. Both the staff and the parents respect her very much. The environment is always positive and the kids are excelling both in grades and in outside activities. You could not pay for a better education.
—Submitted by a parent

I've had one child or the other at Pershing for 11 years and am looking forward to our last year there with our fifth grader. We love Pershing and have never regretted our decision to forego a private school education in favor of our terrific neighborhood public schools.
—Submitted by a parent

The after school program is fabulous. I think there are way to many worksheets and teaching to the Taks but you can hardly fault the teachers for that.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school. Very happy with the administration and teaching staff. TAKS scores have a ways to go, but school is definitely working toward progress. I am pleased to be a member of this staff.
—Submitted by a staff

This school is great. The administration is wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

Anyone who passes up the chance to consider Pershing is missing an incredible experience. Pershing (which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year) is a safe, happy, and academically challenging school. Some of the teachers have been at Pershing for over 30 years, and the Principal, Larry Hines, is an enthusiastic, well-regarded leader. My children enjoy the Talented and Gifted Program, chess club, art club, concert choir, as well as their academic subjects. We feel extraordinarily lucky that Pershing is our neighborhood school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school was excellent. We moved to Texas from Louisiana and this school was far better. The teacher and school staff was so supportive
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent! Great support amongst staff. Administration always top-notch.
—Submitted by a parent

How sad that this school has gone so far downhill! There is a steady stream of memos going out about everything from safety to how to correctly post grades.
—Submitted by a former student

As a teacher, I have been nothing but happy with the current administration. Pershing is fortunate to have such incredible leaders, and all the staff love and care for these children. A strong PTA helps, too. Pershing is a great place to send your children, and a great place to work.
—Submitted by a staff

Our experience at Pershing just keeps getting better and better. This is due in part to an active and interested principal and vice principal, strong teachers, and involved parents. Our child has been here 3 years and we have another starting kindergarten next year. We are excited because we see strong leadership, teachers and parents all working toward the common goal of educating our children. I have nothing but praise for the music, art and TAG programs at Pershing. The open door policy permits problems to be dealt with quickly and decisively.
—Submitted by a parent

We are in our 3rd year at Pershing and are having a wonderful learning experience! We have new leadership at Pershing who are experienced, enthusiastic, committed and well-respected by the students, staff, and parents. Everybody is is working closely together to make this an awesome neighborhood school by providing a incredible educational opportunity for the students. There is no other school we'd rather have our children!
—Submitted by a parent

Pershing's new principal and assistant principal are doing a fabulous job and making changes that will take this school to the highest levels. Parents and teachers are respected and their input is actively solicited and acted upon. Students and parents hear over and over again 'We're glad you're here!' My child is getting an excellent education in a great environment. The entire staff at this school is now focused on helping students excel. The problems referenced in other comments are definitely behind Pershing and it is moving in a very positive direction. With this leadership, I can't think of another school that can compare, whether public or private.
—Submitted by a parent

Teacher seems too preoccupied to enlighten their school principal instead of putting focus on the students. Teachers have a very poor communication with parents. When they do communicate just negativity and days or weeks after the incident.
—Submitted by D Gonzalez, a parent

I am a former employee of Pershing who experienced my first year with the commencement of Marcel Archer's leadership. In my ten-year tenure in education, I have not endured the strain of observing a principal who erodes the character of every staff member with intention. She looks for the negative in others and finds pride in the achievement of her school.....specifically when all credit is placed in her palm. Kudos are not allowed to be directed to anyone else. The mission at Pershing is not inclusive of the achievement of students, but of the positive recognition of a principal who delights in the weaknesses of others. Heed the warning parents! Positive purpose, negative leader......

this school has really helped my sons. they have really improved their writing skills, speech and whole being. the parents are very involved at this school and my children could not have been at a better place this year
—Submitted by clara aikins, a parent

We have been at the school for 5 years and have seen a lot of changes. I can look back now and admit positive ones. Yes, the school has had high teacher turnover the last couple of years, but from my perspective some of these teachers had gotten too comfortable and lost some of their enthusiasm. The school has many extremely dedicated teachers that have been with Pershing many years but still bring enthusiam and innovation to their classroom each day, plus a genuine love of teaching. The same is true of the school librarian, art teacher and computer science teachers. The sixth grade team of teachers is incredibile. My child will be prepared for whatever middle school we choose. Looking back, I believe our choice of Pershing was one the right one, and one we would make again.
—Submitted by a parent

As President of the PTA at Pershing Elementary, I would like to invite any parent interested in attending Pershing to come visit our fine school. Lets check out some facts about Pershing that are a matter of public record. The 2002/03 TAKS rank placed Pershing 8,8, and 9 respectively in Math, Reading and Writing. This is an incredible leap for a school that was ranked next to last in TAAS Performance (which is a considerably weaker testing standard) in the previous year. Additionally, the 3rd grade at Pershing was only one of three schools in DISD that tested 100% in the TAKS reading score. Pershing teachers were sent to help tutor other schools to improve their reading skills. We have also had the good fortune to bring in 36 new teachers to our school that has helped raise the level of teaching in the classroom and given all parents a higher expectation for student academic achievement. Additionally, every teacher at Pershing has completed Technology Training and is now certified Technology Proficient. Our Principal, Marcel Archer was nominated for Principal of the Year in Area 7 and has been the driving force behind the academic resurgence of the school. The Beck Group has been named a Corporate Partner at Pershing for the next 5 years and we have set a goal of T4-04 (Top 4 school in 2004). This association will provide Beck executive interface with our school in areas ranging from E-Pal tutoring to on-site technology. We were also one of 25 schools, which will participate in a $20 million tutoring grant. This 5-year grant will also provide an after school program which will be open to every child at no cost and include classes ranging from Piano to Gymnastics. We are in the second year, EN2 of our 3-year program to become an Exemplary status school and continue to work hard in all areas to achieve that goal. My home number is available in the office and stop by anytime to give me a call and schedule a personal tour. Be a part of something great, be a part of Pershing.
—Submitted by a parent

I must commend the parent(May 2003)for the bravery exhibited in this individual's completely honest and factual account of the current situation at this school. I believe the comments made are highly valuable, especially due to years of prior experience with two other children who are now alumnis of the school. As I read this parent's comments, I immediately connected with what was being said, as those experiences are exactly the same as my own. It has been my experience that the astronomical turnover of 58 teachers over the past 3 years is a worthy cause for concern despite other views as previously mentioned.
—Submitted by a parent

Our family made an informed choice to attend Pershing after much comparison and research into both private schools and other public schools that feed in to Hilcrest High School. We have been thrilled with the quality education our children are receiving at Pershing. Also, there is no more committed principal than Pershing's principal. In fact, after only her second year at Pershing, she was nominated for Principal of the Year district wide. She is leading the charge toward Excellent status for Pershing.
—Submitted by a parent