Pattereson elementary is a overcrowded elementary school. My sons have special education needs,whiich at the beginning of last year were met but now have dissapated into nothing. The principal/school leadership is Iffy would be best to describe them. Long office waits, no straight answers , unresolved issues, below par teachers, constant confusion. Special education program is non-existent, Some teachers do not have a grip of their classes. Hiring of substitutes that are not qualified for the specific grade. If a issue occurs in the school with your child no calls notifications or nothing. They do have a great auto-notification system when it comes to attendance. There are only two teachers that go above and beyond to help the kids but everyone else is just getting a paycheck at the expense of the childrens education. I will my children as soon as I find a suitable school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a daughter in the school who is struggling with the consolidation that took place this school term. Patterson is a receiving school for the closed P.R. Harris. Now all of these discipline challenges are at Patterson wrecking havoc! My daughter is in an overcrowded classroom with about 30 students. The principal resigned, and the assistant principal, Ms. Gibson is now the principal. She is better than the previous principal is, cares about the students and actually listens to parental concerns, but she has no help from DCPS. In a school, that size there should be two assistant principals. I ve seen no one since December except her! And she's dealing with misbehaving kids every time I'm there! Ridiculous! Teachers are not teaching because no one is watching! I'm writing to the US Department of Education and contacting the media. Someone has to care!
—Submitted by a parent