Pease Elementary School in Austin, Texas

“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.”
This review was posted 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!”
This review was posted 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”
This review was posted 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!”
This review was posted 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.”
This review was posted 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.”
This review was posted 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!”
This review was posted by 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.”
This review was posted 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.”
This review was posted 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.”
This review was posted 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.”
This review was posted 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.”
This review was posted 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.”
This review was posted 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.”
This review was posted 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.”
This review was posted 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.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is our second year at Pease. We have been very pleased with the academic structure the school has given my children. Mr. Hampton has shown above and beyond what it means to interact with both parents and students. It has a family feeling to be a part of this school and the diversity amoung students is enriching to my children and their future.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“After reading some very critical points some parents expressed, it's clear to me that Pease is a school to avoid. In fact, to compare Pease to a 'private education' with a public facade is an error. All you have to do is simply compare the test averages for all ethnic groups to other schools which are more populated and you will see that Pease is so so on test averages compared to other schools. Frankly for such a small school (the smallest public school in AISD) Pease should be outstanding in all areas on tests. For just one ethnc group to continously outperform the other groups doesn't rate Pease as great or highly achieving school. When all ethnic groups perform on similar levels then Pease can be considered a great school. Sadly,there's no excuse for Pease to be an average performing school when the student body is small Parents are largely to”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I had much higher expectations for this school and now feel this school has not met my expectations by far. The office staff is very unfriendly and I have stood in the office when needing assistance and been ignored because they are chatting with another member of the staff or on a personal call. I ve passed numerous staff/teachers through out the halls and they don t speak nor look at you. I have also not been too impressed with the principal of this school, when one on one with him. The parent participation for my child s class was not what it should have been. We had no take charge parents to organize this class, including myself. Hopefully this coming year will bring a new class and better things or we will be looking for a new school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My Child is a kindergarten student at Pease and this year has had its ups and downs. The teachers are not as approachable as I had hoped for but the children are great. The amount of parental participation is lacking and will hopefully improve in the upcoming year. I have been impressed with the class sizes and the feeling that Pease is like a private school (which my child did attend prior to Kindergarten.) There are only two classes per grade and that is wonderful, the children that were not in my child's class this year possibly could be next year and that makes it so much easier to know each person of the same age. I would have liked it if the class had done more creatively, arts and crafts, which I feel have a more lasting effect on children's learing, and that are were displayed more frequently.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My family has attended Pease Elementary for the past 4 years. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far with the parents, staff and children. I am a very active parent and enjoy the fact that I know all the teachers/staff. The class sizes are smaller than most, the teachers are very motivated, and we have a good percentage of parent involvement. However, we could improve on parent involvement and PTA membership, but we have a good solid group of volunteers that participate whenever needed. I enjoy the historical significance that accompanies Pease as well as the small-town feel. I feel that my children receive the education they need as well as extra educational opportunities. As much as I love Pease, any school is what you make of it. For our participation with the Pease family, I feel that our family reaps many benefits. Go Pease Bobcats!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We are so greatful for to have a real choice within AISD. Our experience with Pease has been extremely positive. Since the class sizes are small and the school is comparatively small, there is a real chance for the students, faculty and staff to really get to know one another. It really reminds me of the small town school I went to, probably because of the cultural and socio-economic diversity, and because the school has such a rich history. Because it is an all-transfer school, you know that behind every student stands a family that has consciously chosen to send their child to Pease. And because the transfers can be revoked for discipline and attendance reasons, families are more motivated to take some responsibility and resolve issues when they arise.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child is in Kindergarten at Pease, and we love it! It is like having all the great aspects of a private school (small classes, highly educated and motivated teachers, community feel) without the not-so-great aspects of private schools (expense, lack of diversity). Pease is very diverse economically, socially, and racially. Everyone is at home here. The only drawback is that parental involvement is not that great. We are working on that. Pease is a terrific place for any child.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Originally, I enrolled my child at this school with high expectations. Did this school make the grade? No! Frankly, I'm amazed at the continous lack of professionalism from the office staff. They are so aweful when it comes to confidentiality. The use of ethics is non-existent. The office staff is there to serve us (the parents) at all times. Overall, the office staff is the worst I've come across in an AISD school. This school places too much emphasis on test taking. In addition, kids attend PE twice in a week rather than once a week in other schools. The atmosphere is monotonous, teachers and parents alike, exude a coldness. If you as a parent are considering your child to attend this school I strongly suggest you opt for Mathews instead. Pease Elm. doesn't emphasis respect among kids. Kids at Pease are rude and impolite. Please, provide your child with justice and educational growth by enrolling him/her at another school and not Pease. You will be sooooo happy. This is exactly what I did, my child now attends Mathews Elm. I'm astonished with the quality of this school. From the parents, teachers, educational structure. Wow! The atmosphere at Mathews is so pleasant and uplifting. Every day when I drop my child at Mathews I'm so so so grateful she attends this school, and your child can too.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Classroom instruction has been tailored to the needs of each child. The children are treated with respect. The principal is very supportive of both teachers and children and is willing to use his time to problem solve if difficulties arise or to celebrate successes as they occur. Children of all ethnic groups play together - just like on Sesame Street! This is a school of kind and intelligent teachers who want to help build kind and intelligent people.”
This review was posted by a parent.