Thomas Pullen Creative & Performing Arts Academy?

[Anonymous]

My 5yr old got into Thomas Pullen through the lottery. Does anyone have any experience with this school? It would be a bit of a commute though bus service is provided. I am really torn because my neighborhood school is okay and I am not sure if adding an extra hour and a half to her day is worth it. Please help!

[Anonymous]

IMO it's not worth an extra 1.5 hours if your local school is okay.
Another thing you should consider is if you stay at the local school you have a support group of other parents you know. I have a group of parents I can text if I am running late and need them to pick the kids, to find out if there is a special day or if my child forgets their homework.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 5yr old got into Thomas Pullen through the lottery. Does anyone have any experience with this school? It would be a bit of a commute though bus service is provided. I am really torn because my neighborhood school is okay and I am not sure if adding an extra hour and a half to her day is worth it. Please help!

What's your neighborhood school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 5yr old got into Thomas Pullen through the lottery. Does anyone have any experience with this school? It would be a bit of a commute though bus service is provided. I am really torn because my neighborhood school is okay and I am not sure if adding an extra hour and a half to her day is worth it. Please help!

What's your neighborhood school?

Berwyn Heights

[Anonymous]

I left my neighborhood school after two years when my twins were accepted at Pullen for second grade. I have been very happy with the school. They offer a more welcoming and nurturing environment than my home school. Parents are always welcome and staff are responsive. My children enjoy attending Pullen and I am happy with the extra Arts curriculum. My children do not ride the bus. I would not be happy with a long bus ride since school does not let out until 3:55. I am pleased that the school goes through 8th grade and class sizes are capped at 25. The building is old, so there is that. If you are inclined to try it, I would encourage you to do so. Your home school will always be available if you are not happy.

[Anonymous]

What are some of the extra Arts programs - I cannot seem to get a good feel of any of the above an beyond programs that set the school creative arts programs a part from other local public options. I also get approved through the lottery for my 5 yr old to attend. I am heavily debating as a lot of the feedback is outdated and not sure if things have changed. But the reviews are not very positive and nothing focuses on anything that makes this program unique or dynamic.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

The K-8 Creative Arts School follows the general curriculum guidelines that are used for all Prince George’s County Public Elementary and Middle Schools. Instruction is provided in language arts, mathematics, science and social studies along with specialized instruction in the arts—visual art, drama, instrumental and vocal music, dance, media arts, creative writing, literary arts and related computer lab experiences

This is taken from the school website. I would suggest you visit the school and take a tour. Dance, drama, and band/strings were
not offered at my home school.

[Anonymous]

Thinking about this for next year, but I will have a rising 3rd grader then. Anyone know how difficult it is to get in via lottery in the mid-elementary grades?

[Anonymous]

TJP was built as a Junior High School.
I know. I went there for 7th to 9th grade.
It is a pretty big school, sq. ft. wise.
I had no idea they changed it to a kindergarten school.

[Anonymous]

I am glad I found this forum and hope someone responds, ha-ha. My child is currently #1 on the waitlist to get into this school. I emailed the principal and one of the elementary counselors several months ago and no response. I know they are very busy; however, that did not sit right with me. I rode pass the school since I live in the area and I did not like what I saw from the outside of the school and because of the neighborhood it’s in, I even more turned off. Please pardon me if I sound biased, I am not; however, if we were to take my child out of private school to put him into this one I want the best environment and education. I dug a little deeper to get some questions answered by calling the school. I spoke with someone who was very helpful but her responses to my questions rather had me wondering why she is talking in between the lines. Many of my questions are below, you will see her answers, and maybe you can assist in the response.

How is bullying handled? She mentioned the student must address it with the teacher and the teacher will work with the parents through PG County policy. Therefore, it seems nothing is done in house and bullying will continue.

Is there any interaction with elementary and middle school students? She said yes, when they switch classes there is interaction. I do not like that, because the middle school kids can bully the younger kids. For example, it was one kid in Ohio who committed suicide because he was being bullied in between classes and was knocked unconscious by an older kid. By her response, it seemed something like this would happen because there is no control on bullying.

I also asked about the class size. The person mentioned it was 30 kids in a class with one teacher and no aide to assist. I thought that was too many kids with no help. It is also apparent the counselors are not involved.

If you can please give an overview of the environment of the school and the kids.

The person who assisted me mentioned it was not a neighborhood school but it is still 90 percent African American where my wife and I were looking for more diversity.

[Anonymous]

I am not a parent at Pullen but I can speak in broader terms of experience in public school that you might not have if you have been in a private. A lot of the concerns you have are the same ones I had before my daughter started K at our local elementary school. As far as the demographics of the student population, 90% AA would really limit diversity BUT you would see a diversity in SES. Pullen only has a 50% FARMS rate which shows that you are going to have a significant variety as far as family income. The surrounding elementary schools have a far higher FARMS rate. As far as school culture, I would also compare it to the TAG program at Kenmoor. It is not in a great neighborhood but the TAG classrooms are well run and people are generally happy with their experience at the school. I have answers to your questions below in bold

Anonymous wrote:I am glad I found this forum and hope someone responds, ha-ha. My child is currently #1 on the waitlist to get into this school. I emailed the principal and one of the elementary counselors several months ago and no response. I know they are very busy; however, that did not sit right with me. I rode pass the school since I live in the area and I did not like what I saw from the outside of the school and because of the neighborhood it’s in, I even more turned off. Please pardon me if I sound biased, I am not; however, if we were to take my child out of private school to put him into this one I want the best environment and education. I dug a little deeper to get some questions answered by calling the school. I spoke with someone who was very helpful but her responses to my questions rather had me wondering why she is talking in between the lines. Generally the only people on duty during the summer are the secretary, registrar and Principal. If you spoke the the first two they probably have very little useful information for you. I'd reach out to the PTA Many of my questions are below, you will see her answers, and maybe you can assist in the response.

How is bullying handled? She mentioned the student must address it with the teacher and the teacher will work with the parents through PG County policy. Therefore, it seems nothing is done in house and bullying will continue. There is a County wide guidance on this. It is a very detailed document on the steps the teachers and leadership at the school have to do when there is suspected bullying or a complaint. I know that one of the main steps is the Principal has to have an individual meeting with parents/guardians of all the children involved. I would say that your interpretation of the person's response is that nothing will be done in house is incorrect. They actually have a link to the Bullying Report form on the home page of their website. http://www1.pgcps.org/thomaspullen/ . Again, the secretary or registrar may not be familar with these processes.

Is there any interaction with elementary and middle school students? She said yes, when they switch classes there is interaction. I do not like that, because the middle school kids can bully the younger kids. For example, it was one kid in Ohio who committed suicide because he was being bullied in between classes and was knocked unconscious by an older kid. By her response, it seemed something like this would happen because there is no control on bullying. Again, the issue with the no control on bullying is probably not correct. I've not seen any complaints about bullying at Pullen. In my experience at my local elementary school K-3rd grade students do not change classes often and when they do they are with either a teacher or other school employee. They also have restrooms in their classrooms. I'm not sure about the older kids. Again, talking to the PTA or other parents would probably give you a better idea.

I also asked about the class size. The person mentioned it was 30 kids in a class with one teacher and no aide to assist. I thought that was too many kids with no help. It is also apparent the counselors are not involved. There are usually Reading Specialist, Math Specialists and ESOL teachers who rotate into the classrooms during the Reading/Math blocks at most ES. And I don't think 30 in the classroom is right. If you look at the enrollment data (http://www1.pgcps.org/pasb/index.aspx?id=20160) the number of K students as of Sept 30 of last year was 74 and there were 3 teachers. That would be an average class size of 25. Not great but far less than 30. It appears that class sizes are 25-26 for at least K--5th grade. Again, you may not have been speaking to a reliable source.

If you can please give an overview of the environment of the school and the kids.

The person who assisted me mentioned it was not a neighborhood school but it is still 90 percent African American where my wife and I were looking for more diversity.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the response. I will do the research provided tonight and respond tonight or tomorrow. Thanks