Pleasant Ridge Elementary School

3013 Walnoaks RD

School District

Knox County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Knox County School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 06, 2024

I advise any one with a child with autism not to let your child attend this school instead of trying to get to know the child all they are going to do is suspend them for 2 and 3 days they DO NOT have the staff to help children with autism it is ridiculous I had absolutely no problems with his pre school teachers and still til this day he loves them currently waiting on a transfer for him Beware parents of kids with autism
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2023

Some teachers don’t seem to understand the material they are teaching. No positive encouragement or feedback, very negative attitude towards students.
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2022

Hands down the worst school I have ever sent my kids too. Hopefully nobody ever has family emergencies while attending this school because they will claim truancy issues and threaten to bring you to court. The office is 100% unwilling to work with you on any problems you may be facing. My girls love their teachers thankfully but unfortunately the office has completely destroyed the schools reputation for me.
Submitted by other on July 13, 2019

There are some big changes that should be made in order to more acceptably serve the children in the school.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2018

Fantastic people teachers are awsome and very helpful
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2017

Teachers and staff are student focused and go above and beyond for all students.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2015

Pleasant Ridge is an amazing school! My daughters have had excellent experiences with the teachers and staff. I have worked with the PTO and know several teachers as well as Ms Birdsong personally. These staff work long hours and are dedicated to the kids. The principal and office staff know my children and me and have been kind and thoughtful to us. My oldest child came to PRES from a private school, and I was concerned about going to a smaller school. But it didn't take me long to love it here! The small classes makes it an amazing community where all teachers know and care for your child. I have watched my children grow and learn and blossom at pleasant ridge. We love it and you will too!
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2015

After reading comments from others, I really don't understand some of the negative comments. The school (including Mrs. Birdsong and Mr. Reda the school counsellor) adheres to a strict no bullying policy. And though we have encountered a few strict teachers, my son has benefited academically from their structure and he is learning to be more responsible. I have never felt that a teacher or staff member was being deliberately rude or trying to humiliate a child in any way, though having experienced something similar at a private school, I do feel for those parents. Regardless, it is good to see things from different perspectives, so...Having several children, we have had the opportunity to experience homeschooling, a cooperative school, private school and other Knox County public schools. Our youngest son has been at Pleasant Ridge for four years. It is a small school, but in our experience that has been a positive thing. The class sizes are reasonable and the staff, teachers and Principal Birdsong are very involved and concerned for each child. As with most schools, we believe that it pays to be involved! Get to know the wonderful staff, join the PTO and volunteer and participate in the activities and events the school offers. They have a strong reading focus and assist children in all subjects in which they may be struggling. Our son was strong in Math and weak in Reading and he was placed in special groups to accommodate both his strengths and weaknesses, resulting in him becoming a confident reader and continuing to excell in Math. I have had a couple of personal issues to discuss in private with Ms. Birdsong, who listened carefully and responded appropriately out of genuine concern for her student's and their families. If issues do arise in the future, I am comfortable communicating my concerns to the PRES staff. We firmly believe that PR is the best school for this season of our son's life. I will continue to recommend this school to friends and strangers alike!
Submitted by parent on July 18, 2014

Both my sons' go to pleasant ridge and love it!!!! My older son has asperger's and they have been amazing with him and his teacher Mrs. A was wonderful and Mrs. Isral is the mist amazing kinder teacher!!!?
Submitted by parent on July 09, 2014

This school was touted as being wonderful in all the reviews I found online prior to moving to the district. I can't actually say that all the teachers and staff at Pleasant Ridge are bad, but the teacher that my son had this past school year was terrible. My son now hates school and begs for me to home school him. The principal there was of no help at all, and offered empty condolences for what we were enduring. I see that the school has potential (state scores) but the staff there definitely needs to be reevaluated. I pray this next year is better because if not my family will be moving to a different school zone.
Submitted by other on April 28, 2014

I read all the bad reviews on this school and I have to agree with all of them... my grandchild goes to this school and she is humiliated and disrespected in front of the whole class by her own teacher. This school is the worst school I've ever heard of in my life. Very mean, rude, & evil teachers only there to get a paycheck and be rude. I feel like the whole school needs cleaned out and new, more respectful teachers be bought in to do the job right and that is to give these students a good education.
Submitted by other on March 13, 2014

This school is in a GOOD ZONE,I only hope and pray parents do read these reviews before ASSUMING for that reason that it's a good school... because it is NOT, teachers from at that school are not there to help the children but only to receive a pay check, they are very rude and try to embarrass the children in front of the entire class, and if anything happens between the children arguing and even worse.... being bullied on!!! The teacher will say 'I didn't see it. We send our kids to school to learn, not to be picked on ,my child got a certificate last year for not missing any day's of school, loved it, now this yr can't wait for Fridays, This is so sad,these kids are very young and if teachers would do there jobs now,there may be less bullying when they get a little older.....This is a far cry from a good elementary school.....I PRAY for help
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2014

This school is horrible. Nothing but rude/mean teachers and staff. I would not suggest anyone to send their kid to this school. My child was mistreated by his teacher for no reason. He was even bullied and tried to tell the teacher and nothing was done about it. He has been transferred to another school and is happy. Hes making good grades and the teachers/staff are awesome. Hope everyone takes my advice. Thanks
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2014

This is my son's first year at this school, and I have to say the staff at this school is the rudest I have met in any school, business, you name it. The only person that has not been rude to me, or that I witnessed being rude to other people are the two police man out front, and the other lady who directs traffic at the crosswalk. The office staff and every teacher i have met, which is about 8 or 9 have all been rude. Even the guy in the gym where your child goes in the morning is rude to your child. I don't ever write comments, but after what I witnessed this morning I had to at least give parents a heads up. If you love and care about your child, which I know you do, send them to another school. Your child WILL NOT receive any special attention here whatsoever. I take that back, if they wear a hat not fashionable with the TN class, then they will get joked about in the front office. This school makes me literally sick thinking about it. I hope this information will provide you with some insight on what you have to look forward to here.
Submitted by other on August 06, 2013

I am a student at PRES and I am AMAZED at all the bad comments. This is a GREAT school. If you are a parent i would highly sagest sending your kid to PRES
Submitted by teacher on June 19, 2013

I am a teacher and parent at Pleasant Ridge. I have to say I was extremely surprised to read some of the negative comments about the unprofessionalism and especially the rudeness of the office and school staff. I can say as an inside source that that is simply not true! It hurts to read some of those comments especially since we literally pour our hearts and soul into a strong and solid education for children and maintain and build positive relationships in the community.
Submitted by parent on December 02, 2011

This school has failed my child numerous times in this school year. Total unprofessional teachers. My other child will not attend this school!
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2011

I am very disappointed in this school. I have had my girls in this school for years now. My one is in 4th year and one is in 2nd. They both had the same Kindergarten teacher and then the same 1st grade teacher. We were absolutely thrilled with them! They were terrific teachers! But the school has had an uncanny ability to get unprofessional and unqualified principals in there. Due to the principal issues, we have seen MANY wonderful teachers leave the school. And unfortunately, the people that are replacing those teachers are just as poor quality as the principal that is in place. Luckily I have been in the school long enough to know which remaining teachers are really good. I thank heavens that I can non-request people! If I had the money to put my children in private school, I would. It is really a shame! It is sad to see such a historical school that was staffed with great teachers decline to due principal negligence.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2011

I have had children in PRES for a year now. I have found that the Principal and office staff can be very very rude. They don't always act professional. I have heard the secretary speak multiple times about children and circumstances of families in the office to other parents, when I have been in there. Some of the teachers there have also been rude as well, even unthoughtful to the needs of one of my children. I think that the school has potential to be great, but only if they get rid of a few of the newer teachers that seem to be holier than thou, and get a new secretary. However, the parent involvement in the school is fabulous! They really pitch in and pull it together! Great PTA!
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2011

WE LOVE Pleasant Ridge Elementary!!! Our son was previously in a private Christian Academy with small class sizes and wonderful teachers. P.R.E. is a great match excluding the fact that it's a public school and cannot teach the Word of God. We truly LOVE P.R.E. The class sizes are small, the new principal is outstanding and I cannot say enough about the teachers and staff. We've always felt very welcomed and like family. I would recommend this school to anyone!