Thomas G. Pullen School

700 Brightseat Rd

Greater Landover, MD 20785

School District

Prince George's County Public Schools
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Prince George's County Public Schools

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 April 23, 2024

Pullen is a lottery based enrollment and magnet program in the county. It's fairly large with 700+ students enrolled. In the early 00s, I attended as a student, and now 20 years later, my child attends. As a parent, overall I liked the experience. I believe the school Principal is engaged and welcoming. I do believe she is very pragmatic and realizes that a one-size fits all approach is ineffective. The culture as portrayed really seems that she supports the staff. (Outside looking in)... as far as the educators, on the core academic side, from the 2nd grade until now in 6th grade, I can say there have been stand outs as well as mediocre educators. Some of the teachers were really engaged and seeking to help students and open to keeping the communication lines open with the parent. As we've progressed I do see that middle school teachers are harder to reach. That being said, it could be that the teachers are busy. It's a demanding job. The arts program is pretty good and I think if your student is expressing interest in the performing arts it may be a good fit since there aren't many programs like it in the state. Standouts within the arts program are within the Dance Department and there are really cool opportunities within Media Arts. I do agree with another poster who mentioned that once in middle school, your student will need to pick a focus and will not have the opportunity to enroll in multiple arts disciplines. However, there are multiple opportunities during elementary school to take advantage of the extracurricular opportunities. Personally, we've participated in Orchestra which was very nice as the students were granted performance opportunities. That being said, if your child likes being on stage, this IS the place for them! Now as far as student body culture. Well these are 21st century children ( gen z and gen alpha) and they communicate very differently than older generations. Social media has changed the landscape and as result educators and parents are lagging on how to deal. Personally there have been instances of bullying and social media misuse, but the Principal /Admin staff and teachers have always been on top of it. I do think the student demographic is as diverse as the county because it is county-wide. Some students come from very affluent backgrounds and others are coming from humble backgrounds and that's ok! Pullen operates as a family. No matter where you choose the child's success depends on the village around them.
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2024

This school is horrible!!! The elementary school principal is never welcoming all she does is sit at at the bench in the morning and when you say hi to her she looks at you with a dirty look. It's like she hates middle schoolers and love elementary.
Submitted by student on June 16, 2023

The School Is Good & The teachers are nice.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2023

This is a great school it helps my child’s education and she has fun learning.
Submitted by other on November 20, 2022

It is so good and it has everything I need for learning, thank you so much thomas g pullen.
Submitted by parent on July 09, 2018

Exceptional. The instrumental music program is superior and sets the student up for success in other music programs if they are interested in pursuing music.
Submitted by other on February 05, 2016

It's a great school that has a lot to offer from music to dance ,drama,art, computer lab, sports and many more. As a parent I could not be happier with my child's education at Pullen. From kindergarten up to now 3rd grade each teacher has communicated well with me and met all my needs and concerns.
Submitted by other on August 12, 2014

As a student at tgp since 4th grade I've enjoyed myself. Middle school was fun and I learned at lot and meet a group of amazing people I'm currently about to do my last year at thomas pullen and overall the social aspect of the school is great but sometimes people don't know when it's time to shut down the behavior problems and that you should respect everyone and sometimes there are things that go on that in my opinion aren't that necessary
Submitted by other on May 08, 2014

Thomas G. Pullen has excelled in academics and art for 25 years. Keep up the excellent work!
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2014

I was excited when my child started in drama in 6th grade; it appeared to be an arts school that still prioritized academic achievement. Now with an 8th grader, I still agree, but the arts part of the school is a let down. They offer little variety in elective courses or opportunities for kids to cross participate in other arts. For example, a vocal student participating in guitar or a drama student participating in vocal performance. So you end up with health and gym every quarter. The vocal department used to have lots of high profile opportunities, not quite anymore, the band/orchestra I think went to the white house, drama has none. The building is rundown, but the energy inside is positive. Parents are involved & show school pride & support their children's education. The principal is OK, but there is little evidence of her leadership or growth. The kids are good but there is a great deal of mean spiritedness happening and I doubt that it's being addressed widescale which helps with prevention instead of handing a few individual cases. Overall, personal experiences not withstanding, I'd still say it's a pretty good school, better than most even. But you may find better.
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2014

At first my family and I were excited when my child was accepted after their audition to be in the orchestra. If you have the great pleasure to have your child instructed by Mrs. Shieh, consider your child fortunate! The rest of the environment, however, leaves much to be desired. The school houses some of the most ill behaved,supposedly AP,TAG/Magnet students you will ever come across. For some reason discipline in this school is lacking, bullying is ramped and overlooked or seen as a "thing kids go through"....and that was told to me by the guidance counselor!!!! The parents are encouraged to be involved and from the performing arts standpoint, most if not all parents show up. Teachers are very active in responding to emails when contacted, but cliques, bullying and all out foul language and cursing spoken by children in the hallways as young as 7 is the order of each day......What they provide in instruction should not come at the cost of breaking the spirit, well being and mentality of a child just because they may be shorter, taller, darker, lighter, thicker or slimmer than their counterparts.......
Submitted by other on December 10, 2013

Thomas Pullen is one of the best middle schools in Prince Georges county. the arts program is excellent and the academic program is too. Their test scores are good. Also for the past few years this school is one of the only middle schools to get people from PG county into the junior all-state chorus band and orchestra. this school may be old and worn down but the staff is great and students love this school
Submitted by other on December 05, 2013

This is a great school with great faculty. Pretty much everyone I know agrees. Keep up the good work!
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2013

My daughter just started Kindergaten in the fall. Everything seems good so far. They really try hard to give their students the best.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2013

This school has potential and was a good school at one time. They offer great performing arts programs, but what's the point if the kids are unable to learn? Nothing but constant FIGHTS at this school and the staff doesn't have control.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2013

I absolutely love Thomas Pullen my son has been there since grade K and is now in the 3rd grade,and I have LOVED all of his teachers thus far. As many of the older schools in the PG county area this is one of them so its not very pleasing to the eye BUT the inside of the school (teachers, students, and etc) are all well worth it! I highly recommend Thomas G. Pullen.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2012

One of the BEST schools in the nation... that really made me laugh out loud...I think not... I would beg to differ...These reviews MUST be coming in from staff members, or friends of the staff members there because as a parent I have had the worse experience dealing with this school... unprofessional would be an understatement, the appearance of the school is an eyesore The Principle is nice but lacks enthusiasm The ONLY good thing is that they do offer some pretty good programs as far as dance, music, etc.,but not enough to keep us there...I'm currently debating on whether to keep my child at this school or not... 1 year and 3 weeks and I'm pretty much fed up with this school. Going to this school should be a privilege and an honor but I really don't feel that way. I've been holding out hoping it would get better and so far no such luck. The only reason I'm still there is because my child (as resilient as kids are) doesn't appear to be affected by any of this..My child has made friends there so this makes it hard...Luckily for me it's still early enough to transition.
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2011

Thomas Pullen is one of the best schools in the nation. The staff is amazing. They not only teach the kids, but they nurture and invest in them. They know most of the kids by name, have built relationships with both students and parents and quickly respond to any concerns expressed by the children and parents. Their arts programs are enjoyable, but challenging, and they allow the kids to be who they are, while loving them. Its a fantastic school!
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2010

Pullen has excellent teachers that really care about the students! The school leadership definitely puts the kids first and provides great leadership. The academic programs are challenging and they are teaching the students to be responsible and accountable. The creative & performing arts programs are also excellent and offer many opportunities to the kids!