Pennington School

20 Fairway Street

School District

Mt Vernon
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Mt Vernon 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 April 09, 2020

I am very happy with the pre-k program. The students are learning in a fun and nurturing environment. My daughter loves going to school. The other children are very nice and they all play well together. I am trying to help foster communication with the parents and increase parent involvement and participation. I feel the school is going in the right direction. If everyone from the community put their children in this school it would improve the school even more. I encourage you to enroll your child in the pre-k program. We plan to keep our child in the school for as long as possible. Looking forward to the brand new playground which will include a separate pre-k and Kindergarten playground.
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2019

Both of my boys have and are still attending, it is sad to see Mr. Brady leave based on no support from the Board of Education. We are losing a great leader and I hope whomever steps in have some big shoes to fill.
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2019

I am very happy with the way the school is operating. We have teachers with experience that care for the students. We also have a principal and assistant principal that are very involved in day to day activities. Parents are very involved as well as the PTA. I can’t complain my two boys are doing great in school and they love it here.
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2018

Its still early but so far things are going okay. My son is definitely writing & reading more. Has homework every night etc. When it comes to diversity this school falls a bit short. I live a block away and with all the ridiculous taxes I pay, I find it concerning why this school is not soaring into the 9/10's. Im sure im not the only parent in the surrounding area that thinks of this. After all it was once a "Blue Ribbon" school. So what happen? Theres dirty politics playing in background of the entire school system in Mt.Vernon and this neighborhood (Fleetwood) should be fighting to make this school stellar.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2017

We have had an excellent school experience on all levels across the board. Staff is energetic, caring, and highly qualified. There is open communication with faculty and administration and kids are happy!
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2017

I disagree with many who have left bad reviews. When it comes to judging the PTA I would definitely question if those who spoke negatively ever volunteered or gotten involved enough to learn more about where the donations go and the hurdles that are needed to be jumped to get things done. These ladies spend a TON of their time making the school a better place and are always in need of extra help. When it comes to curriculum I am satisfied. My son tests above his class and multiple programs are in place to keep up with his pace including ATLAS and Enrichment. I would strongly recommend the people who are leaving negative reviews educate themselves on what actually is available at this great school. On the negative side - communication between the administration and teachers... thus parents is horrible.
Submitted by other on May 11, 2016

My 6 year old grandson is in 1st grade at Pennington and he loves going there.
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2015

Let me start of by saying I am an adult would benefited from Mount Vernon School District K-12. And yes I graduated MVHS with honors starting from the south side elementary school. When I moved to the north side my child was briefly enrolled here and I wouldn’t recommended it. This school is a testament to the segregation of the town. Yes children from the south side are allowed through a lottery to attend Pennington. I know this because my aunt’s kids were briefly enrolled. But she quickly took her children out of the school because she felt that teachers and staff did not treat them fairly. When I daughter entered the school she was coming from a Montessori school and could already read, write, and do math at higher grade level than most 5 yr. olds . However when I looked at the diversity of the classroom I was appalled .They used to say when I was kid you had to “look” a certain way to be in this school and sadly things haven’t changed.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2015

Like most parents in the neighborhood, we tried Pennington, but ended up going private last year. Prospective families should know that kids from all over Mount Vernon can and do attend; not just kids from the zoned neoghborhood. Academics consist of nothing more than worksheets printed right off the engageny.org website, and about 25% of my child's class was pulled out for extra math and/or reading support, which was disruptive. There is no challenge or creativity at all. Teachers are middle-aged zombies who have not updated their classroom techniques in ten or twenty years. Behaviorially, they have unrealistic expectations of 5 and 6 year-old children. They punish liberally and yet behavior problems abound. They haven't discovered positive reinforcement as tool for good behavior. The principal is rarely visible. Just a mess.
Submitted by other on July 22, 2015

This school has a principal that does not care about the children and the community. She hides from the parents and community members unless there is some political advantage or benefit for her. The school leader also fails to hold her teachers accountable; therefore, teachers don't effectively engage students in learning. Most of the instruction in the school is based on test prep and they don't provide services to children that need them.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2015

This really is a great school in a sub par school district. Many academic issues are due to the district not the school. Truly wonderful teachers who care about the children. Don't pay attention to the reviews about the PTA - there are a group of women who are very involved, but without them we'd lose some of the great programs the school/PTA offers. With many working parents (myself included) you need people who care and are involved. Ask these reviewers instead if they ever volunteer.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2014

Very disappointed. The PTA - I'd heard the rumors, but the truth really IS that they are out of control. The same 5-10 people run it all and are NOT inclusive of anyone else. It's unfortunate that this "administration" has free reign and aren't held to any procedures and protocols. The principal just lets them run amok. Caution any parents who are thinking of this school - it really has lost some of the appeal over the last few years. Very disappointing. Robert's Rules of Order have no place here. Beware.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2014

This school is a great school. Other parents need to realize that economics, implementation of a new curriculum, central office, and new demands are making all schools unfavorable. It's the reality of the world we live in. My son was in Mr. Constantinides fourth grade class this year and had a great year. He is a kind and caring teacher who really supports his students. His communications skills were excellent, and homework was even emailed home on a nightly basis. Pennington is a great choice of schools!!
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2014

My son is about to graduate at Pennington and I love it. The families are very involved and I really like the teacher he has. There is a great after school program and the diversity at Pennington is great.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2014

I rate this school as one of the prejudice and unfair school possible my kids attended this school but it is all about who you know and the cliques you belong in. I think that when the board of ed and the pta have a say on who attends this school it becomes unfair. I pay so much taxes and you are not allowed to choose the school you want your kids to attend. I choose to get out of this mount Vernon district. Too much politics and favoritism allowed here.
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2013

Too many parent cliques have formed. Parents in that area want you to think Pennington is a wonderful school but there is no comparison to Lincoln nor Holmes. I removed my child from Pennington due to a teacher not giving challenging work. Principal was very defensive and didn't want to hear anything negative about the teacher. PTA was strong there. Residents complained about southside kids coming to their school (how horrific is that?) They should be glad they are coming because most of Fleetwood sends their children to private schools. So go figure.
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2012

A lot about Pennington depends on which teacher you get each year. Usually one teacher is better than the other. That said I have not been happy with my childs teacher each year. Last year I requested a change and the principal refused. I then found out that new children to the district got put in the other class so there was room. In 5th grade I feel the other class learned much more and was much further ahead and prepared than the other class. In K and first grade there were 25 kids in each class in my sons grade. Next year in 6th grade there will be 14 kids in each class. Oops 13 in my sons class because we are tuitioning him in to a neighboring district we were that unhappy last year. Also most other districts move kids into middle school in 6th and we don't want him any futher behind. When the PTA had afterschool it was a great program that no longer exists. The school has gone downhill. Others say the principal is caring and involved. I found her to be defensive of her own position and teachers over the children's interests. While the PTA has always been involved there was a takeover last year and I feel it has become more a place for the popular moms than it once was.
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2012

Pennington is an excellent school with very nurturing teachers. My first daughter graduated in 2009 and she had a wonderful time at the school. Ms Usini, Ms Castaldi, Ms Lucadamo they were very caring teachers. The principal is Mrs Marrow is very involved and knows all her students by name. It's a shame though that the Board of Ed would not allow the PTA to continue the very economical and wonderful afterschool program that they had. They used to have a very very wonderful music and arts program too but those have been cut due to the budget and the dishonesty that was happening in Mount Vernon.
Submitted by other on December 28, 2010

Pennington has changed since my children attended. It still serves the basic needs of the students, but its major failing is that there is not a school librarian. When the previous excellent librarian was cut due to budget concerns, the children lost the opportunity for in-depth research, projects relating to their studies, and time spent with meaningful literature. No matter the quality of staff or administration, Pennington cannot be rated as excellent without a librarian. The school library is the backbone that supports all areas of the curriculum. If you want a strong literacy program, you must have an good school library and a certified librarian to staff it.