Pleasant Hill Elementary School

4801 E Oakwood Dr

School District

Des Moines Independent Community
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for Des Moines Independent Community 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 other on June 04, 2023

This is a great school with such a caring staff. We love this school and how involved they are with the community!
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2022

I'm surprised that the score is so low. It is a wonderful school. I guess when things went well, nobody would say much but those experienced differently. My older daughter have been going there for 4 years. No rude stuff, NEVER! Everyone from principal to teachers very friendly and caring. Now they have after school clubs. Students can choose what they want to join and alternate every 2monthes. My daughter is really enjoying that. These are all on teachers' own time. During the pandemic, the teachers were really there for the kids. And very serious with the health protocols. I hate to say, a 10-year experienced teacher definitely can spot out ADHD when kids showing the symptoms. Every doctor annually check- up takes less than 15mins, unless the parents complaint about something, I very doubt the doctor can just say it out loud your kid has ADHD. It needs observation. I can understand when the teacher told you your precious little one has ADHD, it would be hard to process. However, denial and angry at the teacher and principal is definitely not the solution. Getting a convincible evaluation is first thing you should consider. Your kid probably interference teacher's teaching during class and less academic goals achieved with untreated ADHD. Other kids also deserve to learn properly, without interruption. Every kids is special to their family, fiends and themselves, not when a class of kids all together, because they are all equally special.Teachers needs to do what they need to do to make sure that knowledge get to delivered probably to everyone in class. My daughter's reading was below average for a while, her teacher work extra hard with her to make sure she can catch up, and she did. I'm very thankful for this school. Every teacher is very helpful, friendly and caring. Unknown teachers said hi and knew my Kid's name, school staff can help her get in the car safely even off duty. This is a very good school and my kid is happy here, I'm very happy with it too.
Submitted by principal on May 08, 2019

Good. We have the best teachers in Des Moines Schools. Teachers must follow strict standards here. We do what is best for kids.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2019

Not a good experience for our family. The principal and teacher were very rude. The principal kept telling us that my daughter needed medicine for ADHD. Not a warm welcome to a new school. My daughter came home crying several times because other kids were picking on her. Thank goodness that we moved.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2019

My experience with this school started with a very rude interaction with the principal. She was so rude and would not let me talk. She continues to harass my son... Learning doesn't come the same to all kids. She needs to stop and understand what type of environment she is creating, starting with her.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2018

I have had two children attend Pleasant Hill and they have seen successful results in both academics and activities. It is evident that parental support is strong at this school and an atmosphere conducive to learning is present. I like the variety of activities and functions my students could participate in. The school leaders and teachers seem to promote more traditional discipline values that lead to a more cooperative and successful learning environment. In a country where so many schools have gone downhill dramatically, especially from a discipline standpoint, it is nice to see a school that maintains a high level of expectations from each child.
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2016

I currently have two kids at Pleasant Hill Elementary but I am a foster parent and have had a total of 3 kids attending in the past 3 years. This school made such a huge impact for these kids, including my biological child. The foster kids I have moved to Pleasant Hill Elementary were struggling with behavior and academics at their previous schools but once they moved to Pleasant Hill Elementary they received the help they needed which gave them confidence and relieved frustration that caused the behaviors. They aren't perfect by any means, they are kids and still have trauma from the situation they are in but the environment at this school has given them a bright spot in their day they didn't have before. The teachers at Pleasant Hill are amazing! They go above and beyond and they don't expect all kids in class to be on the same level. The reading progress each child has made since starting at P. Hill is incredible. All of the staff is very engaged. The principal knows every student and every family in school, she's had a LOT of experience with ADHD and is a great resource. We had never experienced ADHD before our first foster child but she has been an amazing advocator for our kids, helping us even before our foster kids were moved to her school. Our current foster was already on ADHD medication when he came to us but his Bio parents wanted him taken off. The Pleasant Hill principal helped us get classroom behavior documented to take to his doctor so the doctor was able to make an educated decision whether medication was needed. Before our foster was even a student at her school! She is so focused on kids and what they need and she's creates an environment at her school of putting the focus on the kids...on what each individual child needs.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2016

Both my son and daughter go to this school, i have had no problems with my daughter but as soon as my son advanced to Kindergarten, i received a call on his 5th day from "the principal" saying that he moved around too much this and that! Further more suggesting that he has ADHD!! The last time i checked no one at this school is a doctor! I feel that since day one of his kindergarten year they have had it out for him. Because he doesn't fit into the perfect mold of children they expect to attend their school! Even going as far as suggesting medication when he has never been diagnosed with anything! The Preschool teachers were excellent, but the further up you go, the more incompetent they become! I would give zero stars if i could!
Submitted by other on January 09, 2015

Wish there was a way to give zero stars. Most staff is absolutely rude. Advice: Get better staff, starting with the principal. We will refuse to let our child go here next year. Relatives are also removing their children.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2013

My child has been going to this school for a few years now and it's everything I want for my child. The principal and teachers are very caring and want the best education for our kids. They work very hard for our kids and it does show. My child looks forward to school each day and has plenty of "lessons learned" to share each night. As with any school, parents should become more active in the PTO or just getting to know their child's teacher better. These are some of the best teachers out there. If you're thinking of moving to this area or school, you'll be happy you did.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2013

I agree, teachers are very rude and when you need to confront a teacher about something they will hang up the phone on you. Very rude.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2013

This school will not deal with special needs children at all. Our son was diagnosed with asperger's. We explained this to the school and offered to work with them for solutions. They treated him as an outcast from day one, and refused to work with us. The teacher called him a "bad kid" in front of the class and encouraged the other kids to ostracized him, and the principal just backed her up. Needless to say, we are now at a new school where they are willing to work with him and us, and he has made great progress. This school is great for children who "fit the mold" but they refuse to work with any child that doesn't. This isn't a nurturing environment that cares about each child. They just want easy kids.