Phyllis E. Williams Elementary School

9601 Prince Place

Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

School District

Prince George's County Public Schools
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
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 other on April 19, 2023

Teachers are telling students to stfu in primary grades. Students are afraid to come home and tell their families about what happens in class out of fear of being persecuted by their teacher. The administration does not care. My child is stressed and no one cares. DON'T SEND YOUR CHILDREN HERE.
Submitted by other on September 26, 2022

It's a nice place to learn Spanish! I have been there for all of my elementary school years! Although, some things are pretty lackluster. There aren't any activities after or before school anymore. They didn't have a music teacher last year, and some teachers are rude. Safety patrol is pretty dull. We rarely got any excellent things or rewards, and the only thing that was fun was that 1 PBIS event for earth day. We didn't go to class that day and we got pizza. But after that, It's just... It was pretty bad. But in general, the school is fine. I hope that it gets better, however
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2020

I have been a parent here since Kindergarten - the first year that SI was introduced to the school. Yes, it was bumpy at the start. There were no books in Spanish the first few weeks of school - but I would think that is a school system issue and not the school itself. My daughter will soon be graduating and we are considering our options of whether to continue in the new Spanish Immersion Middle School (@Kettering just anounced) or TAG at Walker Mill or join her sister at College Park Academy. I would take the same journey all over again if I had to... for one key reason ... my daughter enjoys attending school there. There are opportunities for extracurricular activities like Science Bowl, Hall Patrol, Global Ambassadors, Morning News, Trip to Spain, Band, Handbells and Theater. The teachers are really caring, effective and are native speakers. AS with ANY school, the more you put in - the more you get out. Thank you Phyllis E. Williams SI!
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2018

Terrible. School administration is not prepared to deal with social challenges and language barriers.
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2017

I understand that most of the complaints on here are from when the school 1st began its spanish immersion program. It is now 2017 and I think the school is wonderful. The teachers and staff care for these children as if they are their own. When kindergarten graduation came, the teachers were actually in tears. My son has a learning disability and before an IEP could be established (testing and conclusion required within 90 days of the discovery) the teacher was already working on different methods to help him learn the information that was presented. He was able to have a desk divider and noise canceling headphones to reduce distractions. She provided him with a clipboard to allow him to get up and move while he did his work (he would walk around the classroom looking for his answers, instead of being forced to sit still where he may be a distraction to other children). If he felt distracted he was able to go to a different table by himself. The special education instructor also provided extra time in which he could work one on one with my son. All of these adjustments were done before the IEP was in place. To assist, they implemented the blooms app on our phones. This allowed the sharing of pictures from field trips, video of our children in class speaking spanish, and most importantly constant communication between the teachers and parents and among the parents themselves. It takes a village and we were working together to provide anything they might need that wasn't supplied by the school district. We had a wonderful class mom, who was there to help in any way she could. The front office staff are very pleasant and make it a point to remember the children by name. My child may struggle with reading and writing because he has a learning disability, but by the end of the year, he was clearly understanding his teacher when she spoke only in spanish to him. It is amazing how quickly the children begin to understand the language.
Submitted by parent on January 18, 2017

My daughter was blessed with the opportunity to attend Phyllis E. Williams to learn Spanish, but there's a catch.The classrooms aren't properly staffed. In my opinion, most individuals have a hard enough time with the English language, but to learn a whole new language is another challenge in itself.There is one (1) teacher to 18-25 students, trying to learn Spanish, which isn't good and makes no sense.There needs to be a teachers aide or assistant in the classrooms, especially the lower grade levels, K-3rd grade. I would consider these students to be beginners to the language, whom require additional assistance.It's not up to another child learning the language to be required to assist another student, it's should be another adult whose qualified to teach and make sure they understand.My daughter has come home complaining she didn't understand what was taught in class, and I have to try to teach her as a beginner to the Spanish language myself.I don't see how this funded Specialty school expects children (the students) to thrive and advance in a program in which is inadequately staffed.Not to mention you have teachers who barely speak or understand the English language that are teaching our children.It may be their policy to speak only Spanish in the classroom, but you must communicate with me, as the parent in English!Where is the fairness in the situation? When will the constant complaints be addressed and fixed about proper staffing?What is being done with the funding for our children to learn, without worry of being left behind?In regular public schools, the ESL classrooms are properly staffed and the number of students to each teacher is less (5-15).Someone needs to make sure they get the assistance they need in the classroom, and they have a large enough lunch serving at school, because my 6 yr old comes home hungry everyday.There's also the issue with no more days being set aside for Parent/Teacher conferences during the year, except if the parent reaches out to the teacher for time.The system is moving backwards in regression, and giving teachers more time off for so called development, and students less learning time in the classroom.It's a crying shame that Foreign institutions have a more profound and advanced learning system than the USA, and we spend more money on education.Something has to be done about making sure these issues are addressed.
Submitted by parent on January 03, 2017

As with any new program, SI at Phyllis E. Williams has experienced some bumps and bruises. However, there is a new administration in place, which is actively seeking ways to integrate SI across the school, and not just for those students learning Spanish in the SI program. The school also recently started offering Spanish language classes to parents so that we can better help our students with their homework. Overall, the teachers are very good. Sra. Espinet is phenomenal. She was born to teach. She reaches and challenges students at all skill levels. A fellow parent commented to me that her child is much more excited about the program since being in her class. My child is being challenged in the best ways, even though she is already testing above grade level. Sra. Espinet recognizes my child can do more, so she pushes her. The parents are also very engaged and supportive of each other and making the school and the program better. I was a very skeptical new parent last year and am very glad we decided to stick it out.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2015

This is my child's 1st year at PEW as a Spanish Immersion student. While I know that the program was a pilot one, I was willing to take the leap as I felt my child would be ok. While I had a lot of initial concerns during the first month or two of school, I thought I would give it some time before I submitted a review. I love the Spanish immersion teachers and the program. I feel that if the program is to be as successful as it should and can be, there needs to be a change in administration to reflect the direction in which the school is heading. More bilingual teachers/staff that are passionate to teach as well as share the culture they are teaching about, are a most. Also, the classes REALLY need more support. 22-25 kindergarten students to 1 teacher, without support is ridiculous. I noticed a lot of parents volunteering to help teachers in the classroom but that cannot be the solution. The fact that parents need to volunteer shows that there is a need for more assistance. I'm not sure why this is the case, but this needs to be reviewed. The rating would have been higher if I was only rating the program. The school administration needs an overhaul.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2014

I have a student in the spanish emerging program, there is very little classroom support and structure for the teachers. Homework can possibly be missing from folders, parents would not receive calls from teachers, but more so from parents. The school's consistent response to not being able to give the spanish teachers more assistance was that there was a low budget or a request for more parent participation, which was given, yet some parents could not possibly leave their jobs to offer assistance with the classroom management. I also did not feel support from the teachers that were teaching my child.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2014

I would like to say that as a Parent, I am glad to have such a program as the Spanish Program. Despite my abrasive communication with the principal, the other non teacher staff are great. Srta. Toledo is a great teacher. My friends (other parents) love Sra. Serano as well. Mr. Sierra is very welcoming and made me want to volunteer in the classroom often. The secretary (Claget) is very responsive and caring. Recently, the principal has made great events and has responded to my emails. However, I wonder if she is the right fit for an IMMERSION school. I noticed that she has been friendlier but I am a person that first impression goes a long way. I will be the first to give her 5 stars if I see this interaction continue.
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2014

Phyllis E. Williams. My child is a 1st year student in the Spanish Immersion Program at P.E.W. Elementary school. I am extremely impressed with how the program is progressing. The 1st Quarter just wrapped up and my daughter is able to count to 100 in Spanish, she can hold a light conversation in Spanish as well. She absolutely loves her teacher Sra. Serrano (so does her mommy :-)) As with any new program there will being growing pains, the support from the parents, the teachers and the Administration makes the pains "less" painful. I am blessed and fortunate that my child was accepted via lottery to attend P.E.W. The teachers do need aides, despite not having aides the teachers are adjusting well and doing an awesome job. As a parent I understand the importance of supporting the Administration (Principal and Vice Principal), and the Teachers. We are one team with the common goal of all of the children succeeding and receiving the best education possible!
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2014

Our son is improving a lot of comprehension from the class additionally Se orita, Toledo; she s very knowledge and has a lot commitment to the students. Everyday, our son enjoyed the class, furthermore learning the Spanish Emerging Program This program it s very valuable to the students, to learn a second language. We are on the 21st century. Our son needs to be open for his dream-future, our son he s positive to learn and speak Spanish as he second language. We are very proud to have this program available. The school Phyllis E. Williams Elementary is doing an excellent job, with the students. Additionally think outside of the box and be positive, this program is implementing rapidly for the most of PG/MG counties, including across the US. New generations, would eventually speak more than two languages...Learning a second language is a necessity for travel and doing business.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2014

Our son really loves the school and has a lot of fun every day. At the end of the day he has great stories about her friends, playing outside, and the activities. His teachers are amazing -- smart, caring, fun, creative, patient; incredibly talented! Our family absolutely loves Phyllis E. Williams School and the Spanish program. Happy Parent
Submitted by other on July 22, 2014

I attended Phyllis E Williams as a student. I am now going into the 12th grade in the IB program here in PG. I have to say that my experiences at Phyllis E Williams has definitely shaped my outlook on life. The teachers were very caring and attentive to my needs as a student. I got in trouble a lot but they were very patient. The principal was the vice principal then and she always took time to talk to me and keep me out of trouble. I recently visited the school to volunteer for my community hours was even more impressed with what they have done. I'm pound to be a product of that school. It was much better than my middle school.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2014

My children attended PEW from 3rd and 4th grade respectively. We began there when the current principal, Ms. Gallman, was the Vice Principal. Since becoming principal, I love what Ms. Gallman has done for the school. The staff and teachers are genuinely concerned about the students. My kids came there when I went through a horrific divorce. They really were there for myself and my children during this process in our lives. I have truly seen a change for the better in both of my children and they are maturing and making wise decisions. I was sorry to hear that this school would change to Spanish Immersion in the fall. The community needs a great school for the elementary age children and they are losing that by this change. Kudos to all of the staff and leadership at PEW. I wish you all the best. God Bless.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2014

My son is now in the 5th grade and overall I must say it is a great school. There is always room for improvement. So far the office staff are very helpful especially Ms Witt and the teachers are doing their best. The principal tries to get the parents involve as best as she can. The music department is just excellent and the students are shining at every performance. I like that fact that a lot of male teachers are there which is good. They always reinforce school policy and i love that. My son enjoys going to school. The community just need to be more involve in helping the school to grow. I would recommend this school.
Submitted by other on May 01, 2014

Currently, two of my grandchildren, A. and S. Kennedy are second generation attenders at P.E.W. I praise the principal's better-than-average standards for her management style and her heart for the children's ability to learn in many different ways plus shows it to be fun. I believe she is very creative and with the assistance of the staff accomplishes goals. She shows respect and appreciation to the parents including grandparents involving them in community activities. I make a point of observing the cleanliness of the school; arrival and dismissal times are appropriately manned [I recognize a solid representation of male teachers which I believe children need]; schedules are adhered to; fundraisers conclude with material results -new playground equipment; and the overall empowerment atmosphere . Last but not least, she encourages and commands respectful, behavior! From my view although some school restructuring begins in September, I am pleased my grandchildren are privileged to experience this time and this environment under her tutelage. .
Submitted by other on April 03, 2013

My child has been attending this school since the current principal was a vice principal. On the surface, the P comes across as caring, good-natured and being genuinely concerned about the children and wanting to work with parents. However behind closed doors she is quite rude, confrontational and condescending. She enjoys pitting people against one another and instigated an argument between myself, spouse and the other set of parents we were meeting with. As we were arguing with the other parents, I glanced over at her and saw she was sitting back, with a tiny, satisfied smirk on her face. I'll hand it to her...she's one smart cookie to turns us parents against one another which took the attention off HER and HER shortcomings as a P. Would I recommend this school? Only if it were to fall under different (and better) leadership. The teachers really do work hard and try their best, but from what I've seen these past few years, the turnover rate seems to be pretty high.
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2012

I look at some of the negative comments about this school and I ask what have we as a community done to help. With schools having funding cut due to the small size, I believe it ignorant to think that conditions would be the greatest. My child attends this school and I can say that with what they have they make it a great environment. The teachers here are great and do the best with what they have and I respect the staff and teachers. Phyllis E. Williams is a school that could be greater if the community would become more involved financially and through volunteerism style support. There is an atmosphere of family here but the truth is that they are understaffed and underfunded but they still do their best to educate our children. I have seen vast improvements from last year and say to the teachers and staff keep up the good work and continue to strive for success. Your efforts do not go unnoticed. Be blessed.