Pleasant Grove Elementary School

Posted: May 21, 2026

Our family invested deeply into Pleasant Grove because we genuinely believed in supporting the school and creating a positive experience for our children.

My company donated time and resources to help build, create, and publish the school yearbook. My children participated in nearly every activity they could, including drama, STEM, yearbook club, school events, and countless other opportunities throughout the years. We showed up, supported the school, and encouraged involvement because we believed that was important.

That is part of why this situation has been so disappointing.

When concerns arose involving the way an adult staff member spoke to my child, diminishing him, calling him a liar, saying he was disrespectful and making fun of the way he communicates. I did not ask for anyone to lose their job. I asked for communication, accountability, conflict resolution, and an effort to repair the relationship. Instead, despite administration acknowledging the behavior was inappropriate, there was no apology, no meaningful resolution, and no effort to minimize further interaction.

As a parent, that sends a troubling message. Children are taught to apologize, take accountability, and repair relationships when they hurt someone. Unfortunately, I did not see those same values modeled by the adults responsible for them.

What concerns me most is not one difficult interaction. It is the larger culture surrounding communication and conflict resolution. Families want to feel heard, respected, and supported when issues arise. When they do not, trust breaks down quickly, and I believe that is one of the reasons so many families are leaving Escambia County schools for private education and homeschooling alternatives.

I truly appreciate the teachers and staff members who poured time and effort into helping my children grow. There are many wonderful people within the school system. Unfortunately, one unresolved situation and the lack of meaningful accountability surrounding it ultimately overshadowed what should have been a positive end to our experience there.

Posted: May 21, 2026

Posted: May 21, 2026

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Posted: May 21, 2026

Posted: January 20, 2025

I would not recommend this school. My son is in kindergarten.

When he first started the classroom was 28 children to one teacher with 6 kindergarten classes total in the school. The school building is very new, so stark white walls, are not allowed to be painted, and is overall uninviting for young children. Kindergarten classrooms do not have the normal play items or hands-on supplies unless the particular teacher wants to provide them. My son's first classroom was just desks with a Smart Board in front. Overall, the overcrowded setting I feel is not the best for educating kindergarteners.

Additionally, the school moved my son to a special education classroom 2 days in without asking us first and disregarded his IEP which recommended the general education classroom. Though my son has an IEP, everything has seemed to be exasperated at this new school. We used to feel so excited about preschool for my son and felt he was loved at his old school. At this school, we get the sense from the administration that he is an annoyance and we feel like the school looks down on him.

When I came into the classroom when it had 28 kindergarteners, what I saw was utter chaos. My son was placed in a seat where it was impossible to see the board. Class time consisted of the teacher instructing on a Smart Board while 5-year-olds, many of whom had never written anything a day in their life, were expected to follow along on their worksheets. Meanwhile, 1 or 2 children were running around the classroom and another 1 or 2 behavior teachers were chasing the children around. Teachers are not allowed to put their hands on children, so all they can do is try to shield the child if they climb something high that could be dangerous and convince them to leave the classroom. The teacher was trying to instruct with the occasional yelling at the students running around. That is what I saw.

They were able to hire a new teacher several months into the semester, which helped matters. Still, I do not feel like my son is loved in this environment. Communication is poor. At one time I was told me son was greatly improving, and then months letter I received a message that my son's issues have intensified and that he never improved. It is hard as a parent to be involved with helping your child if you are not given the proper information about your child's performance. I rarely get work home, completed or uncompleted, from my child (maybe once a month now).

Posted: January 20, 2025

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Posted: April 5, 2019

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Posted: April 5, 2019

I couldn’t of asked for a better school for my son. We really lucked out with having Mrs. Wood for a teacher. The best out there.

Posted: April 5, 2019

Posted: April 5, 2019

Posted: October 12, 2018

Posted: October 12, 2018

My son has attended for the past 4 years. EVERY teacher we've come in contact with has been absolute professionals. They truly put their heart and souls into the kids, ensuring they get the most of the educational resources available. Each of his teachers have been great encouragers and willing to communicate clearly with their parents. The level of transparency in their educating styles is high and it's clear to see why students excel.

Posted: October 12, 2018

Our school motto is to "be respectful, responsible, and safe" . The kids say it everyday and it encouraged everyday. Each month a core value of character is shared with the students and they are encouraged with B.U.G.S. to exceed the regular expectations of those values. After a while you start to see their little minds attaching to the ideals of a person of good moral character looks like. Almost every student in my son's grade is a reflection of this.

Posted: October 12, 2018

Our principal, Ms. Mullen has been a beacon of positivity for the school. She cares about the well being and development of her students, treats staff and parents with respect, and has a strong vision for the growth of PGE. I'm so glad she's been my son't principal these past 4 years. Her leadership will definitely be missed when we move on to middle school.

Posted: October 12, 2018

PGE is adept at identifying the learning needs of the kids enrolled. They use their resources to help families create learning plans that effectively lead kids to the right learning path.

Posted: October 12, 2018

We've had one issue with bullying in the 4 years my son has been in attendance. It was handled quickly and with a firm hand.

Posted: October 12, 2018

Although it will be bittersweet once this school year ends, I know that my son will be moving into middle school with a strong character. One that was built on a foundation of integrity and one that has been thriving in a community of compassion, encouragement, and focus. He may be leaving the PGE school, but I'm sure many of the values they've taught will stick with him.

Posted: June 4, 2018

IEP process and reviews were always done in a very timely manor which made for a very easy process as a parent.

Posted: June 4, 2018

Does not mess around, when a issue is brought to attention it is dealt with in a very timely manor.

Posted: June 4, 2018

While each teacher is a little different about homework, we always had a good amount. Never to much or to little. All was review about what was being learned about that week so as a parent I felt like I was always in the know.

Posted: June 4, 2018

Wonderful caring teachers who have the kiddos best interest at heart. All teachers we have personally worked with went out of their way to help my kiddo in their trouble areas.

Posted: June 4, 2018

Everyone who we have dealt with try to build the children up. Trying to get them the help they need in every area.

Posted: June 4, 2018

Great School Staff! Feels more like a family and when issues arise they are addressed instead of pushed under the rug.

Posted: June 4, 2018

We are a military family who was there for 3 years. 2.5 years attending Pleasant Grove. I have nothing but respect and good things to say about the teachers and staff I encountered during our time there. They are caring and truly had my kiddos best interest at heart. They don't just look at the kids as a test score but as people who are all unique. I would go back in a heart beat!

Posted: March 16, 2018

I would recommend this school to anyone. I feel like its more of a family then a school, from the principal to the teacher Aids, no one goes left behind. Love PGE!

Posted: March 16, 2018

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Posted: April 5, 2017

Posted: April 5, 2017

My family has been here three years and my son has attended 2nd grade through 4th so far. The first year started off terible because they had so many students they had to add another teacher and my son got moved along with others to a new class with a new teacher. Then his teacher left about 6 weeks later to take another job. A new teacher was brought in and he stayed about two months or so before he too left suddenly. I was not happy at all because this class full of children was left without a teacher yet again. Finally, a new teacher was brought in and she stayed and she was wonderful. She got the classroom back under control and did a great job teaching these kids. Since then we have had good teachers the last two years. My only complaint is there does not seem to be a very good program to help struggling readers. My son has issues with reading and when I volunteered I noticed other children who also were reading below grade level. They do have an after school program that caters to math and science at times, but I would love to see more intensive reading programs as well. The support staff I have come into contact with have been wonderful and the principals seemed nice. The PTA does a lot of events and fundraisers. When my child once had an incident with another child on a bus he came home upset. The bus driver noticed he was upset and called the school. I had a phone call soon after he got home saying they would meet with both kids and make sure my child was not being bullied. It was a simple misunderstanding and I am glad the situation was handled quickly. The school does not have a gym. They only have a covered blacktop area so they are outside for P.E.. Not that big a deal, but in bad weather it is of no use. Overall a pretty good small school that does a pretty good job.

Posted: April 3, 2013

Second incident in less than a month and all the school personnel had to say was "now we have more paperwork to do." Bullying is not tolerated and we have had no alternative but to call the sherriff! No compassion from any of the teachers! He is only a SECOND GRADER being bullied and beat up by a FIFTH GRADER! Not acceptable! School bus driver did nothing but say "we'll have to pull the tape and that can take a few days."

Posted: November 20, 2006

Posted: November 20, 2006