Penny Road Elementary

Posted: June 1, 2026

We’ve had our child at Penny Road for two years so far, beginning in Kindergarten. Our experience has been extremely positive. The teachers have caring, supportive, and communicate regularly. Our child comes home from school with a smile and is excited each morning to catch the bus. We are lucky to have such a great school close to home and our youngest will be starting Kindergarten there next year.

Posted: June 1, 2026

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Posted: April 19, 2026

We moved to the area in 2021 and Penny Road has been a wonderful school for all of my kids. It is a very welcoming community, with an engaged PTA, and several community events throughout the year. We've loved every teacher my kids have had K-5th- they are dedicated, caring, intentional, and hard-working. They have all gotten to know my kids' individual personalities and needs and shown compassion and understanding. Even though there has been some turnover in principals, the school still feels like a connected community with a lot of good energy. The AIG teacher is phenomenal, there is a great Music and Art program, and my son loves the new PE teacher who started this school year. We love that it is one of the smaller Wake County schools as teachers and admin are able to get to know everyone. The book fair in the fall, pizza and popsicle parties on the playground, and the Spring Carnival are such wonderful community events. Please don't let the lower test scores scare you - standardized test scores do not define a school. Penny Road Pandas are the best.

Posted: April 19, 2026

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Posted: December 6, 2025

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Posted: December 6, 2025

Posted: December 6, 2025

The principal I feel is aggressive and disrespectful in her treatment of parents and students, and the number of enrolled kids at Penny Road appears to be plummeting since she started. I would not send any children with an IEP to this school since the previous vice principal left at the end of last academic year. With regards to teaching staff, we had some good, motivated teachers, and seen behavior of, I think, burned out teachers (e.g., having them watch a lot of TV or sit in silence), and we've seen a lot of teacher turnover, even middle of the year. None of my kids liked attending, and it has been a stressful experience.

Posted: August 19, 2025

We have been incredibly happy during our time at Penny Road Elementary. The teachers are all caring, engaging, and effective, and the community and school events are very welcoming and fun. Our children love being Penny Road Pandas!

Posted: August 19, 2025

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Posted: August 10, 2024

We moved to the county two years ago and have experienced two schools in WCPSS and schools in other states. We feel so lucky to be at Penny Road. Our third grade teacher was the most incredible teacher I've ever experienced. She knew every kids' personal strengths and needs and helped every kid succeed. The music teacher came in early and and stayed late 4 out of 5 days a week to provide extra ensembles and musicals. The PTA is so active and supportive. Truly a beautiful community rooted in educating our young people. Again, so lucky and say our thanks daily that this is our neighborhood elementary school.

Posted: August 10, 2024

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Posted: May 11, 2024

As long as you want to be uninvolved in your child's education and enjoy seeing your child be bullied by teacher, Principal and kids, this is fine. Kids get to play full contact sports. Less fortunate kids get to be harassed & lied about in writing. Principal documents adequate safety week after 3 adults chase child outside in rain after physically losing same child a small 40+ times in 7mo's. The best part is they police themselves too. They aim high when child has special needs. Not just encouraging negative behaviors but they can magically make it fully the fault of the child on 5th year in school. Very impressive achievement

Posted: May 11, 2024

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Posted: December 12, 2023

I would not recommend Penny road elementary to any parent. They encourage bullying by turning their cheek. This is a school that not only children bully others, but the teachers also bully kids and even talk bad about the parents to the children! Teachers love to talk down to children. Don’t try to communicate with the vice principal or principal because it’s just a joke to them. Do yourself a favor and don’t consider this school for your children because the staff will destroy your child’s mental wellness.
Penny Roads Elementary is a very concerning school for any child’s safety!

Posted: December 12, 2023

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Posted: January 29, 2022

We recently moved here and this school worked for us

Posted: January 29, 2022

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Posted: February 17, 2021

This is the worst leadership I have seen at Penny Road for the past 10 years. After Ms. Bohr left PRE, I believe the principal position has fallen into the hands of people who just aren't meant for it. It has been a rocky path over the years, and with covid things have become even more difficult, but I firmly believe Ms. Hoke is the worst principal in the past few years. I don't think she is suited to work with young children, much less any children or adults at all. From what I've heard and seen she isn't pleasant to be around and creates a lousy learning atmosphere. I strongly think the principal position should be reviewed and new applicants should be brought in and tested. I am deeply unhappy with Penny Road right now and have stuck it out for my children, but this just might have to be my last year with this school.

Posted: February 17, 2021

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Posted: August 3, 2020

My children have been going to this school for a few years and we are very pleased with how all of the teachers have welcomed educated, and inspired them. The art teacher is marvelous, very well educated, and experienced with an art degree and an art education certification. My kids have really enjoyed her creative projects that tie to literacy, math, and science. The music teacher is so inspiring and really works to strengthen musical knowledge, cross-curricular connections, and love of a variety of music. My children's homeroom teachers were caring, conscientious, and followed the curriculum as they clearly supported each other and worked as a team. I really enjoy the community feel of this school and love friends that my kids made over the years.

Posted: August 3, 2020

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Posted: January 7, 2020

Our children have attended Penny Road over the last few years. We have mixed feelings about the school as we have had a few wonderful teachers, but also a couple of really poor ones. The new art teacher is absolutely awful, she is unqualified, and rigid. Our kids who love art now hate art class. She doesn't even have a background in the arts. Kids who used to love art now hate it, and the music teacher, while effective has a tendency to raise her voice and drive off gentler children. The looseness regarding technology, and the ineffective transportation (which the school apparently has no control over) are worrisome. In the last year several beloved employees have left including the school counselor. These are just a handful of the reasons we are looking into magnet schools at this point. It has been a slippery slope under the new principal and administration. While there are many things to love about Penny Road the scales are tipping in the negative direction.

Posted: January 7, 2020

We didn't really have much homework or even reading until 4th grade.

Posted: January 7, 2020

Sort of... the teachers really run the gamut from grumpy/unengaged to passionate and effective, it's really the luck of the draw.

Posted: January 7, 2020

Yes, we feel that these characteristics are important as a whole at Penny Road.

Posted: January 7, 2020

I don't see this as being a strong point or weak point at the school.

Posted: January 7, 2020

We feel that Penny Road is fairly effective at supporting students with learning differences, however sometimes not to the benefit of the whole class.

Posted: January 7, 2020

We have not really had issues with bullying, and the few small issues were quickly resolved.

Posted: April 28, 2018

More than one of our teachers has a master's degree in education. They are committed to these kids and learning the best techniques, including new technology, to help them thrive.

Posted: April 28, 2018

Posted: April 28, 2018

We are in transition to a new principal, so I cannot comment on leadership yet.

Posted: April 28, 2018

Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) students are identified in third grade and get to go see a dedicated teacher, usually about once per week.

Posted: April 28, 2018

Four of my children have been to Penny Road in the past three years, and we have had teachers in every grade. All of our teachers have been involved and responsive. The PTA is top-notch and provides wonderful support, and many parents are involved both in the classroom and out. Please do not judge the school by its rating on test scores alone. I encourage you to visit and see for yourself why so many parents choose PRE.

Posted: April 28, 2018

Since the school-wide homework policy went into place in 2017, I think that the amount of homework coming home is far more reasonable. It is now more in line with (or less than) the educational standard of ten minutes/per day/per grade, especially for the younger grades. My older ones do not have anywhere near the homework we had at a previous school in another state, and it is a relief that they can play outside and be kids after school.

Posted: January 16, 2017

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Posted: January 16, 2017

I have sent my two kids to this school.

Posted: February 19, 2016

A lot of transition at the school which leaves teachers overworked / unprepared. Too much testing - even in the early age groups. Seems Wake Co is more interested in creating kid factories, rather than teach. The teacher to student ratio at recess is unreasonable and the teachers don't seem engaged. The informational session sold us on the great potential that the school had, but when the rubber meets the road, its definitely lacking. A lot is swept under the rug and hidden. We really were hoping for more at this school, but have been disappointed. Looking to transfer our child out as soon as we can.

Posted: February 19, 2016

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Posted: August 13, 2014

I can't say enough good things about Penny Road. We have been at Penny for going on 5 years. We were brand new to North Carolina when my son started kindergarten and they welcomed us with open arms. The staff treat my children as they would treat their own and the teachers are some of the best I know. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer throughout the school and we have a top notch PTA that provides excellent programs for our kiddo's. Again, I can't say enough, Penny Road will always be a special place to our family!

Posted: August 6, 2014

This school looks ok from the outside but after several years at this school I have experienced very dysfunctional behavior from the principal and vice principal. If you have a child that likes bullying or disrupting the class you are in the right school. Punishment might be a missed recess or a visit to the office but that is about it. If they have a good day they get a reward. Great children who never do anything wrong do not get rewards and be aware that if they are ever caught doing something minor wrong they will be made an example of and punished severely. This principal has no idea how to run a school, knows nothing about the volunteers who spent a good time of their day in the school. She knows nothing about the kids and turns a blind eye if you have a complaint about a teacher.I am glad to be out of there!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted: January 3, 2014

I absolutely LOVE this school! My son is head and shoulders above his same age peers & loves Penny Road & his teacher. Parents are very involved & so is the principal. I did my research before transferring to this school, Penny Rd has high test scores, however they do have a special ed and the special ed scores are counted against Penny, so the scores are actually even higher than they appear. Penny also put in a brand new playground this year- it's AMAZING! All & all- I am very happy and looking forward to many more years!

Posted: July 21, 2013

My son has attended PRE for the past 3 years and we love it. It is safe, the staff is wonderful and helpful, and the teachers have been outstanding. Parental involvement is high and I have no doubts about sending my soon to be Kinder-kid here.

Posted: May 1, 2013

This school is great. The staff, teachers and priniples are all wonderful. This was my son's first year of school and we could not have asked for a better school. If you are fortunate enough to be able to attend Penny Road you should over any other school. We were going to do the year round thing but after visiting Penny Road's open house last year we were impressed so much that we choose to go the Penny Road. Its the BEST!!!!

Posted: October 27, 2012

I am extremely happy with Penny Road Elementary again this year. Our teachers are outstanding- always going above and beyond. Our Principal Mary Bohr has introduced a new program called BOOST which is a wonderful addition - additional focus classes at the end of the day- sports & health/ languages/ technology/ cooking- it is AMAZING! Mrs. Bohr dedication to education is impressive and in keeping with the mission of the school - "changing the world - one child at a time"

Posted: February 26, 2012

I feel compelled to write a glowing review for Penny Road. This is our second year at PRE and I continue to be highly impressed by the proactive academic differentiation my child has experienced. Before choosing PRE for kindergarten we looked at nearly every school in Wake County from charters to magnets to private schools. Never would I have imagined that the ideal school was in our neighborhood! I knew we would require an above average amount of differentiation and possible subject advancement and honestly had low expectations for what PRE could do (prior to AG placement in 4th grade). With the full support of my child's teachers (both K and 1st), the AG specialist and Principal Bohr, we have made special accommodations for my child to be taught at the correct instructional level. From pullout enrichment groups to separate leveled reading material to subject acceleration, PRE is seriously on top of it. I would highly recommend sending your AG child to PRE and feeling free to open up a dialog with Mrs. Bohr about how to best meet your child's needs. The best part is they are all just SO NICE! Never did I have to "make a case" for support, they have always been proactive! :)

Posted: February 24, 2012

I am very satisfied with Penny Road. I have two kids at the school, one with learning disabilities. They are both thriving and have had great teachers every year. I looked at a lot of schools before buying my house and got that warm fuzzy feeling from Penny Road right away. My instincts weren't wrong, my whole family has been very happy there.

Posted: February 23, 2012

Having two children in Penny Road has been a fantastic experience for me. One of my children has always needed special accommodations for success and has never been treated as an outsider by the teachers or staff. In fact, they have gone above and beyond in trying to help my child succeed. And, they are just as good at providing challenges to children who have mastered objectives. I am thankful every day for being able to send my children to a school as caring and warm as Penny Road.

Posted: February 2, 2012

If your child has any kind of learning difference, this school is not equipped nor does it tolerate children who are not part of the pack. I am looking to transfer my child to a school where patience and trying different ways to reach children are all part of everyday teaching practices. Penny Road is not a good school to send your child in 2012 especially since there are so many great choices available.