Failure is not an option at Porterdale Elementary School. Teachers and staff, along with many parents, work to ensure that each child is successful and leaves his or her elementary school with a strong base for continued learning.
"Porterdale Elementary is so special because the teachers and staff members always go that extra mile to provide learning for our students," said Principal Lizzella Dodson. "We have high expectations of students and communicate to students and parents that failure is not an option. Our staff members are always striving for excellence and are always seeking effective ways to continue to provide a quality education to our students. We have a passion for what we do. Our school has a very warm, inviting and welcoming atmosphere. One can feel the excitement of learning once he or she walks through the door. Our school is also special because we have great students, parents and school volunteers as well. They are all a vital part of our wonderful Porterdale family."
Superintendent Gary Mathews praised the school that has a high free and reduced lunch eligibility but high scores.
"With approximately 83 percent of its children on free and reduced meal plans, state assessment results for PES, coming into last 2011-12 school year, show 80s and 90s across the board. The school also earned Adequate Yearly Progress under the former No-Child-Left-Behind. I believe this speaks volumes to the fact that all children can learn, especially when teachers and administrators go the extra mile for students who are in need of background knowledge and an environment which builds them up and says, ‘You can be anything you want to be if you follow the rules and work hard.' Porterdale is just such a place. Kids are cared about and mentored for success. The school's Boys to Men mentoring initiative involving caring adults in the community has been an outstanding success. To watch these children during the course of these meetings with these adult mentors reminds one of just how important relationships are in school. They matter to kids and they result in positive performance in behavior and academics that you would not see otherwise. PES has it going on. As for professional development, each PES teacher has a data notebook whereby they track student performance in the school. Impressive."
