7 Orchard St
Gloucester, MA 01930

The students run the school. There is no discipline, no follow through or consequences. Teachers are not supported and are constantly dis-empowered. They are reprimanded for having high expectations and challenging students, especially in specialists classes and have been told to dumb down lessons. Just last year students were lighting fire in the hallways and carrying weapons to school. The school has dropped to a level 3, on its way to level 4 I'm sure. The "STEAM" element is a joke and just there to get funding. In practice, there is no collaboration between teachers, only "practices" put in place "just in case" evidence is asked for by the state for STEAM practices. If a student is at risk, they will do anything they can to ignore and or push that child's problems under the rug. One guidance counselor is completely useless, the other two try but their hands are tied because the administration would rather ignore student issues. The administration is a complete joke.

Plum Cove is a very nurturing school with teachers and parents who are very involved with the kids. My son will be entering 4th grade in September 2011. He has been on an IEP since K and is monitored closely. The suport system his teachers and counselors provide is amazing and above expectations. He has come a long way with his reading and I am grateful to the Plum Cove staff for this acomplishment.