Pearsontown's Philosophy

The Pearsontown Elementary School community is committed to creating a continuous year-round learning environment that is holistic and hands-on in its approach. We inspire students to pledge their hearts to greater understanding of the world; their hands to quality work and service; and their heads to lifelong learning. Pearsontown students are therefore empowered to become critical thinkers, self-directed lifelong learners, quality producers, collaborative workers, community contributors, and responsible citizens.

Because we believe that all children learn in different ways and at different rates, we strive to offer a variety of student-centered delivery options to meet the needs of all our students. Teachers strive to create a productive, developmentally appropriate learning environment by providing diverse learning opportunities which promote student learning and ensure student success; address individual needs; encourage cooperative learning and freedom to express ideas and opinions; encourage creative expression; and involve interaction within the school and community. It is important for us to provide an integrated approach that shows students that learning does not take place in isolation, gives them a better understanding of how each subject relates to the real world, and helps them see the connections between what they are learning. 

Programs for Exceptional Children

All schools provide speech/language, physical therapy, occupational therapy, assistive technology, and orientation and mobility services.  

Services for Academically/Intellectually Gifted Students

Pearsontown Elementary School provides a variety of services to Academically/Intellectually Gifted students in grades K-5. Because we recognize the importance of meeting the needs of all students, AIG students in grades K-3 are served through Differentiated Education Plans that offer acceleration and enrichment classes. These services are provided through modifications in the classroom, such as curriculum compacting, as well as through weekly enrichment pull-out classes. Enrichment classes for K-3 students offer integrated thematic unit studies. There are pull-out resource programs for two hours daily in communications and one hour daily in math for grades 4 and 5. Additionally, we offer AIG inclusion classes in grades 4 and 5, and are adding cluster groups at each grade level as teachers receive AIG endorsement. Students are identified for AIG services through a variety of methods including cognitive and achievement tests, motivation, and classroom performance. 

Support Resources

All schools have school nurses, counselors, psychologists, and social workers to assist students. We also have the resources listed below to support students' learning needs: After-School Program
Before-School Care
CAPS (Creative Arts in the Public Schools)
Computer Lab
Conflict Resolution
D.A.R.E.
ESL Center
Extended Day Enrichment
Family Resource Center
Peer Mediation
Photography Lab
Reading Recovery
Tutoring Program
Volunteer/Partnership Coordinator  

Community Involvement
The following businesses, programs, and community groups provide assistance by donating their time, expertise, materials, and financial resources:
N.C. Museum of Life and Science
Duke University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North Carolina Central University
Ackland Museum of Art
GlaxoSmithKline
IBM
Morehead Planetarium
N.C. Museum of Art
Durham Arts Council
The River Church 

Directions

From I-40:
Take Exit 276, Fayetteville Road (NC Central Univ.). Proceed toward Durham on Fayetteville Road for approx. 1.4 miles to the 2nd street on right after the light at Woodcroft Parkway. Make right onto Obie Drive. Make left onto Barbee Road. Pearsontown is on the right. From I-85:

From the North on I-85, exit left on East Avondale (NC Central Univ.). Turn right onto East Hwy 55 (Alston Ave.). Continue on Hwy 55 past Glenview Cemetery to light at Riddle Road. Turn right onto Riddle Road to light at Fayetteville Road (CCB Bank). Turn left onto Fayetteville Road and proceed approx. 1 mile. As Fayetteville bears right (At Speight's Auto Repair Shop), Barbee Road is on the left. Make left onto Barbee Road. Pearsontown is on the left.

From the South on I-85, Take exit 172 Durham Expressway (Hwy 147) to exit 12 Fayetteville Street (NC Central Univ.). Turn right onto Fayetteville Street. Continue approx. 4 miles. As Fayetteville Street bears right (at Speight's Auto Repair Shop), Barbee Road is on the left. Make left onto Barbee Road. Pearsontown is on the left.