Panther Academy

"My husband and I have had the privilege of having 2 of our children at Panther. ( one child last year and one 2 years ago) Everyone we have encountered at this school has been nothing but kind and loving to our children. The principal, Kelly Graham is so great with these little young ones. She gets to know the all the kids in her school. Every morning they have a morning meeting that she leads. She sings songs with the kids and teaches them about the state, county, and world that they live in. Both of my children had Mrs. Hines, she and her aide Mrs. Raine are amazing! BUT I also volunteered the at least once a week there and helped out other teachers in the building too. I would be ecstatic to have any of these great teachers teach my children! My husband also volunteered there as a watch dog. This is a program that the school has to have a male presence around. And to show just how important dads and the men in these kids lives are. My husband who an Emergency Room doctor was so impressed with the school he told his colleagues at the hospital with preschool and kindergarten age children about how impressed he was with Panther Academy and Etown Independent Schools. There are several who took his advice and have had children go through Panther. They too were also very happy with Panther. Everyone in that school is looking out for your child. When you walk in the door you meet Kim the super sweet secretary that is so on her game. She can help you with whatever you need. They have helpers at lunch that just open packages of food and things for your kids. Then of course there is Mr. Chuck ( the custodian) my sons favorite because he would give him five and talk about "dude " stuff with him. I saw first hand and continue to see the love and dedication this staff has for these young children. If you are looking for a school where your child will excel and be taken care of then this is the school for you! Tanya Bell"

"My son started kindergarten this fall, 2017. I walked him into school each day as other parents did their children. I sat with him in the gym (upon his request) anywhere between 5-10 minutes. I ALWAYS left before morning meeting started. I was approached this past Wednesday by the principal stating I was enabling my child (I'm assuming to be a 5 year old) and it was recommended I stop walking him in - for his own good- so he could "cut the apron strings". I was in shock and disbelief and actually waiting to hear of him acting out when I left but all I heard were praises of his good behavior. The following day my husband (who is a Surgeon and I am a Registered Nurse) waited to meet again with the principal. She was immediately on the defense. We tried to explain why we were upset since many other parents were STILL WALKING THEIR CHILDREN AND NOTHING HAD BEEN SAID TO THEM. There was no explanation. I had printed off 5 well respected articles regarding loving and nurturing your child and how it made their self esteem grow AND their brain. I was told BY THE PRINCIPAL she had already went to college and DID NOT NEED TO READ THEM. My husband was speaking to her and she got up out of her seat and interrupted his sentence and said "I'm not speaking to you anymore..." and walked out. I left the articles on the sign in desk hoping she might reconsider reading them only to have her open the front doors, scream at me and my husband "YOU FORGOT SOMETHING!!!!" And throw the articles out onto the lawn. I could not believe what I was witnessing. THIS IS THE MOST UNPROFESSIONAL "PROFESSIONAL " (and I use that word very loosely) that I've ever met. Any educator that would discourage parental involvement and shame a mother for hugging her son or rubbing his back or kissing him- SHOULD BE FIRED ON THE SPOT! Not to mention screaming and throwing objects at concerned parents. This is inexcusable and I am pulling my son from this pitiful excuse of a professional educational setting and enrolling him elsewhere. I truly feel sorry for the staff at this place. I wonder how many paper and pencils are thrown at their heads when the principal does not get her way? I would recommend an anger management class but from the lackadaisical response from the superintendent, I highly doubt anything will be done in regards to this issue. Good luck students and staff! I hope you have quick reflexes to avoid flying objects."

"Great school for your kindergarteners to be! The faculty and staff love your kids and they love being there."