Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff

A class at Holland Elementary School in Dorchester enjoyed the indoor pool.

Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff

Holland Principal Jeichael K. Henderson pointed the way toward the lunch room to a group of kindergarteners.

Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff

At the Holland school, guitars hung in the soundproof music room.

Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff

Despite the amenities, the Holland school struggles to get students to understand reading and math fundamentals.

Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff

First-graders Jennifer Frias, Amy Nguyen, and Poker Meas cleaned after eating lunch at their desks at the Perkins Elementary School in South Boston, three miles away from the Holland school.

Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff

Despite the lack of amenities, the Perkins Elementary School propels students in early grades to great academic heights on standardized tests.

Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff

Barney Brawer became principal of the Perkins school in 2005. The school was under a state mandate to reverse years of dismal academic performance.