Harding Elementary School

Small classes, a beautiful campus, and strong classroom teachers. The only downside: a small group of entitled parents who indulge in a lot of gossiping and back-biting--mostly about teachers and other parents they don't like. It's very tiresome. It's a tiny minority but if they would vote with their feet and leave, instead of endlessly complaining, it would be more fun to be involved. Office staff and principal are great.
--Submitted by a parent

Our daughter has attended Harding for 3 yrs. K-2. We have had mixed experiences. There is a teacher in every grade it seems that is very unfavorable and the other is usually very good. If you happen to get the right teachers, it can be great. We have had both. The principal although very involved and energetic doesn't seem to have any power to make changes to the staff as they are protected by tenure and the union. It's a beautiful school and there is a wonderful core of families who are very dedicated to making it better. The after school enrichment classes organized by the PTA are awesome. The after school care mediocre.
--Submitted by a parent

HASEP is indeed a wonderful program and the two co-chairs deserve all the credit in the world for their excellent work, however, I think the previous post is way too hard on our teachers. Like any group some embrace change, some resist it, and most are willing to consider any reasonable request or thoughtful suggestion. I have been impressed by how much staff members do to accommodate requests/support the school. Many of them co-chair PTA activities and contribute generously to fundraisers. Teachers from almost every grade level showed up at the auction last year which raises funds to support art, music, and science. Some of them helped with set-up for the carnival this year. A few of them co-chair PTA events (family math night and the variety show). Most try hard to teach the rigorous CA state standards and advocate for their students. Give them a break! --big fan of hard working teachers
--Submitted by a parent

The community of parents is great and the HASEP classes are fantastic thanks especially to the 2 moms in charge. The teachers, while great, are entrenched and resist change. Sometimes it's like shucking an oyster with a butter knife as far as getting communications going with them. The principal is a godsend on that and many other fronts! She is devout in her belief in the children and 'her staff'!
--Submitted by a parent

Great families, teachers, and principal! Beautiful newly built school with tons of after school enrichment classes!
--Submitted by a parent

This school is great & the parent participation makes it a wonderful Harding community :)
--Submitted by a parent

Harding elementary has an excellent staff of teachers! This school district has a great staff of teachers! I hope that they do the right thing and take care of the teachers so they will remain in the district. We need a new school board!
--Submitted by a parent

Harding is an excellent school! My family has been very pleased with the overall instruction at the school!
--Submitted by a parent

Harding is a great school for exceptional learning! No, the test scores are not that attractive but take a look into the entire school year progress! Testing is for the District. Look deeper into what the children are accomplishing! The children experience hands on learning and have lots of fun as well. Harding is great!
--Submitted by a parent

Great teachers. Strong music, art, and science programs. Outstanding academics. Ignore the test scores and rankings. Come and see for yourself. Visit online at www.hardingpta.org
--Submitted by a parent