Harriet G. Eddy Middle School

This is not a good school, because ~Teachers overburdened ~Students VERY rude ~School is in a bad location ~Doesn't handle problems with bullying really well ~There is waaaay too much bullying ~I can barely learn anything

I was very worried about my son going to this school, but it turned out to be one of the best things that has happened to him. The honors classes were great, and the new principal was at every event, even the high school meetings for incoming freshman. And the band teacher is just one of those people who were born to teach!
—Submitted by a parent

i Was an seven Grader At This School And It's An Excellent School To Go to academically

I am a student at Harriet Eddy, and I want to set the record straight. The school brought in a brand new principal and basically restructured the whole school. The new principal has a GREAT sense of humor, yet at the same time, he gets business done. He took this school from the depths of the EGUSD to turn it into a great school. I mean, there are the drug problems and fights, but that's middle school these days. It's everywhere. To me, it seems like everyone minds their own business and the students and teachers are really helpful and supportive. This is a great school due to the faculty, administration, and students. I would enroll your students at Eddy because all the major gangs are at a lot of different middle school in Elk Grove. Overall, this is my favorite school ever.

I have been trying to work with this school and teachers for two years and it just has not been a good experience
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers at my sons school are great! They are wonderful with communication on my son's progress throughout the year. Much appreciated:)
—Submitted by a parent

To parents: Get your kid in as many Honors classes as possible. Those teachers are amazing, they taught me everything that I needed to know. It's the non-honors that's horrible: rowdy kids, discouraged teachers, etc. To the parent that thought that there were two policemen at school everyday: You're wrong, that's only for the dances :) Don't worry; as long as your kid doesn't act like a smart-alec know-it-all or a racist (trust me), s/he won't get beat up :) Great school, great teachers, bad admin. :P
—Submitted by a student

this school is so not well put tugether and they need to fix that now, before they get put out of business
—Submitted by a student

This school has so many problems. There are major issues with race with the students and it even seems like with the staff as well. The kids overall are way out of control. So disrespectful and disruptive and the administrators do little to take care of these issues. There seems to be a real lack of structure and rules. The kids get away with too much. My child left elementary school happy with excellent grades to stressed out with lower grades. My child has been bullied and little has been done about it. Some of the teachers are good but they seem to be stuck in a bad system as they do not seem to get much support from their administrators. I willing be enrolling my child elsewhere.
—Submitted by a parent

My sons struggles, but I have had a good experience with the counseling staff and teachers in addressing the problem. They called a meeting for me and have been very helpful. Parents have to be proactive too. There are certain 'students' that are quiet disruptive andt here are a lot of fights on campus. My son says he feels safe, but that there are students that disrupt the classes and he finds that discouraging. They need to get tougher with the troublemaker and thrown them out, making their parents more accountable. It's not fair to the kids that want to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

In my experience, there are two HEMS experiences: one for honor students who flourish in the necessary academic support, and the rest of the student body who has a 'survival of the fittest' academic environment. My daughter attended HEMS last year and went from a 3.85 student who loved school to a kid who hated school and lost interest in academics. Not only was she bullied by her peers, and repeatedly threatened, but when the issues were raised with the administration little to nothing significant was done to curb the trend. Repeatedly I was promised that bullies would be held accountable, yet nothing was done. Worse yet, was when she needed academic support (non-honors) there was little to none available. She begged me to go to school in the district her grandparents live to avoid HEMS since there wasn't an alternative.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a good school
—Submitted by a parent

I have had the most worst experience dealing with the teachers and staff at Hariett Eddy. The teachers seem to not have enough time for the student who need more attention in class. This school does not care for the student who need more attention...
—Submitted by Celia Choyce, a parent

I happen to feel that my son's needs are not adequately addressed and I feel that the teachers label and group kids. My concerns regarding a certain teacher have not been addressed and there really doesn't seem anyone to go to when a child is having difficulties beyond his control. The teachers are focused on the 'learning environment,' only, and not interested in the individual child whatsoever. It is all based on attendance and test scores, because that is what brings in the money. Our child are nothing but numbers and dollar signs, and if she or he poses a problem, detention, OCS, work-study, or Thursday night school.
—Submitted by a parent

Two sons -- one attended HEMS four years ago, the other currently a 7th Grader. I am vastly more impressed with the administration now than four years ago. Administration and staff are accessible and creative. In my experience, teachers are capable and interested. My son takes a mix of honors and non-honors classes, so his experience is not limited. The proof is in the scorecard -- test scores up, disciplinary actions down. Biggest challenge facing school, in my view, are the urban legends spread by some parents. In my son's experience, fights are non-existent, and discipline problems are handled promptly. Considering what is happening with kids when they are in middle school, this school is a model.
—Submitted by a parent

I give a mixed review of this school. While my own child has had a positive academic experience here in 'honor' classes, it seems as if his friends in non-accelerated classes have varying experiences of difficulty. Control of the classrooms appears mixed, due to social factors that may be beyond the teacher's control. Overall, the teachers' depth of knowledge in their subject matters is impressive, and we have seen what I consider to be an above average interest in the well-being of the students, but teachers do not always seem well supported by their administration.
—Submitted by a parent

My step son has had nothing but trouble with school work. The staff does not call back the parents. The school is not worried about students grades just the attendance.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an exceptional school. My daughter will be graduating from HEMS in 06/06 & attending Laguna Crk High & I have to say that HEMS is one of the best schools out there. The staff is always available to talk to parents & Mr. Lambert is accessible to the parents as well as the students many of whom I have witnessed him calling by first names. Ninety-nine % of the teachers are great (or @ least the ones my daughter had). They are willing to go the extra mile, encourage independent expression & appear to understand that not all children learn at the same level. I have been extremely happy with HEMs . They are not only academically focused but they have many extra activities for the students to participate in & encourages social stimulation so that the students are well on their way to being prepared for college.
—Submitted by Marlene Snoddy-Denham, a parent

My Daughter has gone from Honor roll to struggling student here. Some teachers seem overburdened and cannot control the learning environment. Constant reports of fighting, violence, trouble and classroom disruption (from my daughter). I'm told there are 2 police officers on campus every day. The school's view on problems seems to be 'Stay away and don't talk to each other while we pretend the problem did not occur.' In my opinion this school is overcrowded, troublesome and one to avoid.
—Submitted by a parent