Marguerite Hahn Elementary School

I can't say enough good things about M. Hahn! I have three kids that started this year and was worried about the transition, especially since one of my children has a learning disability. The principal is out front every day before and after school and seems to know every students name. The teachers are involved and genuinely care about the students and are always ready to talk, even if you drop in they make time for you. One of my children was having a little problem with minor bullying and with the teachers help it stopped immediately and has not been an issue since. My kids transition was practically seamless ... they like their teachers, have made new friends and I am very happy with the school. Great school!
—Submitted by a parent

The best school in Rohnert Park. The new principal of Hahn is the best we could ever ask for!!! She is very involved. She is in the classrooms when needed, works yard duty when needed or even just to make sure everything is in check. I cannot say enough about our principal. Greets everychild daily and always has an open door policy. She wants to hear from her parents!! The teachers are awesome. Long tenure and pure care for each students education. My child has a learning disability and the school staff and principal are helping in every way they can. The no child left behind policy needs alot of work to get up to par, but this school goes above that and makes sure they are not left behind. 100% dedication by the principal and the teachers. Will never leave this school. A school garden, art program, monthly life skills recognition, Big 4 math recognition program, field trips help funded by PTA, always looking for new educational programs and staying up to date, (as much as they can with funds the state gives them), the technology needs help--but what school doesnt have technology issues? No bullying from what I've seen, just kids being kids. Thanks Hahn!
—Submitted by a parent

I cannot say enough about how much my kids enjoy their school. The teachers are always eager to involve the families in school activities, they are motivated to teach progressively, and always greet the kids with a smile. The new principal has involved herself, is in the classrooms observing, and is very welcoming for any questions/concerns. The PTA has been so involved, not cliquish AT ALL. Always inviting people to help, eager to get new ideas. They put on a great Halloween carnival, science night, books and breakfast...as well as help pay for field trips for the kids. I am grateful for the community at Hahn, and look forward to the class size reductions, although I do hope it will happen with the older grades too. Someone mentioned diversity at the school...I must say, Hahn was much more diverse than I expected when coming to the school 4 years ago!
—Submitted by a parent

Very little ethic diversity. We loved our kindergarten teacher but felt a distance from the "community" (parents are COLD unless kids fit their mold). Our child could not make any lasting friendships although at school she enjoyed her classroom. Then, when Rohnert Park went to 30 kids in K-3 classes we left our neighborhood school. I think the bullies are often the snobby kids. Kids from other cultures will feel they don't fit in, despite the lip service toward diversity. Hope it gets better.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is awesome. My son's teacher is too. The principal is not a very good one but is being replaced this year. My son is in 5th grade and loves this school. The only downsider is there are many bullies in this school. The teachers don't really help about this. Also, beware of the lunch Yard-duties; they are very mean to my child. He got in trouble for beating people at Handball. Anyways this is an outstanding school and got the best elementary school in 2009. Awesome school!

My son is in Kindergarten and I really like his teacher. The school has a good sense of community. My son loves to participate in the events they throw every few weeks such as free movie nights, walk & roll to school days, and books & breakfast mornings. The staff we see, girls in the office, or other staff walking around know my son by name. I'm really pleased with their consistency and thoughtfulness. I can only grade teacher quality on the one teacher we have had.
—Submitted by a parent

Felt I needed to write a review after reading the previous ones. My son currently goes to Hahn. Their is a sense of community at the school & some really good families that attend there. The PTA there is very strong and does a LOT for the school, the carnivals, paid fieldtrips, science fairs, movie nights... Yes, the classroom sizes have gotten bigger. The school is utilizing their resources by having 5th/6th grade reading buddies for the younger grades & writing journal buddies. Plus parent volunteers. I also work on the playground occasionally. I have never seen or heard of any type of bullying. The teachers are very good & do the best they can. ALL the schools in CA are in a budget crisis, this is a tough time for ALL schools.
—Submitted by a parent

Very little safety and concern for the children. Everyone is in a mad dash to get their children to school on time. No speed limit enforced. The bullies don't get reprimanded, it continues to happen on a daily basis. Everyone is quick to turn a blind eye to it. Everyone is so disconnected, and seem to care very little about what is best for the children because they expect them to fit into their mold. If your child has a personality and the means to think for themselves, they will be torn down and the staff will try to place a label on them. Especially the principal. I brought something to her attention (a plethora of times) that would be beneficial in my child's learning process and she was quick (TOO QUICK) to disregard what I was putting down for her. If you want your child to fit into a box ( a grossly megalomaniac one at that) then this is the perfect school for you. If you want your child to be a normal kid, then I would HIGHLY recommend to keep searching and do an extensive and thorough investigation of the school of your choosing.
—Submitted by a parent

ld give iit a 0 but that's not an option! This is a terrible school! My daughter was new coming into this school and they have picked her to pieces! She is allowed to be bullied I brought it to the principals attention many times and her final say in it is " well we have a lot of kids so its out of our control". The principal lacks any if not all leadership and people skills! the teachers pick on the shy sensitive children. And they have no compassion at all! Your child is better off going to Petaluma schools!!!
—Submitted by a parent

As a lot of parents know in this district another school has been closed and that means more kids in the class. If you're child is quiet or shy he or she will be left to fen for themselves. The teachers are great but with very little help from the principal. Who is there to "get the job done" but doesn't. You're better off going outside the district. Especially with avereage class size being 31 students.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is a very bad choice for children with dissabilities, especiall high functionaing autism. The principal lacks leadership and creativities to handle situations that needs a profound leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

Hahn school is wonderful! teachers, principal and staff are awesome. Great parent participation. My daughter loves to go to school every day!
—Submitted by a parent

A great school that really cares about its kids. Teachers are always looking out for more than just their own kids and are always helpful to parents who ask questions. Only drawback is new principal. A bit standoffish and a cliquish PTA. They are also a bit crowded. Classrooms seem too full.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of our daughters attended Hahn their entire elementary years (K-5). We couldn't have asked for a better school. The campus is nice, the teachers and staff are great and they really care about your children's education.
—Submitted by a parent

We have our one and only daughter at Hahn. She has gone from Kindergarten and now she's in Third Grade. From the first day we noticed that Hahn was a diferenty type of school, where the Principal got to know every child's name. We love the involvement by the teachers and parents, from the Holloween fair, to movie night and science night, etc. Everyone first priority is to assist the students excel academically and socially. My daughter loves her teachers, she likes that she's always challenged and strives for more. I attribute this to her self drive and confidence and everyone she comes in contact at Hahn.
—Submitted by a parent

My 2nd grade son really likes Hahn, even though he hasn't been to any other elementary schools to know the difference. I remember when my son was in 1st grade (last year), when he told me about an older kid that was bullying him at recess. The issue was not being resolved. So, I took matters into my own hands. Also, just this year. I noticed a small bench area in the teacher parking lot. I went to check it out. It seemed so delightful and pleasant looking at it from the school. As soon as you walk in: Vandalism. How do we teach these kids?
—Submitted by A Concerned Parent, a parent

I love Hahn unfortunately I had 2 children of mine go to Goldridge and my 3rd child has gone to Hahn since kindergarten now she is entering her 4th grade year. Right from the start their teachers have high expectations for the children and they all rise to the occasion. From the arts to music and theatre they are exposed to a variety of experiences. And as far as the family feeling Ms.Nancy in the office I would bet knows all the children by their 1st names. And lets not forget our wonderful Nana who has volunteered for the last 11 years to work the crosswalk and work in the cafeteria. From science night to talent shows theres something for everyone.Most of the teachers are seasoned and know how to bring high achievement from their students.
—Submitted by Cari, a parent

Hahn rates up in the top 3 elementary schools in R.P. From experience there I must say that it is a good school but it lacks the caring feeling that Gold Ridge is filled with. We switched from G.R. to Hahn for the GATE program but chose to move back after a month because the family feeling we value so much is absent there. I do wonder how Hahn will rate (right now it is a hair above GR accademically)when the GATE program is removed from it next year (05-06). They won't have half the GATE students rounded up any longer...logically this will lower their accidemic scores, leaving GR on top both accademically as well as socially with the family feeling that GR has always had. I fought hard to get my child into Hahn's GATE program and am trying to be honest, I feel this is a realistic opinion.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son has been at Hahn for over a year now. We are very happy with the teachers, staff and PTA.
—Submitted by a parent