Phoebe A. Hearst Elementary School

This is a great school with an excellent principal who is realistic (given the budget) and supports the kids and teachers. In 2012 this school will also have Kindergarten classes. The parents and kids make this school a great place. The one drawback is an excess of busy homework that seems a bit unnecessary. The kids are expected to be at or above grade level and the GATE program allows the teachers to repeat the material less often. My son loves this school.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has just finished first grade and I'm astonished at the progress that she had made. This is the ideal school for anyone that wants their children to achieve academically and be in a safe environment. Homework is at least one hour a day for first grade, and the school does enforce a strict uniform code and on-campus rules. Students and parents though are rewarded with meaningful teaching, excellent quality extra curricular activities and a school run efficiently and effectively.
--Submitted by a parent

I think this school has a lot of great programs and certainly parent involvement, and PH certainly meets many children's needs; however, it was not right for my child and our family. We switched here expecting great teachers, but the teacher that my son got was burned out and, even worse, condescending to the children. Furthermore, the rigid expectations and lack of warmth really dampened my child's love of learning--in our opinion they expect too much in regards to homework from children who should still have some time to be children. My son began to develop some behavior problems while here, but happily they were resolved shortly after switching him back to his previous school. I am disappointed we ever tried this school out.
--Submitted by a parent

I was a student at Phoebe Hearst and here's exactly what happened: Had an absolutely excellent time in second grade Had a terrible time in third grade and switched school Came back in fourth grade and experienced the worst year of my entire life both socially and academically. Teachers came and went and every single student hated me for no apparent reason In fifth grade things were slightly better but not really. At least the teacher was the same throughout the whole year In sixth grade had a very good year. My grades shot up, nearly all the kids forgot to hate me, and I really liked the teacher. However, throughout everything that happened at Phoebe one office worker was really mean to me, calling me into the office for slight uniform violations (i.e. short just barely too short) while not saying a word to more serious violations (i.e. literally a halter top), and I was called in nearly every single day for not wearing socks while others weren't at all. I also received a citation for walking on the grass, which I consider absolutely ridiculous. I am so much happier at middle school now, where you can wear whatever and nobody wastes time yelling at you for insignificant details.

Phoebe has super teachers, excellent principal, outstanding parental involvement - and great kids! Phoebe is a wonderful place.
--Submitted by a parent

I love this school! It's awesome, and The teacher's are super duper nice! I really love my 6'th grade teacher, Mr.Goul!(Hi mr. Goul! It's Kaylene!) XD lolololololololololol XP

I completely agree with the latest post from 2-7-2009. The princial is lacking in the leadership department and seems to be focused on the 2nd school he is in charge off. There a few teachers that do not know what they are doing and are a complete waist of the childres and parents time. If you don't have a principle you can turn to when your child is in need, what is the point? I have a 6th and a 4th grader at Phoebe, and as the years have passed I have become more and more disapointed with the leadership at the school.
--Submitted by a parent

The parents at this school have worked very hard and have fought tooth and nail to keep desirable programs, like art and music, afloat. And of course, the kids are great! Unfortunately, leadership is lacking at this school and the teaching my child received was very uneven. Personal experience with some teaching staff was extremely unprofessional. A small school like this one doesn't afford much choice when teachers aren't meeting your child's need. And the principal is doing very little to weed out those teachers who are just 'biding their time,' while they waste the precious time of the students they are trained professionally to serve and inspire.
--Submitted by a parent

One of the top elementary schools in the district because it attracts good students. It has built on its success by continuing to attract motivated/involved parents who want to have their kids surrounded with like-minded families. It is not a neighborhood school, so all prospective students must apply through open enrollment. Significantly, this means that the school draws the kids of academically activist parents with high expectations and typically a home environment that augments the school's academics. But, like any school, the student's experience will vary by the teacher. Some PH teachers are just okay and some are great. I believe the school's strength comes from the parents that expect much from their own children. (One child is former Phoebe Hearst alum and one is currently at the school.)
--Submitted by a parent

Great school. My daughter has excelled here. There does, however, need to be a little more diversity in the staff. There are excellent teachers of all types. I think Phoebe Hearst should actively persue them. You have no idea what added layer of diversity can add to the richness that already is Phoebe H.
--Submitted by a parent