George Ellery Hale Charter Academy

This school is over crowded and contains undisciplined students. I highly wouldn't recommend this school. I have attended this school for grades 6-8 and wish my parents sent me somewhere else. This school has undevoted teachers and only teaches students CST material to make test scores look good. The only good thing about this school is its diversity and variety of electives and activities.

Hale has without a doubt made me very happy! God bless Ms. Melcher & Ms. Belinkia! They are the best and deserve more praise for the hard work they pour into each and every student in their classroom. The Principal, Mr Siegel, is GREAT and this school is so an 8! I trust this school and look forward to El Camino too! They truly represent the 8 they so proudly work hard for along with the quality of education they offer. THE BEST!
—Submitted by a parent

This is a good school--my son is having a great experience. He has great teachers who care and have good communication. I know what is expected and I can go online and see the homework assignments. He has a set of textbooks at school and at home. There are club activities and others ways for him to be involved--but he has to initiate those involvements. State standards based education and some challenging projects. Class size is large, but well run and managed. Good public education!
—Submitted by a parent

We are looking to send our 5th grader here next year...went to the parent evening. Heard a lot about how they have developed their gifted program, but not much in the way of what they do to enrich, challenge the non-identified gifted kids. Just wondering how our hard working, soon to be 6th grader might fare in this environment with such large class sizes, and with all the gifted kids pulled out of the general student pool and how that affects behavior, learning for the rest...Any info form current parents would be appreciated.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a former student of Hale. The school is not the best or the worst. Most teachers are great, such as the art teacher Mr.Harbourt. There are also teachers who are not so great, but names shall not be given. The advanced math program is great; geometry is at high school level. This school is good with academics, and while some classes are much harder than others, all teachers teach what needs to be learned.

I am a student at hale. The shool was a terrible experience. I went from being advanced on all of my state test, to being basic or even sometimes bleow basic. I do not recomend this school. You become a sheep in a pack and the teachers don't teach. There are a few that are alright... the classes are over crouded. I had one class with 60 students.

I have had two children through Hale and now am on my third and final child. Always have been very happy with the academics and diversity of the school
—Submitted by a parent

Hale is a terrific school with excellent programs that look at the holistic child. It's a great place to work and I am extremely lucky to teach there. The parents and students are a pleasure.
—Submitted by a teacher

Dedicated teachers like Debbie Fletcher, Randi Seligson, and Chris Nowatarski make this an exceptional school.
—Submitted by a teacher

Randi Seligson is a dedicated teacher who honestly cares about her students and her school.

Hard working staff who want the best for the students, even under difficult circumstances.
—Submitted by a teacher

Hale middle school has some great students. yes its rough and there is cussing and bullying, but every school you will ever, ever goto will have some bullies and foul language. its agreat school.
—Submitted by a student

I love this school. I actually attend and it is so wonderful.
—Submitted by a student

I am a student at Hale. I'm in 8th grade in the Honors/SAS program. I have loved this school eversince I started it in 6th grade. I've made many great friends and have had excellent teachers. The faculty/staff is great and I have been very satisfied with my learning experience. Me and my fellow students at Hale do cuss alot and can get out of hand, but honestly what so you expect from middle school children? Compared to other schools, Hale is excellent and amazing. I love it!
—Submitted by a student

The principal and faculty are fantastic! I'm so glad my children are students there.
—Submitted by a parent

This school works best for the very independent, high achieving learner who will be sheltered in the honors or SAS program. For us, Hale has been a big disappointment. My son was in the 6th grade SAS program, which has a strong curriculum. However, due to the large class size and one size fits all teaching methods, he did progressively worse through the year, merely passing when he excels in most core subjects. The homework was excessive, killing his desire to learn, and writing assignments are assessed only for quantity rather than quality. Performance on tests count less than the amount of work submitted. The teachers and I communicated throughout the year, but the process was fruitless and frustrating. When I picked up my son in the schoolyard after school, I observed inappropriate behaviors: cussing, bullying, and sexual flirtations.
—Submitted by a parent

i am recently going to this school and it is a very good school. i have been going there since i was in 6th grade and i have had great teachers so far. they have taught me very good and i like how they are very open. the school is also very clean and everyone is that is in it is very nice. also kids there will be very welcoming to they talk and i think you can make friends really easliy. this is a very good school. i would recomand anothere student to attend here.
—Submitted by a student

I am a student at Hale Middle School. When I first came to this school the environment of the school greatly disappointed me. Everyday I go to school I feel like I'm entering a 'gang' hideout. Not safe at all. Every single day of school I hear at least five cuss words from the students there. The dean apparently cares about the situation, but shows no action toward this behavior. If your child is in SAS in this school it will not make much of a difference. Most of the students at this school are not disciplined, manner-less, and have no respect for other people at all. I regret even signing up for this school. The class sizes are outrageous. If you have high expectation for your child(ren) (i.e. Ivy League graduates) I would recommend any school but this school.
—Submitted by a student

great nice clean not very big school
—Submitted by a student

My son is in 8th grade this year and we have been very happy with his progress. He attends the SAS classes and he did well on his STAR test. I am concern about the number of students in the class this year. My son says there are about 50 students in his math class.
—Submitted by a parent