Harbour View Elementary School

My son has had problems with school from day one and this was the first year that he really improved. Not to say he had a perfect year but he did much better than he had previously and I contribute a lot of that inmprovement to his teacher, Julie Boivaire. She went above and beyond to work with my ASD son and help him succeed. I don't really have an opinion of the rest of the school but this teacher really impressed me with the level of caring she exhibited.
--Submitted by a parent

Staff is rude and unfriendly. I volunteer often and see how these teachers respond rudely to their students. From what I have seen this school is unorganized and are not equipped properly for our students. The principle is unexperienced and unfriendly, as is the vice principle.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter just turned 5 and her second day of kindergarten was today.When i came to pick her up in this chaotic circus they call the car line, i saw my already confused and scared little girl being yelled at to hurry up and get in line, while being jerked around by the wrist and almost put into a strangers car.At the end of the day, when they are done with school, they treat those kids like cattle.Whatever happened to taking the time and being compassionate.When i dropped her off that same morning, i was told by her teacher that she thought she could have a learning disability.This child can read, write and speak Spanish.Not to mention,it was only her second day at school.She was scared, and instead of them taking the extra time to see what the problem was, they decided to pre-diagnose her with a learning disability.
--Submitted by a parent

Bullying is not taken care of at this school
--Submitted by a parent

I did not like this school at all. There is little to no parent support. We had a problem with papers being graded wrong, and the principle would do nothing. A month into the school year my son's teacher suggested he get switched to another class, and it made me feel like she was giving up on him right away. The rest of the year was no better. I never received positive feedback about him, even during conferences, which were only scheduled 15 minutes prior to school starting. Whenever I had questions, they were never answered, and regardless of the teacher's constant negativity, they will not send a behavior specialist unless your child is violent or completely uncontrollable. They don't even allow the children to walk around at lunch time, yet expect children to sit still all day. Unless your child happens to be a robot, I don't recommend this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Awesome school. Great teachers. Kids enjoy learning at their own speed. The principal is dedicated to impriving every way possible. This is the best school in Marion County, if not in Florida. The more involved the parents are, the more the kids benefit from Harbour View. retired teacher, 4th grade
--Submitted by a teacher

Every school has its issues just like every family. What I dont understand however is how many of you can write a bad review and not at least identify yourself. A lot of people didnt like Mrs. Bjork when she arrived but I dont think that she is doing any worse than any other principal in todays society. As far as being there for your children I totally agree with you. They always preach to parents be there for your child and you cant even attend a simple school party besides the fact that the SAC meetings and some PTO meetings have been held in the middle of the afternoon. SAC meetings and PTO meetings should be in the evening when the working parents can attend. What can we all do as parents to help the princpal and teachers to make HVES a better school ? Kimberly G. Lesher
--Submitted by a parent

The school seems to be very un-organized and not very up to date. I can't wait until kindergarden is over.
--Submitted by a parent

'Be there for your child?' How can a parent be there for your child when they are having academic problems and the teacher/principal will not allow text books to come home for that extra help??? How can a parent be there for their child when you have to argue with the principal every step of the way? Nope, not this parent! I will never send my child back to this school. No thank you, I did not find them 'parent friendly' at all. Talk about no cooperation, what is a parent to do?
--Submitted by a parent

Such a wonderful place. A warm-family atmosphere. My children have gone here since Pre-K (1995) and still have children there.
--Submitted by a parent