Hawthorne Elementary School

I didn't really know what to expect from this Dekalb County school when we moved into the area, but I couldn't be more pleased. We have two children attending and both classes have a fairly low student to teacher ratio. The teachers really seem to care, the administrative staff are great, the principal seems very hands on, all in all I couldn't expect much more. The parents are also very involved, which is always a good sign. I guess most importantly though, my children really seem to like it and are doing very well.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent experience. I hate we had to move away. Front office staff was the best I've ever experienced.
--Submitted by a parent

Incredibly committed staff. Involved parents. Teacher-student ratio is best in DeKalb County. Hawthorne is a Coralwood partnership school, which means it has a higher percentage of students with special needs. Unlike many schools in DeKalb, Hawthorne practices an inclusion model. Most classes have a special education and regular education teacher. Many of the regular education teachers are gifted certified. There is a lot of small group. We picked it because we wanted our children to have a high quality public school education in a diverse school. They are getting exactly that and we are thrilled.
--Submitted by a parent

It's surprising to read some of Hawthorne's reviews but everyone's entitled! I would comment on the incredible negative review which was posted in Dec of 2010 but quite frankly it's not worth the time. Let s note one comment though which quotes the kids as saying everyone has brain or behavioral issues??? Hmm.... Hawthorne has incredibly committed teachers all you have to do is talk to a few and draw your own conclusion. It also has an incredibly active parent body and if you come from a school that doesn't you know how important this is to the success of a school. We have challenges without a doubt we're a Dekalb county school and we don't have unlimited funds. Because of this the parents established a foundation last year to help supplement bigger projects enabling the schools to forgo County bureaucracy to get things done. We have a strong Principal with an open door policy any comments complaints and suggestions he is always open to listen to. It's a public school and by far one of the better ones!
--Submitted by a parent

Quite frankly, I'm still trying to figure this school out. Rather than posting my thoughts thus far, let me quote my kids: "The teachers are mean and rude. They talk down to you, and use sarcasm to make it seem like a joke." "I will never be able make friends here mom. Everyone has brain or behavior issues. They don't respect the teachers or property. They don't listen." "The bathrooms are disgusting. There is poop on the walls & poop paper laying around everywhere. The kids pee all over the floors. The stall doors aren't very high, so other kids are always daring each other to look in at you." "Today the gardeners were using a gas powered bush saw to cut bushes right where we were playing. Is he nuts? Even I know that's not safe! "Lunch is really good, but the lunchroom stinks. You don't get to choose who you sit by, and everyone has to be silent except for five minutes. You always tell us that dinner time is a time for everyone to share. I guess school is more like prison, except with better food."
--Submitted by a parent

The principal is horrible. He needs to quit. He has changed the entire school into a prison . My child is terrified of this place. He is being bullied and other students are misbehaving and overall quality is poor.

Love the teachers, parent involvement is great.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers are awesome!
--Submitted by a parent

My child has attended since the 1st grade and is now in the 5th grade. I love the school, the size and student/teacher ratio is a plus. There's alot of parent/volunteer involvement as well as numerous opportunities to contribute to the school's funding shortfalls. I wish this school was large enough to be a middle school, because my child is challenged and encouraged every single day. The teachers are passionate about the kids learning and as a parent, I support them 100%. They have tutoring in the morning before school and it is FREE! They have a wonderful afterschool program that is ran by the teacher's and staff. Homework help is available everyday, activities and very reasonalbe rates!
--Submitted by a parent

Hawthorne has 2 teachers for every classroom because it is an inclusion school. The time the parapro spends in the class is used on special need students. In addition, to the lead teacher trying to minimize distractions. There is never time to spend with academic achievers or gifted students. The principal is encouraging a model of in class grouping. This is difficult to impossible with so many different ranges of students. If your child is above average, don't expect any individualized attention.
--Submitted by a parent