Hesse School

My boys attend Hesse, and I have been very happy with the school. The teachers are great - they challenge the students, but they are nurturing, as well. They keep parents informed and are constantly available. The PTA and Booster Club is active and supports the teachers. I would love to see a school-wide Field Day at the end of the year to blow off some steam after the CRCT - that is my only suggestion for improvement!
—Submitted by a parent

Hesse is beyond disappointing. The principal is not a leader and most of the the teachers only do the minimum. It was a major mistake sending my children to Hesse.
—Submitted by a parent

Hesse has some really excellent teachers who care about what is important for each individual student. However, the principal at this school leaves much to be desired. He has denied students the services they need. He is not approachable and will not communicate with the parents. The local Board of Education needs to replace the current principal and put a strong leader in there before he does anymore damage to the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I absolutely love Hesse School. My kids have been to many schools and Hesse has been the best! My kids have their issues and the teachers and principal are very helpful and caring!
—Submitted by a parent

I use to love hesse before my chiildren came home and told me the principal was prejudice. sending all the other kids to barlette for shoes lance not tied. But want do anything to his son for hitting other kids and talking back to teachers while children are trying to learn. Telling parents the school is over crowd but let his friend 3 kids from private school in telling them they are not over crowd. Wow can't wait for my child to move on to high school.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved back to Savannah and moved to Hesse district for this school. We heard it had a great reputation. From the start it was a disaster. My child hated school. What a mistake. Need less to say we have change schools. The administration is horrible and unavailable. I wouldn't leave my children in the care of this school. I assume at some point it had a great leader but not now.
—Submitted by a parent

Mi hija dejo la escuela de Port Wentworth hace 2 anios pues nos mudamos para el lado Sur de la ciudad. Como madre sola, tuve temos de que mi hija fuera mal vista por ser Hispana y porque su acento no le permitiera seguir desarrollando sus habilidades en el aprendizaje del Ingles. Hoy en dia, despues de 2 anios de estudios en Hesse, sineto que mi nina ha aprendido mucho y sobre todo veo que sus profesoras no soloamente le ensenan Historia, Matematicas, etc tambien le ensenan a liderar y a respetar a los demas. Me siento muy orgullosa de los logros de mi hija como estudiante pero sobre todo , como ser humano.
—Submitted by a parent

We love our parents and teachers at Hesse, the problem is the administration. We have been at Hesse for & years and it has been just the last few years that we have been dissatisfied. It would be great it the principal would care about his students, teachers and parents as much as he cares about the numbers on test results.
—Submitted by a parent

We have 2 children at Hesse (K & 2nd) and have been extremely pleased with their academic growth over the year. The principal and teachers are excellent. We are content knowing that our decision to take our child out of private school and give the public school a try was a good one!
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful, caring teachers combined with a good, fair principal
—Submitted by a parent

I have had a terrible time with the newer principal at Hesse. He is not supportive and unconcerned about the children s success. Granted he talks a good game as long as it is his way on his terms. He doesn't return phone calls and seems too busy to deal with parents. For children that have absolutely no issues I am sure Hesse is a great school. If your child is average good luck. As for me and my children (K & 1st) we are going to Private School this year, at least they hear me and want what is best for my child.
—Submitted by a parent

My son goes to pre-k at Hesse. We pulled him out of a private school we thought was much too focused on worksheets and less on the overall learning experience. We couldn't be more pleased. Communication from the school is very good both via phone and by notebooks from the classroom. Parents can be as engaged as they want and encouraged to participate. The teachers are experienced and there is a good feeling at this school. My child is very happy
—Submitted by a parent

First of all the students in the 'gifted cluster' have been identified for the gifted program, which is a state mandated program with state guidelines. Those students deserve to have their academic needs met. They are 'peer tutors' and often in classes with students who are performing below grade level that is what they are used for. They are often made fun of when they are not with their academic peers making school a miserable place for them to be. Hesse is trying to provide the best learning environment for every child. Unfortunately, with classes allowed to reach over 20, that is very difficult but it is not Hesse's problem. I applaud Hesse for not leaving the gifted or academically high achievers behind as they try to meet the requirements of No Child Left Behind!
—Submitted by a parent

Overall execellent school.
—Submitted by a parent

Hesse Elementary has an outstanding reading program. It encourages students to read and their reading levels seem to be high for most students. Our daughter is in 1st grade and has a reading level of 3rd grade. The teachers are great to work with and encourage parental involvement. We highly recommend Hesse Elementary.
—Submitted by a parent

The best K-5 education in the Savannah area, ranked equal with or even above the private schools available. A true neighborhood school representing a cross-section of the community- from the affluent to the modest of income-with outstanding teachers, administration, counselors. We came from out of state. One of the primary factors in choosing our home was to live in this school's district. We have not been disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately, Hesse has become victim to political correctness. The children who excel or are doing marginally over the average are grouped together in 'Search Clusters' while the rest of the average and below average children are grouped together. There is not peer pressure for these children to improve. The teachers assigned to these classes are just as good as the others but as a result of this grouping, they spend more time disciplining the disruptive students with what little power they have and the well behaved ones are falling through the cracks due to the lack of attention. The principal does not support his staff and therefore the teachers are powerless to do what is necessary to take control of their classrooms. Check out the private schools! Many parents are pulling their children and putting them there. Most teachers at this school have their own children in private school. Ask them.
—Submitted by a parent

I currently have 2 children who attend Hesse and we love the school. I have had no problems over the last 4 years at all. The principal is very involved and it shows. My children adore their teachers and look forward to going to school every morning. I am very pleased.
—Submitted by a parent

We love this school. Our oldest daughter is currently attending Hesse. She has been there for four and a half years now. We have never had any problems with the principals, staff or students. We would recommend this school to anyone. However, they have been taken off the magnet school program. Which is really sad becaus that program was working so well for us military moms and dads. We were really heart-broken because our younger two children could not attend Hesse. They are at another school, and yes, we can tell the difference.
—Submitted by a parent