Heather Hill Elementary School

After reading the last review, I have to share my personal experiences from the 2010-2011 school year, as a parent. I brought a serious concern regarding my child's academic experience to the principal. She truly listened to my concern and actively addressed the problem with the teacher. Throughout the year, she kept my child's best interest in mind, while working with me and the teacher. I felt that she valued my concerns and did not jump to the defense of the teacher. She was an advocate for my child. I can't speak for the district administration's involvement because it didn't go that far.
—Submitted by a parent

The 2010-11 school year was less than favorable. I think a lot has do with a major turn over in several key administrative positions. The principal didn't show strong leadership with tenured teachers and those with more dominant or aggressive personalities. Issues with those teachers were never brought to resolution, even on the district level. With both the principal and superintendent leaving, it was a disheartening year to have concerns properly dealt with. I have been in the district for 6 years and have many more ahead with multiple children and I am a very active PTO member. I sincerely hope with the new administration, Heather Hill and the district overall will become stronger, more positive and more academically competitive.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended Heather Hill for 3 years and I feel the discipline is good. Any concern I have had has been addressed to my satisfaction. I am pleased with the extra help provided if needed in academic areas. I especially like the teacher my child has this year.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very satisfied with this school. The new principal is OUTSTANDING. I do wish more parents would participate in THEIR school. The teachers and principal cannot do it all. However, everything is present here for the kid and their parents to take advantage of, again parents are key in the development of their child and school.
—Submitted by a parent

I can't speak for everyone, but my experience at Heather Hill has been positive. We have been blessed with very good teachers. The new principal is friendly, supportive and generous with her time and attention.
—Submitted by a parent

As an extremely active parent and PTO member, I can only say that the negative reviews concerning child discipline, teacher moral and parent participation are absolutely untrue. Our principal's leadership is outstanding and our pool of active parents is strong.
—Submitted by a parent

The school offers a good academic program, however teacher turn around is too high, test scores are going down, PTO is ...well .... I don't know, not together. There is not enough parent participation and diversity is going in the other direction. I have to say though, my kid likes it and is doing well and has enjoyed the teachers and friends. Of course some of that is because we work hard to insure that education is a priority and we are involved in school activities and programs.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm surprised to read reviews claiming the school is out of control. If anything, I would say it's the opposite. Children are very respectful and controlled at this school. There is tremendous parental involvement and I find all of the teachers to be engaging and really caring people. We had a new principal this year who is building on the previous years' successes. If anything, I'd advice they let the kids chat more at lunch -- they're kids afterall, and it's lunchtime.
—Submitted by a parent

Although a new principal has helped the out of control discipline situation in this school, the overall satisfaction is not there for me as a parent. There is not enough being done to bring the school together as a community. The staff seem very unhappyl. I've heard talk of several teachers leaving.; The constant change of teaching positions is not helping the situation.
—Submitted by a parent

Heather Hill School is an excellent school with teachers and administrators that have high expectations for their students. I am an elementary teacher in a different school district. No school will ever be perfect but this school is among the very best. They are current with educational practices, have a fantastic gifted program and a princial and teachers that are very professional.
—Submitted by a parent

I believe the teachers of Heather Hill are excellent and have great classroom management. The school is headed in the right direction in terms of test scores. There is great collaboration there amongst the staff and children are put first.
—Submitted by a parent

I can definitely testify to the classrooms being out of control. The school seems to have no idea how to get these kids under control. I am also concerned about the school's testing scores. Overall I believe the school is going in the wrong direction.
—Submitted by a parent

The classrooms and the lunchrooms are NOT out of control or loud. The classrooms and lunchroom are well supervised. This is a great school! The teachers and support staff are excellent! I highly recommend this school! Very diverse and the students respect eachother and their teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

I am extremely disappointed with the level of discipline (or lack of) in this school. The students are at an extreme disadvantage because the environment is so out of control that they cannot learn. The classrooms are loud. The lunch room is out of control. Some changes need to be made and my concerns have gone unanswered.
—Submitted by a parent

i like this school. my children went here. the people are nice.
—Submitted by a former student

The academic programs are complete, the teachers are highly involved in studenst performance and security, the art program is well done and the parent involvement is high in this s.d.
—Submitted by a parent