Heather Hills Elementary School

Heather Hills is a great place for a student...until 4th grade. I don't know what it is about the 4th grade-- but we are very disappointed. My child constantly tells me his teacher is on her cell phone too much, clips coupons, and talks in the hall with her BFF (another teacher) during class time. The worksheets are overwhelming-it is supposed to be a TAG class. Teachers seem bored and a little lax...for a TAG atmosphere
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter went to Kindergarten here and all of our family has gone here over the years. Great small community school, very quaint, excellent learning program. I was very impressed with the rate that my daughter learned new content and all the special activities the school performed in. I am very disappointed to hear that it is now becoming a TAG only school for 2nd - 5th grade. Now my daughter has to change schools next year.
--Submitted by a parent

Overall I would say my expierence at Heather Hills was very excellent. I had fun and I learned something!!! And that's basically what schools about any. Just a note to parents though, if your thinking about entering your child into a tagged school, you can erase the vision of working lab rats as most compare us to we aren't geeks, or nerds, and we dont get picked on because we are tagged! Its an expierence that i am glad to have gotten. Im sad that i am leaving this year, but I will never forget what this school has taught. Love you Heather Hills Going to miss it!!!!!!

Best public elementary school in PG County. It doesn't get any better than this in PG. I'm VERY thankful that my child received a lotter slot throught the TAG program and hope to have siblings transfer in at kindergarten.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attends the TAG program here. We are happy with his progress, however, the teachers are very lax about returning calls and emails. The "methods" are a little shady also. There are teachers who yell...loud at kids and teachers who eat during class time or talk to other teachers while kids are doing "worksheets". Your kid has to be really talented or it will be hard for them to survive in this school. I don't know how they teach the "slower" kids.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter went to heather hills after attending an optional charter school. If you don't mind first graders having 30 minutes of homework every night, and doing nothing but worksheets all day, then this school is for you. I took my daughter out after witnessing the gym teacher yelling at children and telling them that "they would never amount to anything". We now homeschool.
--Submitted by a parent

I am considering homeschooling my youngest daughter because I refuse to send her to the school inbound. I have appealed to the board of education to get her into Heather Hills because her sibling attends and is in the TAG program. The principal Mrs. Hosch does a stellar job in maintaining her school. The cafeteria, recess and bus situations are all supervised and the kids are pretty obedient and in control. I cannot say that for my child's previous school. I refuse to even allow my child to ride the bus to the school in our bounds. If your child is not excelling at Heather Hills, it is not because of the administration. They do work hard and care for the education and welfare of the students.
--Submitted by a parent

This is my child's first year at Heather Hills and I am very disappointed. The only focus for the teachers and administration is testing and more testing. They have made their mark because of the high scores on the state testing. For good reason. The entire curriculum is simply teaching for the test and the students do not experience an engaging academic experience. They have so much focus on their TAG program and state testing, that they have truly 'left behind' the vision to teach students how to learn. I was impressed with the test scores and placed my son at the school, but in the past few months I have regretted that decision. This school is doing an injustice to the predominantly african american community they serve. State testing is the only focus, with a narrow vision for their so-called TAG students. They are cheating the children from an education.
--Submitted by a parent

After years in private Montessori schooling, our son transferred into Heather Hills in the 5th grade, after qualifying for the TAG program. The school administrators have been helpful and child-centered. The teachers have been attentive. There is an awful lot of testing, which is a product of the times. As a smaller school (around 370) running through 6th grade, there is a home-like ambience about Heather Hills. My son has had a very positive experience.
--Submitted by a parent

My elder daughter is in the TAG program and I'm very happy with the results so far!
--Submitted by a parent