Hammond High School

Good teachers, but lack of administrative control - student behavior and hence learning in many classes is poor. Too much emphasis on athletics rather than scholarship
—Submitted by a teacher

My child graduated from Hammond in 2012 and received a 4 year academic scholarship for college. The school has a lot of support for students identified with learning disabilities and the Ms. Leonard is awesome...very involved in all school related activities
—Submitted by a parent

My son did better in that school than in his new school he got A's and B's now he has E's and F's
—Submitted by a parent

Because, even in all the chaos, there are people. People that are honest, loyal, and have good honest values that this poor world seems to be lacking as of late.

Due to a retirement, Hammond High has recently (summer '10) acquired a new principal, Marcia Leonard. She is experienced, and comes to us from another nearby high school that now rates a 10 on this site. Many in the community credit her leadership as a key to the improvements there. Her arrival and first actions seem to have sparked a very positive energy at Hammond among students, faculty and parents. She has certainly impressed the parents in the interactions we have had so far. She is dynamic and positive, yet grounded with real life experience. As a parent, I think parent involvement could be greater than it has been, but suspect it is about to increase substantially.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a class of 2010 senior, have gone to hammond all four years, and i have really liked it there! all the teachers enjoy their jobs and are there to help and stay after school if a student needs help with something. The school isnt too big or too small so it is IMPOSSIBLE to get lost and the classes are the same. if you are just moving to the area and want your child to fit in hammond is that place. hammond is so diverse and cultural that newcomers are always welcomed and never shunned because we welcome every kind of background. Im picking my colleges and things and I feel like hammond has prepared me to go to college :)
—Submitted by a student

Hammond has great teachers that are dedicated to keep their students engaged and challenged. Unfortunately the majority of the student body are kids that are rude, disrespectful, and immature. The reason why the school is not the best is simply because of the students and lack of parent involvement, not the teachers. As for the administrators, I'm not sure there doing an effective job to reduce the number of violent incidents that occur here at Hammond.
—Submitted by a student

I would recommend this school to students who are self-motivated to succeed and have a great desire to get involved. It is possible to be very successful at Hammond, but you can't expect the teachers to do it all for you. If you love school spirit and are avid in attending sporting events and shows, then this is the school for you.
—Submitted by a student

I recently completed my freshman year at Hammond. I came to Hammond and knew few people from my middle school, but I quickly made new friends. The teachers and students are wonderful. My favorite teacher was Mr. Burke. I have been excelling this year and have been recomended for high classes next year. It is true that the school is a little run down and there are troublesome students, as well as few bad teachers, but it is a very caring environment and a great place to learn. Most of the teachers are excellent. I would reccomend this school to anyone. The only students that think this is a bad school are ones that misbehave and do not try in school.
—Submitted by a student

I have had 5 children graduate from hammond, and my youngest will enter in 2 years. I have been through 2 administrators i have kids in the honors programs, and kids with iep's . As a parent, i never had a problem getting a response form teachers or staff, across the board, and through the years, i have found this school to be wonderful, but then, it is what you make it!! i am looking forward to my youngest being there!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a couple of students at Hammond and I do agree w/ the last review, However it takes a parent, a teacher and a child to make the class a success. There are a lot of ingredients to teaching and parenting.There are a lot of wonderful teachers at Hammond just like any school and there are also several just paid employees. However overall Hammond is a great school and has wonderful teachers, student and parents.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a current senior at Hammond, and my father is a teacher here. I am offended reading the negative reviews, partially because the grammar and spelling are atrocious, but also because the reviews themselves are poor and inaccurate. Hammond, like a majority of other schools, is what you make it. If a student makes an effort, and if a parent becomes more than a little involved in their student's academic career, the student should be fine. I've had the best English and Math teachers I could ask for here, and I know for a fact that the majority of the teachers truly care and do everything in their power to help. It's up to the parents to make sure that their student is doing the work, and if the student fails, overall, the parent has failed too.
—Submitted by a student

I think if you learn and work hard you can get good grade you want.hammond is a good shool, so try to get hornos or APclasses.
—Submitted by a student

my son transferred from europe and is doing exremely well...I really think it is a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from Hammond in 2006, i am currently in college working towards my double degree in History and Political Science at Howard University and UM:College Park. Hammond certianly has it problems, but they do have wonderful teachers. Mr Burke, my most favorite teacher, had a big impact on my life and education... he was more then a teacher and went above and beyond the role of teacher to make sure that students excelled. Another great teacher is Beal- Read. I have gotten an A on every essay written at college level. Zachman, Sivell, and Vasholtz are also among some of the treasures at Hammond. I believe that you cant point the blame at the school for its shortfalls and that students have to take initiative and strive for a good education. There is oppurtunity at HHS, students have to take advantage of it. '06!!!! lol

If you thought about your child coming to Hammond, forget about it. Any descent student at hammond will tell you that this is the worse school ever. The staffs' involvement is horrible to the point where they're more like acquaitences than teachers. the student, with the exception of a few, are unmotivated and only use the school as a big playground, and the school bulding itself is depressing enough. Student here who actually want to do good (which is few) have to do it on their own because they recieve little or no help. And sports here are the worse in the county. They tried to impliment a new principal but he hasn't and probably wont make any changes becuase he is the only one who is trying, cares, and wants to make a change. And my dad went here and it was bad when here went here.t
—Submitted by a student

Hammond High School is not a very good school. Yes, they have some good teachers, but not enough. There are alot of things to be improved; teachers, school size. The hallways are impossible to get through without getting pushed. Some students at Hammond don't care about anything and just come for friends. The learning enviroment is horrible. A day does not go by without me saying to myself or a friend, 'I hate this school.'
—Submitted by a student

Great faculty - building could be updated, but the faculty really cares
—Submitted by a parent

Coming from California schools, we were thrilled to see Hammond High School. The parent involvement was much greater and the schools provided so many more programs for the students than we had seen in California. My child is now at University of Maryland and excelling there. He was in GT classes which don't have as many problem kids. I do believe that the problem kids at Hammond are not dealt with, but I don't believe that's Hammond's fault. All the schools in Maryland suffer from that, not just Hammond. My son found a group of friends that had similar goals and we feel like he got a great education. It's there if the kids want it.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated this year, and I can safely say I learned a lot and feel confident that I can take on the real world. If you have problems with behavior in your child's classes, move them out of regular and into honors or GT, where learning is always the prime concern and behavior is never a problem. Best teachers in the school: Sivell, Jenkins, Burke, Bealle, Zachman, and Vasholz (sp).
—Submitted by a former student