Hammond Elementary School

Obviously a one-star ranking indicates a bias-slanted issue and AES (8) is ranked lower than HES (9) overall. Still both are very high and redistricting can be stressful. Regardless, as a military member who has lived all over, I had no intention of exposing my children to a public school education until I moved to Howard County. HES is top notch with great cultural diversity to prepare my children for the real world. The new VP is awesome! I'm content with having my children educated in Howard County. My sister is a professor and specializes in elementary education. She reviewed the numbers and found we have one of the best schools in one of the best districts nationwide. We frequently share programs with her and she found use of diverse lesson plans and techniques that push children to higher learning standards. I spoke with some military doctors who found humor with colleagues sending children to private schools when they could get a private school-equivalent education from most of the public schools in Howard or Montgomery County. If we don't get redistricted away from Atholton HS (rank=10) I will consider my kids lucky to get a public school eduction here.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have all gone to HES and still are. We have always had great communication with all the staff and administration. Sometimes it takes a little on the parent's part to communicate what they need from the staff and administration. You must remember there are over 500 students in the school. Volunteer some so the teachers know who you are...and YES I do work full time and find time to volunteer. If you see what is going on in the school, you will be extremely impressed.
—Submitted by a parent

This school could be called Test Prep Academy. I'm tired of my kids spending an entire quarter getting ready for the MSAs. Also - I agree with the poster about communication. The admin. should use the newsletter to let parents know what's going on in the building. right now, for an elementary school, there's no "personality" coming from the school -- all the spirit/community comes from the PTA.
—Submitted by a parent

I appreciate each reviewer sharing their perspective, good or bad. Not every teacher, student, and parent is going to have the same experience. At this time, I can give 3 stars and hopefully this will change to 5 stars. Does Hammond provide a safe learning environment? Yes. Are the academics strong? Yes - I would give this alone 5 stars. My children are challenged and I have the teachers to thank. How is the staff? The front office is friendly and kind. Lunch aids and recess aids are great. Why 3 stars? There is a lack of communication or lack of managing parents' expectations about communication. I would give this area a 1. For example, "no news is good news". Parents may not need to hear how wonderful their kids are (or maybe they do), but they may need to hear something. Comments on the report card would be helpful. Kudos to the teachers that take the time to write substantive comments and communicate with parents. Not every parent knows what questions to ask or can easily decipher the letters/numbers. How could Hammond improve in my eyes? Better communication.
—Submitted by a parent

Like a new job, a new school takes some getting used to. I have two kids at HES and couldn't be happier.
—Submitted by a parent

I LOVE Hammond. The teachers are wonderful and the administration is great. I have had three children go through Hammond, and they all had a great experience!!
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers of this school are EXCELLENT! It is sad to see when someone rates HES low because my children have had problems addressed in this school immediately and have had help when needed. Today they are strong in their academics due to the time and dedication of these teachers. We have many new students this year due to the redistricting who have come into an awesome school. Plus our new wonderful vice principal who came from AES as well as many of the students so he already knows many of the issues there may be with a redistricting. I hope everyone has a good school year and to keep trying to communicate with the staff and teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

We just got redistricted to this aweful school from AES and so far I have not figured out what the hoopla is all about. I agree to the reviewer who posted about non cooperative and judgemental staff. My son is having the worst possible time at this school with the staff and the over all handling of all the issues that we have faced so far. If I could give it a minus zero star, I would.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter arrived at HES after having spent 3 years in a private school in which all students were taught in one class per grade. She was a bit behind initially during the first 1/2 of her year at Hammond. Fortunately, with the individual attention afforded students at HES, she moved to above grade reading and math 1/2 way through the year. Hammond teaches below, on, above, and gifted & talented classes so that each child has the ability to succeed at his or her own level. No one's perfect. However, HES teachers, staff, & adm. come darn close!
—Submitted by a parent

A little apprehensive about my son first attending HES. Was the only African American boy in his class for a while. Eventually the numbers have increased. Really enjoyed the teachers, kids and other administrators. All made us feel very welcomed. My sons teachers were very communicative. Extra work was given if a particular lessons wasn't quite grasped. Many opportunities to partake in student leadership rolls, choir, clubs, etc. All parents that I've met have been inviting. The Principal & faculty have things under control - no disciplinary problems, bullying, girls being catty, etc observed by me. My son excelled.
—Submitted by a parent

Great instructional program, highly qualified teachers, great learning environment
—Submitted by a parent

I moved my children last year from a private school to Hammond Elementary. They both enjoyed Hammond school, teachers, activities and scored very well in their respective grades. We are very with Hammond elementary, the teachers and also the curriculam.
—Submitted by a parent

We made the mistake of placing our child in a private school for kindergarten. The workload was over the top for a five year-old, and he developed anxiety. We expressed our concerns to Hammond, and they had the resources and the desire to help our son immediately and passionately. Now he is relaxed, happy, and learning quickly. Thank you Hammond Elementary!
—Submitted by a parent

My family is in its third year at Hammond. If I did not know that I was part of the Howard Public School system, I would think that I my child was enrolled in a private school(where I have had the opportunity teaching). The Principle and Vice Principle are extremly supportative and responsive to the needs of the children. With this administration 'it is all about the children.' While we do not always agree with all of the teachers all the time, they have our total support. We really feel that the administration demand that the teachers strive to teach to the individual.The level of administrative academic observation, review and assessment is constant. Thus, the quality of academic programs steadily impoves and challenges. The related arts program and activities emcompasses diversity and sophfication. As to test scores, people should be careful quoting inaccurate information!
—Submitted by a parent

Hammond is great for children of all ethnicities. the class size is great, and most of the teachers truely care for the students. coming from a baltimore county school and can definatly say that i fell safer here. but the principle seems to never belive the children. so they never tell the truth. i blevie that if you want a child to be respectful you must show respect first.
—Submitted by a student

The 'discord' is wildly overblown in the previous review. My child is in his 4th year at HES. As a teacher myself, I am extremely impressed with the school. The staff is incredible. There is a minority of parents who will complain about anything and everything, as is the case with most schools in upper-income areas. As for the test scores declining, the third grade scored highest in the county on the CTBS last year, with the average HES 3rd grader placing in the 93rd percentile in the state. I am not quite sure what more a parent could want that HES does not offer.
—Submitted by a parent

Parent vs Administration mentality is a major problem at HES. Problems have been highlighted in the newspapers, but the county has been inefffective in resolving issues and concerns. Standardized test scores are rapidly going down. There are some very good teachers still there, but many have left for other opportunities due to the discord between teachers and the administration and parents and the adminsitration. We are in our last year there and are bothreed by the rapid decline since we started.
—Submitted by a parent