New Hope Elementary School

Please think twice about letting your child go to this school. Based on my experience it was horrible. Sad to say, but there are teachers that will not help kids at all if they are having difficulties academically depending on their race. Some kindergarten teachers do not care if a child master a skill or not. Every kid is different, so therefore they learn different. This school has lots of teachers who sees color of skin.
—Submitted by a parent

I have one who has graduated and two in elemntary school. Overall the schools have been good. However, when the teachers let the students do what ever they want, then something is wrong. Students are being passed without much homework. As far as I can see, the one who will be paying the price is the student. The teachers in high school really do not care about grades, it is all about sports. True, teachers do care about them, if they are into some kind of sport and that is wrong. They need new staff from bus drivers, to kitchen workers, to teachers. I will have to say that there are some very wonderful teachers, and some that are not. Each of my younger children both have had a teacher that would not work with me no matter how much I tried to talk to them.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a teacher at New Hope Elementary school. I am very discouraged at all the negitive feedback I have read about our school. The teachers at New Hope are some of the best that I've ever worked with. Some stay late into the evening or even come to school very early to make sure the students here have a great education. I know that we live in Mississippi and that our state is low academically, however, most of it is due to state policy, not the faculty and administration at our school. We just have to do the best with what we have been given. I have also worked in the inclusion programs in our school and have seen children benefit tremendously from it. Most teachers at our school will bend over backwards to help speacial needs children learn in the best way they can.
—Submitted by a teacher

I have to disagree with the poster regarding special services. My son, adopted internationally at age 3, has some learning problems. In his three years at NHE, I have been very pleased with all his teachers and the special services he receives. I have always taken a very active role in his education also, and he has done well.
—Submitted by a parent

If you have a child with a learning disability beware! Our son is language impaired. After scoring low on many language test given by the psychometrist. We were told that he would be placed in special ed for a couple of hours a week. Speech/Language was not offered and the Principal and teachers were of no help! Get your child tested privately and then fight for the services he/she deserves. This school and/or staff will not help you. Your child will be the child left behind.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my sons first year at New Hope. He is in first grade, so far he is having a great year. He has a very good teacher, very strict, something that he needs. Two thumbs up for New Hope
—Submitted by a parent

I am sorry to say, I am an Alumni of New Hope School. My two children go to school there now since my husband and I moved back to Columbus and moved back in the New Hope area. My children came from a Level 5 School and I am very displeased with New Hope. You can try to get a clear understanding to the Principle but I am here to tell you it will not happen! You have an individual who shows he could care less just as soon as you stand up from your chair. The Teachers, 5 out of 55 might be good. If NHS were anything like 10-20yrs ago, you would thing it was a wonderful school. Not anymore, if you have a teacher telling you how things happen daily you know the school needs help. Please someone form higher up come in and help this problem.
—Submitted by Joan, a former student

I have a child that goes to New Hope Elementary and I unfortuanly do not live in MS. I find that the school is not very open to connecting with its out of state parents. I use the website to keep updated about my child's education, unfortunatly the site is updated only 2 times a year. I have already complained to the head tech person at the school board, which is what prompted the first update. They don't have email contacts for teachers or parent teacher conferences or PTO nights listed. I am very disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent

We relocated here when my oldest child was a fourth grader and my middle child in kindergarten. I feel we have received excellent instruction and with the exception of a couple of teachers, we have been very pleased. This is by far the only public school in the area I would let my chidren attend.I disagree with the assumption that private schools in this area provide a better education. The biggest benefit they provide is better student-teacher ratio. I feel this school not only is giving my kids a good education, but also has good extracirricular activities for them. Baseball, softball, cheerleaders, and dance teams consistently win state championships.
—Submitted by a parent

I find it typical of this area for those that are from here 'New Hope Alumni' to be proud of their school, but speaking honestly, they have nothing to compare it to! We relocated here, and have gone back and forth from New Hope to private school and are still unhappy. Classrooms are approximately 23 to 1 and 'Merit' is not challenging. There is a reason that Mississippi rates next to last in the nation in public education. Some teachers are great and some are not worth anything, and if you're new you will get the worst because you will not know the difference until it is too late! Just do not be blind when looking at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Terrible facilities, low standards, terrible curriculum, and the school doesn't seem to care. Military folks stationed here hate to see their kids in any of these local schools. Private schools in this area are the best way to go....if you can get in. Military families home school or send their children to private school at around 30% (Highest of any Air Force Base). Pray your kids don't have to attend the public school system in this area.
—Submitted by a parent

Best School in a 100 mile radius maybe more. As a New Hope alumni, I have to say that New Hope gave me what I needed to take my education to the next level. I attended K-12 and proudly send my children to New Hope. Athletics are wonderful, and the teachers are incredible.
—Submitted by a former student

THe academics at New Hope are offered at a variety of levels. If you have a child that's handicapped he has a home at New Hope. A child slower to learn can be placed in inclusion and gifted children have the opportunity to participate in Merit and later advanced placement classes. Teachers are to tutor and work to help students accomplish their goals. Wide variety of extracurricular activities: Baseball, softball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, cheerleading and last and always least football. I have not regretted my decision to relocate and send my children to New Hope.
—Submitted by a parent

Poor education standards compared to Northern schools. Best in area but that's not saying much. Brighter students are bored and are not challenged although the Merit classes for 'gifted' students does raise the level a little. Class size is higher than posted. Only sport worth playing here is Baseball and Softball.
—Submitted by a parent