Harrison Central Elementary School

My daughter attends 1st grade, and her teacher is Mrs. Santchez. Great teacher that cares.
—Submitted by a parent

WE are very unsatified with our child's experience this year. We were spoiled with her kindergarten teacher Mrs. Moran. She is no longer there. The school's lack of communication is disturbing. My daughter is very smart and because of this she is really out there on her own at school. Not to mention the lice epidemic, that no one seems to be concerned about. I have seen it first hand on other children at the school, and my duaghter has gotten it 3 times, every time I go to the school to let them know they say they do not have the time to check heads. It is affecting my child because she misses school, we spend hours getting rid of it, take precautions not to get it , send her back and she just gets it again. We will be moving schools next year.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a little skeptical of this school at first because it was a public school. My son had attended St. John Elementary for the first three years of his schooling. However, shortly after enrolling my son at Harrison Central I realized my son was going to a good school. He was placed in Mrs. Benton's second grade class. He was also tested for being gifted and placed in the gifted class. I was surprised at the friendliness and eagnerness to help from the staff; especially considering the size of this school the teachers really do go above and beyond.
—Submitted by a parent

My son started kindergarden in Mrs. Miller class this year. He is learning so much. Mrs. Flinn is making it easy for my son to get the extra attention he needs. This is important to any child learning. I am so thankful for both of them and the masterful job they are doing.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter started kindergarten in Mrs. Miller's class this year. It was very hard for my to walk out the classroom that first morning without bursting into tears. It was even harder to trust someone that I knew little about with her education and keep my little girl safe for 8 hours a day. I soon found out what a wonderful person and teacher Mrs. Miller is and her classroom help (Mrs. Flinn) is just as great as she is. Every day my daughter brings home worksheets that they did in class that day, and every day she learns something new! We love Harrison Central Elementary, its great!
—Submitted by a parent

All schools have their differences. Your not going to find 'The perfect school'. I do have to say that this school has been great though. My children have been here since K and this is their last year. We have really had no problems at all. The only thing that could be better is the time frame that they give you to do something. Other than that I give them kudos.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is entering his 2nd year at HCE & his teacher from last year advanced with him, we are very pleased with Mrs.Hairston & the school in general. This is a wonderful teacher & a real asset!
—Submitted by a parent

As for the parent that made the comment about the students
—Submitted by a teacher

My son has spent 2 years in tis school. The first year he did very well and had a teacher who cared. This year his teacher only took time with the children that she felt like taking the time with. My sons scores dropped dramatically. We take the time with him at home and work with him. All in all I feel that the school is lacking in qualified teachers. They care about test scores more that the students them self.
—Submitted by a parent

Since May of 05'(my last comment)my child was advanced to a higher grade. A lot has changed. We got a teacher who cared and pushed my son at school as well as we did at home. She took the time and effort to use diffrent methods of teaching till the children understood. I am totally impressed and I am a little sad that my son will not have the same teacher next year. What a diffrence she made.
—Submitted by Melanie Keasler, a parent

HCE is a wonderful School for any child to attend. All the staff that I have encountered are very involved in what is going on in the School. They do their part with the children, but the problem is at home where the complaining parents do too little in the chil's life.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very pleased with the education that my child is receiving at H.C.E. My child's teacher is very dedicated. The school got a new principal this school year and she is WONDERFUL! She is always so friendly and I can sense the difference in the teacher's attitudes this year. I am very sorry for you parents that have negative comments about this fine institution. Maybe you should ask yourselves what you can do different at home. Do you take out time to work with your child? Do you visit the school to observe or attend conferences with the teachers? If you answered no to either question, you aren't on your job. Look in the mirror before pointing the finger at the teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent I am not altogther unsatisfied, nor am I satisfied with this particular school. I am very happy with the teachers my daughter has had this year, however I am not impressed with the overall school. Fund raising information is literally sprung on parents and little to no information is given. Special dates are posted on the school marquise may be 1 to 2 days before an event takes place. Communication between the school and parents really is not as coordinated as I believe it should be.
—Submitted by a parent

More concerned with school scores than teaching students. Not equipped to give additional assistance for needy children. No tutoring program. High teacher turnover causing confusion for students in teaching techniques puts children behind and struggling to catch up. Too many students per teacher allowing for needy children to get 'Left Behind'.
—Submitted by Dustin Kemp, a parent