Hafen Elementary School

My daughter has been attending Hafen Elementary for 2 years now. This school has been fantastic with her. She does have a few little learning disabilities and trouble with focusing. But her teachers have been great and her special ed teacher works with her often and she has made great improvements. Her teacher Ms. Presgrove goes above and beyond what she is required to do as a teacher. She does additional testing with her students not just the state recommended tests so that you can get a better more detailed look at what your child excels in and has trouble with. I couldn't be more pleased. My husband and I bought our house in this district just so our kids go attend Hafen and I haven't regretted it at all.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, great staff. The school is the top performing school in Nye County and is in the top 30% (ranked 90 out of 318) in the state of Nevada according to CRT scores.
—Submitted by a teacher

My son has ADHD and instead of being assisted, they suspended him three times in the first month of school. The teacher was incapable of showing any compassion . She could not teach a child who prefers to stand at his desk. VERY intolerant of a child with differences. NO special ed classroom. Get a variance to floyd elementary before the school year starts to avoid the heartache and headache we experienced.
—Submitted by a parent

This school was a failure for my niece. This school is not ready or able to deal with children with ADHD. Our niece was shuffled to the back of the room and largely ignored by her teachers. She was not sent home with books or homework. As a consequence she is two grade levels behind. She is eager and excited to learn.

Hafen has made great improvements academically and with behavior since Dr. Owens has been there. I see her in the halls looking into classrooms and stopping in. My son's teacher also makes time to meet with me whenever I need, even though she is very busy and sometimes has to meet outside of their scheduled at school hours. I always feel welcome when I come to Hafen, Mrs. Kessler, Mrs. Berry and Mrs. Baka help me feel a part of the school. Hafen has a tight security and if you don't have a hall pass (which means you checked in at the office) teachers will stop you and ask you to check in. I feel my child is safe at Hafen and growing academically.
—Submitted by Alex, a parent

This will be my 2nd year at Hafen and I love it! Dr. Owens (Principal) provides high expectations and support for students and staff. I have never been to a school where the principal actually visits each classroom at the beginning of the year to tell children their expectations, and can be found wandering the halls and peeking into rooms, to ensure quality teaching. I love Hafen and although we haven't developed a school-wide GATE program yet, teachers do impliment other projects for high accellerated learners to take part in. Our school has a wonderful PTO that helps our staff plan fun activities for students and parents and as always, parents are always welcome to come and assist us during class! ~Jessica Tsu~3rd Grade Teacher
—Submitted by a teacher

Extremly dissatisfied with the fact that there are no GATE programs or programs for higher educated students, mostly because they are few and far between all the low average students. I however find the music dept to be taught better then in most larger district's. Overall i think poor school, poorly ran school district. Dont be fooled because of its nice new building! They tend to have a high turn over rate on teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

We haven't been happy with Hafen for a long time now. My older sons teacher you can't talk to and if you do she makes you fell like its an inconvenience. It's just been building up. We are at the point of homeschooling if we can't get them into one of the other schools.
—Submitted by an administrator

We have two children that have been at Hafen for over three years. I have great respect for the school nurse (Thanks, Nancy Cratty!), the music program so finely done, and well loved by all, Mrs. Pomije, and the teachers that have worked with my children. The carnival is a hoot- loved seeing Dr. Owen in the dunk tank, and the incredible turnout at the assemblies. I appreciate the honor the children are given for their accomplishments, and you can see the pride in their eyes for a job well done!! This speaks very highly of the leadership, and the staff at Hafen Elementary.
—Submitted by Joreen Beaver, a parent

My daughter has attended Hafen Elementary since the first year the school was opened(3 Years, K-2). I have been very pleased with the quality of instruction she has received. My daughter will be heading to third grade this year and is reading above grade level. This year the school is receiving a new reading/language curriculum, literacy specialists, and a new principal. I would like to see some gifted programs made available, but at the same time I know that within the curriculum there are opportunities for brighter students to go beyond expectations. Students and parents have to be motivated to take some of that responsibility on their own. I have heard wonderful things about the new principal, and I believe she will make Hafen an even better school. I look forward to this year!
—Submitted by a parent

Hafen Elementary leaves a lot to be desired. The curriculum is very basic and does not challenge children in the highest 10 percentile. Most of the problem is due to funding shortages, but other elementary schools in the district have implemented programs that mirror the gifted program (hot shots, etc...). The entire school district is not quite up to par and if one questions the standards the answer is always... 'it is a small town, we just don't have a big city budget'. Alrighty then... someone needs to explain to me why some of the best schools in the nation are located in dinky little towns a quarter the size of Pahrump! I guess it goes back to that 'quality not quantity' saying, huh? And yes, I am a little bitter. My children are not getting the education they deserve. I guess it is back to Vegas for us!
—Submitted by a parent

Hafen is a new school that just opened this last year on Hafen Ranch Rd. The school is very nice and the office is as soon as you walk in and open to see all that come and go. The ladies in the office are very nice and always helpful. My daughter will now be starting first grade here and I hope to have another great school year.
—Submitted by a parent