Hampton Academy

There needs to be more accountability placed on the administration and staff regarding academic performance and the handling of student:student issues. I strongly believe parents must share accountability for their children's academic performance and social behavior. The current academic staff seems unmotivated and incapable of providing a well structured academic environment. Teachers have strayed away from teaching students "real world" academics, in favor of teaching students to be better "test takers". The teachers are not completely at fault for this change, as State Standards for NEAWA and NECAP expectations are nearing impossible achievement rates with such diverse populations of academic learners. The environment of the school is in my opinion, as an actively involved parent, stressful and hostile for both teachers and students, making it an even harder environment to teach and learn in successfully. Over the last eight years I have witnessed student:student assaults both verbally and physically. Continued on next post-
—Submitted by a parent

Many teachers, although not all, appear to turn a blind eye to the "less" intense physical assaults (e.g. pushing, shoving, elbowing). I can only surmise that this is result of a lack of positive administrative leadership. The Academy has seen a great deal of administrative turn over-eight principals within six years! Many children suffer at the hands of bullies needlessly. The current administration is either unwilling or ill trained to deal with the issue of bullying. I have volunteered at other middle schools my older children attended in other towns, and while bullying was still an issue, albeit much lower in occurrence, once bullying was reported and substantiated, reasonable consequences for such action (punishment fitting of the action) were dealt with in a swift and responsible manner. I have yet to see or hear from other staff and parents that bullying is being addressed properly, or in some instances at all.
—Submitted by a parent

unfortunately it seem that the majority posting reviews have liberal,touchy/feely problems with what appears to be a very good school....my gawd,complaining about LOCKERS and those crowded COLD hallways---or your kid has academic problems,so it's the school's fault ?--get a grip on yourselves or go visit an inner city public junior high....if you dare.

While the majority of teachers are wonderful the grading guidelines are unrealistic. One day late on homework and the students get 1/2 credit (which is a 50). No if, ands or buts. This can bring a students GPA down in a split second. I am sad to say that the focus seems to be on teaching kids 'lessons' rather than working with the students to learn. Communication is virtually non-existant unless pursued by parent. School board has their fingers in too many pots. The school has lost their focus on what should be important; Kids and their education. Can't wait till my student is out.
—Submitted by a parent

ok... this school is amazing ! i get to see all of my friends and hang out with them during classes ! but not just that the teachers are verry nice and they can hellp you with anything that you need. i would reccomend this school to ANYONE who is lookiing to go to a new school !
—Submitted by a student

The librarian is a very nice lady. She knows what shes doing and she is very intelligiant.
—Submitted by a parent

Middle school years are tough enough socially, but when you add apathetic teachers to the mix who are poorly supported by their adminstration and school board, it makes it even more difficult. Our child had a challenging transition here and we abandoned the school for another mid-way through our experience. Our child struggled with some learning issues and we found we received little support from the adminstration. Kids can fly through with high grades here, but this is little indication of what they are really learning. They have a relatively new principal, and hopefully he is turning the place around before we are faced with the decision to send our second child here in a couple of years.
—Submitted by a parent

Good school, but the faculty isn't the best. Some teachers get a little too nosy and ask a little too much about the students. Now that Mr. Muscara is gone things haven't been handled as well. Issues also take a lot longer to be resolved and new principal won't help unless the situation is dire. Instead he wants the kids to solve it themselves (okay sometimes that's good) but even if it's really bad he won't step in. Also poor curriculum planning.
—Submitted by a student

I love the teachers at Hampton Academy especially Mrs. Dutton she is the best.
—Submitted by a student

I am extremely happy with the new administration at the Academy. It's refreshing to know that we are moving forward with lots of new programs. I think Hampton should be extremely excited about all the changes at the Academy. Our children will benefit from this environment.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent School.!New Principal is outstanding! Finally a Principal that puts children first. This school is going places with Mr. Muscara. Children are safe and under wonderful leadership by example. I would recomend this school to everyone looking for a great education and superior leadership by a principal!
—Submitted by a parent