Highland Elementary School

Both of my sons attended Highland from K to 8th grade. They both moved onto excellent high schools. My eldest attends a wonderful, very selective college. I thank the Highland admistration for giving them their academic start. They made learning fun and did not create fear, anxiety and stress by focusing on preparing the sudents for standardized tests. The staff was always receptive to my concerns and willing to give both of my children extra help when necessary. I loved the weekly report that came home on Fridays. It allowed me to address any issues that my children had before they returned to school on Monday. Highland is a very nurturing school where the whole family is embraced. My children are still friends wih their Highland classmates. If you want to know what Highland is all about come to the schol picnic or any of the other school activities.
--Submitted by a parent

For several years I have been part of he Highland Family and fully involved in all aspects. The care and concern for the childrens education and all around well being is 100% exemplified in the administration. My family will remain loyal to Highland well past graduation as Highland is contributing positively to the education and overall well being and upbringing of my children. If you are looking for education wrapped in a family environment, you will find it here.
--Submitted by a parent

If you are looking for a school that provides structure, professionalism, a nuturing environment, and continuity. Skip this one. The principal and staff members needs to learn customer service and become open minded about ideas for the children in order for the school to be successful.
--Submitted by a parent

No one should take exception to what is written here. The exchange of honest ideas and opinions is healthy. The Highland School has many good features but there are areas where improvement is greatly needed. This year in particular many parents are dissatisfied and although they have brought up their concerns to the administration little has been done. There is a reluctance to deal with difficult issues such as the incompetency of a staff member. It is a perceived as an attack on the school and its supervision. The time has come to sit down and address the issues that most concern our children. The PTA meetings should also provide parents with a forum to raise issues of concern. I attribute the low attendance at the PTA meetings not as an indication of 100% Satisfaction but rather 'What's the use?'
--Submitted by a parent

I take exception with the horribly inacurate review given on Oct. 8. My daughter has been in the school since kindergarten and I have found that the administration (which has not changed in over 10 years) is extremely responsive to my concerns and any problems I may have. It is a small school where everyone knows everyone else. The children are very happy - the classroom size is small (about 18 kids per class) and the kids seem to foster lasting relationships (with the other kids and the teachers). But as a small school it does have limited resources and may not be right for a kid that has health or behavioural problems.
--Submitted by a parent

My two children have attended this school for a combined total of ten years. I take exception to the bogus review posted on October 8. Firstly, the same administration has been in place during my children's entire time in ths school. The director is always available to talk with me or anyone associated with my children's well being. I can''t understand any of the comments posted. The other parents are extremely involved, the children are happy, and more importantly, they are learning in a positive environment.
--Submitted by a parent

My son started in K now in 1st grade. Wonderful school, small close nit environment. What impressed me the most was the principal's ability to remember each and every child's name!
--Submitted by a parent

This was one of the worst schools I ever came across. My child attended for one year and is now in a different school. The children are not happy, discipline is selective and a problem, bullying is a problem, administration does not work with parents whose children have health issues. Parents fear talking to administration about issues that arise on a day to day because they get yelled at and are outright told that no other child is a problem child like their child and the school does not work with professionals outside the school, eg., doctors. Parents' involvement in the school is minimal and at the directives of administration. This was a great school under the old administration, and is now living on the reputation of that administration and staff.
--Submitted by a parent

I really, really like this school. It is a small school where kids get lots of attention. What really impressed me the very first day we visited Highland is that all kids were very polite, holding doors for each other and for grownups and smiling. Since school is small, everyone knows each other. Older kids are help younger kids to adjust and to feel at home, and the younger kids treat them with respect in return. The progress my doughtier made during the first three months of the 1st grade was amazing. She went from not reading at all to reading almost fluently. Teachers are strict and coursework is structured: lots of homework and assignments.
--Submitted by a parent

It is amazing. There are small class sizes, with teachers who care. The children always want to go back during summer break. Even graduates come back to visit.
--Submitted by angela Li-A-ping, a teacher