Hawthorne Valley School

My daughter and son spent their early education here in kindergarten through the third grade. We were very happy with the rich aesthetic environment, where art and culture is a strong part of the curriculum. The children were taught with quality materials. We then decided to put them in our public school for financial reasons and since we lived far from the school. My daughter was never happy in the public school socially. We were given an opportunity to return to the school where my daughter has thrived in a healthy environment and she is appreciated for her own qualities. Even though I was concerned about my children s late reading, they are both very good readers now. I would say that the overall commitment of the teachers is outstanding. I think that the biggest distinction between the public school and HVS is the curriculum where more time is spent on the classics, arts,oral presentation, plays and less time is spent on testing.The public school was overwhelming with the amount of material required to process.There never seemed to be enough time to delve into a subject.The Main Lesson gives them an opportunity to explore more fully and to learn the story behind a subject.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has gone to HVS for the past 12 years and is constantly telling us how wonderful his experience is. We have participated in countless programs the school offers to parents and outsiders as well. Looking it at the "quality" of education the public school system, we would never consider taking our son out of HVS. Most of the people in the so-called "community" surrounding HVS wouldn't know how to get to it if they had to.
--Submitted by a parent

Wow, don't really know where to begin. Kids in every class, including ours, learn an instrument, at least one foreign language, participate in a class play every year (EVERYONE participates, not just the "special" ones. Teachers are ALWAYS accesible and willing to go the extra mile for the students and the school. When the economy collapsed two years ago the teachers and stafff didn't demand just as much money - if not MORE - to run the school as the teacher's union did in NY - they took a PAY CUT! And, guess what else, they actually study the lives of the saints and other religious figures in history. They're even allowed to mention GOD without being persecuted or expelled. That's something rare.
--Submitted by a parent