Hammond Central School

Given that three of the high-star reviews are grammatically incorrect and were reviewed by graduates of Hammond Central, it is possible that the quality of the education is poor. Granted the school is Pre-K through 12th grade but in comparison to other New York State schools, Hammond Central leaves great room for improvement. The textbooks are inaccurate, outdated and look as though they have been recycled for decades. This is a travesty considering the sports program has such high emphasis. Hammond Central is no different to any other public school in that it teaches by the state testing system but while a handful of the teachers (mostly the younger grades) venture outside the box and encourage creativity in all aspects of the subjects, a majority of the faculty sticks to the guidelines in an almost biblical sense. Recommendation: re-evaluate how funding is allocated at the school and reward teachers for being creative.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with some other comments. The school is about discipline, not learning. Also, the school is spending money on sports when they should be spending it on replacing the 20 year old books! The guidance counceler won't tell you what credits you need and how many your missing so you either sink or swim with her. The teachers, Some of them are great and they help the students then there are some where they just give you homework and say get it done. And if you are missing work most teachers don't tell you or talk to you one on one to see why they aren't doing the homework. The school is just wasting money!

I have 2 children that attended Hammond Central all their lives, graduated, went to college and now have successful careers, much happiness and like to travel and experience different parts of our country. If that doesn't tell you that the school did its part, then I don't know what else to say. It is great, I can compare to it, because I graduated from a very large school and would have preferred the warmth and caring that you get at this wonderful small school. Keep up the good work HCS!
--Submitted by a parent

In response to RGSE - Maybe you feel prepared now because you're not in college yet. I will say, Hammond might do a wonderful job at preparing students to achieve average grades at SUNY Canton. But, if you want above average grades or success at a school with a national reputation, a Hammond education isn't going to cut it. As a high school senior, I felt fully prepared for college. It's after leaving that I realize how much more prepared the other students I attend school with are, because their schools didn't consider 'success' to be the minimum state achievement levels (a grade of 65 on any Regents test).
--Submitted by a student

What happen to the school that I graduated from? I was very proud to graduate from Hammond but now that I have a child there I can not understand why. The quality of teachers may be good but their professionalism and care for students is not high. I was in the local store and heard two teachers talking about a student that one had and the other teacher was going to have. They put a target right on the students back! And the rest of the people in that store now think that that students parents are horrible people.I knew them personally and know they are great people and do what they can to help their child. NOT PROFESSIONAL!! I am disappointed!
--Submitted by a parent

I'm a former student, and I don't think the overall rating is accurate at all. All of my Regents classes were taught to the test, and any non-Regents classes weren't taken seriously by staff or students. As a current college student, I don't feel prepared for my classes at all. I was valedictorian of my class, and now struggle to get Bs. My high school friends, also straight-A students, are having the same problems. Students aren't taught the writing or math skills needed to be ready for college. While the small classes are nice, the quality of teaching and college preparation really need to be improved.
--Submitted by a student

I'm guessing the people that gave this school high rankings have grown up in Hammond and have no other school to compare it with. This school is abysmal. The children that graduate barely make average scores on the SAT. The guidance counselor should have been fired thirty years ago. She has no clue about the reality of college. Kids do not graduate well-prepared for life outside St. Lawrence county. There is no innovation in the teaching styles, few non-sport activities, absolutely no support for disabled students, and the emphasis is on discipline, not on learning. A great school if your child wants to be afarmer, but if you want anything else for your children, don't move to Hammond.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has an excellent staff that really cares for their students. However, as with anything this school has it problems. A large amount of money is put into the sports programs that could be used on other activities or in the classrooms. (I say this as a former student who played all three sports offered.) The town places way too much emphasis on girls basketball.
--Submitted by a student

I think Hammond Central is a great school. I like the fact that it is small. The students get more attention.
--Submitted by a parent

I gradated from Hammond, and I am happy that my child is going there.. It is a great school.
--Submitted by a parent