The John Hancock Demonstration Elementary School

I feel truly blessed, to have my two daughters attending The John Hancock Demonstration Elementary School. The staff is absolutely dedicated to the personal enrichment of each of my daughters education. They are involved in drama, choir and string instruments. Also, they offer a MG program for Mentally Gifted students, as well as educating Hard of Hearing students. It all stems from the top with the Principal and the Teachers and supporting staff. I am very proud of the school and their continuing efforts to raise the bar.
—Submitted by a parent

I was lucky enough to attend Hancock in the 70s, which is a diamond in the rough. In my neighborhood of Morrell Park, hardly anyone went off to college. However, my sister and I went off to college, received advanced degrees, and I am now a very successful attorney in a national law firm. I knew of no professionals living in my community growing up. I look back and see that my love for learning originated at Hancock, and served me well. The teachers cared, and they offered an alternative curriculum that included exposure to such things as photography, silk screening, gardening and the like, and these are the things I remember most.

Its a shame you cant post names of teachers or other staff.I had a principal at John Hancock when i was a student back in the early 70s.The man was a good man with a kind soul.He looked like Buddy Holly,lol..I fell in the school yard and he saw the blood on my knee.He took me to the office and sat me down and said,Lets see that knee and proceeded to clean my knee and put on a bandage.He coulda ignored me or sent me to the nurse.Our principal helped me himself ,I never forgot the kindness he shown.My childhood was far from perfect but sometimes a smile or an act of kindness can stay with you forever.I found out he passed a year or two ago.I wept.I would have liked to say thank you to the man for what he did 38 years ago..God bless you F.R.R...................M.Cresta

John hancock is a great for for hard of hearing children. I wish it went to 8th grade though. Its smaller then all the other public schools and Mr. Griffin is a very caring and involved principal.
—Submitted by a parent

John Hancock is a terrific school. The Principal, Teachers and staff are all wonderful. They care about the children that attend the school and children that don't attend. They are involved with programs that help children with life threatening diseases. my daughter has been there for 2 years and she loves it..everyone knows her in the office and some teachers that don't teach her, it's a good community & school of compassion & good teaching skills. J.Smith
—Submitted by a parent

I love the school but it has to catch up with the times and do a lot more with computers!
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school...great teachers, excellent principal - professional, yet caring, friendly staff. My daughter loves it and is sad it's her last year there. I'm impressed with their curriculum, and their approach to teaching, everyone is on the same page and most teachers know just about every student's name, no matter what class they teach. Learning and safety come first, but they manage to make classtime a fun activity for the students to learn in. One the best public schools around, I only wish it offered grades 6-8.
—Submitted by a parent

John Hancock is an excellent school. My daughter had just finished and my son is in kindergarden. The music program is excellent, the arts program is excellent.
—Submitted by Michael Manacchio, a parent

To tell you the truth I wish Hancock offered grades up to 12. My kids are going to one of the best school in Philadelphia. They are professional, and committed to teach. Everybody is on the same page, getting kids to learn. It truly hurts me knowing it is over on Grade 5, they are wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school wish it went up to eighth grade.
—Submitted by a parent

My nephew went to this school. My sister fought to get him here. They have a lot of resources for children with disabilities, small class sizes and they do thorough IEP's. Just ask a lot of questions. Wish they went to 8th grade and not 5th
—Submitted by a parent

I went to this school and now my son is a 2nd grader there! Teachers and staff are very involved with children. Teacher consistency helps- there are teachers still teaching who were there 20 years ago. Very good gifted support program. Stresses homework and parent involvement. I loved this school and I am proud that my son is able to attend the school also. It is very obvious that he is getting an exceptional education there! The principal is awesome, although she will be retiring shortly.
—Submitted by Holly, a parent

I can't say enough about this school! Both of my boys attend this school and they both LOVE it.. My oldest is in 4th grade this year and my other son started K. My oldest has CHD ( Childrens heart disease) and the school has been wonderful w/ him! The nurse, his teacher, the lunch room aides all have been so understanding w/ him. The nurse took him around and introduced him to everyone in the school so they would at least know his face and what was going on w/ him. I am up there everyday to help w/ lunch for my K son and they have no problem w/ me visiting my older one as well! They made exceptions so my older one would not feel left out since he can't take gym! I mean what more can you say, except I wish it went up to 8th!
—Submitted by Barbara Schwartz, a parent

My child has attended this school for the last half of 2002-2003 school year and is now on his/her second year there. This school has many good qualities. There is alot of parent involvement and my child is happy there. They have the same teacher and class for 2 years in a row which seems to work really well for the children as far as familiarity goes. I think this school is trying to keep a good reputation. There has been a few procedural problems but when the problems were confronted, they were addressed. I do have to say for the most part my experience with John Hancock has been positive but I have experienced negatives as well. Not enough that I would switch schools at this point and I am hopeful that my child can continue on in this school until the end of 5th grade.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderfull school, my daughter loved it! The staff was terrific the classrooms are very nice,lots of hands on experience! My daughter has a very bright future thanks to the foundation she has received from this school!
—Submitted by a parent