Harbison West Elementary School

This our first year at HWES and are very pleased. My son is in 4th grade and loves it. All staff really care and takes the time to talk to the children and it shows in my son.
—Submitted by a parent

I've been very pleased with HWES. I've not come across one teacher or administrator that has led me to feel as though my children are in less than capable hands. The location of the school renders itself to a different cross-section of the population than other areas of town, and some cultures will stand out more than others; however, that is to be expected everywhere. The teachers have exemplified to me, at least, specific attention to each child in the classroom - not just my own - from what I've observed. Each child is important to them. I'm shocked by the former comment, as it's so hard to picture malicious or negligent intent from any of the staff af HWES. I've seen the principal as well as the security officer and other teachers walking and talking with students of all ethnicities. They offer great programs to involve parents and kids, and the communication from the school is excellent. I've never missed any information I've needed for the week. They also do great at recognizing the kids for all sorts of positives; not much goes unnoticed. The atmosphere has a very positive air. Even bullying is snuffed out instantaneously, with generally constructive results. Kudos.

I am very concerned about the posting before mine. I wish I knew what caused that problem, as that description is scary! But I'll have to base my review on my own experience. Overall, I have been much happier with HWES than with the school my daughter attended last year. in this same district. However, she is part of the Escolares (gifted) program, and has an excellent teacher. She is not bored and tired of school anymore since moving to Escolares. I like the smaller size of the school, and the front desk staff has seemed competent in my dealings with them. The principal seems to run a tight ship (sorry for the cliche), but without day to day activities seeming as absurdly regimented as in the other school. My only complaint is that HWES is far from our home, so it's hard to attend extracurricular activities if they are not right after school. That is not the fault of HWES, it is the fault of the district for not having gifted programs available elsewhere. If you are in District 5, and your child needs the gifted program, this is the only real option. (BTW, the car line procedure at this school is great. I just hope the school addresses the prior poster's concerns.)
—Submitted by a parent

If you dont care about your child getting a great education then send him/her here...if you dont care that your child makes it home safe then send them here. The school teachers that stand at the door to let the walkers go home have been told by myself not to let mine walk unless im there to walk with her...they said they cant keep up with all the kids...there are very few white children at this school and im white and so is my child so how can they not remember me...they let my six year old walk home without me twice...and once while i was in the school, told the principle to call the teacher to send my child to where i was and guess what, yup , youre right, they still let her walk home without me...very poor school...awful...like i said , if you dont wish for your child to have a great education, send them here...
—Submitted by a parent

This is an exceptionally well-run school and my second-grader loves it. The teachers and administrators create an organized, respectful, and enjoyable learning environment that challenges students to do their best. We are very pleased with our experience here!
—Submitted by a parent

My son attends the Escolares program at HWES. The curriculum and teachers are phenomenal. The class size is small compared to other schools, which allows for more individualized attention. The principal is revered by many teachers in the district. I have heard from multiple teachers at her old school they would love to have her back. This school has many outlets for the kids to shine and feel a part of something. Chorus, step team, car rider safety guards, musicals, talent shows, in-depth study projects (some done with PowerPoint by second graders), etc., help the kids express themselves and grow. Also, there is outreach to the parents almost weekly (sometimes it is overkill, but overall very inviting and informative) to encourage participation. Overall, I am extremely pleased with our decision to move my son to this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a terrible school. My child was severely mistreated by the car rider women and the Principal. The academics was not even at the level that he should have been at. I regret my child ever attending this school. The staff does not smile nor do they say hello. Seems as if everyone working at this school is incredibly miserable with their job.
—Submitted by a parent

I wish that more people from the community would come and see for themselves the wonderful things going on at Harbison West, instead of making judgements based on rumor and hearsay. The class sizes are small and the children get individualized attention from wonderfully caring staff. There is also an atmosphere of customer service here that is absent at other schools in the district.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had 2 children educated in this school. You won't find a more capable administration or staff to educate your children.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended this school for the past 3 years. I have nothing but great reviews for this school. My son at the begaining of last year was toward the bottom of his class in both reading and math. His teacher worked closely with us and gave him additional services that helped tremendously. Toward the end of that school year he was no longer behind his classmates. He reading and math were right on standards. The teachers are excellent! The teachers really care and have always gone above and beyond what was required of them to ensure academic sucess for my child. Plus our classes have great student teacher ratio, which personally I think saved my child from getting behind.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been attending HWES since the age of 3, he is now in the fourth grade. I could not have asked for a better group of teachers to work with him. My biggest concerned when he started school was that he would be put into a class and passed over, because he does'nt learn on the same level as other children. I can say that is not the case at HWES. I'm thankful everyday for the faculty and staff at Harbison West. There are great things going on at HWES.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the second year my children have attended HWES, and I am praying that we can find a home in another school zone for next year. The Teachers I have delt with are wonderful, but the environment my children have to put up with is appaling. They have to struggle to hear their teachers over the sounds from the surrounding classrooms (because they have 'Pods'), are bullied by several children daily, and subjected to foul language from the other children on a daily basis. I have raised my children to be polite, well mannered, and respectful, and I have started to notice behavioral changes in them from the stress of dealing with others not raised in the same way.
—Submitted by a parent

The School has little to no challenging reading program for Kindergarten. In my opinion the school has no fundamental plan for helping the children suceed on a local or national level. The school has poor P.A.C.T test scores which has made F's on their report card for two to three years consecutively. My advice to parents would be to send your child to a school that has high P.A.C.T scores on the report card and take advantage of the school of choice. Schools that do not make it their priority to better the education of our children should be accountable for their poor cirriculum's and teaching.
—Submitted by a parent

We love HWES. Our children have had the best teachers. The school has resources and technology that many of the other school do not have. I would hope that people (realtors included) visit this school and see the great things going on inside the doors of HWES. In addition, there are wonderful neighborhoods.
—Submitted by a parent

Our child was pulled from this school three years ago due to the on going issues we had with not only the teachers, but also the students and staff. We were told that there is nothing that can be done and that our child should just deal with it.
—Submitted by a parent