Hernandez Elementary School

My daughter attends Hernandez and I am not happy with the administration. They are lax when it comes to discipline. There is a problem with bullying and many children, my daughter included, have been assaulted by bullies. We have no choice but to send our children to this dreadful school because it is the only 5th grade school in San Marcos. I am so happy they are doing away with middle school startin next year and dividing 5th grade up among the elementary schools.
--Submitted by a parent

This is one extraordinary school. The teachers and staff really do care about the well being of their students, and helping their pupils learn seems to be a passion. The school is clean, well-kept, and new; it's a really great school for the parents, teachers, and of course, the students.
--Submitted by a student

the best and cleanest school in the district other than the collage.
--Submitted by a student

For the most part, I have been impressed with Hernandez. The teachers really care about the happiness and well-being of the students. However, there is a feeling among some teachers that most parents are not involved or do not care about how their kids are doing. I can't say whether this is true or not. I have really enjoyed dealing with the vice principal. He's really on the ball about knowing what's going on with the kids and knowing who you are. My daughter had an incident where she was put into the wrong class on accident and the vp took care of it right away. The music program is great. The GT program is great. Even the PE class is great. My child always hated PE until the year she began at Hernandez. The teachers do work the kids hard though and there's tons of homework.
--Submitted by a parent

I wasn't completely happy with Hernandez. The primary problem is probably that it is only 5th and 6th grade and is much too big. My daughter felt lost during her time there and was happy to leave. A good feature is that they have several extra activities and a pretty good gifted and talented program. They've seem to have some staff problems that they are trying to correct, but there are several 'unpopular' teachers. San Marcos might be better off turning Hernandez into a third middle school/junior high and expanding the elementary schools to include 5th grade. It also could benefit from encouraging more parent involvement. Doesn't seem to be the desire from the teachers to want to get to know the parents, but I might just be spoiled by the elementary schools.
--Submitted by a parent