Hearst is a GREAT SCHOOL on so many levels! The teachers teach students on and beyond their academic level. Every year, I've felt that my child is getting an education is tailored to her needs. Students happily greet each other and teachers. Most impressive is how cooperatively students work together. Parents are eager to extend their child's learning beyond the classroom. The principal encourages students to "reach for the stars" with her in all that they do. It is truly a great place for any child to learn and grow.
—Submitted by a parent

HEARST Happy learners. Energetic parents. Awesome principal. Rigorous assignments. Supportive environment. Top-notch teachers. Need I say more?

Hearst is an excellent professional learning community established on a strong foundation. We, the parents, are so fortunate to have one another. Our current leadership leaves a bit to be desired, takes more than a guitar and some stars. However, we will overcome that next year as we pass that on to Prince William County. Let's look forward to new leadership!!!
—Submitted by a parent

One of the best-kept secrets in the area! Hearst is a vibrant community of students teachers and parents, and in the best sense functions as a family of sorts. Hearst boasts enrollment from all Wards of DC and is diverse in many ways. Our two children are in first and third grade and both are thriving. The teachers at Hearst are engaged and thoughtful and committed to the school. We feel lucky that we send our children to a school where all the teachers and many if not most of the parents know our children and each other. Note that Hearst has expanded to Pre-K to 5th grade, so students go directly to middle school after finishing elementary school and do not feed to a different elementary school.
—Submitted by a parent

Hearst is a little-known gem of a school in Cleveland Park. It has extremely small class sizes, two teachers for every class and an extremely engaged PTA. It's principal has created an environment that really rewards excellent learning and the students are embracing it! Our son has received very good individual attention that has helped him excel in math and reading beyond grade level. This is the kind of school you'd expect to find in small town but with all the access the city provides.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son is in pre-k. Fantastic school with incredible PTA, teachers and leadership. Couldn't be happier. I'll add that our son transitioned from a local private school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had the opportunity to student teach at this school for the past year and have been fortunate to learn from such amazing teachers who are as intelligent as they are motivated to provide the highest quality of education to the public. The warm environment at Hearst fosters each student's cognitive, social and emotional development. I highly recommend this school to any parent who values their child's education and well being. A+ school!
—Submitted by a teacher

This is a wonderful neighborhood school with a great sense of community. It's going to be even better after the building modernization and addition are completed.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school. Can seem rough around the edges due to its very close proximity to a $30K a year private school, but the teachers are tremendous. The school has a vibrant PTA that when combined with the active and energetic staff produces a close community that I am very happy to be part of. I am also impressed with the principal's use of Out of Boundary transfers to bring together a group of students from all over the city to create an environment where the students are learning about diversity in the most natural way.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my sons' first year in public school. It was a ruff start. I had to get to know my son's teacher and he had to get to know me. For the most part, Hearst is a grat school, with a great staff and a graet leader Mrs. Talley
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers make this school special. They are outstanding. This is the only public school in Washington, DC that gets NAEYC (http://www.naeyc.org) accreditation. Here are the school's test scores below in detail which this web site doesn't have uploaded for sum reason. In sum, in 2008, at least 87% of students were rated at least proficient in math and reading. Statistics below from No Child Left Behind -- http://nclb.osse.dc.gov/index.asp 2008 Reading: 56.52% Proficient, 30.43% Advanced, T=86.95% 2007 Reading: 46.67% Proficient, 13.33% Advanced, T=60.00% 2006 Reading: 57.14% Proficient, 4.76% Advanced, T=61.9 2008 Math: 47.83% Proficient, 39.13% Advanced, T=86.96 2007 Math: 33.33% Proficient, 26.67% Advanced, T=60.00 2006 Math: 33.33% Proficient, 14.29% Advanced, T=47.62
—Submitted by a parent

I have two son's that attend hearst, one is in kindergarten and the other is in the third grade. We have been extremely happy with the results from hearst. We love the diversity and the closenit family style approach that ooze with excitement during morning drop off.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has thrived at Hearst Elementary. This is a great, small school that reflects the best in the current trend toward small schools. It is truly a community of learners, with skilled and visionary teachers who have earned numerous awards, generous and concerned parent involvement, and a curriculum that puts student learning first. Hearst is a gem that reaffirms that young children *can* get a great education in DC public schools.
—Submitted by John, a parent

Great sense of community within a small, ethnically and income-diverse setting. First through third grade, enrollment of 160 - 180 children. Wonderful little historic building on beautiful grounds next to DC Recreation Center and park/playground.
—Submitted by Lisa, a parent

My son is in Kindergarten, in his second year at Hearst. Hearst is a small and intimate school (160 students up to 3rd Grade) and is giving him a wonderful introduction to formal school life- as well as to the USA (we are British expats). The teachers specialize in early childhood education and are creative and highly committed. I particularly appreciate that the school combines high academic standards with having a diverse and international mix of families.
—Submitted by Ariane Hegewisch, a parent

Phoebe Hearst Elementary is a high quality school distinguished by its nurturing atmosphere for young children. Its overall size is small, and average class size is low, assuring individual attention for everyone. Hearst's namesake, the mother of Wm. Randolph Hearst, was an advocate of early childhood education. One of the pre-K rooms has an antique aquarium that she donated. The pre-K through 3rd teachers all have training in early childhood development. After 3rd grade, students feed into Lafayette, Eaton or Murch, also among DC's top-performing elementary schools. I have been especially impressed with how the teachers have taught my daughter how to love to learn. And how to learn. This is a school where everyone knows her name and is on the lookout for any difficulty she may be having. Learning is experientially- and arts-based.
—Submitted by a parent