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GreatSchools Rating

Hay Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 488 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 1 rating
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
Based on 11 ratings

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64 reviews of this school


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Posted March 5, 2013

Superb school. When we came to John Hay we were moving from a private school experience which we thought would be very difficult to top - John Hay did it in spades. The teachers are excellent with over half of them holding masters degrees. The front office is second to none - Angie and Wendy know every childs name in that school and are always kind and helpful. Mr. Sturm the gym teacher is the friendliest man around and Ms. Hanson is a strong and fun-loving principal. Teachers work hard to challenge children at all levels and the education my children have received has been excellent. There is an amazing group of parents who are always volunteering and it makes for a wonderful community. You'd be hard pressed to find a better school anywhere.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 9, 2011

We had hoped it was going to be as good as the ratings but we had a very poor experience last year and pulled our son out as a result. We moved over to Seattle mid year and got a third grade teacher for our son that the the teacher who was rigid, outdated, and a very poor communicator. From the first week when my son was trying to transition to a new school he was kept in from recess almost daily. I tried to work with her, explaining he had focus issues and had never been in trouble before she didn't answer emails. The principle was sympathetic but she said she had known the teacher wasn't a good fit but the school was full to the top and there wasn't any where to move him. We felt we had no where to turn or much support. Since we left we have been approached by several parents that she has been a big problem for many years but no action was taken. I would not recommend John Hay.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 26, 2010

This is a GREAT school from an education stand point. I do find the school to be clicky, buy I am not there to make friends so to speak. There is a lot of parent involvement in the school and classrooms and as a result some parents do seem to get what they want. It can be annoying as favoritism is definitely noticeable. People say it doesn't happen etc but it does. Teachers can be great but as in most cases it depends on who you get. NOT all the teachers are great. This school can be a blessing and a curse as the education is awesome but the school has its downsides. I am sure most parents won't agree with this, but once you have had a bad experience at the school it changes how you view it.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 18, 2010

High academic standards and performance! Awesome staff who work very hard and love working together! Children have fun and get along well while learning important life skills! Parents are a wonderful part of our team and always welcome. So, children, teachers, staff, parents all contribute to the best school I've ever seen or been in! John Hay rocks!!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 17, 2010

Teachers, staff, parents and community support are all what make John Hay a wonderful school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 11, 2010

Fantastic support from the parents and the community!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 6, 2010

I love John Hay for the teachers, the community and the kids! It's a great place to learn and grow.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 2, 2010

Great school, great teachers...very involved in each child. A very welcoming environment...terrific neighborhood school


Posted May 2, 2010

The faculty and staff are passionate and enthusiastic about their students, and about about helping kids learn --- and that's contagious ! The students feed off that energy, and the result is a learning environment that promotes excitement, creativity and achievement. Our granddoughter and her friends actually look forward to going to school !
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 30, 2010

The teachers and staff deeply care about the students and are exceptional educators!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 30, 2010

Parents, teachers, administrators, support staff, and community truly work as a team to provide students with the best public education possible.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 30, 2010

John Hay is filled with teachers who create an incredible learning environment for every child to thrive and kids full of energy and enthusiasm.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 30, 2010

John Hay is a wonderful school with super dedicated teachers!!! My granddaughter loves learning and is off to a great start with her education.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 30, 2010

It is a loving, caring school where my granddaughters are thriving in academics and compassion.


Posted April 29, 2010

Three years at this school have still not changed my opinion that this school is above and beyond any public school you will ever experience in the U.S. Fabulous. Great teachers, great administration, great families, great community.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 29, 2010

Teachers and administrators create an encouraging environment and put the children's needs, success and safety first.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 29, 2010

My daughter is an alumn from John Hay and I have a son who is a 2nd grader. Both have absolutely loved going to Hay and have been very motivated by the positive learning environment the teachers and staff provide. The first time we walked through the door at Hay it had a very unique and strong spirit about it and we knew instinctively that it was a good fit for our kids and family.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 29, 2010

This is a high achieving school with a dedicated staff collaborating with parents and the community to provide a pathway to the stars for EVERY student!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 29, 2010

Great school. The kids LOVE to learn and it's all because of our fantastic Teachers!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 29, 2010

John Hay has many excellent teachers and enjoys strong parent and neighborhood support.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
90%

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
90%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 69% in 2012.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
94%
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, in writing in grades 4 and 7, and in science in grades 5 and 8. The MSP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Math

The state average for Math was 59% in 2012.

78 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
82%

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
87%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

78 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
90%

2011

 
 
96%

2010

 
 
87%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 61% in 2012.

78 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
90%

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
89%
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, in writing in grades 4 and 7, and in science in grades 5 and 8. The MSP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

77 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
82%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

77 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
97%

2011

 
 
96%

2010

 
 
86%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

77 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
97%

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
60%
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, in writing in grades 4 and 7, and in science in grades 5 and 8. The MSP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Math

All Students90%
Female91%
Male89%
Blackn/a
Asian93%
Asian/Pacific Islander93%
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White94%
Low income73%
Not low income93%
Special education80%
Not special education91%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students93%
Female95%
Male90%
Blackn/a
Asian93%
Asian/Pacific Islander93%
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White95%
Low income73%
Not low income96%
Special education100%
Not special education92%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, in writing in grades 4 and 7, and in science in grades 5 and 8. The MSP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Math

All Students82%
Female84%
Male80%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White87%
Low income46%
Not low income89%
Special education73%
Not special education84%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students90%
Female97%
Male83%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White93%
Low income69%
Not low income94%
Special education91%
Not special education90%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Writing

All Students90%
Female95%
Male85%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White91%
Low income77%
Not low income92%
Special education100%
Not special education88%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, in writing in grades 4 and 7, and in science in grades 5 and 8. The MSP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Math

All Students92%
Female95%
Male89%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White95%
Low incomen/a
Not low income94%
Special education64%
Not special education97%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students97%
Female98%
Male97%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White98%
Low incomen/a
Not low income97%
Special education100%
Not special education97%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Science

All Students97%
Female98%
Male97%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White98%
Low incomen/a
Not low income97%
Special education91%
Not special education99%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, in writing in grades 4 and 7, and in science in grades 5 and 8. The MSP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 76% 64%
Asian/Pacific Islander 13% 9%
Hispanic 6% 16%
Black 4% 6%
Native American 1% 3%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 10%N/A42%
Special education 11%N/A13%
Transitional bilingual 0%N/A8%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per classroom teacher 16N/A17
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years educational experience 14N/A12
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher education levels

  This school District averageState average
Master's degree or higher 55%N/A66%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

201 Garfield St
Seattle, WA 98109
Website: Click here
Phone: (206) 252-2100

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