Advertisement

GreatSchools Rating

Harvard Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 407 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

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

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

Rate this school

Click on stars to rate
Please select a star rating for this school.
    Helpful reviews answer questions:
  • What do you think others should know?
  • What do you like?
  • How could your school improve?
    Review Guidelines
    GreatSchools won’t post reviews that contain:
  • Inappropriate language
  • Allegations of criminal conduct
  • Names of students, teachers or staff
1200 characters remaining
Please indicate your relationship to the school.
Please read and accept our Terms of Use to join GreatSchools.
Indicates a required field

5 reviews of this school


Sort by:
Show reviews by:
Posted April 29, 2012

My son came from Tacoma School District #10. The requirements are far from the same at Harvard Elementary. Daily homework is not mandatory and I have to come up with alternative teaching methods at home because my son is not being challenged. The school awards mediocrity and praises the kids for showing up rather than celebrating with the kids over actually learning. I am counting down the days until we move and can get our child out of the Franklin Pierce School District.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 15, 2008

I have heard not so great things about this school, but am so happy I decided to send my child anyway. The teachers are wonderful, the principal is fantastic. I volunteer 4 out of 5 days in the classroom, and I am very, very pleased with the school. This is coming from a very critical mother. Please ignore negative reviews.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 29, 2008

My son 1st year at harvard was great for me and him, I fell in love with the school and the principal seemed to be a wonderful person and it seem as if he knew all the children by name and I'm like wow, Ilike the way I saw him interact with the children and I liked it. My son is now going to the 1st grade and I hope all is still good. I know children that go there also and they seem to be alright and the school is always in order when I go there and I've there many of times morning afternoon and after school and to me so far so good to Teachers. Principal,students and all the staff.. My child love school and been ready to go back all summer.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 13, 2007

The staff at this school are absolutely WONDERFUL, but the addition of the new principal, in 2005 has dramatically reduced the quality of the program and the general atmosphere. He's basically a 'stuffed suit' that doesn't take a genuine interest in the staff, students, or the building. He lacks leadership, communication skills, and general people/management skills. The discipline problems at Harvard border on dangerous, and teachers are not well-supported with it comes to discipline issues.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted September 5, 2006

Both grandsons have gone to this school for the past four years. I have been disappointed that this school does not offer more one on one for children with ADHD. We have had a couple of excellent teachers who have made extra effort and it was much appreciated. I have done volunteer work at the school and have had opportunities to observe different teachers in there classroom. Three of these teachers had absolutely no control in their classrooms, but I confidence that there will be improvements as these teachers are know longer there this year.
—Submitted by Katherine Kilmanis, 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.

58 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
57%

2011

 
 
40%

2010

 
 
36%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 69% in 2012.

58 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
62%

2011

 
 
56%

2010

 
 
62%
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.

79 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
58%

2011

 
 
52%

2010

 
 
49%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

77 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
60%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 61% in 2012.

78 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
58%

2011

 
 
68%

2010

 
 
65%
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.

56 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
59%

2011

 
 
59%

2010

 
 
56%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

56 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
63%

2010

 
 
68%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

55 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
62%

2011

 
 
19%

2010

 
 
17%
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 Students57%
Female53%
Male61%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic64%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Whiten/a
Low income58%
Not low incomen/a
Special educationn/a
Not special education62%
Limited English64%
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students62%
Female63%
Male61%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic50%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Whiten/a
Low income64%
Not low incomen/a
Special educationn/a
Not special education69%
Limited English43%
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 Students58%
Female51%
Male65%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic53%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White54%
Low income56%
Not low incomen/a
Special educationn/a
Not special education60%
Limited English50%
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students75%
Female72%
Male79%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic77%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White69%
Low income74%
Not low incomen/a
Special educationn/a
Not special education78%
Limited English75%
Migrantn/a

Writing

All Students58%
Female62%
Male55%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic56%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White46%
Low income56%
Not low incomen/a
Special educationn/a
Not special education61%
Limited English63%
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 Students59%
Female48%
Male68%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic46%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White83%
Low income52%
Not low incomen/a
Special educationn/a
Not special education63%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students64%
Female60%
Male68%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic50%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White75%
Low income58%
Not low incomen/a
Special educationn/a
Not special education69%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Science

All Students62%
Female48%
Male73%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic48%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White83%
Low income58%
Not low incomen/a
Special educationn/a
Not special education66%
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
Hispanic 30% 16%
White 23% 64%
Not provided 17% N/A
Asian/Pacific Islander 15% 9%
Black 12% 6%
Native American 2% 3%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 82%N/A42%
Special education 10%N/A13%
Transitional bilingual 25%N/A8%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per classroom teacher 15N/A17
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years educational experience 7N/A12
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher education levels

  This school District averageState average
Master's degree or higher 46%N/A66%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1709 85th St East
Tacoma, WA 98445
Phone: (253) 298-4100

ADVERTISEMENT

Compare this school
to nearby schools

Compare schools »

Compare

Add this school to compare

Nearby schools

ADVERTISEMENT