Harney Elementary School

Can you say " institution"? I agree with all the criticism included in the past ratings regarding Harney Elementary on this site. The staff does not personalize their attention to their " little" customers. If our kids were not in this school the staff at Harney would be unemployed. Parenting has changed since the 70's and many parents have to trust these sucky public schools to educate their kids. The only way your child is going to succeed at Harney is if they are admitted to the Spanish immersion program where the kids seem to stay protected and educated.
--Submitted by a parent

2nd day of school & quite frustrated. No communication prior to school. How about an email from our childs new teacher or perhaps the new principal??? It was utter chaos the first day as the children were herded into the cafeteria like cattle for sorting. The pick-up process was changed with NO fore warning. How about some communication? It is a complete disaster w/ oblivious parents walking up the drive blocking cars trying to get out, parents chatting w/ teachers slowing up the pick-up process. finally the gal in front of me stopped not once, but twice on the way out to deal w/ seatbelts blocking everyone behind. Got on the school website to email my comments about pick-up and there is NO WAY to contact or email. the phone number is an answering machine! Can you say frustrated!
--Submitted by a parent

My son will be entering 5th Grade at Harney this coming year. He started there before the Spanish Immersion program started, so sadly, he hasn't had access to that, but due to that program the parent involvement is AMAZING! Harney students come from a wide socio-economic background and cultures and our son has made friends with so many terrific kids. Our son has been there since Kindergarten. Our experience has been, across the board, WONDERFUL. The staff, from the janitor to the principal are all respectful and enthusiastic. As for the teachers? I don't know WHAT those other reviews are talking about. I would be thrilled to have my child in any one of their classrooms. He has been so incredibly fortunate and we have been thrilled with his progress and excited by his curiosity and knowledge. There have been times on the bus when there have been issues, and it has been addressed immediately. There will be a new principal next year, which makes us sad, but we have heard GREAT things about the new principal, so we will be eager to meet her. We will be so sad to leave Harney next year!
--Submitted by a parent

I found the principal not supportive and uninformed in many educational "best practices" and agree with several of the reviewers about unprofessional teachers and rude staff. This year we decided to remove my children from the school.
--Submitted by a parent

Harney has some great teachers but also some teachers who should have left the profession years ago. My children had far too many instances of being spoken to in a deragatory and unprofessional manner there by several teachers across the grade levels and when it was brought to the principal's attention several times, nothing was done at any time. I finally had to pull my child and place my child at a different school this year as a teacher was rude to a parent volunteering on a field trip and still the teacher was not in any way held accountable. Not a good place if you want you or your kids treated with respect consistently. The main receptionist is also very rude. Some teachers are great and professional, but beware!
--Submitted by a parent

I have a daughter who has been enrolled at Harney for two years, since kindergarten, in the Spanish Emersion Program. As a parent who is involved with the school almost everyday, I can definitely say the effort put forth by the teachers and administrators is top notch. Compared to other schools in the district which I have nieces and nephews attending, the level of commitment at Harney Elementry is above and beyond. Exactly what I expect for my child.
--Submitted by a parent

i have 2 students here at Harney and i strongly disagree with the posted remark on Dec 7th, 2008. I have had nothing but problems with the school and the 'new' principal. i am seriously thinking about removing my children from this school come this fall.
--Submitted by a parent

these past reviews reflect a different principal and none of the past reviews even talk about free full day p.m kindergarten, the only spanish immersion available in the entire vancouver AND evergreen school district. This is THE elementary school to go to! Truly dedicated parents and staff have turned this school around. I also love that the principal makes all parents sign a 'dedication' stating their dedication towards their child's success. This is truly the most exciting elementary school going on in the public schools in the vancouver, evergreen, and battle ground school districts.
--Submitted by a parent

I am very frustrated with Harney Elementary, administration seems to be very disorganized and the attitude of the front desk personelle is leaves much to be disired. Messages are never returned from the staff or even from the bus company. Your solution to strangers walking into the school without being questioned was to put up a sign, still no one seems to pay attention to who walks through that front door. A criminal IS NOT going to sign in ON YOUR sheet! The principal just does not seem to have the leadership needed to get the respect of the staff needed and I have seen a huge change downhill from principal change over. I am so frustrated with how things are run, I don't even volunteer anymore for I find it hard to keep my mouth shut about what carelessness goes on.
--Submitted by a parent

This is an awesome school with many oppurtunites for the the children to excel. All of the children have an awesome staff and great adults to help them along thier journey. th