Holz Elementary School

My son is completing the first grade with Ms. Sweet, and we have had a wonderful year. He has learned so much and is very confident to move forward to the second grade. Certainly some of them have become friends over the years, but I don't consider that to be unusual. I have found that most of the parents are open to me, if I put forth the effort to speak with them. The staff is very friendly and great with the kids. This is a great school that has a lot to offer if you are willing to become involved.
--Submitted by a parent

Extreme clan like behaviour exhibited by the staff and Mothers. Our family moved here because of my Husband's Gov. job. We were shocked by the sad difference in education of a supposed blue ribbon school and the inner city school my children attended prior. We much prefered the curriculum of the school my children attended before Holtz. I hope that my review stays on this site, as it has been removed a month ago, and I am hoping that our pain will give guidence for other parents gong through similar situations at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Tammy Hovis? You got to be kidding me. She is one the worst teachers there! My boy came home crying because of her. I have a suspicious feeling that she actually wrote the previous post. It comes as no surprise that this school has allot of issues. It is a shame because it is in a nice neighborhood but the staff acts like they are in a rural area. Very unprofessional and it is sad. I thank God every day that I only have one child. Imagine putting another little one through that ?
--Submitted by a parent

My child recenetly reported to me that a teacher at holz put her coffee cup in front of her mouth and said to another teacher these adhd kids r so annoying. This bothers me because this was done in front of my daughter who has add and needs extra help in reading and this woman is her reading specialist. My daughter was so sad and said i cant help it if im not as smart as the other kids. My daughter also tells me the various websites like victoria secrets and facebook that teachers visit during class time and u wouldnt believe the stuff she tells me about thier personal lives as well. It disturbs me. Are these teachers concerned with educating or thier personal lives. After almost 5years at Holz i have only met one teacher that truly cares about teaching children and that is Tamara Hovis she deserves the Blue Ribbon and so much more. If your child lands in her classroom you are very lucky. Im very distressed and worried about my daughter however my options are very limited and home schooling is an option i consider more and more everyday. Parents i urge u to go to netflix or your local library andvwtch a documetay called Waiting for Superman. KCS should be added.
--Submitted by a parent

MY GOSH.... Just read the test scores...that says it all. SOMETHING needs to be done. Do these educators NOT get it?
--Submitted by a parent

I moved from another state and it cannot touch our previous experience. Check the TEST SCORES on this site to see how well this school is doing. HORRIBLE!
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in 2nd grade and has attend Holz since kindergarten. Her K teacher, Julie Wisecup was excellent, as was her 1st grade teacher, Rachel Sweet. Her 2nd grade teacher, Tammy Hovis is also excellent. The do all sorts of Art projects and Music. She is on the A honor roll, what more could I ask for. Every employee of this school is great from the custodians to the cooks to the teachers to the principal. She loves her school. the PTA does everything they can to help the school. To the ones that have complained about fund raisers & such, the school only gets like $5 per kid per year for everything they need. If more parents would volunteer to come in & do crafts & things with the classes they would do more. The teachers have to teach certain things by the end of the year if not,they get in trouble so they do what they have to do. My daughter is in speech therapy, which is another "special" thing that they have for the kids and it has really helped her. She has friends from every part of the school district, South Hills and Loudendale and all the kids are treated equally. this is the 3rd elem. school that I have been invovled at & is be far the best! Dawn Taylor
--Submitted by a parent

My children have each had excellent experiences Holz Elementary. All schools have issues, but this is one of the best you will find. I was once a teacher and I know a bit about how these places are run -- blame the school board and/or KCS administration -- not the teachers or the principal.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a fantastic school! Mrs. Daniels who teaches 1st grade is incredible. Her goals are high and her patience is as well. My child started off struggling and now is striving. They are a little strict on sugar but other than that it's a great school. The staff knows your children and truely care for them. I can't say enough good things!
--Submitted by a parent

I've read all the parents' comments...some with good reviews and some not complimentary of the school and the teaching staff. I think it's very difficult to accurately judge a school simply by assuming that one curriculum or style of teaching is the answer to every child's short-comings. There are too many variables and too many theories on why one child is thriving and the other struggling. The only true merit of measure whether a school is meeting all the requirements to be recognized as 'good' is its product. I know that Holz is producing more 'ready' children to the next level rather than the contrary as some of the parents are saying. My wife and I are extremely satisfied with the leadership, the curriculum and appreciative of the time and effort that each teacher provide for our children. This after researching each school in the District after moving from Pittsburgh.
--Submitted by a parent