Carl Hankey Elementary School

Posted: June 28, 2023

Posted: June 28, 2023

Posted: June 28, 2023

Posted: June 28, 2023

Posted: June 28, 2023

Posted: June 28, 2023

Posted: June 28, 2023

This school has serious problems. The administration puts up with and accepts bullying and poor behavior from the students. It is an unsafe environment. Kids hit other kids, throw stuff, and terrorize other kids. Instead of disciplining the kids doing this, the principal brings the "bad kids" back to her office and gives rewards, cookies, certificates to make them "feel better"; meanwhile, the good kids getting bullied are simply ignored and left to fend for themselves. When a kid hits another kid on the basketball court, instead of removing the bad kid, they take the ball away. It is so backwards - they don't know simple behavior psychology principles and the "counselor" they have is a total joke - she's just a body with a degree, not even licensed and has no proper clinical training with kids. Moreover, the teachers don't discipline either - the classroom is total chaos and there's very little room for learning. The teachers refuse to acknowledge this and when the good kids ask the teacher for help, she accuses them of micromanaging. The teachers don't care - they are just "on the clock" for the union. During a meeting with the principal and teacher to figure out a plan for our child to be in a safe environment, the teacher got up and left in the middle of the meeting because her "unionized time" ran out on site - "her contract doesn't pay her after 2:45pm" -- so much for a caring environment. We got ZERO feedback from the teacher throughout the year regarding our child's academic progress - we had NO clue what was going on in the classroom and how he was doing - the teacher just doesn't care - "it's just a job and a paycheck". We have consulted real behavioral psychologists and other professionals about what goes on at this school and they've never heard of such an environment in their 35 years of professional experience. This place is so bad, we have left the school and will never return.

Posted: May 22, 2020

Love it! I just wish my students could have attended this school in their earlier learning development. Go Hawks!

Posted: May 22, 2020

Absolutely clear as day! The pandemic made online a bit interesting with a few bumps. We're all so busy working from home and trying to assist our students as well. Overall, not too bad. These teachers Rock!

Posted: May 22, 2020

The teachers do an excellent job with the students. Encouraging and engaging. I owe volunteer hours to my 3rd-grade student. I say, owe because the pandemic had fliped all plans over and couldn't help. So, I will make it up next year, regardless of grade. It's a pleasure to assist Mrs. Chambers and O'Connel's 3rd-grade staff. You will love them and your students won't want to leave them at the end of the year. I know my son is devastated because he won't be atteneding their class next year.

Posted: May 22, 2020

Yes! Yes! and Yes!!!! This school is dedicated to making the school a well-rounded community with balanced students. I have to say, I am totally impressed and I am not one to impress so easily.

Posted: May 22, 2020

My Goodness, The leadership is phenomenal! I wish my students could have attended this school earlier! Supportive staff! My students had a poor experience at an Irvine school but here? Hands down dedication and a positive environment. I wish to do something to should my appritiation.

Posted: May 22, 2020

Yes! I have a student that studders and the school has been taking care of him. He is progressing, less studdering, slowly but surely becoming more fluent with his "r's", "w's", and more. He enjoys spending time in his speech class because the therapist is gentle and attentive. She provides a positive environment.

Posted: May 22, 2020

Yep. They take care of bullying on the spot! No questions asked and no delays. Excellent management!

Posted: April 10, 2018

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Posted: April 10, 2018

We love our school. The teachers and IB program are top notch!

Posted: February 3, 2018

The principal is very active in the school the kids all know her and she knows them

Posted: February 3, 2018

The teachers are always communicating with parents to best help the kids learn

Posted: February 3, 2018

This year unfortunately my daughter was bring picked on, the teacher noticed it, had the guidance counselor become involved and called us, and followed up and still does to be sure there are no issues. We haven't had an issue since

Posted: February 3, 2018

Fantastic, I love this school they have challenged my girl to push herself and be accountable and truly care about her and us as a whole!!!

Posted: February 3, 2018

Both years my daughter has been here they send the home work home for the week, the student even as young as first grade is able to learn time management skills (with the help from parents)

Posted: February 3, 2018

The teachers really care and it's obvious!

Posted: February 3, 2018

Posted: February 17, 2017

Posted: February 17, 2017

Posted: February 17, 2017

Posted: February 17, 2017

Posted: February 17, 2017

Posted: February 17, 2017

Posted: February 17, 2017

Carl Hankey is a unique school that does amazing things with the resources it is given. The teachers are EXCEPTIONAL and have to teach more children per classroom that the state average. The school upholds traditional moral standards and expects their students to be kind, caring, and accepting others with differences. Because of the way schools are funded in California, there is just not a lot of money left for middle-class public schools. Carl Hankey has been good stewards of the money they are allotted and provide the children with a great education. There is not a lot left over for playground equiptment but the kids do great and it forces them to use their imaginations and actually interact with one another. I love the smaller size of the elementary and middle schools and find it is a huge benefit to the children as they all consider themselves part of a large family. Way to go Carl Hankey!!!

Posted: April 20, 2015

We've attended Hankey for 5 years. The teachers and staff are very in tune with individual needs. Parents are involved and kids are generally on task. The circumlum including the core standard are a focus with positive variations based on student needs. If you want to learn this is a good place to be.

Posted: August 21, 2013

Our kids have been going to Carl Hankey now for 4 years. We all love this school. It is a smaller neighborhood school with excellent teachers and everyone is very helpful and friendly. It feels like a family.. Would highly recommend this school. We also like that fact that it is K-8.

Posted: September 11, 2012

This school is a small gem and perhaps the best kept secret in Orange County. In an era when programs are being cut, Carl Hankey can still offer music and language to its middle school students. The K-8 format keeps the environment wholesome and the teachers know every child. I can't say enough good things about this school.

Posted: August 23, 2012

This school is okay. But there aren't many choices. At all. There are about two elective choices. A language, and if possible, a musical class. But that's about it. There are many very good teachers, but mixed in there are some pretty bad ones too. The environment is very small, some grades only have 80 children. The principal, though is very energetic and can get some kids pretty excited about events. While the assistant principal is, well, not that great. Overall, academically this school is pretty decent, but if you really want to make a bunch of new friends, this really isn't the school for you. Trust me, I went here.

Posted: March 11, 2011

Wonderful teachers that have met my GATE child's needs. My child gets to play the cello at school twice a week! An exceptional P.E teacher once a week. The Destination Imagination program is terrific (A team went to Globals last year). The only public elementary International Baccalaureate Candidate School in Orange County.

Posted: January 5, 2011

This is a great school, when I moved I made sure I stayed in the area where this was still my child's home school. The principal is great, the teachers are great, the staff is great, the parents of the kids are great...you get the idea. The only thing I wish that they would add is healthier school lunches, but its the same food the whole district gets so it wouldn't change even if I changed schools. The principal really has done so good since he took over a couple years ago. The IB program seems to be really taking root and the more I research IB, the more I'm excited for my child to be apart of it from such an early age and being able to continue it through high school.

Posted: December 25, 2010

As a parent I think the new principal, Dr Wilbur, has been a great asset to Hankey since he works tirelessly to improve the school. He has iniatiated the new International Baccaulaurete program which will make Hankey stand out in the community and families will wish their children attended there since they will be getting a fantastic education. I do think that parents need to volunteer their time more and participate in the school so that it truly can be the best school.

Posted: December 5, 2010

This school is terrible! My daughter has changed her behavior recently and she has said it is due to the kids and teachers around her! The teachers cuss out to much, the students shout out very bad things and the teachers do absouilty nothing. This is the worst school ever! The Princapal puts on a fake smile, the vice princapal is very touchy and sicking, Please from whatever means neccesary do not sent your child to this school.