Hearst Elementary School

Posted: October 3, 2024

Posted: October 3, 2024

Posted: October 3, 2024

Posted: October 3, 2024

Posted: October 3, 2024

Posted: October 3, 2024

Posted: October 3, 2024

Posted: October 3, 2024

Hearst has exceeded our expectations. The foundation, PTA, and parent community create a nurturing environment for learners of diverse abilities and backgrounds. The teachers are dedicated and innovative in their approach; our children feel supported, challenged, and have blossomed in this very special school. Most of all, they have FUN! You can see this by how they all run through the gates each day, saying “Good Morning” to Ms. Wendy, a staple of the Hearst Community. No school is perfect, but we feel confident that any issue that may arise will be addressed effectively.

Posted: February 9, 2023

Hearst provides an exceptional experience to the whole school community.

Posted: February 9, 2023

Posted: February 9, 2023

Posted: February 9, 2023

Posted: February 9, 2023

Posted: February 9, 2023

Posted: February 9, 2023

Posted: February 9, 2023

Posted: September 10, 2019

The principal is amazing....she is a seasoned administrator and knows how to manage a large school with tons of parent involvement and VERY strong PTA and Foundation boards.

Posted: September 10, 2019

My daughter has a learning disability and they have effectively incorporated her into mainstream curriculum while also being able to give her extra help where she needs it....

Posted: September 10, 2019

No experience with any type of bullying at this school.

Posted: September 10, 2019

This is a top rate school that you feel very lucky to have your kiddos go to. Tons of after school programs your kiddos can take part in and and programs built in during school day (paid for by funding from foundation, etc) like art, gardening, music, dance. Amazing!

Posted: September 10, 2019

There is definitely homework but the teachers are careful not to overwhelm students. I think there could be more but it's a good balance.

Posted: September 10, 2019

I have had 3 kiddos go through Hearst and I have loved (almost) all of their teachers. This is an amazing school with strong leadership so the teachers are mostly all top rate.

Posted: September 10, 2019

The focus of this school year is "Kindness" and every week the kiddos are recognized for their attendance, cleanliness and "caught being good." In addition every month kiddos from each grade are recognized at a Breakfast with the Principal which allows every child to shine by the end of the year.

Posted: August 7, 2019

This is the SEMINAR/GATE school for the Henry High cluster and the Seminar teachers are excellent.

Posted: August 7, 2019

This is the Principal's weakest point, she needs to address this better. Bullying is not really an issue but there have been a few specific situations.

Posted: August 7, 2019

Homework is appropriate at each grade level and teachers are receptive to parent feedback. After-school tutoring is available.

Posted: August 7, 2019

Excellent teacher base, each grade has tight teacher connections. Students have rotations so they are taught by each teacher in the grade according to the teacher's strengths. Students are paired with Reading Buddies (Older grade with younger grade) so that the students get to know children across grade levels.

Posted: August 7, 2019

2018 launched a schoolwide wellness committee that is focused on personal character development and had a Kindness week in the spring.

Posted: August 7, 2019

The Principal is on cruise control but it's a solid program.

Posted: August 7, 2019

Excellent. Our family has been at Hearst for five years, my oldest is moving to Lewis Middle this year. The parent volunteering and fundraising is the best in the area and fund a tremendous amount of programs. Art, music, dance, school garden, and more. Good families, great teachers. Overall, a very positive environment.

Posted: May 18, 2019

The teachers are what make this school a three star for me and not a two

Posted: May 18, 2019

my daughter was being bullied by a few girls in her classroom to such a degree that I finally pulled her from her class until the counselor was able to sit down with all of them and have a talk about what was going on in their interactions. The amount of blowback that I received as a result from both admin and parents of the other children made me realize that this wasn’t where I wanted my child to spend the biggest chunk of her day. Wealthy parents at this school get what they want. The message I received was that I was overreacting. My child didn’t want to go to school. Every morning was a struggle. She and I worked on assertive speech and ignoring but she was still being bullied to a point where one of the girls began pushing her and told her she’d punch her if she did anything in retaliation. Since the counselor has been involved my daughter’s anxiety has dissipated and she has returned to herself. Yep. I was totally overreacting.

Posted: May 18, 2019

I have heard from many the Principal has said that certain things, “aren’t her problem” because she is retiring in three years. There have been several bullying instances at this school and they are being swept under the rug because the parents are wealthy and can also, themselves, be very intimidating. They don’t want people rocking the boat.

Posted: May 18, 2019

Posted: May 18, 2019

my daughter was being bullied by a few girls in her classroom to such a degree that I finally pulled her from her class until the counselor was able to sit down with all of them and have a talk about what was going on in their interactions. The amount of blowback that I received as a result from both admin and parents of the other children made me realize that this wasn’t where I wanted my child to spend the biggest chunk of her day. Wealthy parents at this school get what they want. The message I received was that I was overreacting. My child didn’t want to go to school. Every morning was a struggle. The focus is on academics. Keeping the school a 10 is the priority.

Posted: May 18, 2019

Disappointing. She will be starting a charter school for the 19-20 school year. In our household a social and emotional education is as equally important as academics. So, if you’re fine with your kids not really being socially and emotionally nurtured and are simply looking for a “10” out of “10” school than you have nothing to worry about.

Posted: May 18, 2019

Posted: April 24, 2019

Very welcoming and everyone seams to be doing their job. Teachers and the Principal are down to earth. Tons of after school programs and clubs! Parent teacher involvement is a must if you want your kid to succeed, there is absolutely no other way!

Posted: April 24, 2019

Communication between teachers and parents is the key to making sure that your kid is on top of things. Otherwise don’t expect teachers to do it all when it comes to making sure that your kids is doing homework when assigned.

Posted: April 24, 2019

The current teacher has great communication. I appreciate the emails and messages sent weekly. Specially when there’s is an issue with my kid; that shows she cares. And that is well appreciated.

Posted: April 24, 2019

Everyone seams respectful, so far no issues. And the kids portray good self esteem. I guess most kids choose to make the right choice. Monday’s school assembly really brings everyone together, it is here where the Principal recognizes kids and classrooms. Ms. Jorgensen motto “the choice is yours” which seams to have some effect on the positive vibe in this school.

Posted: April 24, 2019

The principal seams to be on top of things. Obviously this school is a 10! So she and the teachers must be doing something right! You can find Ms. Jorgensen directing traffic everyday after school and she

Posted: April 24, 2019

Posted: April 24, 2019

So far no bullying anddrama, so that’s good news.

Posted: January 28, 2019

Principal is lazy - the assemblies are pointless.

Posted: January 28, 2019

Posted: January 28, 2019

Posted: January 28, 2019

Posted: January 28, 2019

The principal is pretty much on cruise control as another review put it and she could seemingly care less about the students that are accurately reporting information to her, but rather plays favorites with those from wealthier families.

Posted: January 28, 2019

Posted: January 28, 2019

Overall experience at this school with the teachers was fantastic. 2 children of mine have come out of this school and onto middle-school relatively successfully. The Principal is not innovative or inspiring. She is kind and physically present, but does not exemplify any strong community spirit or a demonstrate an authentic connection with the students that don't have wealthy parents. The school is only great because of parental involvement and the teachers. STRONG PTA and Foundation was what made the school a success when we were there 2012-2018. Its public school, not magic. You have to be aware as a parent and you have to actually parent your child. Do not expect free childcare. Do not expect a stellar education if you are not active.

Posted: September 25, 2018

Dedicated teachers, focused kids, and incredible parent involvement and strong fundraising (to offset state budget cuts) make Hearst a great place. The principal is not an innovator and on cruise control into retirement so be prepared to be told 'no' to any programs you'd like to add.

Hearst is one of two seminar (GATE+) schools in the cluster, yet the school doesn't put an emphasis on Seminar or GATE. For example, there is a 3rd grade seminar class but no dedicated 4th or 5th grade seminar class (4th and 5th grade seminar students are combined into one class, meaning the kids get half the instruction time of a regular classroom. The teacher is amazing but that's not advanced learning for kids who are ready and able to learn a lot more.) Unfortunately, the school is so full that it doesn't usually accept kids who qualify for seminar and want to exercise their right to choice in. Unless you get in before 3rd grade, you won't get in -- even if you have a seminar designation. So if you think your kids will test GATE or Seminar and don't live in the neighborhood, choice in early.

Posted: September 25, 2018

Posted: September 25, 2018

Posted: September 25, 2018

Posted: September 25, 2018

Posted: September 25, 2018

Posted: September 25, 2018

Posted: September 1, 2014

An outstanding school, with an emphasis on academics. Teachers at most grade levels work together so curriculum is similar in all classrooms. Parent involvement is high and it is easy to volunteer for various activities, PTA positions & Foundation board.

Posted: June 23, 2014

This school is over rated. The parents are over involved to the point that their child can do no wrong. The parents buy the teachers and principals support (for their bully children) at the auctions and fundraisers. The bullying has gone on for decades. Parents whose children are bullied move out of the area and you never hear from them. The resource teacher is a gossip, so be careful if you need any kind of learning assistance...everyone in the school will find out about it.

Posted: September 9, 2012

This school did not even bother telling us that our grandson was reading below grade level. What kind of communication is this? We did not find out until the next year. We could have placed him in a summer reading class. This is not what we expected when we sacrificed to get him into this school. It is also something that should have been covered in parent teacher meetings, as well as in daily communications.

Posted: October 19, 2011

Our child has now promoted from Hearst. Looking back, our experiences were very positive. The quality, overall, of the teachers was excellent. Their commitment to the students success was obvious. Since a change in principal leadership a few years ago, the morale of the teachers and parent volunteers grew dramatically. The new principal, Jamie Jorgensen, leads with enthusiasm, joy, and inclusiveness.

Reviewed: January 29, 2018

Our daughter attended half of third and fourth grade here. The teachers, staff and parents are all committed in the success of the students. The transition as a new student was easy and supported through a buddy program. After school activities and and active PTA was appreciated. Due to being a neighborhood school there are no buses, but easily walk able to most homes in a very safe neighborhood.