Hearst Elementary School

Posted: March 7, 2025

Posted: March 7, 2025

Posted: March 7, 2025

Posted: March 7, 2025

Posted: March 7, 2025

Posted: March 7, 2025

Posted: March 7, 2025

It could be a good school however it is not. Parents are able to come on the school grounds and discipline students that are not their own students. There is limited diversity and plenty of unfairness and inequity here. Some teachers hold back students recommendations for months on at a time. Some students are able to get away with things. Some voices are heard while other voices are ignored. There is fairness at this school. There is plenty of inequality at this school.

Posted: March 7, 2025

Posted: December 5, 2022

Just would like to see more equity and fairness across the board. Treat each student as though they matter and just treat some.

Posted: December 5, 2022

Posted: December 5, 2022

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Posted: December 5, 2022

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Posted: December 5, 2022

Posted: June 5, 2021

Posted: June 5, 2021

Posted: June 5, 2021

We feel fortunate to be a part of Hearst Elementary. There are many special teachers there, who give the kids their all and bring so much energy to teaching. The school was renovated 5 years ago so it has a beautiful building. It is a very small elementary school with just 2 classes per grade in most grades. PTA is very active and engaged, making sure the school gets whatever it needs. You can’t go wrong with Hearst!!

Posted: June 5, 2021

Posted: June 5, 2021

Posted: June 5, 2021

Posted: June 5, 2021

Posted: June 5, 2021

Posted: June 1, 2021

My oldest child is graduating from Hearst this year and it's with a heavy heart that we will be leaving "The Best Little School in the District"! He has been there since kindergarten and it's hard to imagine a more positive experience. We love: 1) the small size - only 2-3 classes per grade 2) the teachers - never had a bad year 3) the specials - excellent PE, Music, Art, Library 4) the facilities - upgraded and updated, wonderful playground and field 5) how all students know each other via "buddy classes" and other mechanisms 6) the tight-knit and community minded parent community and 7) the extremely thoughtful, data-driven, performance based lens that Principal Geoffroy (and now Dr. Chen) use to lead the school. My two daughters are following in my son's footsteps; one of them has an IEP and the administration and support services (special ed, OT, speech) have been fantastic for her as well. Can't recommend Hearst enough. The low rating on Great Schools is truly bizarre to me. Talk to parents, the PTA, or come to an open house to see for yourself...

Posted: June 1, 2021

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Posted: January 30, 2019

The homework usually is easily understood and reflects what is being taught in class.

Posted: January 30, 2019

The teachers have been mostly outstanding and one can tell they love their jobs and enjoy working with children.

Posted: January 30, 2019

Teachers come and go, and the teachers at Hearst have been quite excellent, and perhaps the Principal can take some credit.

Posted: January 30, 2019

The Principal is not just socially awkward, but is not responsive to parents concern about grade manipulation and school policies. During the search, several years ago, it's my anecdotal opinion that the involved parents strongly preferred other candidates.

Posted: January 30, 2019

Posted: January 30, 2019

Posted: January 30, 2019

I recommend Hearst however, there is blatant grade manipulation and teaching to the test. They may as well just call it "Kaplan" Elementary as there is so much emphasis on preparing for tests.

A much insidious issue is the school is now issuing fake, absurdly low grades at the beginning of the year to be able to show improvement by the end of the school year. My son is in STEM and his first math grade was really low - it was insane and no connection to reality. His other grades were also artificially, and dramatically, much lower than reality.

He was upset and how does a parent even begin to explain to a child the reason for this approach? Our older son (at Deal) also was at Hearst, and he didn't experience the fake initial report card. I don't understand how DCPS can allow this dishonest approach.

Posted: March 6, 2016

The administration needs to improve on their communication with families. The children are not respected.

Posted: January 27, 2016

This is second year that my child has been at Hearst. Many people, parents and teachers have described our entry time as one of the best as so many new and positive things are happening on campus. The obvious item is the brand new addition that includes new class rooms, a new library, new gym, new music room, new cafeteria, and more. Besides the new physical environment I've found the principal and the teachers of my child to be welcoming to my engagement in my child's scholastic life. On another front, the parent community at Hearst are involved in making positive things happen. From after-school programs, to the PTA, to basketball games, and choral events, our family has participated in many Hearst events. We look forward to having our child continue her education at Hearst for many years and to our being more involved with the parent activities. Yes, I do recommend Hearst.

Posted: September 30, 2015

I have been told by my daughter that during lunch the kids are not allowed to talk - they call it "the silence punishment" - to what kind of civilized society Hearts is preparing our kids - where having a conversation during lunch time is not permitted ?
Our two dogs do not converse during their lunch - our kids however - should congregate around their meal and share their thoughts and their laughs.
This is a basic human value that we can just assume we do not share with the principal of the school.

Posted: September 16, 2015

Clearly, the long response from a "parent" about their children "thriving" at a school with only three weeks into the school year is awkward. Only parents who value a mediocre public education would possibly stand on that premise about "their children thriving". To my calculation, school began 3 weeks ago, report cards have not been issued nor has standardized testing been discussed or administered, yet your children are "thriving". Unless you want your child to be socially accepted among their peers (classmates), you are either a new parent or possibly a staff member posting as a "parent". We (parents) complain and praise, rather than sound like a defensive, yet long school response.

However, it hasn't been a month, since DCPS schools have started and there are concerns that have already occurred at Hearst. First, a teacher communicated to the parents that they resigned and then retracted their statement. What is the state of mind of the teacher and the leadership who allows this? Parents are concerned. What about Sept. 15th, while driving by the school, there were several WDC police cars (counted 4) and a ambulance entering the school (near 4pm or later). Now, should I really be concern about my child's safety? One too many valid red flags are enough when it involves our children; and conspicuous actions are better than words or chats. What school administration allows such activities without addressing the entire parent body? Or is Hearst accustomed to covering issues, that are not being addressed? Is this a DCPS standard?

A concern parent wanting to see the start of effective leadership, a healthy environment and positive influences. With enough being said, a parent's action is never "distracting" when it's warranted and I'm sure that more parents are concern, who appear to be a great and welcoming part of the school.

Veteran leaders are prepared and skilled at handling adverse situations and communicating effectively, not a rookie who can't ask for direction/help or who isolates issues that possibly effects the entire school environment. Does Hearst need a community meeting with the superintendent or the chancellor? An Assistant Principal to deal with the non-academic issues? Or possibly new leadership?

Posted: September 14, 2015

I want to respond to the post from late August 2015:

I’m sorry to hear about your experience so far; mine has been very different. My children have been thriving at the school and I have found it to be a welcoming place, both in terms of staff and other families. I also am a bit hesitant to get into a back and forth on an anonymous discussion board but felt the need to chime in, especially for others who may be reading about the school on this forum.

First, I would highly encourage you to contact your child(ren)’s teacher(s) and Principal Thomas with your concerns. I have found the staff to be very responsive to emails, conversations, etc. (including about concerns such as this), and, most importantly, as I noted, my children are thriving at the school: happy and learning a lot. Please try to give the school a chance and look beyond a few problems you may have encountered at the beginning.

Second, in part to clarify for people reading this board who are not yet at the school, there actually have been a number of opportunities to see the building and meet the teachers. There was a “community day” the Saturday before school started, Back to School nights the 2nd week of school, the pre-K teachers had a meeting for new parents and made times for the kids to come in and see the classroom before they officially started, many families have had home visits with their kids’ teachers, and Principal Thomas has parent chats twice a week during the first 6 weeks of school. I have been in the school many times since the year has started.

I also think it’s important to think about the rationale behind the rule about parents not walking their kids in to the building at the start of the school day. Many schools have that policy, and it is designed to help the kids start off their day without distractions. Even having 1-2 parents coming in and hanging out in the classroom will
delay the students’ getting their routine going.

One final clarification is that the post from January 2014 was actually related to the previous Principal; Principal Thomas started in July 2015.

Earlier review:

Great small school--teachers and a principal that really care, a caring environment where kids learn to be citizens of the world. We have been thrilled with our experience at the school and encourage others to check it out!

Posted: August 28, 2015

I find it hypocritical, as I read the 01/24/14 review by the principal, "I feel compelled to respond and invite anyone to drop by on any day and visit our great school."

As a new family to Hearst ES, I was thrilled and happy for my child to start their local community school. Although, the construction can be an eyesore, the new addition and playground is great, which has been an incentive for my child to start a new school. Yes, we were excited, yet we didn't have a chance to enter the school building. Because during the summer in July (initial visit and a few phone calls), the principal and registration person were both on vacation and the person manning the main office (if someone was there) could not properly answer our questions or help with the enrollment documents. Is competent staffing an issue here? However, during the morning address (first day of school), the principal informed the parents not to enter the building. I was appalled, disappointed and upset that the leadership (principal) would communicate a standard. Or is this a school policy? Is Hearst a welcoming school? Does the principal (and staff) understand the sensitivity (or need training) and emotional connection of a new family wanting to walk their young child to their new classroom or meet the teacher on the first day of school? I'm disgusted. Hearst is a public school and we pay her salary (via taxes) and of the staff, who stood outside the main entry enforcing this. I began my due diligence, and "The State Board of Education of DC does not have a written policy" on such a thing; therefore it's left up to the Chancellor to set a policy, which happens to be a discretionary action if safety is a concern. Not just a random procedure to employ by Principal Jennifer Thomas to control the school and families. What an unwelcoming environment on the first day and throughout the weekday mornings.

I'm beginning to reconsider Hearst ES and question if the leadership will create tactics to abuse power. Is this the right school for my family and did I make the right choice. What a first day and week :-(.

Posted: July 16, 2015

I have been teaching for 15 years. I am new to the area and a new staff member at Herast. I haven't started working there yet. Every time I tell any of my teacher friends, I am working at Herast next year, I hear responses like "You lucked out" and that's a great school. As soon as I entered the school for the interview,I knew that there is a lot of teaching and learning going on in this school. Students were engaged and seemed happy. The hiring process was very professional and transparent. The principal was very professional and I felt like she sincerely cares about the children. at the same time very sweet and approachable by students, the community and staff members. Hearst is the best little school in the district. Period.

Posted: July 6, 2015

Posted: July 6, 2015

Posted: July 6, 2015

Posted: February 17, 2015

We love the school and the engaged parent community. My kids love going to school and the after school programs are awesome.

Posted: November 22, 2014

Great staff (teaching and support) and a welcoming parent community. I love that it is a small school. Incredibly lucky to be here!

Posted: November 14, 2014

The teachers are dedicated and provide my child with a quality education. The new principal at Hearst is terrible. She is turning our school into a business being run by data and numbers. I may be wrong, but the teachers this year seem unhappy with her. They have chosen to take away parent teacher conference day to teach group lessons to the parents. I want to discuss my child's individual progress. The teachers are not given a choice and this group lesson is mandatory.

Posted: September 3, 2014

my Husband and I have been searching for a good school where our daughter would get what she needed. Hearst is the winner! her teacher is Ms. Anderson and she is such a joy. she and her aide Ms. Gilmore are very attentive to all the children. they both are 100% dedicated to the children and their success. I love the new principle as well, she's great. this school has it going on. GO OWLS!

Posted: April 4, 2014

We love Hearst. We spent a lot of time selecting trying to select the right school for our child, and Hearst is that school.

Posted: February 24, 2014

I don't think it's fair to judge a persons parenting skills just because they stated a teacher yelled at a student. This action by the teacher has nothing to do with a persons ability to parent but, how the teacher handles a sistuation. You can go above and beyond working with your child at home to the point of almost home schooling and sometimes sistuations still arise at school. So please don't be so quick to judge.I think the teachers at Hearst are doing a great job but, that may not be that parents experience .

Posted: February 6, 2014

I would like to respond to the parent who cited one of the teachers as ignoring or yelling at students by asking that parent to examine his or her parenting skills. Parents are their children's first and most influential teachers. Too often they are failing teach their children the importance of education and proper respect for teachers. I would ask this parent how much time he or she has spent reading to or with his or her child. Does your child see you reading? Do you develop your child's math skills by playing games, allowing the child to calculate prices in the grocery store, or to help you measure ingredients in the kitchen? Do your support your child's teacher? Do you supervise your child's homework? Do you make it clear that you will not tolerate disrespectful behavior in the classroom and that there will be consequences at home for such behavior? If the school recommends additional testing or counseling do you follow-up? Education is a partnership between parent and student. You cannot expect a teacher to do his or her job and yours. Most teachers are dedicated people who want the best for their students. Too often they receive little or no support from parents.

Posted: January 23, 2014

I am the principal at Hearst Elementary.I never go to blogs, but someone brought this to my attention. I find the anonimity of a blog to be somewhat cowardly. I will be up front and tell you who I am. I feel compelled to respond and invite anyone to drop by on any day and visit our great school. (Specifically, visit our 3rd grade! Two amazing teachers!) Our environment is peaceful throughout the building. Our academic programming is challenging. Our teachers are dedicated. I won't comment on my own work. Rather, I invite you to come meet me and judge for yourself. I am far from perfect, but everything I do here is done with the 300 students and 50 staff members who show up every day in mind. Come check us out!

Posted: January 21, 2014

This school is not good at all, the school's principal is the main problem, then the third grade teachers are some of the worst I have ever seen. They handle the school loosely and the teachers scream at the children.

Posted: September 23, 2013

I feel very lucky that we were given the opportunity to enroll our son into Hearst. With this being his first year at Hearst in pre-k we already see the dedication and commitment the teachers have to their students. We absolutely love the environment and he enjoys going to school. & by far the most parental involved school I have seen. GO OWLS!!!!!!!!

Posted: July 20, 2012

HEARST Happy learners. Energetic parents. Awesome principal. Rigorous assignments. Supportive environment. Top-notch teachers. Need I say more?

Posted: February 10, 2012

Hearst is an excellent professional learning community established on a strong foundation. We, the parents, are so fortunate to have one another. Our current leadership leaves a bit to be desired, takes more than a guitar and some stars. However, we will overcome that next year as we pass that on to Prince William County. Let's look forward to new leadership!!!

Posted: February 3, 2012

One of the best-kept secrets in the area! Hearst is a vibrant community of students teachers and parents, and in the best sense functions as a family of sorts. Hearst boasts enrollment from all Wards of DC and is diverse in many ways. Our two children are in first and third grade and both are thriving. The teachers at Hearst are engaged and thoughtful and committed to the school. We feel lucky that we send our children to a school where all the teachers and many if not most of the parents know our children and each other. Note that Hearst has expanded to Pre-K to 5th grade, so students go directly to middle school after finishing elementary school and do not feed to a different elementary school.