Hearst--any insights?

[Anonymous]

I've heard a few conflicting things about Hearst Elementary School:
1. That it's a great school;
2. That it's a great school until about 3rd grade, when the peer group changes because many middle-class parents pull their kids out;
3. That it's on an upswing because of a new principal and a planned extension of grades to grade 5;
4.That it's on a downswing because of a new principal who has yet to settle in, and an extension of grades to grade 5;
5. That the new playground (whose opening has been postponed) is great;
6. That the old playground was better.

I look forward to attending its Spring Fair on May 22nd...but in the meantime, I'd welcome insights from people with children at the school. I'd like a small school for my daughter. Schools like Murch look so HUGE.

[Anonymous]

OP, are you looking to move based on what school you want for your DC? My comments probably aren't that useful since my kids don't attend Hearst or Murch, but I did do a ton of research and it is my understanding that Hearst has traditionally been a school made up mainly of OOB kids but with the downturn in the economy and the arguably better rep that elementary schools west of the park are enjoying, more neighborhood kids are taking advantage of Hearst...at least for the younger grades. Location is great...quiet and safe.

[Anonymous]

Hearst parent here!!!!

I have a pre-k child at Hearst. I have nothing but good things to say about the school. Yes, I am OOB but the OOB parents are just as active and enthused as in-bound parents. There is a desperate push by the school and PTA to attract more in-bounds. The new playground is unofficially open and is fantastic. Mostly half of my child's class is inbound. Dedicated teachers, parents, and principal. I do have personal issues with the school but this does not reflect my opinion about the school as it relates to other families. However, they treat kindergarten entry as if it were the first year of college, even if your kid went through pre-k.

[Anonymous]

Another Hearst pre-k out of boundary parent here. We love Hearst and it was the right fit for us. It is very diverse, great parents, the kids love the new playground, good test scores, love the new principal, we plan to stay until 5th grade and know many others who feel the same way. Our child is doing well and loves schools. Really, what more could you ask for?

[Anonymous]

I'm an in-bound parent of a pre-k student. We love the school and plan to stay until 5th grade. Yes, many parents used to take their children out before grade 3, but that was when the school only went up to third grade. Parents pulled their children out because they had to play the numbers game early to ensure placement at other schools. And there are many OOB families from all parts of the city, including just across the park. This has not been a negative, and in fact, is part of what we enjoy about our school. If you can, please come to the Open House this Thursday, April 29. The program begins at 9:30.

[Anonymous]

I know a parent who pulled her child mid-year from the current 2nd grade class at Hearst. (this was done in the middle of the 1st grade year). That particular group of children was quite unruly and had a lot of behavior issues. Teachers reported being months behind in the curriculum. If you have a rising 3rd grade student, I would carefully observe the class prior to sending a student into that particular group. Needless to say, this is dated information and hearsay and anonymous, so take it for what it's worth.

[Anonymous]

Another Hearst (grand)parent here. We commute from Takoma DC and love Hearst! The principal is great (I actually knew him and his family before he went to Hearst), the teachers are dedicated and I love the sense of community. It's a diverse, inclusive place.

Kids in 4th grade greet my grandson when he walks into the school. The classes are very child-centered and age appropriate. Hearst is the only school in the area that's a certified Early Childhood Education School (can't remember the exact acronym). Our pre-schooler is coming home with all kids of wonderful insights and is clearly prepared to start reading soon. We have no plans to move him before 5th grade. A longer commute than we'd like, but it's mostly through the park so what could be better?

[Anonymous]

I'm a Hearst in-bound parent of a kindergartener. We've been at the school for 2 years, love it, and plan to stay through 5th grade. We LOVE the new principal, the new playground, the excellent teachers, the test scores, the arts program, and the families, in-bounds and out-of-bounds alike. If you're looking for a high-performing, small DC public school in a safe, beautiful, quiet neighborhood, with dedicated parents and teachers and great leadership, come to Hearst. Your child will enjoy the small class sizes -- mandated by our certification as the only DC public school accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). (Our child's K class has 18 students with a full-time teacher and full-time aide, a teacher/student ratio that is better than some private schools in Northwest.) Our kids are doing well, our school is expanding to see them through 5th grade, and we could not be happier. Please join us at our spring Open House this Thursday, April 29, starting at 9:30am. You can meet our great principal, Bill Kerlina, and visit with teachers and parents, and you can tour our classrooms and playground to see Hearst for yourselves!

[Anonymous]

Hello Parents (and Grands),

I am a Hearst parent of a Pre-K student, out of bounds.

We are very happy with the school so far. Our son's teacher is very experienced and has created a wonderful learning environment. There is a small school environment; almost all the teachers and staff seem to know my son's name, as do many of the older kids.

The new principal, Bill Kerlina, is wonderful; really has the kids' best interests at heart and good relationships with both parents and teachers. The librarian is especially fabulous, and I appreciate the relationships with Fillmore Arts Center and Sidwell Friends.

Come by after school some day to the new playground and talk with the parents there. You can compare with the old playground -- I think the new one is fabulous, although I am a little nervous about the "rocks."

Challenges at the school:
1. No indoor gym.
2. Many parents, including us, have to drive across town to get there and the school does not offer help to set up carpools.
3. General issues with DC schools: free breakfast foods are full of sugar, Latino families seem to be shut out of the lottery, not many working class parents are involved in the PTA. But these problems are at all DC schools, not just Hearst.

See you on the playground -- it's a great place, whether or not your child ends up at Hearst!

[Anonymous]

Hello Parents (and Grands),

I am a Hearst parent of a Pre-K student, out of bounds.

We are very happy with the school so far. Our son's teacher is very experienced and has created a wonderful learning environment. There is a small school environment; almost all the teachers and staff seem to know my son's name, as do many of the older kids.

The new principal, Bill Kerlina, is wonderful; really has the kids' best interests at heart and good relationships with both parents and teachers. The librarian is especially fabulous, and I appreciate the relationships with Fillmore Arts Center and Sidwell Friends.

Come by after school some day to the new playground and talk with the parents there. You can compare with the old playground -- I think the new one is fabulous, although I am a little nervous about the "rocks."

Challenges at the school:
1. No indoor gym.
2. Many parents, including us, have to drive across town to get there and the school does not offer help to set up carpools.
3. General issues with DC schools: free breakfast foods are full of sugar, Latino families seem to be shut out of the lottery, not many working class parents are involved in the PTA. But these problems are at all DC schools, not just Hearst.

See you on the playground -- it's a great place, whether or not your child ends up at Hearst!

[Anonymous]

WOW, I am an OoB parent and I ABSOLUTELY love Hearst. I have a daughter in Pre-K and the 1st grade, and I have watched both of them blossom into very confident students. Like any other school Heast has it's challenges (no gym, no lunch room, and limited space) but the LOVING and CARING environment makes up for it's down falls. I would encourge any parent to look into Hearst as a school for their kids. The teachers take an active roll in your child 's educational and social development. The parents and PTA work hard to provide excellent opportunties for the students and staff. The children are treated like extended family and I LOVE IT!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Original poster here--many, many thanks. I don't think I can make the Open House on Thursday (rats), but we will definitely be checking out the playground!
Yes, I'm planning to move from downtown DC to in-bounds at some school, but I can't decide which one. I've given up on the lottery (I'll enter it, of course, because it's practically effortless, but we get shut-out everywhere, every year).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello Parents (and Grands),

I am a Hearst parent of a Pre-K student, out of bounds.

We are very happy with the school so far. Our son's teacher is very experienced and has created a wonderful learning environment. There is a small school environment; almost all the teachers and staff seem to know my son's name, as do many of the older kids.

The new principal, Bill Kerlina, is wonderful; really has the kids' best interests at heart and good relationships with both parents and teachers. The librarian is especially fabulous, and I appreciate the relationships with Fillmore Arts Center and Sidwell Friends.

Come by after school some day to the new playground and talk with the parents there. You can compare with the old playground -- I think the new one is fabulous, although I am a little nervous about the "rocks."

Challenges at the school:
1. No indoor gym.
2. Many parents, including us, have to drive across town to get there and the school does not offer help to set up carpools.
3. General issues with DC schools: free breakfast foods are full of sugar, Latino families seem to be shut out of the lottery, not many working class parents are involved in the PTA. But these problems are at all DC schools, not just Hearst.

See you on the playground -- it's a great place, whether or not your child ends up at Hearst!

Carpools do build community. Have you a list-serve or a place on the web-site where people can share ride needs? Vis Latino parents being shut out of lottery--unless Hearst is a specialized program that can weight background (like Oyster) the OOB lottery is 100% transparent/chance. Perhaps what you are saying is that Hearst needs to do more outreach in Mt. Pleasant etc. so that more Latino parents apply to lottery in the first place? Given Hearst's OOB ratios, it must be well known in some OOB communities and generate new applicants each year via word of mouth? SO agreed about PTA involvement being challenging... On PTA at another school and boy, sure seems like everyone-regardless of class- is 'busy' these days. Or their time is somehow worth more than the people who do carve out time to volunteer.... sometimes I think working class have more challenges (transport, child care) whereas upper class feel like no one can understand how much THEY have going on... It does end up being the same five people of whatever class pulling the freight over and over though. I hope Hearst, if it is a great community, can have more success with spreading the volunteerism spirit than we are currently having at my child's school...

Anyway, I'm in the neighborhood and interested in Hearst for future children. Thank you so much for the info. above.

[Anonymous]

Just want to add that I don't think upper, middle or lower class have ANY excuse for not finding SOME way to pitch in to their child's school. Maybe you can't be uber-parent, but send in a treat for the potluck, volunteer for a field trip, come to a PA meeting, look out for another's kids on the playground, send in a five dollar donation, SOMETHING!!! Not investing in some way in your child's school is LAME. Hope Hearst parents all contribute to a culture of chipping in-- THAT is what makes a great community.

[Anonymous]

Could anyone weigh in on the open house yesterday (I couldn't make it.) What did they say about class size, possible renovations and increasing in-boundary students? Any other news/insights?