Feedback on Hearst ES
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Anonymous
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Hi everyone,
Considering purchasing IB for Hearst ES. Kid is First Grader. Currently renting IB for H. Mann. Can you please send me any feedback about Hearst, good and/or bad and also how it compares to H. Mann, if you know. Thank you! |
Anonymous
| Our child just started but not first grade. We are extremely pleased with the teachers and community. |
Anonymous
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My information is old and anecdotal. But my kid went there briefly some years ago before we got off the waitlist at a closer school. Although we loved our closer school, we honestly still talk about Hearst! It was just a really nice, welcoming community. The parents seemed really down to earth. My kid's teacher seemed wonderful, and I liked the principal a lot. The after school offerings were terrific. Of course, this is not like experiencing a full school year. But it just seemed like a school that had it together.
I concur with others who suggest visiting and seeing what you think. I would be totally comfortable with my kid going to Hearst. I have no direct experience with Mann. But I have seen the building and it's beautiful. |
Anonymous
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Looking at the school comparison, a few things to note:
The schools are roughly the same size, although Mann is slightly larger. Mann has higher test scores and is classified as a Reward school; Hearst has lower test scores and is classified as a Rising school. Hearst has a higher percentage of ELL, SPED, economically disadvantaged, and non-white students than Mann. Mann has a higher IB percentage. Mann feeds to Hardy MS, while Hearst feeds to Deal MS. http://profiles.dcps.dc.gov/Compare.aspx?tab=1&school=258,273 I know people who are happy with each school, but none who have sent kids to both. Mann has historically been an excellent school, but Hearst seems to be on the upswing. Both have recently renovated facilities--Hearst just got a new gym. I think you really need to visit the schools and get a sense of the schools and communities. I would be comfortable sending my kid to either school. |
Anonymous
| The Hearst numbers are a bit skewed due to the wonderful autism program which is almost 100% OOB. And the ELL numbers need to be understood in the context that 15 embassies are IB for Hearst. Can’t go wrong at either school. |
Anonymous
If your child is currently enrolled in Mann, you can stay through 5th if you move - and then go to Deal. |
Anonymous
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Parent of a Hearst kindergartner here. We absolutely adore it. The teachers there are so accessible and enthusiastic and, honestly, have given me terrific advice that's made me a better parent. And I love that it's so small, relative to other DCPS. The principal seems to know every kid by name. Just a wonderful, warm little school.
I know nothing about Mann, but I don't know a single Hearst parent that dislikes it. I'm sure one will chime in now though 
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Anonymous
| Hearst parent here. I’m not as thrilled about it as others. I think it’s ok but definitely not great. They’ve gotten rid of birthday celebrations and Halloween this year for all grades. Before people start piling on with its only a birthday blah blah blah....it’s also an elementary school. This isn’t college and it should be fun. The principals rationale was it makes us lose instructional time. So just be prepared that’s it’s probably quite different than Mann |
Anonymous
They didn't get rid of Halloween. They allowed 1st through 5th grade to wear costumes. They just got rid of the parade. |
Anonymous
Hearst has a stubborn 40 point ELA achievement gap between its black and white students, and a 20 point gap between boys and girls on PARCC. So there is a need to improve performance. Birthday celebrations are a nightmare for teachers and not all that much fun for kid; simply an excuse to eat. |
Anonymous
| Do other schools have the gender gap? |
Anonymous
I don’t think this is a sure thing anymore. At many schools, it’s at the pricipal’s discretion. I would check before relying on this. |
Anonymous
Look for yourself - results.osse.dc.gov Search for a school; then scroll down and sort by gender. |
Anonymous
| OP here - thanks for the feedback |
Anonymous
OP we have been at the school for 6 years with 2 kids and couldn't be happier. Our kids are happy-- they excel at school, they enjoy their afterschool activities, and they have loved every teacher they've had. We love the small and warm environment. If you are moving in-bounds I think you will like being part of the community. |